Reaching Nepal

I know that a lot of you get my prayer letter, but some don’t so here it is. I had to edit some things because there? were names and other sensitive information. I hope you enjoy it. (more…)

Thank you soon much for praying. I feel 100% better now than I did on Saturday. Saturday night? I went to bed and? slept about 13 hours, but when I woke up I was completely refreshed. I have no idea what was wrong with me, but praise the Lord He took whatever it was away.

Yesterday was a big day of firsts for me. To start off, it was my first day to have some one come cook and clean for me (other than my mom). I struggled with the idea of have a house helper or not. Every part of me told me it was wrong. For heaven sake, I was the one who came to serve these people not the other way around. But after much convincing from all the missionaries here I? gave in. The argument was that hiring a local lady to help around the house would cost me less than a dollar a hour (don’t freak out, that’s better than normal wage), that it would give me more time to focus on ministry and language, and that it would employ a Nepali person. Finally after the lady asked to work for me four or five times I realized she really wanted the income. And another nice thing is she knows how to cook dal bat (traditonal Nepali meal) and I have no idea how.

Yesterday was also my first day of language study! I now have a vocabulary of 15 words and can speak about 5 sentences (I bet your all impressed..haha). I started to get frustrated about half way through the lesson , but then I realized that after much drilling I finally got it all. One of the things I remember learning in language prep classes back home is that the number one key in learning a language is not your ability or natural skill, but a person’s motivation. Thus a person who is driven with a great purpose to learn, will learn the best. If nothing else I have a great motivation to learn the language of these people. Please continue to pray as God allows me to learn more.

My friend David is now home and if you know him I would encourage you to bury him in questions about his experiances.

Well I woke up today a little sick. I decided I would get up and start the day because today,Saturday, is church day in Nepal. This? sabbath? was the first day of our new English Bible study and I thought since I was the teacher I should go. We had four in our class (including me) and focused on the infinite power of God from Psalm 139 and Psalm 115. After the class I decided? I should head home and rest. As I laid in bed I listened to a sermon by John Piper on the life of John Bunyan. His story is amazing and I encourage you to get the sermon or read about Bunyan’s life. One? of the many things that struck me was that even though Bunyan endured tremendous? pain and persecution he knew that it was God’s hand doing it. It was God alone that was putting him through the refiners fire and the outcome was a man completely committed to Him. Through all this John Bunyan wrote over fifty books, one being the best selling book of all time apart from the Bible- Pilgrams Progress.

As I walk on this path that great men of God have already blazed, I long to be faithfull? as they have: Luther, Calvin, Bunyan, Carey, Judson, Taylor, Elliot, etc. I long to be used. I long for my life to matter.

I wanted to share with you the gift my mother gave me for my Birthday. Since I was 10,000 miles away from her she sent me a poem that meant more to me than any material thing could. She is an amazing woman and I thank God for her continually. I’m not sure where she found it, but it’s dead on. (more…)

Today marks a sad day for me. My best friend David is leaving to head back home. It has been great having him here to help, but more than that he has given me encouragment and a ton of laughs. As I look to the future I see hope and hardship, but more than anything I see the? power of Christ working in this place. I have so many unanswered questions about the future of Nepal. My joy? rests in knowing that my Savior has it all planned out.

Most of the day we spent hanging out? with the orphans. David, Daniel, and I took all the older boys on a bike ride through the neighborhood. Half way through I had to stop and adjust my handle bars. As I was turning them they just ripped right off! I am fast learning that the stuff here is not made with people like me in mind…haha. Well, I am off to dinner so have a great day and enjoy HIM.

Yes, it’s true. Today is my 26th birthday. It’s offical….I have to grow up now

Well the phone lines were only cut off for a short time and it really didn’t cause us any problems at all. Yesterday the King called a curfew for central Kathmandu. This meant that no one could leave their home until 6pm. Tentions are building here as the elections are coming on the 8th of February. The King is forcing the elections and the political parties are protesting. Yesterday over 70? party members were arrested.

In just an hour or so we will be heading to the edge of the valley to spend the night at Nagarkot. This is the best place to view the Himalayas in all their beauty. Miss you all and hope to hear from you soon.

Yesterday was an eye opening day. We all jumped in the SUV and head to a small rural village to see life outside of Kathmandu. After a walk around we went for a hike down through the valley to a leprosy colony. All of my Christian life I have read about leprosy in the Bible but to see? it first hand is something quite different. I was able to meet Nepali people without fingers, toes, noses, or lips. To my suprise my first? reaction? was one of warmth. There was a comforting presence when we were around these people. They were so loving and inviting. Later I found out why. Many of the lepers in this colony were believers in Christ. It’s so amazing that the Spirit of God has such power to unite strangers. Please pray for these people and the hospital that takes care of them. They have a lack of supplies, money, and staff.

This morning we found out that the King has cut all cell phone service and is about to cut all land lines. This will be my last blog for a few days, so make sure you continue to pray. I am told that this is a normal thing, so there is no need to worry. Love you all!!!!

Good Evening from the Kingdom of Nepal. Today was more of a laid back day for me and Dave. I woke up around 7am and read some in the book I have been reading, “On Golden Shore” the story of Adoniram Judson. After that I read the Bible and wrote some much needed emails. The shower has been cold, fridged actually, for the last couple of days so I skipped my shower this morning and hope to get a warm one today. Around 11am or so I headed up to the roof to install my new washing machine. Most of my appliances here are very different from those in American and this one is no exception. After a long struggle Daniel finally triumphed over the machine. (more…)

For an update on the events in my life today click here.