A Quick Note

Just dropping in to give you all a quick update on the amazing experiences we've had in the past few days.
We have been able to be a part of so many incredible ministries here in Kathmandu. On Tuesday of this week we went to a men's drug rehabilitation center. The men who started this ministry have such incredible testimonies and are so filled with the Spirit. It was so encouraging to be around believers and have such great fellowship. We have seen God working in so many ways here, and this ministry is definitely blessed by the Lord. We also played football (soccer) with the men there, and they are very, very good. One of the men there hurt his foot, we prayed for it to become better, and directly after the prayer, it was healed! Talk about blessed by the Lord.

Wednesday we went the slums. We got there in the morning to partner with a ministry that feeds around four hundred kids every day. There is a school on the land also that we got to teach in for an hour. It was so cool to see how education is run in Nepal because that is just my forte. It is surprisingly hard to come up with an hours' worth of activities for children who don't speak English, but it worked and we loved being there. We also got to hang out with children for the morning/afternoon, which was such a large highlight in my experience there. The children there were poor, dirty, tired, and hungry, but oh how they knew how to love. Two little girls did my hair twice, and I got to paint their fingernails. This day was extremely hard for many (especially for myself), but it is something I will always, always remember.  

On Thursday we had the privilege of visiting a leper colony. I have never experience the level of hospitality I received than at the leper colony. There were many elderly folks there who took care of us. They made sure we were out of the rain and that our backpacks weren't getting wet. They also invited us into their houses to show us where they lived. There was a significant language barrier (the most we have encountered yet), but one of the ladies told us her testimony and it made me think of the verse about the spirits' of two believers connecting.

Friday, we got to hang out with kids all day again through the ministry, Kidsgames. Our friends from the drug rehabilitation center have an organization called Christian Sports Fellowship, Nepal, and they go to schools and play sports with the kids there. It was very fun for me to be in a school setting and see how things are established educationally.

We have all had so many incredible experiences in only a few short days of being here. I can't even imagine the things we have yet to experience. :)    

Greetings from Nepal!

I am writing to you from an internet place in Thomel District, Kathmandu. Everything is well here. The travel here took two full days and we got in Kathmandu on Saturday.We had to sleep in the airport in Abu Dhabi but it was okay. Plus, it was super cool to be in another country!!! We have done so much already in the few shorts days we've been here. We have done a lot of walking around to the different shops and talking with street venders. Yesterday we went to someone's shop and he invited us in for chai and we talked about his belief in Krishna (a sect of Hinduism). Don't worry, I'm not going to convert. ;) We visited Pashupathima (Hindu temple) as well as the Monkey Temple (Buddist temple). They are very dark places to be.

We are staying in a very nice hotel that is only 6 months old. There are no cockroaches and no squatty-potties! The electricity goes out literally every day, if not twice a day because it is Nepal. :)

I have had so much curry in the past few days, it is unbelievable. I have not gotten sick either or had diarrhea, PTL! Our team is doing well and bonding together. We enjoy being with each other, so I pray that remains. :)

You would not believe the city blocks and streets here. There is traffic all the time, but only sometimes it is better than other times, but it is always busy. We are stared at all the time, and people are always approaching us to sell us something. It has become the norm for us here. Because we are staying in the "tourist" district, there are a few westerners here, but not many. They are here mainly for the hiking and to experience Mt. Everest.

Well, I must bid you farewell! Don't worry, I am well and soaking up everything. I will have many pictures and stories to share when I come back.

Namaste!
Jessica  

This Is The Stuff of Life.

"Finally, be strong in the LORD and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over the present darkness. against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication with all the saints, and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak." -Ephesians 6:10-20

This has been on my mind the last couple of days. Every time I put on my pack (as seen below), I am going to remember that I am putting on the armor of God. 

Embrace It. Whatever Comes, Embrace It.

I am curled up right now all cozy-like with my quilt wrapped snuggly around me keeping me warm. I have a cup of spicy tea steeping beside me, and occasionally I'll glance over and watch the tendrils of steam waft up to the ceiling. I'm also hacking up half a lung from this gosh darn cold I can't seem to shake, but that is beside the point. I'm really cozy right here. Really comfortable. If I wanted to, I could even extend this to say that my life in general is pretty comfortable too. I mean, sure I have an unknown future (who doesn't), but right now? Today? This week? I'm pretty comfortable where I am.

I have a feeling that in Nepal, I won't be very comfortable. There will be constant change. And constant new. And I'm really excited/terrified/nervous/anxious/joyful/scared for that impending occurrence.

I have forgotten what it is like to go into a place and be the minority. I have forgotten what it's like to for the abnormal to become an odd kind of normal. I have forgotten what it's like to have no other option but to trust God with every decision I make. I have forgotten.

During the school year, I am forced to plan out my life. And, frankly, it stinks. I've learned more about time management this year alone than I ever have before. I mean, it's a good thing to know but not a very fun thing to practice. After nine months of needing to have every day painstakingly planned out so everything can get done, it is hard to change mindsets to go from that to taking a step back from life, feeling free to do whatever, and having total flexibility in my life again. (I still have camp, but it's a different kind of schedule!) I miss the freedom, and I miss being able to live a non-stressful life. I think I am in store for learning a thing or two from the Nepalese culture. I think I will learn a lot about gratitude while in Nepal, and it is my hope and prayer that I will be able to take what I learn back with me here to America.

I am excited to embrace the unknown once again. :)

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"Be careful how you live; you will be the only Bible some people ever read." -William J. Toms
 

I Can List the Things I Have Left on a Single Sheet of Paper.

The end of the academic year is in sight! There is a light at the end of the tunnel. It is just hidden by three finals, ten lesson plans, a couple of papers, etcetera, etcetera, etcetera. For my friends who are in the thick of it with me and feeling torn between spring fever and needing to get everything done, hang in there. We are almost done!! :)

  As the 2012-2013 school year is coming to a close, I can enjoy and revel in the fact that I MADE IT THROUGH THIS SEMESTER, but, because I will be gone to Nepal and then to camp for three months, I also feel the pressure of needing to get everything else in line for other things I will be doing this summer (like watching one of my best friends get married!!!) and next semester. It is hard for me not to get overwhelmed with all of the little things that I need to do before I leave. This past weekend I was able to go home and buy some equipment for Nepal at discounted stores. Many of you have also been a huge blessing to me by letting me borrow equipment! (Special shout-out to Laura for going with me to REI and showing me what to get! :) I'd be so lost without you!) 

A couple of weeks ago we had a training night at Dawnette's house. We ate an authentic Indian meal much like the kind we will be eating when we're there. It consisted of rice, curry, chicken, and some kind of yellow thing that looked like corn. It has a name, but I don't remember what it is.... And we practiced eating with our fingers! I burned the tips of my fingers a couple of times, but I got the hang of it soon enough. After the meal, we discussed The Shack. It is true that this book is controversial, but I really appreciate the discussion we had about it. The author never really intended for this to be a book about the doctrine of the Holy Spirit... because it's not. It's a fiction book and that is how it should be taken. Anywho, it was very good. I love listening to discussions about things like this because I learn so much from other people and what they take away from it all. Then we watched a little bit of Bride and Prejudice (one of my favorite movies). It was a lovely night and made my very excited for what is to come!

As of a week ago, I am roughly a thousand dollars away from my goal of $3,500! WOW! I am blessed by all of you. Thank you for your prayers for the team, safety, and for the financial means to come in on time. I am so thrilled that you are choosing to join with me and be a part of my team. :) I have absolutely no idea where the rest of my funding is going to come from or when it's going to come in, but I know one thing for sure: it will, and God will provide.  I ask that you continue to be in prayer for us. All of my team members have a lot on their plate and thinking about a trip like this would add a lot to anyone's schedule. Thank you :) 

What's New in my World.

Hi there. I figured it would be time for a check-in. I hope you are all doing well. It is a beautiful 50 degrees right now. I am sitting in Dawnette's kitchen as I type this, watching the sunlight shine through, bright and strong. The birds are chirping. The snow is melting. The windows are open. Spring has sprung.

In 54 days, our team will be en route to Nepal. That's like, less than two months. Really. (That also means that in less that two months, I will be finished with school, which is another terrifying thought in itself.) How quickly time flies. I wish we could be heading to Nepal right now. I want, I want, I want to be there. I am so ready to experience all of these things I have been hearing about for the past couple of months.

I have been thinking all about what we will be doing when we are there, and I think the thing that sticks out most in my mind right now is going to the orphanage. I cannot wait until I get to play and run and laugh with the Nepalese children. I feel like I know them already. I just have to wait to meet them. :) My heart is full of joyful anticipation of what is to come. Maybe it's because I'm an education major, or maybe it's because I love kids, or maybe because it's because I get to play with kids in a country completely different from my own--whatever it is, I am so ready to love on those kiddos.

I am just under 1/2 way funded for the trip. I am so, so, so blessed by all of you. I am thrilled to see what God is going to do for our team, and I am thrilled that I get to be a part of it. And the really awesome thing is that by coming alongside me in my journey, whether financially or prayerfully or both, we are a team. We are partners going through this journey together. That is the coolest thing. Thank you for letting me share this adventure with you. :)

How Sweet It Is.

So wouldn't you know it, but the time that I decide to write a post is the time that I am insanely busy and getting ready for the crazy week ahead. But, eh, I'll count this as my break for the day. I have so many thoughts and feelings and things to talk about, and it's all so amazingly wonderful. I am getting more and more excited as I am realizing that Nepal is a reality. It's happening. It's taking place. I am actually going to Nepal. Woah.

I wish we could be sitting in a coffee shop, sipping our drinks, and having this conversation face to face, so you could see what I'm feeling. Maybe that would help to explain some of my excitement. Because sometimes putting thoughts into words just isn't the same. But, until that time comes, I will try my best to share with you what has been happening in the world of Nepal planning.

Thanks to all of you wonderful people, I have $900 towards my trip. That means I am almost 1/3rd of the way funded. When I got the update in my email box, I was floored. You are all so generous and absolutely wonderful. I thank each and every one of you for the prayers and support that you have been sending my way. From the bottom of my heart, I thank you for believing in me and believing in what God is and will be doing through our team. Know that as I type this now, I have a huge smile on my face. I am encouraged by you. :) Thank you.

Since my last post, we have had two training sessions. The first was an overnight weekend at Dawnette's church. We had a wonderful time of good, solid fellowship with one another and quiet time with the Lord. We also watched two documentaries about Nepal, which showed us what we will  see when we're over there. Someone even came in who has had a lot of experience with the country of Nepal to talk to us, answer questions, and share his experiences.

The most recent training session was yesterday. We learned about Hinduism and Buddhism, which are two prevalent religions in Nepal. The more we talked about this, the more I realized that what we are doing and what we will be seeing is going to happen. This is real. There are real people out there who are lost. They are searching for something--anything--to fill them. The word that kept popping up in my mind during training yesterday was the word fear. Fear. Fear. What an icky word. People all over the world are held in bondage by fear. Of the unknown. Of the future. Of public speaking. And we get to be a small part of their journey in letting go of the fear and embracing Jesus. I'm stoked man. Really stoked. Children. Lepers. Hindus. Buddhists. Lost. Afraid. Broken. Beautiful. Redeemed. All of them. People. And I get to meet them. :)

Quick Update!

Hey all!

Just a quick note to let you know that I am 1/7th funded! Very exciting! I will post this weekend when I have some time to give you a more complete update on what has been happening recently.

Until then,
Jessi