NEPAL: Day 7

Hey everyone!

As for today, this was probably one of the more emotional days of the trip.....and I'm not sure I can even put it into words. Ironically, we weren't doing any major ministry activities like sharing the Evangecube with people or teaching VBS, or even doing any pastoral training....but a gripping reality hit all of us pretty hard.

You see, in the Hindu religion, there are different caste systems (aka classes, like middle class, lower class, etc. - and which caste you are born into, is the one you stay in for life....so its rather oppressive). Anyhow, we went to this Hindu temple which is considered one of the "holiest" temples for the Hindu religion....outside it, is a "holy" river with cement platforms along the riverbed. There was a ton of trash in the river (as is the case with most rivers in Nepal) and kids playing in the river, with monkeys infected with disease running everywhere near and in the river. On the cement platforms, the Hindu people were burning bodies. Yes, bodies, human bodies, I'm not joking. If you haven't ever smelt a burning dead human body, you don't want to, its vile.....and this was how the Hindu people depart and "honor" their dead. The children or spouse would wear all white as a sign of mourning, and as soon as the body is dead, they have to take it to the holy river to cremate the body immediately, so no autopsy or anything, straight to the crematory for immediate burning. These "families" would hoist their alleged loved one on to this cement platform on a bed of hay, pretty much naked, put wet hay on top of them and burn them. The longer the body burned, apparently the more pleasing it is to the "god of death" they recognize....they claim the aroma pleases one of their 33,000,000 gods. No, I didn't miss quote that, they have 33,000,000 gods.

As our team watched this ritual, many were crying out of sorrow for these people....to watch such incredibly satanic acts take place. While these families were burning bodies of their loved ones, which you could plainly see body parts on fire just a mere 50 feet away.... there were kids playing in the water, people washing clothes, spectators watching this, and various people around the temples selling snacks for people to watch the burning of the bodies like a disgusting freak show. It had the appearance of a circus.....who snacks on pringles while watching their mother or father, or spouse, be burned just hours after death??! How incredibly evil does it get I ask.....in fact, if they mistakenly start burning their family member - as in, if they pass out instead of die, and the family member "wakes up" when the burning commences, the family has to stone the loved one to death or just leave them burning, or shun them and leave them at the temple river. Why you ask? Because the Hindu religion it brings the family bad luck to stop the burning once it starts.....just sick I tell you. Our team stopped and prayed out loud by the river, we claimed that our God is the God of this city....and we are on our knees for these people. We were overwhelmed, having so much sorrow for how lost the people have become....but we know our God is greater. He is good, and His plan is perfect, and He hears our prayer. We know God is at work in the hearts of these people, and we renounced Hinduism in Jesus name.....commanded satan to flee from this city, and for Jesus to be recognized as the Savior of Nepal....and we are confident this will happen.

On a lighter note, we saw Everest today!! Truly beautiful.....there just aren't words to describe it. Evidently, Everest is so high (altitude) it can't keep snow on the very top most of the time. Crazy!! It was just gorgeous, and we have tons of pics! We also had dinner at Ramilla and Bishwa's house tonight, which was amazing. They are incredible people, such amazing missionaries here in Nepal.....born and raised Nepalis, with incredible commitment to Christ. Please pray for their ministry, for the people here to continue to learn about CHrist. As I left the temple, many of us look around and see SO many Hindus easily recognized by the red dot on their foreheads.....and I realize what a HUGE "Everest-like" task Bishwa and Ramilla have in front of them with their ministry, reaching these people for Jesus. But they are here, standing in the gap, no matter how challenging the task.....they are here for God, one God, our God, a God of love and grace....facing the frontlines of the enemy each day, paddling upstream against the current. I have learned so much from them, and still so much to learn. Such humble people, who are devoted to His word.

This will probably be the last email I send from Nepal, so I thank you for taking this journey with us. Your support and prayers have been instrumental in us being here, and there aren't words to thank you for all of it. Thank you for caring about Nepal, and His ministry here, and also for taking time to humble yourself and truly pray for us - and His sheep here in Nepal. Your prayers are heard, and we thank you from our hearts. Can't wait to see y'all back in the USA, and we all have SO much more to share if and when you have time. I truly encourage you to ask our team members about this experience, and share it with others....God uses the testimony of His work for His glory! See you soon!! Signing off for the last time from Nepal.....

Blessings,
Kristina