November 29, 2009
A short story with no particular meaning except to make you laugh as I did. Well, maybe not quite as hard as I did, but hopefully you’ll laugh as well... Once upon tonight, we were ready to start devotionals, and all the children were there except Prabin. As Prabin’s well known for his fondness of his bed, I ran upstairs to see if he was asleep in bed. I looked in every boys bed, covers scattered here and there, but no Prabin. So, I ran back downstairs, and found Shiva returning from outside. “Did you find Prabin?” he asked me. “No, and I have no idea where he is, so let’s start without him.” So we went through the whole devotional without any sign from Prabin.
Now backtrack 2 hours. Prabin was being such a good child that he went up into the nice, warm shed next to the chicken coop to study for his history exam tomorrow. In his intense fascination with the history and government of Nepal, he fell asleep in the shed, absorbing the material through the trail of spittle running from his mouth to his book (ok, the last line was added for dramatic effect only; I don’t actually know if he drools while he naps!).
Fast forward an hour. Di, the older brother who lives in the gate house, brought the chickens their feast of rice and vegetable peelings. Noticing that the shed door was unlatched, he did what any good gate guard would do and latched the door shut and then headed back downstairs. Now, it’s not like a doorknob on the door. It’s like those rounded rods on public toilet bathroom stalls that hold the door closed when you slide them in place, meaning you can’t open the door except from the one side. Except in this case, it only opens from the outside (why would you ever need to open the door from the inside?!).
Fast forward 45 minutes. Prabin awakens, finding himself chilled in the cool air of night. Gathering his books, he assumes it’s almost devotional time, not knowing that devotionals started 15 minutes earlier without him. The great thing about devotionals is that all the children are in the devotional meeting. So, when Prabin discovers that the door he left open is now locked, he bangs as hard as he can, but as the shed’s on the roof above the 3rd floor, and we’re in the kids dining room on the first floor, there’s just no chance that anyone will hear him!
Fast forward 15 minutes. After devotional, one of the kids decides to go check to see if he’s in the shed, rescuing him from a night of chickens and cold! As the girls get dinner on the table, Prabin proceeds to inform us of his trials in the shed, while we’re laughing so hard we’re crying! So the next time one of your kids is missing from devotionals, check the shed off the chicken coop- you never know if someone’s locked in there!
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Shiva... Dancing between Childhood and Adulthood
November 29, 2009
Shiva. He’s turning 16 in January, and is every bit as much of a teenage boy as any teenage boy you’ll meet in the US. He’s the oldest of the boys and at times seems years older as he tries his best to spring into manhood. But most days, he’s in that awkward stage of too old to be a boy and too young to be a man! It can be rather humorous (though I make sure not to laugh around him!) watching him delicately balance the desire to be treated like an adult with the eagerness to jump into the games of the younger boys!
He’s from Gorkha, the place of my one and only roadtrip up to this point! His eyes sparkle when he thinks of home in the fields of rice patties, the jungle, and the beauty of the land. A darkness settles over his face when he thinks of his childhood there, though. From around 1995 to 2005 Nepal was in a civil war between the Maoists and the Government, to make things very simple! Gorkha was one of the most dangerous places to live, as it was a constant battle zone. He was touched by the brutality of the darkness when the Maoists attacked his grandfather, cutting off one ear, gouging out one eye and then leaving him to die. He was then flown to an army hospital, and lived through all that. I don’t imagine many kids see worse things than that...
A little while after seeing the brutality of the civil war he came to live at Krishna’s home. After being raised in a Hindu family, he came to see the light of Jesus shining here and became a Christian soon after arriving! He was baptized and has grown in the church since arriving, and now helps lead worship on the guitar. He’s also involved with the youth group here, which is pretty much just what your typical American youth group is, minus all the bells and whistles!
He’s a pretty bright kid, but like most 15 year old boys, studying is not one of his top priorities! He’s recently discovered that girls aren’t just the clothes-washing, food-cooking humans he once thought they were. This has been a new battle for Pastor Krishna, as the oldest children are just reaching “that age.” I figure there are not many things more difficult for a parent than raising kids through their teenage years, and then you multiply that by 15, and I imagine life can be stressful! But the rule for the kids is that they’re not allowed to fall in love until after finishing high school. I think it’s a great rule ;).
So besides girls as a distraction, Shiva also LOVES to play soccer. Whether in sandals, barefoot, or in his new tennis shoes, he darts around the field with the strength and agility of someone who grew up in the jungle! He also enjoys a good game of badminton (a very popular sport here!) and devours the newspaper each morning. However, I am convinced that his favorite sport is scaring me, and when I walk outside at night, I often slow down and listen closely, because one time too many Shiva’s popped out from behind a dark corner or behind the parked car quietly whispering “sister!” Unfortunately, Raju’s learning to do the same, which doesn’t have quite the same effect as it’s rather humorous to hear someone say “SISTER!” in a high pitched 6 year old voice from knee level!
Shiva reminds me of how much I enjoy working with kids who are teenagers. Most of the time anyway. There are still the times when he’s picking on the other kids and acting like a child and I want to pummel him, but usually it’s all good! I know that God’s using his past and present to shape and incredible future for him! And I know he’ll bring light wherever God leads him!
Shiva. He’s turning 16 in January, and is every bit as much of a teenage boy as any teenage boy you’ll meet in the US. He’s the oldest of the boys and at times seems years older as he tries his best to spring into manhood. But most days, he’s in that awkward stage of too old to be a boy and too young to be a man! It can be rather humorous (though I make sure not to laugh around him!) watching him delicately balance the desire to be treated like an adult with the eagerness to jump into the games of the younger boys!
He’s from Gorkha, the place of my one and only roadtrip up to this point! His eyes sparkle when he thinks of home in the fields of rice patties, the jungle, and the beauty of the land. A darkness settles over his face when he thinks of his childhood there, though. From around 1995 to 2005 Nepal was in a civil war between the Maoists and the Government, to make things very simple! Gorkha was one of the most dangerous places to live, as it was a constant battle zone. He was touched by the brutality of the darkness when the Maoists attacked his grandfather, cutting off one ear, gouging out one eye and then leaving him to die. He was then flown to an army hospital, and lived through all that. I don’t imagine many kids see worse things than that...
A little while after seeing the brutality of the civil war he came to live at Krishna’s home. After being raised in a Hindu family, he came to see the light of Jesus shining here and became a Christian soon after arriving! He was baptized and has grown in the church since arriving, and now helps lead worship on the guitar. He’s also involved with the youth group here, which is pretty much just what your typical American youth group is, minus all the bells and whistles!
He’s a pretty bright kid, but like most 15 year old boys, studying is not one of his top priorities! He’s recently discovered that girls aren’t just the clothes-washing, food-cooking humans he once thought they were. This has been a new battle for Pastor Krishna, as the oldest children are just reaching “that age.” I figure there are not many things more difficult for a parent than raising kids through their teenage years, and then you multiply that by 15, and I imagine life can be stressful! But the rule for the kids is that they’re not allowed to fall in love until after finishing high school. I think it’s a great rule ;).
So besides girls as a distraction, Shiva also LOVES to play soccer. Whether in sandals, barefoot, or in his new tennis shoes, he darts around the field with the strength and agility of someone who grew up in the jungle! He also enjoys a good game of badminton (a very popular sport here!) and devours the newspaper each morning. However, I am convinced that his favorite sport is scaring me, and when I walk outside at night, I often slow down and listen closely, because one time too many Shiva’s popped out from behind a dark corner or behind the parked car quietly whispering “sister!” Unfortunately, Raju’s learning to do the same, which doesn’t have quite the same effect as it’s rather humorous to hear someone say “SISTER!” in a high pitched 6 year old voice from knee level!
Shiva reminds me of how much I enjoy working with kids who are teenagers. Most of the time anyway. There are still the times when he’s picking on the other kids and acting like a child and I want to pummel him, but usually it’s all good! I know that God’s using his past and present to shape and incredible future for him! And I know he’ll bring light wherever God leads him!
Friday, November 27, 2009
Anand... "Why?! How?! Tell me more..."
November 27, 2009
When I pray for patience in the mornings, I always know my first test will come from Anand. Don’t get me wrong, I love him and so enjoy hanging out with him, but he knows how to test me! Anand’s favorite game is to mock everything I say. And I’m not exaggerating when I say everything- every word that comes out of my mouth within earshot of him is quickly retorted in a high pitched imitation of me. Most days I can take it and dish some back. Then there’s the occasional day when God’s taught me that it’s ok to look at him and say, “Enough. It’s not funny anymore” in order to maintain my own patience and peace of mind! He’s great at reading my facial expressions, so he usually knows when he’s crossed the line!
Through all the mimicking, though, Anand does a fair share of questioning. He sometimes reminds me of a toddler, asking “why?!” to everything he can think of and then some. He’s not a great student, but he works incredibly hard (he might have one of the best work ethics of all the kids!), and I imagine one day that questioning will lead him to some neat discovery in science or something. He LOVES to learn about America and will spend hours talking with me about anything and everything, from Air Force One to my home in the US.
He’s got a mind that I often wish I had- one that seeks to know the answers for everything and yet will still question the most trivial things! Of all the kids I’ve helped with math, I’m the most proud of him, because while he’s weak in math, he’s willing to sit there and work and work until he understands! And when I give him a formula or theorem, his response is “Why?!” so then we go on to prove it (it’s great practice for me!). He tests what he hears with all that he has to see whether or not he should take it as truth. His faith is not a faith that simply hears and believes, but is one that seeks the hard answers and is not afraid to ask God the hard questions! He’s constantly writing notes in his Bible or flipping through the pages looking for some verse that relates to whatever question is presently at hand!
Through all his questioning, there are still some questions which I don’t have answers to for Anand. The biggest one is the absence of a father. His mother and one of his sisters live nearby (about a 30 minute walk from here), and his mother sells things on the side of the street for a living. Sometimes when we walk to the market, he’ll see her and run up to her and give her a hug and talk with her for awhile. His sisters are older and one is married and he also has an older brother. While I’ve never met someone as inquisitive as Anand, I’ve also probably never met someone so intent on learning! One day, I know he’s going to use that knowledge and understanding to further the Kingdom in unfathomable ways!
When I pray for patience in the mornings, I always know my first test will come from Anand. Don’t get me wrong, I love him and so enjoy hanging out with him, but he knows how to test me! Anand’s favorite game is to mock everything I say. And I’m not exaggerating when I say everything- every word that comes out of my mouth within earshot of him is quickly retorted in a high pitched imitation of me. Most days I can take it and dish some back. Then there’s the occasional day when God’s taught me that it’s ok to look at him and say, “Enough. It’s not funny anymore” in order to maintain my own patience and peace of mind! He’s great at reading my facial expressions, so he usually knows when he’s crossed the line!
Through all the mimicking, though, Anand does a fair share of questioning. He sometimes reminds me of a toddler, asking “why?!” to everything he can think of and then some. He’s not a great student, but he works incredibly hard (he might have one of the best work ethics of all the kids!), and I imagine one day that questioning will lead him to some neat discovery in science or something. He LOVES to learn about America and will spend hours talking with me about anything and everything, from Air Force One to my home in the US.
He’s got a mind that I often wish I had- one that seeks to know the answers for everything and yet will still question the most trivial things! Of all the kids I’ve helped with math, I’m the most proud of him, because while he’s weak in math, he’s willing to sit there and work and work until he understands! And when I give him a formula or theorem, his response is “Why?!” so then we go on to prove it (it’s great practice for me!). He tests what he hears with all that he has to see whether or not he should take it as truth. His faith is not a faith that simply hears and believes, but is one that seeks the hard answers and is not afraid to ask God the hard questions! He’s constantly writing notes in his Bible or flipping through the pages looking for some verse that relates to whatever question is presently at hand!
Through all his questioning, there are still some questions which I don’t have answers to for Anand. The biggest one is the absence of a father. His mother and one of his sisters live nearby (about a 30 minute walk from here), and his mother sells things on the side of the street for a living. Sometimes when we walk to the market, he’ll see her and run up to her and give her a hug and talk with her for awhile. His sisters are older and one is married and he also has an older brother. While I’ve never met someone as inquisitive as Anand, I’ve also probably never met someone so intent on learning! One day, I know he’s going to use that knowledge and understanding to further the Kingdom in unfathomable ways!
Rami... aka, "Moussa!"
November 27, 2009
Rami’s that girl in the front of the class with glasses who’s furiously writing down every word the teacher utters, even if the teacher’s mad and is just talking to himself! But she’s also the girl who can have the whole group laughing in an instant with her simple yet versatile sense of humor! The other teachers have informed me that she’s a very “clever” girl meaning she’s a good student, but she has her moments in class!
Well, Rami’s nickname around here is “moosa” meaning mouse. And it’s actually another great fit, because she always has her hair in this long braid that goes from thick to thin on the way down and looks like a mouse tail! Every day at some point I hear someone shouting “Moosa!” and since 95% of the time it’s Laxman, I quickly hear the retort “Latte!” meaning sweet rice. Not sure where that came from, but it has it’s desired effect as his face contorts and she bursts out laughing. Those two are hilarious to watch. They might be the only two who never fight with each other!
While Rami’s the oldest in terms of school class (she’s in class 9), she seems younger than a lot of the other girls. She’s smaller, and she often seems to shrink into the background. However, all the kids look up to her in terms of studying and school. She’s quick to help with problems on homework and notes that her classmates Shiva and Sunita failed to write down! The other girls love to “dress” Rami up and do her hair (aka, braid it) and everything! Today, one of the girls had the genius idea of braiding her hair into two braids, leading Laxman to double over in fits as he called her a mouse with two tails. He actually fell out of his chair he was laughing so hard!
While Laxman’s her closest brother here, her mother and biological brother live nearby and often come to the same church as we go to. I don’t know the story of her father, but I know that he’s not around, and her mother can’t afford to send her to school so she lives in the hostel where Uncle can provide food, shelter and an education for her. Her mother is so sweet and proud of Rami, and in as much as we could talk, I gathered that she couldn’t be happier for her daughter! When Rami sees them at church, she’ll scoop her brother into a hug and beam at her mom.
I’m beginning to realize that most of the children probably only have a mother. Their fathers either have other wives or are just not there. In a male dominated society, being a single mother trying to raise children would be incredibly hard. But in His grace, God’s given kids like Rami homes to live in where they’re provided for and taught the truth each and every day. And one day, Rami will be a light in whatever job God leads her to, and she will proclaim His truth with the same fervor as Krishna does today!
Rami’s that girl in the front of the class with glasses who’s furiously writing down every word the teacher utters, even if the teacher’s mad and is just talking to himself! But she’s also the girl who can have the whole group laughing in an instant with her simple yet versatile sense of humor! The other teachers have informed me that she’s a very “clever” girl meaning she’s a good student, but she has her moments in class!
Well, Rami’s nickname around here is “moosa” meaning mouse. And it’s actually another great fit, because she always has her hair in this long braid that goes from thick to thin on the way down and looks like a mouse tail! Every day at some point I hear someone shouting “Moosa!” and since 95% of the time it’s Laxman, I quickly hear the retort “Latte!” meaning sweet rice. Not sure where that came from, but it has it’s desired effect as his face contorts and she bursts out laughing. Those two are hilarious to watch. They might be the only two who never fight with each other!
While Rami’s the oldest in terms of school class (she’s in class 9), she seems younger than a lot of the other girls. She’s smaller, and she often seems to shrink into the background. However, all the kids look up to her in terms of studying and school. She’s quick to help with problems on homework and notes that her classmates Shiva and Sunita failed to write down! The other girls love to “dress” Rami up and do her hair (aka, braid it) and everything! Today, one of the girls had the genius idea of braiding her hair into two braids, leading Laxman to double over in fits as he called her a mouse with two tails. He actually fell out of his chair he was laughing so hard!
While Laxman’s her closest brother here, her mother and biological brother live nearby and often come to the same church as we go to. I don’t know the story of her father, but I know that he’s not around, and her mother can’t afford to send her to school so she lives in the hostel where Uncle can provide food, shelter and an education for her. Her mother is so sweet and proud of Rami, and in as much as we could talk, I gathered that she couldn’t be happier for her daughter! When Rami sees them at church, she’ll scoop her brother into a hug and beam at her mom.
I’m beginning to realize that most of the children probably only have a mother. Their fathers either have other wives or are just not there. In a male dominated society, being a single mother trying to raise children would be incredibly hard. But in His grace, God’s given kids like Rami homes to live in where they’re provided for and taught the truth each and every day. And one day, Rami will be a light in whatever job God leads her to, and she will proclaim His truth with the same fervor as Krishna does today!
Learning Discipline at the Hands of 15 Children!
November 24, 2009
Discipline. Something that makes most of us cringe. I’ve heard parents say that discipline “hurts me more than it hurts you!” and I often wondered if there was reality behind that statement! Well, in as much as I love these kids, they’ve been trying me recently. Our biggest battle is the TV room (yes, even in Nepal that fuzzy pictured machine distracts children of all ages!). It’s a rule that the kids don’t watch TV at all during the week except on Fridays. I think it’s a FANTASTIC rule! However, the kids tend to disagree, and have been fighting me on it when Uncle’s not here. I’ll be helping someone with math, and see some little Nepali figure dart by and into the TV room, hoping that I don’t spot their stealthy ways.
Well, this got really old, really fast, because they know they’re not supposed to be in there (they scatter the moment Uncle drives up), and they know I know they’re not supposed to be in there (I come shoo them away every few minutes). So, I simply told them that if I caught any of them in the TV room for the next 2 weeks during exams, they won’t get to go out to eat with the rest of us when exams are finished.
The threat worked great, the first day... then, the kids decided to try me. As I was helping some with math (and they ALL needed to be studying math), I heard the telltale creek of the TV room door and the swift closing of it. In a calm, serene anger, I walked in and told them all to “Get out.” I didn’t yell, or even listen to their arguments as to why they were in there. I merely waited for them to leave. I then realized that I had to follow through with my threat, or else my punishments would become empty words to them. So I pulled them off to the side, and explained to them that they would not be allowed to go with us to the restaurant. Which was so frustrating to me because I just wanted us all to be able to enjoy an afternoon off of school and studying in between terms.
Then, in the evening devotionals, I dove into 1 John 3 with them, explaining why continued disobedience and sin is so upsetting to me. And as I talked, I remembered for the first time in awhile that I’m not here to make them better math students. I’m not here to teach in a school. I’m here to serve Krishna however he needs me to serve, and to teach the kids to love Jesus more today than they did yesterday. If I can teach them math while teaching them about Jesus, awesome, and God’s already shown that He’s using my time in the school to move in some of the other teacher’s lives!
But more important than giving these kids math skills is the reality that they are Jesus’ lights in this world. Teaching them to be light is SO much harder than teaching them to factor polynomials! But I think it’s beginning to set in; I caught one of my girls cheating during her math exam today. I cut marks from her paper and her neighbors paper, but I didn’t address the situation there and opted to wait until we got home. Well, we got home, and I expected a battle to ensue of “I wasn’t cheating! I was just looking around! You’re always picking on me!” (this child and I have had our share of will battles over math, I assure you!). But instead, she came and found me, and before I could say anything, she said “Sister, I’m so sorry that I was cheating. I know it was wrong, and I know I shouldn’t have done it. I’m very very sorry!” Floored, I responded “I forgive you. And I’m so proud of you for taking responsibility for your actions and apologizing on your own!”
I got to see a seed of change today in a young girl’s life. She’s probably the last one I would have expected to voluntarily apologize for something she did, and she’s the one who fights me the most! But yet, God’s Word has caught hold in her heart, and day by day is changing her, right before my eyes! I can assure you, that might have been the coolest thing that I’ve seen in my whole time here!
Discipline. Something that makes most of us cringe. I’ve heard parents say that discipline “hurts me more than it hurts you!” and I often wondered if there was reality behind that statement! Well, in as much as I love these kids, they’ve been trying me recently. Our biggest battle is the TV room (yes, even in Nepal that fuzzy pictured machine distracts children of all ages!). It’s a rule that the kids don’t watch TV at all during the week except on Fridays. I think it’s a FANTASTIC rule! However, the kids tend to disagree, and have been fighting me on it when Uncle’s not here. I’ll be helping someone with math, and see some little Nepali figure dart by and into the TV room, hoping that I don’t spot their stealthy ways.
Well, this got really old, really fast, because they know they’re not supposed to be in there (they scatter the moment Uncle drives up), and they know I know they’re not supposed to be in there (I come shoo them away every few minutes). So, I simply told them that if I caught any of them in the TV room for the next 2 weeks during exams, they won’t get to go out to eat with the rest of us when exams are finished.
The threat worked great, the first day... then, the kids decided to try me. As I was helping some with math (and they ALL needed to be studying math), I heard the telltale creek of the TV room door and the swift closing of it. In a calm, serene anger, I walked in and told them all to “Get out.” I didn’t yell, or even listen to their arguments as to why they were in there. I merely waited for them to leave. I then realized that I had to follow through with my threat, or else my punishments would become empty words to them. So I pulled them off to the side, and explained to them that they would not be allowed to go with us to the restaurant. Which was so frustrating to me because I just wanted us all to be able to enjoy an afternoon off of school and studying in between terms.
Then, in the evening devotionals, I dove into 1 John 3 with them, explaining why continued disobedience and sin is so upsetting to me. And as I talked, I remembered for the first time in awhile that I’m not here to make them better math students. I’m not here to teach in a school. I’m here to serve Krishna however he needs me to serve, and to teach the kids to love Jesus more today than they did yesterday. If I can teach them math while teaching them about Jesus, awesome, and God’s already shown that He’s using my time in the school to move in some of the other teacher’s lives!
But more important than giving these kids math skills is the reality that they are Jesus’ lights in this world. Teaching them to be light is SO much harder than teaching them to factor polynomials! But I think it’s beginning to set in; I caught one of my girls cheating during her math exam today. I cut marks from her paper and her neighbors paper, but I didn’t address the situation there and opted to wait until we got home. Well, we got home, and I expected a battle to ensue of “I wasn’t cheating! I was just looking around! You’re always picking on me!” (this child and I have had our share of will battles over math, I assure you!). But instead, she came and found me, and before I could say anything, she said “Sister, I’m so sorry that I was cheating. I know it was wrong, and I know I shouldn’t have done it. I’m very very sorry!” Floored, I responded “I forgive you. And I’m so proud of you for taking responsibility for your actions and apologizing on your own!”
I got to see a seed of change today in a young girl’s life. She’s probably the last one I would have expected to voluntarily apologize for something she did, and she’s the one who fights me the most! But yet, God’s Word has caught hold in her heart, and day by day is changing her, right before my eyes! I can assure you, that might have been the coolest thing that I’ve seen in my whole time here!
Redeeming a Slaughtering...
November 23, 2009
I can’t believe that it’s already the end of the second term here. We have 3 terms and this week and next week are term exams for term 2. Meaning, half days every day as the kids only take one exam per day, and then a 3 day weekend!!! I know, I know, you probably have a 5 day weekend coming up for Thanksgiving, but here in our 1 day typical weekend, 3 days is a whole half of an eternity!
So, the kids came home with their test order papers, and to my mounting dismay, every one of them had math on the first day of exams. Meaning, I was going to have to help 11 kids (the four younger ones don’t typically need help) at the same time. Well, at first I was beyond overwhelmed. In my mind I still have to shake the desire to have every kid understanding most of the material. Here, they have so much to learn in one year (most of which is just repeated the next year with one or two extra steps) and we go so fast that 40% is passing. So I’ve had to retrain my brain to think, “what can I get these kids to understand that will amount to at least 40%?!” Not that I don’t want them to score high- I’d just rather them have a strong foundation in a few things rather than hit and miss knowledge in everything. But then I realized that having all the math exams might mean that I was crazy busy for 3 days, wrestling through algebra, geometry, accounting and so much more with the kids, but then we would ALL get a week and a half off math! That is soooo worth the exhaustion!
So for the 3 days leading up to exams, I segmented my time between classes, flying between kids, spouting off formulas they should have learned 3 weeks ago, and scolding for not learning those same formulas! A square root here and a fraction there, here an x, there a y, math math everywhere! I knew I hit an all time high when 3 girls came to me in the same morning saying they had dreamed about me helping them with math. Now that takes talent to tutor kids from across the house in your sleep! I should charge... easiest money I’d ever make!
The day before exams, though, I had to go to school for a short teacher’s work day. It was like 2 hours long, and honestly, I didn’t want to be there because I knew I had so many kids at home needing help. But, I went, and God once again proved His will is supreme! Our assignment in those 2 hours: count your class tests, and paste the students numbers on their desks (we mix all the classes of students together so they can’t cheat off one another). The counting took all of 5 minutes, with an hour and a half break before we could do the pasting!
I was on the verge of being frustrated with having to sit and wait at the school when I could be at home teaching (I was a little impatient- I had been up till midnight tutoring my class 9 kids and then was back up tutoring the kids around 6!) when one of the other teachers sat down across from me and said, “You’re a Christian, right Miss?!” And my first thought was, “God, now?! I’m exhausted, and my brain isn’t even functioning correctly with all of this math!” And then God scolded me and reminded me that in a typical day I don’t have the chance to talk to my fellow teachers about much of anything, much less God and Jesus.
So, humbled and totally relying on the Holy Spirit to guide me as constructing intelligible sentences was becoming a chore, I smiled and assured him that I am a Christian. He was looking at a picture in the newspaper which spoke of how tens of thousands of animals were going to be sacrificed that day for a Hindu holiday (I think?!) and how futile that seemed. He then ventured to ask if Christians make sacrifices. What a beautiful lead into talking about Jesus as our sacrificed Lamb, right?! Something EVERYONE here understands, as they see sacrifices everyday! Real life (err, death?!), blood spilled sacrifices. Not something too common in America, yes? So we discussed Jesus as our sacrifice for our sins and how Jesus’ blood cleanses us before God. Pretty soon, there were several teachers sitting around, adding comments here and there as we discussed differences in religions and Christianity as a whole!
Crazy how God used a Hindu festival of sacrifices and blood to plant seeds in the hearts of some of my co-workers who are actively seeking a religion to follow. They’ve tried Hinduism and Buddhism, but said that they found them empty (so surprising?!) and are looking into other religions. And when I was most exhausted and most unwilling to do much of anything, God shook me up and said, “Now. I speak through you best when you don’t let yourself get in the way!” I guess you could say that God redeemed my day :).
I can’t believe that it’s already the end of the second term here. We have 3 terms and this week and next week are term exams for term 2. Meaning, half days every day as the kids only take one exam per day, and then a 3 day weekend!!! I know, I know, you probably have a 5 day weekend coming up for Thanksgiving, but here in our 1 day typical weekend, 3 days is a whole half of an eternity!
So, the kids came home with their test order papers, and to my mounting dismay, every one of them had math on the first day of exams. Meaning, I was going to have to help 11 kids (the four younger ones don’t typically need help) at the same time. Well, at first I was beyond overwhelmed. In my mind I still have to shake the desire to have every kid understanding most of the material. Here, they have so much to learn in one year (most of which is just repeated the next year with one or two extra steps) and we go so fast that 40% is passing. So I’ve had to retrain my brain to think, “what can I get these kids to understand that will amount to at least 40%?!” Not that I don’t want them to score high- I’d just rather them have a strong foundation in a few things rather than hit and miss knowledge in everything. But then I realized that having all the math exams might mean that I was crazy busy for 3 days, wrestling through algebra, geometry, accounting and so much more with the kids, but then we would ALL get a week and a half off math! That is soooo worth the exhaustion!
So for the 3 days leading up to exams, I segmented my time between classes, flying between kids, spouting off formulas they should have learned 3 weeks ago, and scolding for not learning those same formulas! A square root here and a fraction there, here an x, there a y, math math everywhere! I knew I hit an all time high when 3 girls came to me in the same morning saying they had dreamed about me helping them with math. Now that takes talent to tutor kids from across the house in your sleep! I should charge... easiest money I’d ever make!
The day before exams, though, I had to go to school for a short teacher’s work day. It was like 2 hours long, and honestly, I didn’t want to be there because I knew I had so many kids at home needing help. But, I went, and God once again proved His will is supreme! Our assignment in those 2 hours: count your class tests, and paste the students numbers on their desks (we mix all the classes of students together so they can’t cheat off one another). The counting took all of 5 minutes, with an hour and a half break before we could do the pasting!
I was on the verge of being frustrated with having to sit and wait at the school when I could be at home teaching (I was a little impatient- I had been up till midnight tutoring my class 9 kids and then was back up tutoring the kids around 6!) when one of the other teachers sat down across from me and said, “You’re a Christian, right Miss?!” And my first thought was, “God, now?! I’m exhausted, and my brain isn’t even functioning correctly with all of this math!” And then God scolded me and reminded me that in a typical day I don’t have the chance to talk to my fellow teachers about much of anything, much less God and Jesus.
So, humbled and totally relying on the Holy Spirit to guide me as constructing intelligible sentences was becoming a chore, I smiled and assured him that I am a Christian. He was looking at a picture in the newspaper which spoke of how tens of thousands of animals were going to be sacrificed that day for a Hindu holiday (I think?!) and how futile that seemed. He then ventured to ask if Christians make sacrifices. What a beautiful lead into talking about Jesus as our sacrificed Lamb, right?! Something EVERYONE here understands, as they see sacrifices everyday! Real life (err, death?!), blood spilled sacrifices. Not something too common in America, yes? So we discussed Jesus as our sacrifice for our sins and how Jesus’ blood cleanses us before God. Pretty soon, there were several teachers sitting around, adding comments here and there as we discussed differences in religions and Christianity as a whole!
Crazy how God used a Hindu festival of sacrifices and blood to plant seeds in the hearts of some of my co-workers who are actively seeking a religion to follow. They’ve tried Hinduism and Buddhism, but said that they found them empty (so surprising?!) and are looking into other religions. And when I was most exhausted and most unwilling to do much of anything, God shook me up and said, “Now. I speak through you best when you don’t let yourself get in the way!” I guess you could say that God redeemed my day :).
Thursday, November 19, 2009
I'm smelling coffee, math is calling just inside...
November 17, 2009
Today was one of those days, where you just feel kind of off from the start, and aren’t quite sure exactly what’s wrong or how to change it. But, I didn’t want to be grumpy and short all day, so I just begged God to change my attitude and heart. I just didn’t have the energy or patience to deal with all the kids and math and everything, and I had about 30 minutes before picking the kids up from school. That and I was so craving the fellowship of another human being my age. But I decided that I’d have to just choose to have joy, even though I totally wasn’t feeling it!
So the kids come galloping home, and God lifts my spirits as I begin to joke and tease them! Raju might be my favorite one to tease, because he now knows enough English to tease back, but not enough to say anything other than “SISTER!” when I scoop him up and swing him around and tickle him mercilessly! I begin my hours of helping with math, and one by one my charges finish up until I’m left with just my class 8 and 9 kids, who are pretty easy to help as their foundations are a little better than the rest. It’s coming near devotional time, though, and this man shows up named Somdesh. He lived at the hostel and was the kids first tutor about 6 years ago! The kids love him, and he’s spent the last few years living overseas somewhere working as a factory manager.
While he’s Nepali so there’s no cultural gap for him with the kids, he also understands the occasional trying times and the many joyful times of living with and teaching 15 kids at once! So, I’m pretty sure God prompted him to invite me to a cup of coffee, which was exactly what he did as we got ready for devotionals. Since one of the kids was leading devotionals tonight, I happily agreed, and we set off for a restaurant just down the road which I’d never noticed before!
We sat down and ordered coffee, and began to just talk about our families and our jobs and life in general! The coffee was AMAZING, and so was the chance just to sit and talk with someone about nothing and everything all at the same time. We got to share some thoughts on God’s church being an international body which knows no boundaries and the fact that God truly is a God of the nations. It was so refreshing! And, I got to have Momo, which is this steamed thing like ravioli, and I had mine with buffalo meat inside. It’s really really good! Then, we had another cup of coffee (I really might become a regular there; it was that good!), and we headed back to the hostel. I felt as though God had literally used a couple cups of coffee and some meat to refill my cup to overflowing!
We got home, and after two cups of coffee, I was pretty wired, which was good because my class 8 and 9 kids had a TON of math left, but they could do most of it on their own. So, I sat there with them, helping this one or that one every few minutes. The hours ticked by, until it was 11. And they were pretty much finished at that point, so I headed back up to my room. Which is where I am now. Writing. And contemplating the grace of God. Because God provided Somdesh at exactly the moment that I needed a friend, and though he’s leaving the country again soon, I have one more friend that I’ll be able to greet by name when we get to heaven! And God filled me to the brim with joy in the form of coffee, Momo, and conversation. I wonder how many other times God’s filled me at just the right moment and I haven’t even noticed?! I think that of all the things I’ve learned here, the thing that I’ve learned the most is to notice God, every day, all day. Because He really is in everything. From a former teacher to a cup of coffee, God fills us up however He chooses! And for that, I am incredibly thankful!
Today was one of those days, where you just feel kind of off from the start, and aren’t quite sure exactly what’s wrong or how to change it. But, I didn’t want to be grumpy and short all day, so I just begged God to change my attitude and heart. I just didn’t have the energy or patience to deal with all the kids and math and everything, and I had about 30 minutes before picking the kids up from school. That and I was so craving the fellowship of another human being my age. But I decided that I’d have to just choose to have joy, even though I totally wasn’t feeling it!
So the kids come galloping home, and God lifts my spirits as I begin to joke and tease them! Raju might be my favorite one to tease, because he now knows enough English to tease back, but not enough to say anything other than “SISTER!” when I scoop him up and swing him around and tickle him mercilessly! I begin my hours of helping with math, and one by one my charges finish up until I’m left with just my class 8 and 9 kids, who are pretty easy to help as their foundations are a little better than the rest. It’s coming near devotional time, though, and this man shows up named Somdesh. He lived at the hostel and was the kids first tutor about 6 years ago! The kids love him, and he’s spent the last few years living overseas somewhere working as a factory manager.
While he’s Nepali so there’s no cultural gap for him with the kids, he also understands the occasional trying times and the many joyful times of living with and teaching 15 kids at once! So, I’m pretty sure God prompted him to invite me to a cup of coffee, which was exactly what he did as we got ready for devotionals. Since one of the kids was leading devotionals tonight, I happily agreed, and we set off for a restaurant just down the road which I’d never noticed before!
We sat down and ordered coffee, and began to just talk about our families and our jobs and life in general! The coffee was AMAZING, and so was the chance just to sit and talk with someone about nothing and everything all at the same time. We got to share some thoughts on God’s church being an international body which knows no boundaries and the fact that God truly is a God of the nations. It was so refreshing! And, I got to have Momo, which is this steamed thing like ravioli, and I had mine with buffalo meat inside. It’s really really good! Then, we had another cup of coffee (I really might become a regular there; it was that good!), and we headed back to the hostel. I felt as though God had literally used a couple cups of coffee and some meat to refill my cup to overflowing!
We got home, and after two cups of coffee, I was pretty wired, which was good because my class 8 and 9 kids had a TON of math left, but they could do most of it on their own. So, I sat there with them, helping this one or that one every few minutes. The hours ticked by, until it was 11. And they were pretty much finished at that point, so I headed back up to my room. Which is where I am now. Writing. And contemplating the grace of God. Because God provided Somdesh at exactly the moment that I needed a friend, and though he’s leaving the country again soon, I have one more friend that I’ll be able to greet by name when we get to heaven! And God filled me to the brim with joy in the form of coffee, Momo, and conversation. I wonder how many other times God’s filled me at just the right moment and I haven’t even noticed?! I think that of all the things I’ve learned here, the thing that I’ve learned the most is to notice God, every day, all day. Because He really is in everything. From a former teacher to a cup of coffee, God fills us up however He chooses! And for that, I am incredibly thankful!
Riding on that Harley... errr, old and broken Honda?!
November 16, 2009
So, my first day to cut hair, and my first day to ride on a motorcycle in Kathmandu, all in the same day! Exciting, right?! I had another package waiting for me at customs, which I figured was small enough to fit in my backpack. So, Prokesh picks me up after school and we’re off! Now, you might remember when I first arrived I wrote about the death laden car ride through Kathmandu to Krishna’s house. Well, on a motorcycle, there’s even more excitement! After all, if you get hit, well, you might be a pancake. Thankfully, though, Prokesh’s bike doesn’t go over like 50 km per hour, so, speed was never an issue!
It’s interesting here- the driver’s of motorcycles ALL wear helmets; NONE of the passengers do. So, here I am, helmetless, thinking if ever my chances of dying were high, this was it! But Prokesh was an AMAZING driver (maybe because I was with him?!), and I actually really enjoyed the ride! There’s something neat about driving through the city, out in the air, so close to other people that you could literally touch them! Feeling the wind on your face, seeing the city as it truly is.
Anyway, we get to the post office, and dance through the hoops of getting my package, and when I get it, my stomach drops a notch while my excitement soars, as it’s a big box! Thrilled with anticipation as to what was inside, I wondered how in the world we’d get it home! Prokesh didn’t seem phased at all though, so I decided not to worry either. So, we finish claiming the package filled with Goldfish, Peanut Butter, Cracker Jacks, and games galore for me to share with my children with amazing haircuts (and the rest of them too!), and then we head out!
Well, he hops on, and on the way there, I had loosely held onto his backpack for peace of mind (not that it’d do a lot of good in an accident, but it was comforting to me!). Well, I climb on behind him, and wedge this box that’s a couple feet wide by about a foot and a half deep in between us, forcing me to lean way back (talk about an ab workout!) and he turned his backpack backwards so I could hold onto the straps. Well, we head off, and hit a traffic jam. My abs just aren’t what they were when I was a swimmer, and I finally had to readjust. So, I balanced the box on one leg, kind of sitting sideways on the bike. Then, I gripped it with both hands in order to not drop it!
Good thing Prokesh was an amazing driver, because it was a whole new exciting experience riding with no hands holding this big box of treasures! It actually was pretty fun, and I wasn’t even worried at that point about wrecking. I was way more concerned with not dropping my pot of gold! Obviously we made it home, more than safe, and Prokesh informed me that we’ll be touring Nepal over winter break! I didn’t ask if we’ll go on his bike, and things tend to change with the wind here, but I’m thinking that it would be incredibly cool to do it by bike! Don’t worry Mom and Dad, we’ll be careful!
So, my first day to cut hair, and my first day to ride on a motorcycle in Kathmandu, all in the same day! Exciting, right?! I had another package waiting for me at customs, which I figured was small enough to fit in my backpack. So, Prokesh picks me up after school and we’re off! Now, you might remember when I first arrived I wrote about the death laden car ride through Kathmandu to Krishna’s house. Well, on a motorcycle, there’s even more excitement! After all, if you get hit, well, you might be a pancake. Thankfully, though, Prokesh’s bike doesn’t go over like 50 km per hour, so, speed was never an issue!
It’s interesting here- the driver’s of motorcycles ALL wear helmets; NONE of the passengers do. So, here I am, helmetless, thinking if ever my chances of dying were high, this was it! But Prokesh was an AMAZING driver (maybe because I was with him?!), and I actually really enjoyed the ride! There’s something neat about driving through the city, out in the air, so close to other people that you could literally touch them! Feeling the wind on your face, seeing the city as it truly is.
Anyway, we get to the post office, and dance through the hoops of getting my package, and when I get it, my stomach drops a notch while my excitement soars, as it’s a big box! Thrilled with anticipation as to what was inside, I wondered how in the world we’d get it home! Prokesh didn’t seem phased at all though, so I decided not to worry either. So, we finish claiming the package filled with Goldfish, Peanut Butter, Cracker Jacks, and games galore for me to share with my children with amazing haircuts (and the rest of them too!), and then we head out!
Well, he hops on, and on the way there, I had loosely held onto his backpack for peace of mind (not that it’d do a lot of good in an accident, but it was comforting to me!). Well, I climb on behind him, and wedge this box that’s a couple feet wide by about a foot and a half deep in between us, forcing me to lean way back (talk about an ab workout!) and he turned his backpack backwards so I could hold onto the straps. Well, we head off, and hit a traffic jam. My abs just aren’t what they were when I was a swimmer, and I finally had to readjust. So, I balanced the box on one leg, kind of sitting sideways on the bike. Then, I gripped it with both hands in order to not drop it!
Good thing Prokesh was an amazing driver, because it was a whole new exciting experience riding with no hands holding this big box of treasures! It actually was pretty fun, and I wasn’t even worried at that point about wrecking. I was way more concerned with not dropping my pot of gold! Obviously we made it home, more than safe, and Prokesh informed me that we’ll be touring Nepal over winter break! I didn’t ask if we’ll go on his bike, and things tend to change with the wind here, but I’m thinking that it would be incredibly cool to do it by bike! Don’t worry Mom and Dad, we’ll be careful!
If you see me with scissors, you might want to run. Fast.
November 16, 2009
When I was little, I had this image of missionaries in my mind as these tribal people who braved all sorts of dangers, fighting off lions and tigers and “uncivilized” people every day! Now, there are definitely some missionaries who probably live like this, but I’m learning that missions work is just as much about the small daily events as the big glamorous ones. This would include those times when the boys have to cut their hair, and there’s no one there to do it...
So, this morning after breakfast, the boys informed me that they needed to have their hair cut short before school (which was in an hour). Problem being Laxman’s the only one who knows how to cut hair and he was gone with Uncle. If we waited until school, it would cost each boy 50 rupees, which we didn’t want to spend. So, the older boys informed me that I only needed to cut Raju, Darshan, and Rajkumar’s hair (meaning they didn’t trust me with the scissors; probably for good reason!).
So Raju comes out in just his pants, his tiny arms and body covered in goose bumps from the cold, teeth chattering, and a slight look of fear encompassing his dark eyes. I start on his hair with a pair of old scissors and a comb, and Arun promptly tells me I’m doing it wrong and grabs the scissors. He then begins butchering Raju’s hair, and I ask him if he knows what he’s doing. He says, “No, I’ve never done this before!” with laughter spilling over. I grab the scissors back and tell him he’s not allowed to touch them anymore and begin to try to fix the damage done.
Well, soon Shiva comes out and says, “Oh, sister! You’re cutting his hair! I will finish it!” Assuming he knows how to cut hair as the oldest boy, I hand over the scissors, as my second mistake of the morning. He spends a LONG time trimming this way and that, and pretty soon Raju’s hair looks decent all around. The one problem: the front was about as crooked as crooked gets. It was hilarious! So, Raju obviously couldn’t go like that, but I had to start Rajkumar’s hair, so I passed Raju off to Bimala who took another pair of scissors to his head. She got it as even as was possible, and he finally looked presentable!
Meanwhile, I had 20 minutes to finish Rajkumar’s and Darshan’s hair, which was just not looking too good. But, practice makes perfect, errrr, slightly better than before, and they improved over time. I combed this way and that, with a snip here and a slice there, and got their hair shorter. There may have been a few dents, but, overall they weren’t terrible. Well, from the front. The backs were a little hilly, but, hey, it was my first trial by scissors in a time crunch!
So, we finish in the nick of time, and all of us run to get ready for school, brushing shreds of hair off us as best we could! And we’re off, and I’m thinking, “gosh I hope no kids make fun of them!” We get to school, and Darshan told me later that all his friends asked him what type of haircut did he get! He answered that he had an “American” cut and everyone in America wears their hair like that! Great response, right?! Now we’re going to have a generation of Nepali’s thinking American’s have the weirdest hair EVER! But it was my first time, and I’m sure when I leave I’ll be an expert! It’s all in a day’s work as a missionary :).
When I was little, I had this image of missionaries in my mind as these tribal people who braved all sorts of dangers, fighting off lions and tigers and “uncivilized” people every day! Now, there are definitely some missionaries who probably live like this, but I’m learning that missions work is just as much about the small daily events as the big glamorous ones. This would include those times when the boys have to cut their hair, and there’s no one there to do it...
So, this morning after breakfast, the boys informed me that they needed to have their hair cut short before school (which was in an hour). Problem being Laxman’s the only one who knows how to cut hair and he was gone with Uncle. If we waited until school, it would cost each boy 50 rupees, which we didn’t want to spend. So, the older boys informed me that I only needed to cut Raju, Darshan, and Rajkumar’s hair (meaning they didn’t trust me with the scissors; probably for good reason!).
So Raju comes out in just his pants, his tiny arms and body covered in goose bumps from the cold, teeth chattering, and a slight look of fear encompassing his dark eyes. I start on his hair with a pair of old scissors and a comb, and Arun promptly tells me I’m doing it wrong and grabs the scissors. He then begins butchering Raju’s hair, and I ask him if he knows what he’s doing. He says, “No, I’ve never done this before!” with laughter spilling over. I grab the scissors back and tell him he’s not allowed to touch them anymore and begin to try to fix the damage done.
Well, soon Shiva comes out and says, “Oh, sister! You’re cutting his hair! I will finish it!” Assuming he knows how to cut hair as the oldest boy, I hand over the scissors, as my second mistake of the morning. He spends a LONG time trimming this way and that, and pretty soon Raju’s hair looks decent all around. The one problem: the front was about as crooked as crooked gets. It was hilarious! So, Raju obviously couldn’t go like that, but I had to start Rajkumar’s hair, so I passed Raju off to Bimala who took another pair of scissors to his head. She got it as even as was possible, and he finally looked presentable!
Meanwhile, I had 20 minutes to finish Rajkumar’s and Darshan’s hair, which was just not looking too good. But, practice makes perfect, errrr, slightly better than before, and they improved over time. I combed this way and that, with a snip here and a slice there, and got their hair shorter. There may have been a few dents, but, overall they weren’t terrible. Well, from the front. The backs were a little hilly, but, hey, it was my first trial by scissors in a time crunch!
So, we finish in the nick of time, and all of us run to get ready for school, brushing shreds of hair off us as best we could! And we’re off, and I’m thinking, “gosh I hope no kids make fun of them!” We get to school, and Darshan told me later that all his friends asked him what type of haircut did he get! He answered that he had an “American” cut and everyone in America wears their hair like that! Great response, right?! Now we’re going to have a generation of Nepali’s thinking American’s have the weirdest hair EVER! But it was my first time, and I’m sure when I leave I’ll be an expert! It’s all in a day’s work as a missionary :).
Monday, November 16, 2009
Food and Brown Play-Dough... it's all the same!
November 14, 2009
Today the principal invited me to eat breakfast with his family. Well, things didn’t quite work out, but I ended up eating at the school hostel with him. There are 45 kids who live at the school all the time, so the cook there is amazing! Anyway, I show up, knowing that I’m going to leave completely stuffed! And I was so right :).
I was handed a huge plate heaping with rice, fried potatoes, and this hot, very spicy pickled relish. Then, there was a plate of fresh sliced cucumbers, carrots, and white radishes on the side. And to finish it off, there was a bowl of spicy chicken. To the principal’s surprise, I dug in with my hands, and he was rather pleased by that! I ate and ate and finally was close to finished when the cook materialized with another heaping serving of rice and potatoes! I was so full, and said “No no! Pukio!” which means “I’m finished!” She just laughed and said “Torre.” which means “Just a little.” To my dismay, the food piled right back on, and I just looked at my new carbs to devour. The principal (who’s a short but large man) just inhaled his food, and finished when I was only halfway through my seconds. He laughed and told me just to finish it at my slow speed. So I worked very hard and finished it all off. I was so proud of myself! It really was incredibly good, though, it was just too much at once!
I decided to give my body all day to work that off, and I didn’t have the typical afternoon snack (which was just as well as we went to FRUITS today!). When we got home, I smelled the amazingness that is Didi’s cooking, which aroused my hunger once again! When she walked in with the pot of food, I did a double take. Instead of the typical curry, there was this mountain of brown play-dough. Ok, maybe not, but it really looked like it. And the kids all flew into a frenzy at the sight of it. “Sister sister! That’s Nepal’s national food!” Great, I thought... I wonder what that is?! Didi smiled and handed me a crusty edge of the play-dough to eat. I cautiously eyed it, contemplating the cost of eating this unknown creation. I decided that if it’s the national food it can’t kill me, so I tried it, and it pretty much tasted like crusty nothingness. No salt, no seasonings, nothing.
But then with dinner, the boys taught me how to really eat it. You dip it into the “soup” drippings that the chicken’s cooked in, which I LOVE. It’s this spicy broth with vegetables and chilies and it’s soo good! So, I dipped it in, and the broth made everything good. Dip, swallow, don’t chew or bite. Those were my instructions. I’ve eaten entire meals without chewing (occasionally the boys “challenge” me to see who can finish their food fastest) in 2-3 minutes flat (I know, my digestive system’s going to be shot when I get home!). But this was a whole new level of no chewing!
I finished and wandered into the kitchen to attempt to find out what this brown play-dough really was. Aunty told me that it’s Brown mountain rice (I guess they mush it up?!) and was surprised that I liked it! It’s all in the chicken broth! It makes all things good :). So, I’ve now had the honor of eating the National Nepali food! So, if I hand you a plate of brown play-dough when I get home with a bowl of soup on the side, just give it a chance! You might just enjoy it...
Today the principal invited me to eat breakfast with his family. Well, things didn’t quite work out, but I ended up eating at the school hostel with him. There are 45 kids who live at the school all the time, so the cook there is amazing! Anyway, I show up, knowing that I’m going to leave completely stuffed! And I was so right :).
I was handed a huge plate heaping with rice, fried potatoes, and this hot, very spicy pickled relish. Then, there was a plate of fresh sliced cucumbers, carrots, and white radishes on the side. And to finish it off, there was a bowl of spicy chicken. To the principal’s surprise, I dug in with my hands, and he was rather pleased by that! I ate and ate and finally was close to finished when the cook materialized with another heaping serving of rice and potatoes! I was so full, and said “No no! Pukio!” which means “I’m finished!” She just laughed and said “Torre.” which means “Just a little.” To my dismay, the food piled right back on, and I just looked at my new carbs to devour. The principal (who’s a short but large man) just inhaled his food, and finished when I was only halfway through my seconds. He laughed and told me just to finish it at my slow speed. So I worked very hard and finished it all off. I was so proud of myself! It really was incredibly good, though, it was just too much at once!
I decided to give my body all day to work that off, and I didn’t have the typical afternoon snack (which was just as well as we went to FRUITS today!). When we got home, I smelled the amazingness that is Didi’s cooking, which aroused my hunger once again! When she walked in with the pot of food, I did a double take. Instead of the typical curry, there was this mountain of brown play-dough. Ok, maybe not, but it really looked like it. And the kids all flew into a frenzy at the sight of it. “Sister sister! That’s Nepal’s national food!” Great, I thought... I wonder what that is?! Didi smiled and handed me a crusty edge of the play-dough to eat. I cautiously eyed it, contemplating the cost of eating this unknown creation. I decided that if it’s the national food it can’t kill me, so I tried it, and it pretty much tasted like crusty nothingness. No salt, no seasonings, nothing.
But then with dinner, the boys taught me how to really eat it. You dip it into the “soup” drippings that the chicken’s cooked in, which I LOVE. It’s this spicy broth with vegetables and chilies and it’s soo good! So, I dipped it in, and the broth made everything good. Dip, swallow, don’t chew or bite. Those were my instructions. I’ve eaten entire meals without chewing (occasionally the boys “challenge” me to see who can finish their food fastest) in 2-3 minutes flat (I know, my digestive system’s going to be shot when I get home!). But this was a whole new level of no chewing!
I finished and wandered into the kitchen to attempt to find out what this brown play-dough really was. Aunty told me that it’s Brown mountain rice (I guess they mush it up?!) and was surprised that I liked it! It’s all in the chicken broth! It makes all things good :). So, I’ve now had the honor of eating the National Nepali food! So, if I hand you a plate of brown play-dough when I get home with a bowl of soup on the side, just give it a chance! You might just enjoy it...
Being White in a Country of Brown...
November 11, 2009
The kids think that any white person is my friend. No really, they do. We can be walking down the street, and we might see a white person or a few walking together, and they immediately say, “Sister! Your friend!” It’s rather humorous in a way... I’ve tried explaining to them that just because we’re white doesn’t even mean we’re from the same country, but that’s a little hard for them to grasp! So, I’ve taken to being quite bold wherever I am, and if I see a white person, I walk right up to them and ask them where they’re from. Crazy, right?!
This has led into some cool conversations with complete strangers who are also my brothers and sisters! To start, a number of people have floated through the church, from Ireland, Sweden, Australia, etc on short term missions work! It’s always fun to see another white face in church! Currently, at Krishna’s brother’s hostel there’s a guy from Sweden helping out. I don’t remember how long he’s here for, but he’s been here about a month, and I think he’s staying longer! It’s funny cause if I see him in the street, he’s always got 4-5 kids in tow, and I’ve got about the same! The kids all know each other, so they immediately start talking as fast as they can to each other in Nepali, and we just laugh and ask each other how life is. It’s pretty great! We’re having some of the same struggles with math weakness at home, so I told him I’d bring him a set of the multiplication cards I made for his kids. He looked relieved and said that’d be amazing (it’s really the little thing that make our days here!)!
Then, some of the girls and I were walking down the street, and there was a group of 3 white (TALL) guys walking towards us, so the girls obviously assumed we were best friends! Laughing, I said I’d never seen them in my life, but if they wanted, I’d go talk to them. To their great concern, I walked up to the guys and said “Hi! Where are you from?!” Now, let me set your minds at ease; one had on a cross necklace, another a Christian t-shirt, and the third just looked like a nice honest guy! I figured I was safe :). Besides, I had 5 girls to back me up, all who’ve studied Karate in school! So, I found out they’re from Germany and Australia! I’m convinced that Australia knows how to do missions and send people out better than anyone else. I don’t know what they’re doing there, but they’ve got it right! I’ve met 4 totally unrelated people/groups from Australia, which I think is way cool!
Anyway, we talked for a bit about why we’re here/what we’re doing, and they live right down the road as well. We invited them to church, but they couldn’t come this week... maybe next week! They’re doing more coffee shop evangelism, I think, which is very different from my “field,” though we have the same goal in mind! Anyway, the Germans were excited to meet an American German, and they totally could say my name perfectly, first try. I think I’m moving to Germany next!
All this to say, knowing there are other young people around me, working the fields and harvesting a crop is more encouraging than you could ever imagine! We’re all in this together, and fortunately, God’s given us a common middle language (I’m spoiled, it’s English!)! That, and America needs to figure out what Australia’s doing right, because they’re sending those kids out right and left! Pretty phenomenal! So just know, when I see a white person on the street, I just smile to myself, for I have yet to meet a white person in this area (not the touristy areas) who’s not here to proclaim the name of Jesus! And that makes my heart very glad!
The kids think that any white person is my friend. No really, they do. We can be walking down the street, and we might see a white person or a few walking together, and they immediately say, “Sister! Your friend!” It’s rather humorous in a way... I’ve tried explaining to them that just because we’re white doesn’t even mean we’re from the same country, but that’s a little hard for them to grasp! So, I’ve taken to being quite bold wherever I am, and if I see a white person, I walk right up to them and ask them where they’re from. Crazy, right?!
This has led into some cool conversations with complete strangers who are also my brothers and sisters! To start, a number of people have floated through the church, from Ireland, Sweden, Australia, etc on short term missions work! It’s always fun to see another white face in church! Currently, at Krishna’s brother’s hostel there’s a guy from Sweden helping out. I don’t remember how long he’s here for, but he’s been here about a month, and I think he’s staying longer! It’s funny cause if I see him in the street, he’s always got 4-5 kids in tow, and I’ve got about the same! The kids all know each other, so they immediately start talking as fast as they can to each other in Nepali, and we just laugh and ask each other how life is. It’s pretty great! We’re having some of the same struggles with math weakness at home, so I told him I’d bring him a set of the multiplication cards I made for his kids. He looked relieved and said that’d be amazing (it’s really the little thing that make our days here!)!
Then, some of the girls and I were walking down the street, and there was a group of 3 white (TALL) guys walking towards us, so the girls obviously assumed we were best friends! Laughing, I said I’d never seen them in my life, but if they wanted, I’d go talk to them. To their great concern, I walked up to the guys and said “Hi! Where are you from?!” Now, let me set your minds at ease; one had on a cross necklace, another a Christian t-shirt, and the third just looked like a nice honest guy! I figured I was safe :). Besides, I had 5 girls to back me up, all who’ve studied Karate in school! So, I found out they’re from Germany and Australia! I’m convinced that Australia knows how to do missions and send people out better than anyone else. I don’t know what they’re doing there, but they’ve got it right! I’ve met 4 totally unrelated people/groups from Australia, which I think is way cool!
Anyway, we talked for a bit about why we’re here/what we’re doing, and they live right down the road as well. We invited them to church, but they couldn’t come this week... maybe next week! They’re doing more coffee shop evangelism, I think, which is very different from my “field,” though we have the same goal in mind! Anyway, the Germans were excited to meet an American German, and they totally could say my name perfectly, first try. I think I’m moving to Germany next!
All this to say, knowing there are other young people around me, working the fields and harvesting a crop is more encouraging than you could ever imagine! We’re all in this together, and fortunately, God’s given us a common middle language (I’m spoiled, it’s English!)! That, and America needs to figure out what Australia’s doing right, because they’re sending those kids out right and left! Pretty phenomenal! So just know, when I see a white person on the street, I just smile to myself, for I have yet to meet a white person in this area (not the touristy areas) who’s not here to proclaim the name of Jesus! And that makes my heart very glad!
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Happy Birthday to You, even though I don't know you!
November 8, 2009
Birthdays are a festive time here, with parties and such! Usually we tragically end the life of a goat or chicken early in order to fully commemorate this rare occasion! Well, on Sunday Benita, one of the class 9 girls, turned 17, and she threw a party. I don’t teach class 9, but she insisted that I had to come to her party with the girls from our hostel. So, with uncle’s permission, Isha, Rami, Sunita, and I headed off to her birthday party. When we arrived, most of the class 9 girls were there along with some from classes 7 and 8. Probably around 15 girls in all. I think the boys at home were disappointed that they didn’t get to come!
Well, the girls did a great job of introducing me, though I got a little lost on the “this is my sister’s husband’s daughter” part. Sometimes family ties can be hard to follow, no matter what country you’re in! Then, I was walked into the living room, where I met Benita’s grandparents and parents. Her grandmother pulled me down next to her, and so I sat there for the rest of the evening! All the girls were scurrying about serving food, and I felt like it was my party! But her grandmother had a firm grip on me, and I obviously wasn’t going anywhere!
We did birthday presents in the living room, which was a cultural experience for me. I’ve never fully understood what the smudges of paint (called tikah’s or something like that...) on peoples foreheads meant before now. I knew it was distinctive to Hinduism, but I learned that they signify a blessing from whoever “smudges” you. So, each of her grandparents and parents put some paint on her head and sprinkled flower petals in her hair (still not sure what that means!). And then, they asked me if I wanted a tikah myself. I didn’t want to offend them as I was a guest in their home, but I wasn’t going to take a tikah since it is based on Hinduism (besides the fact that I hate the idea of putting paint on my face!). So, I declined, and to my relief, they laughed and said it was fine.
Benita then delivered an appetizer plate of food, which was really good. At any party here, you’ll have these kind of fried round thick pink things called Prawn or something like that. I can’t really describe how they taste, but they’re pretty good. Then, there was potato curry, alongside spiced chicken. Both were delicious! I was full after eating it, which was unfortunate, because unknown to me, we still had birthday cake and the main course to follow!
The birthday cake was a light chocolate cake with a very light icing with a dusting of coconut. It was amazing! Then, to my slight dismay as I was already stuffed beyond eating more, the girls told me that the buffet was set up in the kitchen and to go get my food. The bright side was that I got to serve myself, so I could serve myself very very small helpings! However, in doing so, Benita’s mother took that to mean she needed to go get me another plate full of food. So, I had rice and more chicken and chips and fried fish and I thought I might be sick. I told her it was all amazing, but when she left the room, I donated some of the food to the girls, who were more than happy to take it off my hands!
When we finished eating, it was time to go home, and I thanked Benita’s parents (in Nepali!) for having me over. And they wouldn’t stop thanking me for coming! They told me over and over again that it was their pleasure and honor to have me, and I was welcome to come back any time I wanted. I think it might have been their first time having a “white person” in their home :). It was quite the evening!
Birthdays are a festive time here, with parties and such! Usually we tragically end the life of a goat or chicken early in order to fully commemorate this rare occasion! Well, on Sunday Benita, one of the class 9 girls, turned 17, and she threw a party. I don’t teach class 9, but she insisted that I had to come to her party with the girls from our hostel. So, with uncle’s permission, Isha, Rami, Sunita, and I headed off to her birthday party. When we arrived, most of the class 9 girls were there along with some from classes 7 and 8. Probably around 15 girls in all. I think the boys at home were disappointed that they didn’t get to come!
Well, the girls did a great job of introducing me, though I got a little lost on the “this is my sister’s husband’s daughter” part. Sometimes family ties can be hard to follow, no matter what country you’re in! Then, I was walked into the living room, where I met Benita’s grandparents and parents. Her grandmother pulled me down next to her, and so I sat there for the rest of the evening! All the girls were scurrying about serving food, and I felt like it was my party! But her grandmother had a firm grip on me, and I obviously wasn’t going anywhere!
We did birthday presents in the living room, which was a cultural experience for me. I’ve never fully understood what the smudges of paint (called tikah’s or something like that...) on peoples foreheads meant before now. I knew it was distinctive to Hinduism, but I learned that they signify a blessing from whoever “smudges” you. So, each of her grandparents and parents put some paint on her head and sprinkled flower petals in her hair (still not sure what that means!). And then, they asked me if I wanted a tikah myself. I didn’t want to offend them as I was a guest in their home, but I wasn’t going to take a tikah since it is based on Hinduism (besides the fact that I hate the idea of putting paint on my face!). So, I declined, and to my relief, they laughed and said it was fine.
Benita then delivered an appetizer plate of food, which was really good. At any party here, you’ll have these kind of fried round thick pink things called Prawn or something like that. I can’t really describe how they taste, but they’re pretty good. Then, there was potato curry, alongside spiced chicken. Both were delicious! I was full after eating it, which was unfortunate, because unknown to me, we still had birthday cake and the main course to follow!
The birthday cake was a light chocolate cake with a very light icing with a dusting of coconut. It was amazing! Then, to my slight dismay as I was already stuffed beyond eating more, the girls told me that the buffet was set up in the kitchen and to go get my food. The bright side was that I got to serve myself, so I could serve myself very very small helpings! However, in doing so, Benita’s mother took that to mean she needed to go get me another plate full of food. So, I had rice and more chicken and chips and fried fish and I thought I might be sick. I told her it was all amazing, but when she left the room, I donated some of the food to the girls, who were more than happy to take it off my hands!
When we finished eating, it was time to go home, and I thanked Benita’s parents (in Nepali!) for having me over. And they wouldn’t stop thanking me for coming! They told me over and over again that it was their pleasure and honor to have me, and I was welcome to come back any time I wanted. I think it might have been their first time having a “white person” in their home :). It was quite the evening!
FRUITS...
November 7, 2009
When I was younger and in a youth group myself, my youth pastor taught us this really really cheesy song that is basically just the fruits of the Spirit. It starts with, “Well I’m a fruit, on a big fruit tree,” and goes on to ramble off all the fruits. For weeks, the older kids were asking me to go to some concert with them after church on Saturday, but for the life of me I couldn’t understand what they were saying. Each week there was some reason I couldn’t go, whether it be work at home, or teaching other children, or running errands. Finally, this week I got to go with them.
When we arrived, there was this paper sign up that said “FRUITS.” It was my understanding that this was some sort of church meeting place with the concert in the afternoons, so I didn’t understand why there was a signs advertising fruits there. Then I figured, hey, I’m in Nepal, they’re probably just selling fruit here on the side. Well, when we got in, it became apparent to me that it was talking about the fruit of the Spirit, and that was the name of the group that met there! And it was basically this area wide youth group started by this middle aged man and a few other musicians who seek to draw teenagers to the Lord through worship! Cool, right?!
Well, I thought that was cool, but when they actually started playing, I was floored. The first two songs they sang with us were in English, and as a band they were phenomenal! We sang “He is the Lord” and “Days of Elijah” and I don’t know that I’ve heard better compositions of those songs before! Then we sang a few songs in Nepali, some which I knew and some that I didn’t, but they were all beautifully orchestrated! And to hear some 60 or so Nepali teenagers all singing praises together at the top of their lungs was incredible! It’s been awhile since I really was able to participate in corporate worship like that!
Then the band took a break and the leader basically did a devotional with the kids, talking about his life in the Lord (not that I understood; Laxuman explained it to me later!). And from listening to the kids laugh, he must be an incredible speaker. They were riveted on his words, and his facial expressions only magnified his story telling ability. Now, I should give you some background of the leader. He’s in a wheelchair as his legs never developed fully (though that doesn’t affect his guitar playing at all!). He talked to the kids about how our beauty should come from the inside, and in good humor explained that what’s outside doesn’t matter to God, as was evidenced by his body! He spoke of how people all his life had spoken against him because he can’t walk, but he stated that no matter what those people say, they cannot change the beauty that fills him inside because he’s a child of God! I imagine a lot more details were added to season the story from the laughter of the kids, but that’s the basic just of it. His natural joy in life was so obvious to everyone there, and I could just feel my cup overflowing as I praised God with this brother from a totally different walk of life! Since it’s a weekly occurrence, I’m sure we’ll be back again for another refill this week :).
When I was younger and in a youth group myself, my youth pastor taught us this really really cheesy song that is basically just the fruits of the Spirit. It starts with, “Well I’m a fruit, on a big fruit tree,” and goes on to ramble off all the fruits. For weeks, the older kids were asking me to go to some concert with them after church on Saturday, but for the life of me I couldn’t understand what they were saying. Each week there was some reason I couldn’t go, whether it be work at home, or teaching other children, or running errands. Finally, this week I got to go with them.
When we arrived, there was this paper sign up that said “FRUITS.” It was my understanding that this was some sort of church meeting place with the concert in the afternoons, so I didn’t understand why there was a signs advertising fruits there. Then I figured, hey, I’m in Nepal, they’re probably just selling fruit here on the side. Well, when we got in, it became apparent to me that it was talking about the fruit of the Spirit, and that was the name of the group that met there! And it was basically this area wide youth group started by this middle aged man and a few other musicians who seek to draw teenagers to the Lord through worship! Cool, right?!
Well, I thought that was cool, but when they actually started playing, I was floored. The first two songs they sang with us were in English, and as a band they were phenomenal! We sang “He is the Lord” and “Days of Elijah” and I don’t know that I’ve heard better compositions of those songs before! Then we sang a few songs in Nepali, some which I knew and some that I didn’t, but they were all beautifully orchestrated! And to hear some 60 or so Nepali teenagers all singing praises together at the top of their lungs was incredible! It’s been awhile since I really was able to participate in corporate worship like that!
Then the band took a break and the leader basically did a devotional with the kids, talking about his life in the Lord (not that I understood; Laxuman explained it to me later!). And from listening to the kids laugh, he must be an incredible speaker. They were riveted on his words, and his facial expressions only magnified his story telling ability. Now, I should give you some background of the leader. He’s in a wheelchair as his legs never developed fully (though that doesn’t affect his guitar playing at all!). He talked to the kids about how our beauty should come from the inside, and in good humor explained that what’s outside doesn’t matter to God, as was evidenced by his body! He spoke of how people all his life had spoken against him because he can’t walk, but he stated that no matter what those people say, they cannot change the beauty that fills him inside because he’s a child of God! I imagine a lot more details were added to season the story from the laughter of the kids, but that’s the basic just of it. His natural joy in life was so obvious to everyone there, and I could just feel my cup overflowing as I praised God with this brother from a totally different walk of life! Since it’s a weekly occurrence, I’m sure we’ll be back again for another refill this week :).
Shoes and MORE!
October 30, 2009
A few weeks after writing about our “football experience” and the lack of shoes, a friend from home let me know that they wanted to buy shoes for the kids along with their Sunday School class! Excited and grateful, I told them that they were more than welcome to buy them, but that it might be much more cost effective to send the money and let us buy the shoes here. It also deleted the possibility of getting stuck at customs for weeks on end! So, with excitement, I told the kids that they would ALL get new shoes! We collaboratively decided that the boys would go for shoes first since some of the girls couldn’t go today, and the girls would go a few days later. There was no way that I could handle taking 15 kids to the market at the same time!
So, Friday after school we headed out to buy school shoes for those who needed them and fun shoes for everyone! You talk about constantly counting... I had nine boys in tow, on a street crowded with hundreds of people and vendors! We walked and walked, and I felt kind of like a shepherd herding my little flock of sheep through unknown pastures with 3000 other sheep roaming our grass! We made it to the school shoes shop, and found the right shoes for the boys, and then it was time for the fun to start!
I allotted each child 1000 rupees (it seemed reasonable to me!), the American equivalent of 13 dollars. With excitement, the boys began talking of how they would buy shoes, pants, sweaters, etc with their rupees. I told them they could buy whatever they chose as far as shoes and clothes go, as long as they stayed under their 1000 rupee budget! So, to my amazement, the kids picked out shoes, for 400-500 rupees. Some got Converse high tops, some got nice tennis shoes, and all range of shoes in between!
The rest of their money had to go to clothes and such. With eager excitement, the boys picked out jeans, and almost every boy got a new pair of jeans. Then, we moved on to sweaters and watches, cleaning out our rupee supply! I’ve never been so impressed with the spread of a few American dollars. And I’ve never been so impressed at the intensity of male shopping! Every boy had a partner that they had to keep in tow, and we darted from shop to stall to street corner, shopping for the best for each boy!
Exhausted, we began the trek home, piled down with bags and boxes and shoes and jeans and watches and smiles and hunger! There’s nothing quite like walking home with more bags than kids, in the pitch black of night, along these highways with no streetlights or stoplights! Very concerned that I was going to lose a kid, the older boys were required to hold the younger boys hands, which they easily agreed to do! When we got to the most major road, which we had to cross to get back to the hostel, I was sure we were all going to die. I’ve never been so concerned crossing the street, but when you’ve got a herd of boys in tow, things are a little more complicated! Needless to say, we made it home alive, hungry, and worn out, but very very thankful for our newly acquired treasures! I don’t think I’ve ever heard the words thank you so much in one night! And the girls were so gracious about it! They’re so excited to go themselves, but they were just as excited about the boys’ treasures. I was very impressed! It made for an incredibly fun and exciting evening!!
A few weeks after writing about our “football experience” and the lack of shoes, a friend from home let me know that they wanted to buy shoes for the kids along with their Sunday School class! Excited and grateful, I told them that they were more than welcome to buy them, but that it might be much more cost effective to send the money and let us buy the shoes here. It also deleted the possibility of getting stuck at customs for weeks on end! So, with excitement, I told the kids that they would ALL get new shoes! We collaboratively decided that the boys would go for shoes first since some of the girls couldn’t go today, and the girls would go a few days later. There was no way that I could handle taking 15 kids to the market at the same time!
So, Friday after school we headed out to buy school shoes for those who needed them and fun shoes for everyone! You talk about constantly counting... I had nine boys in tow, on a street crowded with hundreds of people and vendors! We walked and walked, and I felt kind of like a shepherd herding my little flock of sheep through unknown pastures with 3000 other sheep roaming our grass! We made it to the school shoes shop, and found the right shoes for the boys, and then it was time for the fun to start!
I allotted each child 1000 rupees (it seemed reasonable to me!), the American equivalent of 13 dollars. With excitement, the boys began talking of how they would buy shoes, pants, sweaters, etc with their rupees. I told them they could buy whatever they chose as far as shoes and clothes go, as long as they stayed under their 1000 rupee budget! So, to my amazement, the kids picked out shoes, for 400-500 rupees. Some got Converse high tops, some got nice tennis shoes, and all range of shoes in between!
The rest of their money had to go to clothes and such. With eager excitement, the boys picked out jeans, and almost every boy got a new pair of jeans. Then, we moved on to sweaters and watches, cleaning out our rupee supply! I’ve never been so impressed with the spread of a few American dollars. And I’ve never been so impressed at the intensity of male shopping! Every boy had a partner that they had to keep in tow, and we darted from shop to stall to street corner, shopping for the best for each boy!
Exhausted, we began the trek home, piled down with bags and boxes and shoes and jeans and watches and smiles and hunger! There’s nothing quite like walking home with more bags than kids, in the pitch black of night, along these highways with no streetlights or stoplights! Very concerned that I was going to lose a kid, the older boys were required to hold the younger boys hands, which they easily agreed to do! When we got to the most major road, which we had to cross to get back to the hostel, I was sure we were all going to die. I’ve never been so concerned crossing the street, but when you’ve got a herd of boys in tow, things are a little more complicated! Needless to say, we made it home alive, hungry, and worn out, but very very thankful for our newly acquired treasures! I don’t think I’ve ever heard the words thank you so much in one night! And the girls were so gracious about it! They’re so excited to go themselves, but they were just as excited about the boys’ treasures. I was very impressed! It made for an incredibly fun and exciting evening!!
Friday, November 6, 2009
Daily Devotionals, a time to ask and receive!
November 6, 2009
I’m not going to lie, when I first found out that we do devotionals every night, and I was going to lead twice a week, I was a little more than unsure. After all, when I get going, I use words all wrong and sometimes I might even make up words! And, then I expect a bunch of Nepali ESL kids to understand my ranting and raving?! Crazy, right?!
Well, it turns out we’re going straight through Luke, so at least we’re guided. And the older kids have a great grasp of the English language and have quickly picked up on my quirky statements that may or may not make any sense! So, we usually sing a few songs to open, and there’s nothing like 15 Nepali kids singing acapella in a cement box of a room that resounds with beautiful harmonies! I’m learning the songs slowly, and have been writing them down as we go in my own sort of little Black song book. The kids love it and laugh with me at my singing, which is a step below pathetic in Nepali, but I’m trying! Raju’s the one who gets most excited with this huge eye to eye grin when I sing in Nepali. I think it’s because he doesn’t speak very much English, so that’s pretty much the only time he understands me!
Then we charge around the room, each kid reading a verse, and then we take turns breaking it down. To be honest, the days when I don’t lead are like a second quiet time for me, with this Nepali background murmuring. On the days I do lead, I feel bad for the little ones who don’t really understand, but the older kids are pretty good about translating for them. Then after, they can ask the leader questions, which is typically a “No one has questions now let’s eat!” time.
However, for some reason, when I lead, I get the most unusual and interesting questions. One night this week I finished dissecting the passage, and as is tradition, I asked if there were any questions. There was some hesitation, and then one of the kids asked me where Jesus was coming back. “Is he just going to come over Jerusalem and we’ll all meet him there, or will he be everywhere?!” Ummm... let me just say, I had no idea! That led into the question as to why God didn’t tell us when Jesus will come get us, which Laxuman answered beautifully with “because then everyone would wait until then to become Christians and they wouldn’t live for Jesus now!” Which he concluded with asking me how the earth got people on it if Adam and Eve were the only first people. A great question. One to which either leads to “I don’t know exactly” which is where I went or the defining of the word inbreeding, which I really didn’t feel like getting into! Then some asked where we got languages and if we could really reach heaven if we built a tall enough tower. And we finished with how did other religions come to be.
There’s NO Bible study prep course that could prepare you for the questions these kids ask! But, it’s often one of the most entertaining and bonding times we have as a group, because the kids are so real and honest about things they want to understand! One time, one of the older girls asked if it was a sin for a young boy and girl to love each other. Not exactly sure what she meant by love, I asked her to explain, and she said “You know, love each other!” I’m pretty sure she meant “I love you” love, but I sure wasn’t going into any other love with 7 and 8 year olds in the room who don’t always totally get what I’m saying anyway! Well, the older kids figured out why I was flustered, and burst out laughing, assuring me that wasn’t what she meant. I felt bad for the younger kids because they were so confused as to what was going on... My best advice if you come to Nepal and do nightly devotionals with these kids: read the whole Bible before you come :).
I’m not going to lie, when I first found out that we do devotionals every night, and I was going to lead twice a week, I was a little more than unsure. After all, when I get going, I use words all wrong and sometimes I might even make up words! And, then I expect a bunch of Nepali ESL kids to understand my ranting and raving?! Crazy, right?!
Well, it turns out we’re going straight through Luke, so at least we’re guided. And the older kids have a great grasp of the English language and have quickly picked up on my quirky statements that may or may not make any sense! So, we usually sing a few songs to open, and there’s nothing like 15 Nepali kids singing acapella in a cement box of a room that resounds with beautiful harmonies! I’m learning the songs slowly, and have been writing them down as we go in my own sort of little Black song book. The kids love it and laugh with me at my singing, which is a step below pathetic in Nepali, but I’m trying! Raju’s the one who gets most excited with this huge eye to eye grin when I sing in Nepali. I think it’s because he doesn’t speak very much English, so that’s pretty much the only time he understands me!
Then we charge around the room, each kid reading a verse, and then we take turns breaking it down. To be honest, the days when I don’t lead are like a second quiet time for me, with this Nepali background murmuring. On the days I do lead, I feel bad for the little ones who don’t really understand, but the older kids are pretty good about translating for them. Then after, they can ask the leader questions, which is typically a “No one has questions now let’s eat!” time.
However, for some reason, when I lead, I get the most unusual and interesting questions. One night this week I finished dissecting the passage, and as is tradition, I asked if there were any questions. There was some hesitation, and then one of the kids asked me where Jesus was coming back. “Is he just going to come over Jerusalem and we’ll all meet him there, or will he be everywhere?!” Ummm... let me just say, I had no idea! That led into the question as to why God didn’t tell us when Jesus will come get us, which Laxuman answered beautifully with “because then everyone would wait until then to become Christians and they wouldn’t live for Jesus now!” Which he concluded with asking me how the earth got people on it if Adam and Eve were the only first people. A great question. One to which either leads to “I don’t know exactly” which is where I went or the defining of the word inbreeding, which I really didn’t feel like getting into! Then some asked where we got languages and if we could really reach heaven if we built a tall enough tower. And we finished with how did other religions come to be.
There’s NO Bible study prep course that could prepare you for the questions these kids ask! But, it’s often one of the most entertaining and bonding times we have as a group, because the kids are so real and honest about things they want to understand! One time, one of the older girls asked if it was a sin for a young boy and girl to love each other. Not exactly sure what she meant by love, I asked her to explain, and she said “You know, love each other!” I’m pretty sure she meant “I love you” love, but I sure wasn’t going into any other love with 7 and 8 year olds in the room who don’t always totally get what I’m saying anyway! Well, the older kids figured out why I was flustered, and burst out laughing, assuring me that wasn’t what she meant. I felt bad for the younger kids because they were so confused as to what was going on... My best advice if you come to Nepal and do nightly devotionals with these kids: read the whole Bible before you come :).
Being Known
November 2, 2009
I’ve decided that there are different levels of being known. For instance, if you’re a Christian in Nepal, most people around probably know that, whether or not they’re your friends. You just live differently than everyone else. Then, if you’re a white person in Nepal, you’re known as a foreigner. Then, cap that off with living in a children’s hostel and working at a local school and everyone in a 10 km radius will know you!
I love walking down the streets here for that reason: I’m known. When I see other Christians or they see me, the instant greeting of “Joy-mecy” and a smile blossom out. One of the coolest greetings ever: Joy and mercy in Jesus Christ. We use it with other Christians, while the typical greeting for Nepali’s is Namaste. I think we should pick that up in America! After all, Paul started his letters with Grace and Peace, right?!
Then, I live in a hostel and teach in the local school. I don’t know that this school has had a white teacher before, so that in itself is a jump! All the kids greet me, whether in school or on the street, and usually it’s with a bright smile! When I walk to pick up the younger children between 7th and 8th period, the class 7 and 9 kids look out their window and yell hello at the top of their lungs. Usually I can look up and see Anand or Shiva in the window grinning with a hoard of boys surrounding them. Why the boys always sit by the windows, I’m not sure...
When I walk to the store or the stationary shop for school supplies, everyone knows me as the girl who lives in Krishna’s hostel! The stationary shop took about 3 days to figure that out; no one comes every day buying 12 copies one day (notebooks), 8 erasers the next, and so on just for themselves or a few children. Buying in that quantity means lots of kiddos! And I think they like me, because they often give me discounts when I come, whether it’s a free copy or two, or a free dry erase marker when I buy ink. I brought the kids with me the first few times so I’d know how much stuff cost (I didn’t want to be overcharged just because I’m white!), and the shopkeeper’s been very consistent in charging me what he’d charge anyone else or even a little less. It could also be the buying 800 things every week factor ;).
At the store, the owners know me (they’re the ones who asked if Chloe and I were Christians way back when I first got here!), as do the different checkout girls! Yesterday, the girl at the counter asked me where I went to church and I told her. She goes to a different church in this area. She said that she knew me because I always sing with the music when I come in the store (what can I say, I sooo appreciate hearing Christian music in English playing over the sound system!) and we talked for a few minutes. After realizing we had no idea where the other went to church, she said something that I think should be the motto of every Christian in the world. With a grin, she said “Oh well, it doesn’t matter, because what really matters is that we serve the same God.” And that might sum up all the differences and similarities in Nepal for me. We Christians all serve the same God, and any differences beyond that are just the seasonings in life!
I’ve decided that there are different levels of being known. For instance, if you’re a Christian in Nepal, most people around probably know that, whether or not they’re your friends. You just live differently than everyone else. Then, if you’re a white person in Nepal, you’re known as a foreigner. Then, cap that off with living in a children’s hostel and working at a local school and everyone in a 10 km radius will know you!
I love walking down the streets here for that reason: I’m known. When I see other Christians or they see me, the instant greeting of “Joy-mecy” and a smile blossom out. One of the coolest greetings ever: Joy and mercy in Jesus Christ. We use it with other Christians, while the typical greeting for Nepali’s is Namaste. I think we should pick that up in America! After all, Paul started his letters with Grace and Peace, right?!
Then, I live in a hostel and teach in the local school. I don’t know that this school has had a white teacher before, so that in itself is a jump! All the kids greet me, whether in school or on the street, and usually it’s with a bright smile! When I walk to pick up the younger children between 7th and 8th period, the class 7 and 9 kids look out their window and yell hello at the top of their lungs. Usually I can look up and see Anand or Shiva in the window grinning with a hoard of boys surrounding them. Why the boys always sit by the windows, I’m not sure...
When I walk to the store or the stationary shop for school supplies, everyone knows me as the girl who lives in Krishna’s hostel! The stationary shop took about 3 days to figure that out; no one comes every day buying 12 copies one day (notebooks), 8 erasers the next, and so on just for themselves or a few children. Buying in that quantity means lots of kiddos! And I think they like me, because they often give me discounts when I come, whether it’s a free copy or two, or a free dry erase marker when I buy ink. I brought the kids with me the first few times so I’d know how much stuff cost (I didn’t want to be overcharged just because I’m white!), and the shopkeeper’s been very consistent in charging me what he’d charge anyone else or even a little less. It could also be the buying 800 things every week factor ;).
At the store, the owners know me (they’re the ones who asked if Chloe and I were Christians way back when I first got here!), as do the different checkout girls! Yesterday, the girl at the counter asked me where I went to church and I told her. She goes to a different church in this area. She said that she knew me because I always sing with the music when I come in the store (what can I say, I sooo appreciate hearing Christian music in English playing over the sound system!) and we talked for a few minutes. After realizing we had no idea where the other went to church, she said something that I think should be the motto of every Christian in the world. With a grin, she said “Oh well, it doesn’t matter, because what really matters is that we serve the same God.” And that might sum up all the differences and similarities in Nepal for me. We Christians all serve the same God, and any differences beyond that are just the seasonings in life!
Sunday, November 1, 2009
There are bugs in your hair!
November 1, 2009
Lice. They were bound to come sometime. For about a week now I’ve wondered with the off and on itching. But today after washing my hair, my fears were confirmed. “Sister! There’s a lice!” Bimala cried looking at my hair. As lice are pretty common here, the girls know exactly what to do to get rid of them, and are experts at it. So, I sat on the stairs, and Bimala directed my head this way and that, as she patiently combed my hair over and over again, searching for the little critters that were sucking the life out of my head!
One by one, she pulled them out, and Darshan would exterminate them by smashing them into the ground. I should have counted, but I really didn’t want to know. Over and over again she combed my hair, this way and that. Soon, a crowd of kids had gathered around, all “helping” to annihilate these unwanted creatures. A rather humbling experience! Actually, the kids were amazing about it. It’s pretty every day for them, so they weren’t weirded out or anything. In fact, they kept telling me that I have Barbie hair (I took it as a compliment, though I hate Barbies!) and it is “so nice.” That made me feel better :).
Then came the advice portion of the extermination. Wash your hair with soap, and scrub your scalp as hard as you can. Then rinse. And rinse again. And again. And some more. And probably more after that. If you’re not sure, a few more buckets of water will be good. And NEVER “manage” (fix) your hair while it’s wet. Wait for it to completely dry before putting anything in it. I think I’m just going to have them direct me at the well next time I want to wash my hair, which will probably be very soon after this lovely experience!
They’re awesome about pouring the water on each other’s heads while they wash their hair upside down. It’s like one long chain, you pour for me, I pour for him, he pours for her, and so on. Anyway, this was my first experience with lice, and I really didn’t freak out. It was just another one of those things that I’ve now learned to deal with and while they still weird me out, I don’t feel sick thinking about the thought of bugs living in my hair. I know that sounds gross, but there are just so many other things that can consume my energy here! Small bugs just don’t make the top 10 anymore :).
Lice. They were bound to come sometime. For about a week now I’ve wondered with the off and on itching. But today after washing my hair, my fears were confirmed. “Sister! There’s a lice!” Bimala cried looking at my hair. As lice are pretty common here, the girls know exactly what to do to get rid of them, and are experts at it. So, I sat on the stairs, and Bimala directed my head this way and that, as she patiently combed my hair over and over again, searching for the little critters that were sucking the life out of my head!
One by one, she pulled them out, and Darshan would exterminate them by smashing them into the ground. I should have counted, but I really didn’t want to know. Over and over again she combed my hair, this way and that. Soon, a crowd of kids had gathered around, all “helping” to annihilate these unwanted creatures. A rather humbling experience! Actually, the kids were amazing about it. It’s pretty every day for them, so they weren’t weirded out or anything. In fact, they kept telling me that I have Barbie hair (I took it as a compliment, though I hate Barbies!) and it is “so nice.” That made me feel better :).
Then came the advice portion of the extermination. Wash your hair with soap, and scrub your scalp as hard as you can. Then rinse. And rinse again. And again. And some more. And probably more after that. If you’re not sure, a few more buckets of water will be good. And NEVER “manage” (fix) your hair while it’s wet. Wait for it to completely dry before putting anything in it. I think I’m just going to have them direct me at the well next time I want to wash my hair, which will probably be very soon after this lovely experience!
They’re awesome about pouring the water on each other’s heads while they wash their hair upside down. It’s like one long chain, you pour for me, I pour for him, he pours for her, and so on. Anyway, this was my first experience with lice, and I really didn’t freak out. It was just another one of those things that I’ve now learned to deal with and while they still weird me out, I don’t feel sick thinking about the thought of bugs living in my hair. I know that sounds gross, but there are just so many other things that can consume my energy here! Small bugs just don’t make the top 10 anymore :).
A Tale of two Packages...
October 30, 2009
Once upon a time there were two packages en route to Nepal from the United States. They contained clothes and snacks and all sorts of fun and exciting things. One day, Sister received notice that they had arrived! With excitement and exuberance, Sister set off to retrieve her packages with a handful of children. To her dismay, though, the packages were not at the nearby post office, but were rather at the one down in Kathmandu, over an hour away by MicroBus.
After waiting several days, Shiva and Laxman figured out where to go, and agreed to take Sister with them. They set off around 4:30 in the afternoon, ignoring the bold typed office hours which ended at 3 (what post office closes at 3?!). They caught a MicroBus, and rode for an hour, crossing dirty rivers, passing the King’s Palace, and soon the MicroBus was filled with over 40 people. Suddenly, Shiva said that it was time to get out.
Without having an inkling of an idea as to where she was, Sister was totally at the disposal of two teenage boys in a city brimming with people, over an hour from home! Thankfully, true to their word, Shiva and Laxman did know where the General Post office was, and they quickly made their way over there. To their extreme disappointment, the office was closed, and darkness was brimming on this Hindu city. With forlorn faces, they began to trek home.
They walked, and they walked, and they walked. Suddenly sister realized that they really weren’t going to take a bus to get home, and really were going to walk the whole way! We’re talking an hour and 45 minutes, up and down hills and stairs, around trash piles, dodging in and out of traffic. Amazing, I know! About halfway home, they stopped and bought snacks to tide them over. They arrived at home exhausted and dejected. Sister’s spirits brightened when she realized that the next week Uncle would be home and would take her to receive her package!
The day after Uncle arrived, he took Sister to claim her packages! With great excitement and anticipation, she danced through the mazes at customs to claim this hidden treasure, which had only increased in value over time! 50 rupees here, 200 rupees there, $5 in taxes is nothing compared to a good American jar of peanut butter!
Arriving at home later that afternoon, Sister found the children awaiting her return, with grins on their faces. They knew that they would receive surprises from those foreign boxes that came from faraway places known only in their minds! With an easy smile, Sister told them to wait, and after dinner she would allow them to have the surprises. True to her word, after dinner they broke out the games of Go Fish, Old Maid, and so many more!
After awhile, Sister went up to her bedroom to read and then sleep. However, half an hour later, she heard shouting and rambunctious laughter wafting in the air! Concerned that the sleeping children might be wakened, she flew downstairs to check and see what was going on. To her surprise, Laxman, Shiva, Sunita and Rami were playing Bible trivia with one of the decks of cards, asking each other the questions, and laughing at the assortment of answers! With laughter, she joined in and began to play with them. For about 15 minutes they sent the questions around, racing to be the first to answer. Listening to the answers might have been the most humorous thing Sister had done in a long time! Adam and Eve and Peter and Paul and fish and bread danced around in her head as she darted back up the stairs to go to sleep. With contented relief, Sister smiled knowing that the packages were finally with their rightful owners, and the kids were thoroughly enjoying them!
Once upon a time there were two packages en route to Nepal from the United States. They contained clothes and snacks and all sorts of fun and exciting things. One day, Sister received notice that they had arrived! With excitement and exuberance, Sister set off to retrieve her packages with a handful of children. To her dismay, though, the packages were not at the nearby post office, but were rather at the one down in Kathmandu, over an hour away by MicroBus.
After waiting several days, Shiva and Laxman figured out where to go, and agreed to take Sister with them. They set off around 4:30 in the afternoon, ignoring the bold typed office hours which ended at 3 (what post office closes at 3?!). They caught a MicroBus, and rode for an hour, crossing dirty rivers, passing the King’s Palace, and soon the MicroBus was filled with over 40 people. Suddenly, Shiva said that it was time to get out.
Without having an inkling of an idea as to where she was, Sister was totally at the disposal of two teenage boys in a city brimming with people, over an hour from home! Thankfully, true to their word, Shiva and Laxman did know where the General Post office was, and they quickly made their way over there. To their extreme disappointment, the office was closed, and darkness was brimming on this Hindu city. With forlorn faces, they began to trek home.
They walked, and they walked, and they walked. Suddenly sister realized that they really weren’t going to take a bus to get home, and really were going to walk the whole way! We’re talking an hour and 45 minutes, up and down hills and stairs, around trash piles, dodging in and out of traffic. Amazing, I know! About halfway home, they stopped and bought snacks to tide them over. They arrived at home exhausted and dejected. Sister’s spirits brightened when she realized that the next week Uncle would be home and would take her to receive her package!
The day after Uncle arrived, he took Sister to claim her packages! With great excitement and anticipation, she danced through the mazes at customs to claim this hidden treasure, which had only increased in value over time! 50 rupees here, 200 rupees there, $5 in taxes is nothing compared to a good American jar of peanut butter!
Arriving at home later that afternoon, Sister found the children awaiting her return, with grins on their faces. They knew that they would receive surprises from those foreign boxes that came from faraway places known only in their minds! With an easy smile, Sister told them to wait, and after dinner she would allow them to have the surprises. True to her word, after dinner they broke out the games of Go Fish, Old Maid, and so many more!
After awhile, Sister went up to her bedroom to read and then sleep. However, half an hour later, she heard shouting and rambunctious laughter wafting in the air! Concerned that the sleeping children might be wakened, she flew downstairs to check and see what was going on. To her surprise, Laxman, Shiva, Sunita and Rami were playing Bible trivia with one of the decks of cards, asking each other the questions, and laughing at the assortment of answers! With laughter, she joined in and began to play with them. For about 15 minutes they sent the questions around, racing to be the first to answer. Listening to the answers might have been the most humorous thing Sister had done in a long time! Adam and Eve and Peter and Paul and fish and bread danced around in her head as she darted back up the stairs to go to sleep. With contented relief, Sister smiled knowing that the packages were finally with their rightful owners, and the kids were thoroughly enjoying them!
Arun... aka, potato.
October 28, 2009
If Laxman’s my favorite kid to laugh with, Arun’s my favorite boy to laugh at. Well, not really, because he’s always laughing too, but he’s just one of those kids that you look at and laugh! The kids call him “Aloo,” which means potato. And actually, he really does remind me of a potato! I can’t really describe why. I think it’s because he has this long, lanky body with 13 year old limbs flying everywhere all the time, and this smallish potato shaped head. I totally don’t mean that in a mean way, and Arun totally takes it in good measure!
When he goes up and down the stairs, he doesn’t walk like a normal person, or even skip steps like most boys do. He FLIES. I’ll see a flash of blue streak past, and I know it’s Arun. He goes up and down the stairs exactly like my brother back in Kansas! He literally leaps down the flights of stairs, while his arms wait on the previous level, and then seem to retract down to his body! While all the kids feel like little siblings to me (we really are one huge family here!), Arun really seems like my brother. The other day, he came galloping into my room, one pant leg rolled completely up and the other down, shirt dripping from his hands, with water all over his body! Grinning, he proceeded to shake as much of the water off on me as he possibly could before putting back on his shirt. Thankfully, he’d just washed his hair out in the well, so he was clean!
He has the type of self confidence that I think most people wish they had. He really doesn’t care what other people think of him (at least that I’ve seen!), and is far more concerned with ensuring that he’s properly entertained. He needed a safety pin last week for something, and has worn it in the middle of the front of his t-shirt ever since. It’s not holding anything, it’s just there. And if he puts on a sweater, there it is! He really struggles with reading out loud (which we do every night in devotionals), and I wonder if he’s dyslexic. He’s a sharp math student though I think he struggles some in the other subjects due to the reading. His mind is crisp, but I think he has trouble projecting that onto paper...
If you ever find Arun and he’s not smiling or laughing at something, the world may have ended. He might just walk up to you, grin, and put his arm around you and walk with you. He might come up spray water on you! He might sprint with you to the store as fast as he can, leaving you in his dust, and then turn around grinning and watch you catch up. Or he might draw aliens on the table with you (they wiped off) and then crack up laughing for several minutes looking at them. I think of all the people I know in the world, Arun enjoys life the most!
If Laxman’s my favorite kid to laugh with, Arun’s my favorite boy to laugh at. Well, not really, because he’s always laughing too, but he’s just one of those kids that you look at and laugh! The kids call him “Aloo,” which means potato. And actually, he really does remind me of a potato! I can’t really describe why. I think it’s because he has this long, lanky body with 13 year old limbs flying everywhere all the time, and this smallish potato shaped head. I totally don’t mean that in a mean way, and Arun totally takes it in good measure!
When he goes up and down the stairs, he doesn’t walk like a normal person, or even skip steps like most boys do. He FLIES. I’ll see a flash of blue streak past, and I know it’s Arun. He goes up and down the stairs exactly like my brother back in Kansas! He literally leaps down the flights of stairs, while his arms wait on the previous level, and then seem to retract down to his body! While all the kids feel like little siblings to me (we really are one huge family here!), Arun really seems like my brother. The other day, he came galloping into my room, one pant leg rolled completely up and the other down, shirt dripping from his hands, with water all over his body! Grinning, he proceeded to shake as much of the water off on me as he possibly could before putting back on his shirt. Thankfully, he’d just washed his hair out in the well, so he was clean!
He has the type of self confidence that I think most people wish they had. He really doesn’t care what other people think of him (at least that I’ve seen!), and is far more concerned with ensuring that he’s properly entertained. He needed a safety pin last week for something, and has worn it in the middle of the front of his t-shirt ever since. It’s not holding anything, it’s just there. And if he puts on a sweater, there it is! He really struggles with reading out loud (which we do every night in devotionals), and I wonder if he’s dyslexic. He’s a sharp math student though I think he struggles some in the other subjects due to the reading. His mind is crisp, but I think he has trouble projecting that onto paper...
If you ever find Arun and he’s not smiling or laughing at something, the world may have ended. He might just walk up to you, grin, and put his arm around you and walk with you. He might come up spray water on you! He might sprint with you to the store as fast as he can, leaving you in his dust, and then turn around grinning and watch you catch up. Or he might draw aliens on the table with you (they wiped off) and then crack up laughing for several minutes looking at them. I think of all the people I know in the world, Arun enjoys life the most!
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