Village happenings

September 29th - 

     Kalu Ram is a man of many talents. We visited him in his office, where his work is focused on community development. About 30% of people in Nepal live on less than $14 US dollars per month per person.  Kalu Ram's work (as well as Pastoring the church) focuses on developing and generating technologies to help residents of rural areas maximize growth and reproduction rates of their goats.  Folks, there are no "petting zoos" here; livestock such as goats and pigs present income-generating opportunities.  

                                    GOATS!

     Kalu Ram himself farms chickens, goats, pigs, fish, and potatoes, and also suffered heavy losses during August's monsoon. The enormity of his losses in Canadian context could be parallelled to losing a newly built home and new vehicle, with no insurance.  Wow. 

     In the evening, Netra walked us to another village where we visited a family from Gulariya Community Church.

 

                   The road to the village

            The couple (both in purple in Center)

            surrounded by some of their neighbours

     This husband and wife are hoping to start a church in their particular neck of the woods, as it is quite a far walk from town.  Evidence of flood damage was everywhere. People pointed to mounds of dirt and mud where their homes once stood. Nonetheless, they served us tea and biscuits.  It feels strange to accept something from someone who you know has just lost so much.  Netra explained that this is "Nepalese Hospitality." Take our word for it; resistance is futile.

   This church member shows us where his house

   stood prior to the monsoon

     The relationships this family have fostered with their surrounding neighbours are amazing; their home is a gathering place for Hindus and Christians alike. Profoundly differing faith systems and world views have not been able to stamp out or hinder the friendships this couple have formed through loving their neighbours.  A small crowd of children came, as well as neighbouring adults. People here value just "being" together.  

   

       Neighbours getting together for church

                Serious looking village kids

     They wanted to sing together, and asked to hear "any story from the gospel."   Nate, ever-the-teacher, obliged. The kindness and care that people here have extended to us and to one another is clearly not dependant upon circumstances convenience. We are grateful, and we are humbled. The process of being "humbled" seems to be an evolving theme.

                         Friendly local