Options and options

October 11th 

     Yesterday's 70km journey from Bardiya National Park back to Gulariya involved two bus rides.  The second of the two buses drove us the remaining 30km home. Due to the conditions of the bus as well as the near hopeless conditions of the roads, this 30km stretch took FIVE hours. FIVE! It's almost inconceivable, as a journey this length at home in Canada takes about 30 MINUTES.  We heart Canadian road conditions.  

     At the regular church meeting today, both Nate and I had the opportunity to speak.  Nate spoke about God's great love, and I spoke about moving forward into God's promises in the face of daunting circumstances (Joshua chapter 3). 

Megs (trying to look like she's not sweating)

with an awesome translator

     It is both bewildering and an honor that Kalu Ram and this church body would not only entrust us to teach, but that they would even want us to.  To be sure, this has nothing to do with the two of us. Coming from such a privileged part if the world, it is easy for us to take for granted all of the resources, teaching, and outside perspective that is available and sown into us.  When fresh perspective and new learning presents itself, the people here are hungry for it.  

              Gulariya Community Church

       Our dear friend Netra leading worship

          We love these amazing people!

      That evening, Kalu Ram shared his vision and hope for a permanent church building, as well as a church office. He brought us to his rented property (about three acres) where he farms fish, chickens, goats, and about five massive pigs.  

Kalu Ram explaining how this barn could

possibly be converted in to a church building

                          The barn

     Even after his livestock losses after the monsoon in August, a litter of piglettes had been killed recently by a fence-climibing leapord.  Kalu Ram believes that the barn on this property could be a church building option; construction would be less expensive, as there is an existing foundation already.  However, the rental property that the barn is on is not for sale.  

                                 P.I.G.S

Kalu Ram and Nate (in deep thought) discussing

building and property ideas and options

     We had a meal at Kalu Ram and Saru's house that evening (the power came back on just in time for us to escape eating dinner in the pitch dark).  Kalu Ram pointed us to his potato field right beside his house as another possible church building option.  Although more expensive to construct (as a foundation would have to be poured) a church building here would be permanent, as this is Kalu Ram's private property.  Kalu Ram and the rest if the church body are asking for prayer about these possible options, as rental agreement for their current church building is soon expiring.

 

Bardiya National Park

October 9th & 10th

    

     We had heard that if you're lucky, you might have a shot at catching a glimpse of wild tiger in Bardiya National Park, about a hour away by motorcycle.  Netra and Coolraj took us three quarters of the way to the park via motorcycle, at which point our pals than hooked us up with a local guide who took the four of us on foot into the jungle. At this particular point, we weren't in the National Park, and had no idea what we were getting in to.

     It was sweltering hot, and the thick jungle bush scratched our legs. Swarms of ants and other insects keep you from standing in one place for too long, as do the leeches (who had a special affinity for Nate).  We walked for about five minutes before we saw an enormous rhino and her baby wallowing in a muddy swamp.  

             Mamma rhino and her baby

Our guide got the rhino's attention by making pig noises; not to worry, he was carrying a big stick. Yes, I'm serious. When the rhino became irritated enough with the pig noises, she began to crash about as she led her baby further in to the bush. The commotion sent myself and Netra scampering up a tree! 

Mamma in the process of "peacing the scene"

     That night, Netra and Coolraj stayed with an Uncle while Nate and I spent the night at a homestay just around the corner.  For minimal cost, we stayed in a mud hut on a local family's farm.  The whole showering at a water pump thing went down again.

Our mud hut is at left, and the family's home is 

at Center

Greeted by a buffalo on the way to the outhouse

     Before they went back home the next morning, our friends took us the rest the way to the National Park where Nate and I checked into a cottage at the Park's edge.  Two twenty-something year old guides took Nate and I into the jungle on foot for the day to try and see a tiger.  Have no fear; these guides were also carrying big sticks.  It's hard to sufficiently describe the intensity of the heat and humidity. 

    Locals herding their goats through the Park

     We hiked around a couple different watering holes, and saw the tail of a elephant swishing back and forth in the tall grass. We saw another massive rhino chilling out in the watering hole. When this beast became irritated enough with our presence (they have poor sight, but amazing smell), it began to  crash about, again, sending all four of us up a tree. We also caught a glimpse of a crocodile lurking in the water.

This tank turned us into expert tree climber in

seconds

A twisted bridge we walked across. Crocs are here!

             Hot and filthy, but all smiles

     Our guides lead us to another watering hole while we waited in silence for three hours, hoping to see a tiger. It's amazing where you can learn to take naps.  Deer and birds started their warning calls, and finally, we heard two impressive roars, and watched as a beautiful wild tiger swam across the watering hole.  Amazing!

                  Making its way across

            Such a beautiful animal

Teaching time in Gulariya

October 7th and 8th

     Kalu Ram had organised a two day teaching time at Gulariya Community Church, similar in many aspects to the sessions at Danel and Anita's church in Surkhet.  As mentioned before, resources and opportunity for teaching by folks from other areas is extremely limited.  We are becoming ever greatful for how resourced Canada is; greatful for the teaching that abounds and is so easily accessible. 

        Nate teaching, & Janaac translating

 

     Janaac joined us for the first day of teaching, and showed a short Nepalese film about the Prodigals son.  At the end of the day, as always, we were welcomed into a home (Coolraj's) for company and a meal. Nate elaborated in concepts such as unity, discipleship, and multiple visionaries within a church body.  

     During the second day of the teaching time, I again had the opportunity to share the story of God's goodness and hand in my life.  I find that the more I speak out loud about God's purpose for me threading through my life, the more amazed and thankfuI become. 

                        Church peeps

     In keeping with the wonderful norm, we shared a meal with another family (a teacher) in their home. Our host insisted that he wanted to serve us "sprite, or coke, or fanta" with our meal, and so he rode on his rickety bicycle on the gravel roads to purchase the drinks for dinner.  He told us in Nepalese (Netra translated) how excited and honoured he was to have us in his home.  We are becoming undone by people's love and care for us here.

Back to the "hood"

October 6 

     After waking up from our night in Chhinchu, Janaac and his family, & Nate and I were prepared to take on the three hour Nepalese public bus ride back to Nepalgunj.  I had since recovered from the psychological trauma of being faced with a man eating spider in the shower the previous evening; it planned to bite me, suck my blood, and kill me.  I KNOW it.  As we started our walk from the hotel to the chaotic bus station, a friendly local in an SUV pulled over and said that if we were on our way to Nepalgunj, that we could hitch a ride with him.  We couldn't believe it! We arrived back to our destination in half the time it would have taken in the bus.  God is GOOD.  

     We said goodbye to Janaac, and carried on hour further by bus to arrive back in Gulariya.  

   Typical Gulariya roadside scenes...and this load

   isn't even big!

           

    Back to our old "hood" in Gulariya. Feels 

familiar now :). We took this picture while standing

in iur breakfast joint.

    Subash and Netra were already in our Guest House room, and had had the room totally cleaned. No more crickets!  Our friends are awesome.  Subash, Coolraj, Rajendra, and Netra took us via motorcycles (Nate and I doubled on Kalu Ram's scooter) for a cruise through some villages.  

           Now THAT, looks intimidating ;)

             Laundry day in this village

        Water Buffalo. Always Water Buffalo.

This required some serious team work and tricky maneuvering, as road conditions are INSANE.

Still not sure why Kalu Ram let us take his scooter...

Pictures don't do it justice; it's worse when you're

driving through it!

     Dashain is a fifteen day long celebration in Nepal, and was in full swing.  One aspect (and there are many) of this festival involves strengthening community and family ties.  Many communities pull together and erect a bamboo swing as part of the celebration. We tried it (obviously), and drew a small crowd by doing so.

                    Nate's a pro!

A curious bystander with Rajendra (left) and Netra

     We are grateful beyond words for the time and care that our new friends here are extending to us. We will never forget it.

Last day in Surkhet

October 5 

     We attended the village's usual church meeting in our last day in the village. Both traditionally and culturally, there are things that different from what we are used to. To describe only a couple, women sit on one side of the church, while men sit on the other. 

          A few of the gents in the church

           A couple of the ladies

     There are no instruments to accompany singing, which is led by Danel. Danel sings and preaches into a megaphone which I'm sure can be heard for miles around...maybe even further.  Danel had asked Nate to preach, so Nate spoke on the armour of God.  

     Afterward, we had the opportunity to spend time and interact with the men and women in the church.  No English is spoken whatsoever, so it was handy to have Janaac translate.  A woman who was pulling on my arm told me that if Nate and I would "stay forever", that her and the other women would "build us a house."  We later learned that this is not an uncommon offer if someone really wants you to stick around.  

     Kids church. They are intently watching a 

    basket if treats being passed around

     It was sad to say goodbye to Danel and Anita; the beautiful people in this place have left a mark on our hearts that will last forever. We are better off having met them. As we started our trek back the way we came, Anita stood and watched until we were out if sight. We both wonder if we'll ever meet again someday.

      We will miss the people, and this place

              Some of the church family

 

Beautiful people

October 4 

     Given that there is no electricity, activities of daily living have to cooperate with daylight around here. It becomes completely dark by 6:00pm, and the starry night sky is immense and mesmerizing; makes a late night outhouse trip worthwhile. The phrase "early to bed, early rise" is actualized in this place.  The "symphony" of roosters crowing begins at about 4:30 a.m, and is soon followed by additional loud wake-up calls by cows, pigs, and dogs.  

         The rice is almost ready for harvest

Anita with her sister-in-law and niece, always busy-

bees. No daily task is quick and easy here!

     Soon after, amidst the sounds of children playing (LOUDLY), the clinking of pots and pans can be heard as people prepare squash, pumpkin, dal, and rotis for breakfast.  

     Feeling well, and keen to wash off the previous day's sweat and grime, Nate and I made our way to the village water pump to shower.  Anita lent me a petticoat to shower in so that I'd "fit right in."  Not a chance.  In no time flat, a group of kids trickled in and stood shyly to spectate. The braver the kids got, the louder their giggles became.

 

                A curious onlooker

     Families in the distance climbed on to their rooftops to get a good look.  Anita tells us that we are the first people from the West that she knows of to have ever visited her village, so I guess we were quite the spectacle.  Additionally, a family of little I piglets rummaged around the water pump, adding to the audience.

     Janaac and Nate continued the teaching sessions at the church, and Nate concluded by speaking about "how" and "why" we read the Bible. I also had the opportunity to share my testimony, with Janaac as my translator.  Access to teaching materials and other resources are extremely limited in this area, so the Bibles (in Nepalese) that Nate and Janaac had brought were received with excitement. People here are HUNGRY to learn.  

Making new friends. In many villages, there are more

women than men. With the hope of greater income opportunities,

many men have left to find work in India, Dubai, and Malaysia.

     At the end if the sessions, Danel and Anita presented us with little notebooks as gifts, which was very touching. Being cared for and loved by people who themselves have so little is enough to bring me to tears. We are filled with gratitude.

Nate and I with our hosts and friends, Danel

and Anita. We are...large.

     In the evening, Danel (along with other curious companions) walked us around his village.  At the village's edge, he pointed out a shocking landslide that had completely wiped out the village below.  He tells us that devastating landslides are not uncommon in high mountain villages. 

           Surveying a landslide area

Sheer cliffs where the earth 

fell away. Somebody is still trying

to cultivate rice on the remaining

patch of land

     

     Danel also pointed to an Orthodox Hindu community in the distance which had recently moved down from higher mountains; his desire is to develope friendship and relationship with the occupants. Danel and Anita may be from a tiny place that almost no one knows about, but their hearts, dreams, and faith are BIG; their desire is to love and impact the people around them, and to share the hope that they carry.

Getting MORE rural?!

October 3 

     Morning came and I (Megs) still felt weak and trembly, but was determined not to miss out on this adventure.  As I said, I'm stubborn like that.  Danel (pronounced "Daniel"), the  twenty nine year old pastor of the village church, showed up at our hotel as promised to guide us to his village in the Surkhet District.  Together we trekked 1.5 hours into the mountains; this journey normally takes Danel half an hour! Thanks to God, Danel's patience, and Sherpa Nate who carried all our stuff, we made it. 

The view of Danel's village as we approached 

from the hills

                                Rice terraces

              Danel's sister hard at work

     Danel and Anita (his wife) Basyal's village is picturesque.  Lush mountains are decorated with vibrant green rice terraces, and sprinkled with homes made of mud and wood.  Mangoes, bananas, and oranges grow wildly, and are as fresh as one can get them. Pigs and their rambunctious piglets, chickens, goats, and cows are dotted throughout the fields.

   Danel and Anita Basyal. Anita is always singing,

and always smiling

          Villagers in the fields

Megs trying to master the "staircase"

between the two levels of Danel &

Anita's home

     Perhaps not surprisingly, I briefly ruined this scene by promptly "hoofing my cookies" outside Danel and Anita's home upon arrival.  You could say I was a "hot mess."  Apparently  shoving one's face with a bowl of dal IMMEDIATELY after emptying one's stomach is protocol. Remember what I said about resistance being futile? The good news is is that this was the start of my recovery.  While I rested for the remainder of the day, Nate and Janaac taught on various subjects at the village's tiny mud and brick church building (which can be seen from Danel and Anita's house). The name if the church is "Kalpani Bethani Anughra Church." Nate spoke about unity and discipleship.

      Kalpani Bethani Anaghra church building

      The ipad is a hit at any church meeting ;)

     In keeping with our experiences so far, we were greeted and hosted with heartwarming kindness and hospitality. We were both presented with bouquets of fresh flowers and basil, and village residents would pass by Danel and Anita's home to greet us.  

Fresh flowers and basil to greet

us

     At dinner time, Danel and Anita killed and cooked a chicken for us, which was a huge honor.  With no running water or power available, preparing dinner in these parts (or any activities of daily living for that matter) is never "quick and easy." Danel made multiple trips back and forth to the village well (125 metres from his house) to collect massive containers of water for cooking, which he carried on his shoulder.

The "cooking house" where Anita

prepares meals. This structure is a small,

mud building that is separate from the main

house

     All the while, Danel and Anita expressed their excitement and gratitude that we were visiting them. It feels as though there are no words to adequately convey the beautiful hearts that these people have. It is a privilege to know them, to be with them.  We are blessed!