After days of walking to villages to do ministry and days of working on the fence, we were delighted when Pastor said that he wanted to go into town today. Brody rode with Pastor on his motorcycle while Josi and I went with Pastor’s wife to wait for the bus. The other four stayed back at the house to start working on the fence.
After waiting at the bus stop for almost 45 minutes, we decided that getting into town today was a lost cause. The man working at the shop by the stop told us that there is a strike going on, so the buses are coming in really late today. As we sat there waiting for the bus, we saw many interesting things. It must be time to reproduce, because Josi and I saw goats jumping on top of each other in the middle of the road. There were many bicycles that passed by us – most had two or three people crammed on one, and some had women driving by in flowing sarees. At one point, school must have let out because we were surrounded by school children clad in uniform. I bought a Mirinda (an orange soda), and attempted to cool off. To no avail. As I said in earlier blogs, it is hotter here than it was for us in India. So, sooner rather than later, we decided to ditch the idea of taking bus and retreated back to the house.
No sooner had we sat down at the prayer bench than Pastor’s wife told us she had a ride for us. She was determined to get into town. We soon realized why. The auto that came down the drive was a large truck with an open bed surrounded by bars on all sides and the top. Josi and I willingly (and excitedly) jumped into the back of the truck and held onto the side bars. Riding on a bumpy dirt road was a fun (and semi-dangerous) adventure. We rode for 20 minutes before we stopped and saw the internet café. I was able to post blogs, update my facebook, and read emails. After almost an hour, I finished and paid 35 rupees (which is the equivalent of less than 50 cents).
Josi then decided that she wanted hair dye, so we went walking around the shops. I found some pomegranate juice and butter cookies. Josi found her dye and a nice pair of knock-off Ray Bans. I took a bite of my butter cookie and all I tasted was cheese-its. I tried my juice and again, all I tasted was cheese-its.
We soon met up with Pastor and his wife. We then found out what their draw to the market was. They had taken out the money we had given them and bought new furniture. They had a few plastic chairs and a new dresser. Josi and I squished in the back next to the furniture. We took our 20 minute bumpy ride back and met up with the team. They had done great work today clearing out brush for where we will be putting the new fence.
At snack (what the Nepalese call lunch), I was telling the team about my food and drink experience and how it all tasted like cheese-its. Jess said, “I thought you said it tasted like Jesus!”
Oh, world race! You are bringing out the crazy in my team. We’ve been having fun trying to decide who from our team might end up needing mental help to readjust to normal life after our community and openness. For now, the consensus is Ashley. Overall, it has been fun being ourselves around each other and accepting and loving each other through the struggles and craziness.
