In a desire to introduce us to the religious worship and cultural atmosphere of both Buddhism and Hinduism, our host family took us to visit a famous Buddhist pilgrimage site, the Boudhanath Stupa (see picture) followed by one of the most sacred Hindu Temples in Kathmandu, the Pashupatinath Temple. Both of these sites hold significant religious and cultural value--which means they are also tourist attractions. Though I had visited both sites twice before, my experience at the stupa today was profoundly different and has engendered deep meditation.
Past visits of the stupa were during the peak hours of the day along with many other tourists. This morning, however, we arrived around 0615ish in order to witness the Buddhists worship. I'd seen Buddhists in worship before: prostrating before a statue or an image, chanting, ringing bells, spinning prayer wheels, blowing horns, etc. I've been to Buddhist monasteries and various stupas aplenty. I've been to the site where the historical Buddha was first enlightened and I've been to the palace of the Dalai Lama. I haven't seen it all, but I've seen a lot. This morning, God removed the scales and revealed the stakes.
After arriving at the stupa, one cannot help but notice the hundreds of Buddhists (predominantly Tibetan Buddhists) circumambulating the stupa, spinning prayer wheels, touching their prayer beads. Many are in traditional garb while some are in western style clothing. There are lay men and women, young and old (mostly old), monks, and western seekers walking. Some are devout and others are fulfilling some oppressive duty. Within seconds of taking this in, my host made a transformational comment. It was seemingly compassionless and without mercy: "where else can you find this many people walking straight to hell?" If I hadn't been on guard, this truth would have knocked me to the ground like a heat wave. My host wasn't speaking without compassion or mercy, he was speaking in desperation: a desperate love for God and a lost people.
There I was, almost helpless, watching hundreds of people walking in circles desperately clinging to some false hope, aimlessly seeking salvation. Where are they going? Simple truth: they are going in circles. How many generations, how many centuries have they been walking in circles always seeking but never finding? And there I was, with fresh eyes and a new heart, watching people walk and work to their death. What would it take to break the cycle? What would give them pause to listen? Perhaps these are the wrong questions. It is not "what", but "who". Who can break the cycle? Who will give them pause to listen?
This morning, tears of compassion brought an overwhelming love for my Lord. My heart is not broken. It beats wildly for the glory of God: Redeemer, Healer, Savior. There is hope!
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God has been revealing HImself in comforting ways. Yesterday we met a Christian shop owner who welcomed us with bottles of coke. We also discovered that our lodging attendant who serves us breakfast in the mornings works at a Christian-owned coffee house in the next town over (I had a great latte there!). This morning he asked if we were Christian. I asked the same of him. His response: "not yet, but I believe in God." If I haven't mentioned it already, Nepal is less than 1% Christian. I find it most awesome that God would place Nepali Christians and seekers directly in our paths!
We spent the afternoon in prayer and worship with our host family. Phenomenal presence of the Lord! He has knit together a most remarkable team. I am humbled to be a part of this group!
Our weeks' goals and plans have been set and we are acting in faith. We continue to work on the water project this week and we leave for villages in western Nepal the following week. (yeah---I can barely contain my excitement!!) My host teaches at a Bible school in Kathmandu once a week. I have the most fortunate pleasure of accompanying him tomorrow morning! This is a great gift and opportunity to witness God raising a Nepali army for His Kingdom!
Thank you all for your support and prayers. I enjoy receiving your words of encouragement. I pray this note finds you well!
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