NEPAL: Day 2

Hey friends and family!

Wow, what a very long day!! We caught a bus this morning at 6am to go out in the country, just 30 miles from the Chinese border to do teaching and run a medical clinic for the Nepalis in the area. The day ended up being a mini-bible conference for women and learning pastors, while simultaneously running a clinic. They are such sweet people, and very excited for us to be here. Many of the kids were allowed to take the day off from school to come see us. Learning pastors walked 7-8 hours just to learn how to talk to their congregations about prayer and how to run a bible study. Many patients also walked just as far to be administered health care. THere is a transportation strike going on here right now, so any vehicles on the road other than tourist vehicles are subject to actions of protest (such as throwing rocks, or other hostility), so everyone must walk to their destinations right now.

The teaching went well!! Shawn, Brady, Derek, Jon, and Danny did amazing jobs! Ironically, Danny's message was on faith and discussed the verse about having faith as small as a mustard seed....and at lunch, the greens on our plate were from mustard type plants! Instead of teaching, I was asked to share my testimony with the whole group. A little nervous, I just submitted and asked for God to speak through me - and hopefully get me out of the way from Him doing His work! :-) It went well, and I mainly emphasized being a new creation in Christ and how Christ came for me, and each person there, and what that means. Please pray that it was able to sow seeds in their hearts!

The clinic was running at full tilt, in fact, several of the cases were pretty severe. First case, Dr. Bradley and Bekah saw this young 8 year old Nepali girl who walked 4-5 hours because someone told her and her sister that she could be "fixed" or healed. She evidently had a ruptured appendix, which abscessed and has been that way for 3 months. I'm told usually patients with this condition cannot live like this or even walk, but she was able to move around a bit, and not play with the other kids. The doctor mentioned that it may eventually cause her to be infertile, which is heartbreaking news at age 8. Another case was this husband, his wife, and their only 18 month old son. However, yes, he was 18 months old, but if you saw him, you would think he is only 4 months old. The child has some sort of development disorder or syndrome that will not let his body advance in age. Watching this precious father hold his son and care for him was truly heartbreaking....I am not married, or am I married, but I cannot imagine the challenge that comes when you realize your only son has such a condition. The hope you have for him to grow, play, become educated, and have a family screeching to halt with challenge. Though they spoke no English, they had asked us (motioned) for us to pray for them, so we did.... the father held the child up as we laid hands on him and prayed, and prayed for their faith in God's character to be strengthen, and not weakened during such a time with their precious son. Another family arrived from far away with their 5 year old son who had epilepsy. They did not know what epilepsy was, or why their son would shake, and thought he was dying. Although there isn't much they were able to do for them, they prescribed some medication and were able to provide the family with a diagnosis. Bekah and the doctor saw so much more, and so many more miracles they can tell you about upon return.

On a separate note, we were able to play games with many of the kids, which was so fun! Stickers and kickball were a hit! :-) It amazed me how with no English, these people were asking us to pray for them, even without translation. They had no idea what we were praying over them, but you could see their confidence in prayer - and that God uses prayer to accomplish His will. It truly warmed my heart, and I felt honored to pray for many of them.

Well, I must run, we are to get up early tomorrow to travel 5 hours away to another village to teach and run a clinic. Coincidentally South this time, very close to the Indian border. Driving back tonight was gorgeous. The mountains are scattered with lights from houses on the mountains and looking up, you can't tell where the stars begin and the lights end. And yes, it is COLD at night and we have no heaters! ;-) Please keep praying! We can feel your prayers and please know it is like each of you are here with us!

Blessings,
Kristina