A Sum of Month One — Kathmandu, Nepal

One.

Month one in Nepal looked a lot like this:

Walking. And a lot of it.

Learning the real meaning of “look both ways before crossing the street” because the vehicles find any suggested path to get to their destination (even the cows on the streets are on a mission).

Learning that clean water, as well as “unlimited” water is a privilege. Two water tanks for 15 humans to clean, cook, and shower with, goes way quicker than you think.

Spending the mornings loving our slum kids who live under tarps, sleep on the ground, and run up to us in the same clothes they were wearing last Monday.

Loving the ministry of playing hand-games until your hands are stinging, singing sing-along songs until your voices are gone, and dancing goofy to hear the children’s laughs.

Watching God paint the sunrises and sunsets on our rooftop terrace, and praying the clouds will move so we can see Mount Everest in the distance.

Leaving home early to arrive on time for ministry events, which means arriving early because Nepali time is a real thing.

Jokingly asking the question, “How many people does it take to make a Nepali bus full?” as we find that personal bubbles or any space on public transportation are nonexistent.

Realizing that you haven’t looked in a mirror in couple days by noticing your reflection as you pass a window of a shop.

Having heavy hearts while visiting man-built temples that a person gives money to, worships, and rings bells to “wake their gods up”, in hopes for miracles.

Learning the techniques of eating meals with our right hand as our utensil.

Buying treats that are sold in America to show a teammate that they are loved and seen.

Laughing with our Nepali family when they teach us to pronounce Nepali words or phrases.

Confidently walking on the streets because the sidewalk is occupied by street dogs or by rocks and dirt which are being used for a new project that has popped up overnight.

Finding the balance of recording and taking photos, along with basking in the moments.

Spending our one rest day to find what rests each one of us, because our attention is at high-demand as we walk through the hours of the week.

These are all movements that we can tangibly see. That I can tangibly list for you to grasp a tidbit of understanding about life out here in Nepal. But what you see isn’t always what can be seen. Stick with me as I try my best to explain further.

As I sit here in a quaint coffee shop, I am accompanied by five teammates. Each person ruffling around their chair pillows so the comfort level is a piece of heaven. In between each breath, I see each mind shifting, reflecting, processing, reading, writing, and praying. All of the moments that you cannot see, but are very very real here. The work that Jesus has done, and is doing, is all around.

I’ve seen 15 strangers uncomfortably get comfortable with making this new place our home. I’ve listened to 15 strangers boldly share their deepest wounds, their highest highs, and everything in between. I’ve watched 15 individuals initiate intentional conversation that is loving and challenging all in one breath. I’ve watched one another be a support or be a leader when the gaps are needed to be filled. I’ve seen the servant heart of Jesus through many words or actions as the day passes by. I’ve watched Gods handiwork shine through His children that I am so quickly learning to love. I’ve seen masks created by society that have been taken off and broken down. I’ve seen 15 strangers slowly but surely become family. These are sights unseen, just to name a few.

I’ve sat in what looks like silence to others, but what really are the most moving moments of my heart. Silence on the outside, growth on the inside. What has this month looked like for me? Well, for one, it has looked like sharing the roots of my heart— so, here we go. This month has looked like being led thousands of miles away from my best friend and companion so that God can better grow us individually, yet share this experience together. This month has looked like breaking down believed lies about myself, and rebuilding my heart with God’s truths. This month has looked like mustering up the courage to speak out and allow freedom of the parts of my story that I had no control of writing. This month has also looked like putting my pen down, turning a few chapters back, and allowing time and space to process the process of being in the process. God has shown me that in order to continue His craft in me, Him and I need to go back and redecorate my experiences with new lights. He has led me to the places in my heart that I was convinced I had healed from. This month God has shown me that I am consumed with head-knowledge of His love, and how He is going to reveal to me His pure love until my heart knows. This month has been the month of new realizations, new conversations, and a new vision toward my past pages. 

One.

Month one in Nepal looked a lot like this:

Walking. And a lot of it.

And this time, I’m not talking about the type of walking that is done on the streets of Nepal. I’m talking about the type of walking that I have now realized is the longest walk of my life— walking alongside Jesus, who is the author and the creator of my story.