Hey everyone!
Ok, so we are back in Kathmandu, Nepal.....we drove back, the 5 hour drive, today. It actually ended up taking longer because its a two lane road and the driving is terrible, so there was an accident on the road, but we're fine and about to go to bed.
On Day 5, we were actually supposed to head back to the church, however, the Maoists held a strike and we were unable to cross a bridge to get to the church. We were very sad, however, we trust that there was a reason for the blockage - and God was protecting us again. In lieu, we went on a canoe boat ride down this random river in the middle of nowhere which had loads of crocodiles in it. We saw tons of them on the river banks, as well as a ton of water buffalo and elephants. Yes, wild elephants, it was crazy!! A few times we thought the boat would tip over, but we did not capsize! Also, the bridge we had to get back to the car was 4 strips of bamboo across the river and we had to walk on it with no railing.....not kidding.....it was intense! lol No one fell in, but we did have to be VERY careful.
Later that night, we watched a sunset over the river as many of us reflected on what went on at the church and how we felt about not being able to get to the church that morning due to the Maoist protests. Many of us have had our perspectives changed and challenged in a multitude of ways, predominantly regarding our view of how we regard joy - and joyous living. It truly is more joyful to have less. Less as in, less material wealth and less material possessions. There is so much joy in giving away what we have. Hence the quote, "it's ok to have nice things as long as nice things don't have you." We all acknowledged (even with the help of the local Nepalis) that its so easy in the US to allow our material possessions to own us, or even to define our terms of success as material accumulation or status climbing at the office (of in our careers). However, it simply is not about that - it's actually not about us at all. Joy is about being in the center of His will, and using what we have to serve Him with all of our being. The scripture about how it is easier for a wealthy man to enter through the eye of a needle on a camel than to enter heaven - has come up a few times.
Furthermore, Day 6 was meant to be a touristy type day. We began the morning by riding elephants on an elephant safari. (this is so rhinos and other animals do not charge us, as charging us on elephants is not as likely as it is if we were on jeeps) THe jungle was absolutely beautiful.....breathtaking doesn't do it justice. I took the moment to look around and absorb God's creation, feeling totally blessed and in awe of what He has made. We saw a number of rhinos, spotted deer, wild boar, and random birds. On my elephants was Julie, Terry, and Bishwal (Ramilla and Bishwa's 10 year old son). Our elephant actually ran away.....no, I didn't stutter, it ran away. lol It wasn't funny at the time, and Julie has some of it on video, but the elephant took off and stopped listening to its trainer and ran off. It was bugle-ing the whole time (making the elephant noise) and just hauling on through the trees and mowing down plants, evidently to catch u with 2 of its friends who also took off towards each other. Can't ever say I rode a run-a-way elephant before, but now I can! lol It was for a good 4 minutes......I was fine until I realized the trainer was freaking out and had no control, lol, then I realized this was no joke....and got nervous, then we were ok!
After the crazy elephant rides, we met for lunch to discuss the future of Christianity in Nepal and also how the trip has impacted us. So many great insights, and maybe even a few long term missionaries may be coming out of this trip. The bridge between New Life Nepal and each of us has strengthened and leaving will be a sad day. Ramilla and Bishwa are truly gifted missionaries. They truly have an anointing on their mission here in Nepal, and building churches has been a huge tool for our Lord here. Christianity is very much alive here, and growing rapidly, with many young pastors and women very eager to learn about God and how to run a church. They need our help.
Tomorrow we head to Mount Everest! :-) It's been a long day, please continue to pray for us and the mission set here in Nepal, and all the seeds that have been sown. We are praying for those in Haiti, as we have learned of the news....and we are very sad to hear of it. We are also praying for you, and feel your prayers. Your messages and support have been so encouraging to us here. Thank you so much, and hopefully I will write again tomorrow!
Blessings,
KB
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