So...here we are again. We have been facing many joys and obstacles the past few weeks! But we are here to share our adventures with you, whoever you are!
Last week we were in Southern Nepal...yet again. The week before there was much prep, homework, and the like. We departed on May 14 for the Terai. I have to admit that we were "liking it too much" as the Nepali's would say. Meaning, Mark and I love this area of Nepal. The day of arrival was interesting. Bob, Mark and I were accompanied by Bob's parents! They were going to Janakpur to visit some family and to take care of some legal issues. As we arrived at the hot airport (over 100 degrees) a jeep took all five of us to Bob's families home. At first, the driver was a bit confused as to where he was taking us, but then found a "shortcut." This coincided with the moment the jeep got stuck for two hours in the blistering hot sun. It was in the middle of the afternoon and we were on a little "village road."
Here is the jeep stuck!! It took some random people coming with digging utensils to get us out. However, some ladies, who were grazing their buffalo came and Mark and I practiced Miathili language (different then the Nepali I have been learning) on them! They were all smiles!!
Here is one of the many attempts to get the jeep moving!!
After this incident we went to the house of Bob's relatives. One of his uncles is in poor health and is dying. It was difficult to watch him chant the names of different gods while his frail body lay on their bed. The Hindu's believe that if those names are on ones lips upon death, there will be a reward in the afterlife. However, we ate there and I actually was able to share my testimony with them. Bob's aunt was so loving towards me and she seemed interested in the gospel message, but is not ready for a commitment. Here she is with her daughter. The red necklace I am wearing was a gift from her. What a precious lady!!
After arriving late (the same jeep broke down about an hour away from our town and we had to wait about two hours for a replacement) we went to bed! But the next morning was church! A 4.5 hour service at that. Mark gave a meaningful message about what it means to despair! Two people became Christians (Praise the Lord). And the most interesting thing (because it is hidden more so in America) was a woman, who became possessed with demons. It is hard to descirbe in words, but her eyes altered in appearance, her voice changed and her head started gyrating. The pastors know how to deal with possession, and the whole church prayed until she was delivered. Words cannot give justice to the spiritual warfare that took place last Saturday! However, God was Sovereign. In the afternoon I gave a "talk" to the youth about purity. We forgot to take pictures, but it went well!
Here is Mark playing the guitar at church. Soon after he gave the message.
This is one of the women who accepted Christ as her SAVIOR!! She and her husband gave their hears to the Lord. The girl in the corner was the one who became possessed.
The Church!! Can you find the white people?
After church we ate lunch with our dear friends Lachendar and Laxmi! They are a beautiful couple who desire to serve the Lord with everything they have.
Sunday we went preaching/evangelizing in a village with 15 believers. It was about 120 degrees that day and we walked quite a bit. But it is always a challenge to me to be apart of what these leaders do every week, no matter the weather. The Love of Christ compels them....does it do the same for you? We also saw two more accept Christ and fifty three were baptized!!
Many times the leaders play music to draw a crowd. These people write their own songs to reach out to the people. This man was gifted.
Bob with some onlookers.
Me, looking very Miathili, with a cute baby! We love getting to know the people!
Monday was a picnic. I really felt like I connected with many of the women leaders. We sat under the shade of a big tree, and they shared with me their stories and struggles. Mark was also able to connect with the men. They laughed, talked, swam, and just enjoyed one another. It was a beautiful day....many were baptized.
The beautiful women and I! I am saving some of their testimonies for when I return!! Be ready!! But pray for the woman on the far right in the red. She is having SERIOUS medical issues and depression. She needs answers from the doctors and they are limited in their ability. So please keep Ramdulady in your thoughts. She is a pastor's wife.
Mark swimming with the men!
Our lunch! It had been walking around minutes before:)
Enough with the good...the bad and the ugly began Monday night. Mark began to feel ill. I do not want to get into too many details. However, we had to rush him to the hospital on Tuesday with a 104 temperature, 90/60 blood pressure, and severely dehydrated. We were there for eight hours to push fluids and medication . There were many times I was nervous as we were in the villages, and the medical field is just different in this part of the world. The next day we left for Kathmandu...two days early. The doctor decided he had bacterial dysentery. Everyone thought the worse was over until two days later when I came down with the same symptoms. And Friday night I was rushed to the hospital with fever, dehydration and the like. It is weird to think all of that happened in the last few days as we are feeling so much better. But it has been a demanding last few days!
The last week has proven difficult in many ways. But God's hand was felt whether under a tree sharing life or in a hospital bed. I have been reminded that so many are in prayer for us and the people here and for that I am thankful! So I leave you with one more prayer concern.....
Remember Sunja? We told you about here from our last trip to the Terai. She has been scared to accept the Lord. But since our last visit she has gone to church every weekend for five weekends!! She is so close to knowing Christ personally, which her husband and the community of believers have been praying for MANY (10 or more) years. Lets pray her into the Kingdom!
May God spur you on to love Him, yourself and others more and more,
Julie
Monday, May 24, 2010
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
So, we are now half way through our trip. Actually, more than half way by now! Since our last post, we have had much time in Kathmandu. This has been a blessing for us to stay in Kathmandu for this last month. And both of us have kept bust doing things here and there. Much of our time was spent doing homework. Here is a picture of me at the computer...studying!
We are trying to keep up with school work while here. At times, it is frustrating. But we know that it wil "pay off" when we return. And because we have been at our house recently, we have been able to get to know some of the others who live in this guest house. Actually, we were able to eat a meal with many of them and plan to get together again soon! What a fun time!
In between times, we were able to share some about gardening for those leaders who are being trained at Kathmandu Friends Church. Mark's Mom told us about a garden named FAITH Garden. It is a crop rotation method so that crops (veggies) are available for most of the year. Good for families or those in need of some financial assistance. Many of the pastors were excited about the idea and have asked us to come to their village to teach their people. We will see if we can. However, we are excited that we were able to teach them, so that they might be able to teach. We pray the Lord uses it to strengthen the Nepali Church!
This is a picture of one of the "holy rivers" in Nepal. It was on the way to our talk. What a reminder that our God understands true holiness.
For the last eleven days we have had a visitor. Cassi came!! Cassandra Phillips has been my friend since I do not remember when. She has been working in Bangladesh about the same amount of time we have been in Nepal. All of us are working for EFM. It was a lovely visit right in the middle of both of our trips. She was only going to stay for seven days. However, those days were spoiled by a Maoist strike. They closed all the shops, schools and factories down. Therefore, we were stuck inside for those days. When the strike (bunda) lifted, she was able to stay and actually see Kathmandu!
Mark celebrated his 23rd birthday while she was here. Here he is with Debbie Adhikary and her son Deepak; opening up his Kukari knife from me.
More birthday fun. We were going to have more people over (John and Sangi Vanlal). However, the strike made that impossible. The Adhikary's are in walking distance. What a fun night!
Stuck inside all day!! Here we are in our apartment playing cards. These outfits are the "lounge" outfits women wear in Bangladesh and Nepal!
Maoist's blocking the road! They would not let any cars through! We went on a walk one day to check it all out!
Here we are when we finally got out! We went to Fire and Ice for pizza! Boys on one side, girls on the other!
Shopping in Thamel!
Eating Momos! Yum! Such a Nepali treat and so tasty! The are stuffed dumplings (meat and veggies) that are steamed. But the best part is the spicy sauce!
Overall, our time with Cassi was an encouragement on both ends, and was worth it! We had some great talks about our joys and struggles so far. And we were able to laugh a lot!
Those were some of the highlights from the last few weeks. We are planning another trip down south of Friday. Please be praying for us! It will be over 100 degrees there this time of year. We have many lessons to prepare. And Mark has been struggling with a cold the last few days. We are excited to see what the Lord has for us! We have about two months left in Nepal! Thank you for reading this and for your love and support. It has been an encouragement!
Julie
