Well, we have not been able to get internet access, so I will update you on the past few days. This was actually what I had ready to post last night...but here goes.
On Sunday we woke up to rain. We planned on heading out early to do some sightseeing, but instead we did some monsoon shopping. We walked down the road and bargained for some ponchos and headed out on our way! After shopping we headed up to the Monkey Temple to experience the culture and see incredible views of the mountains and city. We were able to look at the different buildings and forms of worship. We were also able to laugh at the monkeys for a while.
After the monkey temple, we headed to Durbar Square. Here you are able to experience the city at its finest. You can sit at the top of a temple (that resembles steps) and watch the city life. There are also many people walking around trying to sell you traditional flutes, violins, and other memorabilia. We walked around and looked at some of the temples and old palaces. The most interesting part of the day was going to see the Kumari. Long story short, the Kumari is considered a living goddess. She stays in a her home all day long, and supposedly walks out and looks over the courtyard for about 15 seconds and goes back in. So we walked in and looked around a bit. The guy told us she had already come out; however, we could pay him and see her come out again. We didn’t agree to, but he sent her out anyway. No pictures are allowed, but a young girl stepped to the window and just stood there. I have to say when she went back in, it was the strangest feeling I have ever had. I can’t believe that people actually worship a little girl. I couldn’t help but think about how lost some of these people are, and how confused they must be with all these “gods” they have lying around their city. Then again, it’s incredible to think that God brought us here to show these people that there’s only One.
It is hard to pick a “favorite day”, but I would have to say that Monday ranks pretty high up there. Monday morning we headed out to Hebron Public School where Gajendra’s kids attend. This was the first of our three two-hour basketball clinics for the day. Our first one was interrupted a lot with rain, but we managed to entertain the kids anyway. We formatted our camps with stations, and one station included handing out and teaching the wordless book bracelet. While students were hiding from the rain, Ryan was sharing with one group about the bracelets. In the end, a student asked us if someone would pray for her. Gajendra’s daughter Rachel helped translate and eventually lead the girl to Christ. After she was finished praying, another girl also asked for someone to pray with her. So Hannah, Christina, Mandie, and Rachel were able to lead two girls to Christ. The most exciting part is, these girls along with Rachel, will now be able to share with their classmates what Jesus has done in their lives. After finishing up with our camp, we had a devotion with the students and were able to hand out snacks, candy, small Bibles, and comic books that are the Nepali version of “Transport” that Awana uses in American clubs. We were not allowed to just hand them out to the kids being a public school, but every kid chose to pick one up.
Our second camp was at Elim School, and they actually had a Senior and Junior boys team and also a girls basketball team. These kids for the most part knew how to play basketball, but still learned a lot from our station work. At the end, we played for about 40 minutes against their teams and their staff. They were actually pretty good. In fact, they had about three boys who were at least 6 and a half feet tall! They were definitely not Nepali size. We later learned that they were refugees from Somalia. We had a good time playing, and the kids really enjoyed our company. The principal, although Christian, asked us to be careful while sharing the Gospel because many of the students are Hindu and their parents have been complaining. So I just shared a story about growing up playing basketball, how my faith strengthened, and how it made me a better person. We also handed out snacks, BIbles, candy, and comic books.
Our last camp was rather interesting. It was by far the poorest of the schools. The school was actually a Hindu boarding school that housed many orphans. We had to be very careful there with presenting the Gospel, and chose to teach them the wordless book bracelet. Afterwards we handed out our snacks, etc. They don’t say candy in Nepal, everything is “chocolate”. So for the “chocolates” we passed out Fun Dip and realized that they may not know how to eat Fun Dip. Being the character he is, Gajendra opened it up and explained to the kids in Nepali how to eat it. The kids had a good laugh when Gajendra said “lick” in Nepali. The boys at this school could really play basketball and were physical. We really enjoyed playing against them while all their workers and friends watched from around the court and on the balconies of the orphanage. Maybe Ryan’s “shiner” will still be there when he gets home. He was quite the equipment manager....just kidding Ryan. We had a great time talking to the kids. The kids were very well behaved, and even helped us to pass out the snacks and Bibles.
Being so long, I think I am going to cut this one short and continue it later. I can say that Monday I was completely overwhelmed with the love that the Nepali people show. It’s unbelievable. I loved seeing the kids in their schools, and seeing how well behaved they are and how they view education as a privilege and not necessarily a job. I loved talking with the kids, workers, and principals. They are all so grateful and only want us to just come and play. That’s all they want. All they need is for someone to come and show them God’s love.
We are now in Chitwan about to head out on an elephant safari. We are sleeping like princesses tonight under our Mosquito “canopies”.
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