Good morning to all! Yesterday was a fabulous day of settling in. My new roommate arrived--an awesome woman of God. I'm excited to get to know her along this journey. We spent the day with our host family discussing our projects and preparing our hearts and minds for what's ahead (more on this later!). My roommate, Michelle, and I also went grocery shopping exploring many different teas and also spent time getting to knw the other interns. There are 6 of us, with the sixth arriving today.
OK---I have the best news! I'm sure no one here can even comprehend my excitement. Normally, (I say 'normally' even though I've only visited Nepal twice before.) I spend 2-3 days in Kathmandu and 20+ days trekking through the Himalayas. I've been dreaming of the mountains. To me, this is the real Nepal: the beauty of God in both the mountains and the people of Nepal. Here in Kathmandu, resides the seat of a struggling government and the base of operations for tourism. Imagine DC in an underdeveloped country. It has it's own unique beauty. The east and west meet in a tangled form of tradition and western modernity. There is such desperation for change, but little understanding of what it entails. They will make it through these growing pains, I have no doubt. Perhaps what I call the "real Nepal" is mere fantasy. Many Nepali might disagree with my heart and eyes. Still, I ask no one take this vision from me as it fills my heart.
Who could deny God when surrounded by the immense silence of the Himalayas and the dramatic depths of the valleys? Let us not forget the vast expanse of the lowlands that I have yet to encounter. The truth: God cannot be denied! He need only be named and revealed by the Spirit Himself. This, of course, is no simple feat. It requires much prayer and fasting. In many cases, the spiritual battle is overwhelming. But alas, we know the Victor. We offer ourselves as willing servants--not to the people of Nepal, though they are worth it, but to our Lord, Healer, Savior. Our union with Christ is imperative. May we see, hear, and speak as He does. Let there be no separation. We give our hands, our feet, and our voices to Him in obedience to His will. This is how we demonstrate our love.
Since the beginning of summer, I've been researching an unreached people group, the Thakali, for our host family. God has laid a burden on them for the Gospel and their vision is growing! 3 of the interns have recently trekked to this area of Western Nepal to interview and develop relationship with them. Yesterday, our host suggested that we might also have an opportunity to travel to the West and meet with these people. This is the best news: an opportunity that I was not expecting! I am hopeful for this opportunity and trusting God's will.
Today is also an exciting day requiring much prayer. We will be visiting one of our target areas to determine where and how to build a water purifying system for a near-by slum community. Opportunity to witness abounds!
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