Nepal Update 8 - Last Ministry day in Pokhara

Hello Friends,

The last couple of days in Pokhara have been great. Yesterday, Becky and I took most of the day off from the team to spend a little time resting. We started the morning by trying to sign up to go para gliding. Unfortunately they were totally booked and we couldn't go. I was way bummed, but Becky suggested we get a massage instead. Now, I have never had a massage and wasn't really thrilled about getting one (quite nervous actually). But, we talked to the front desk of the hotel we are staying at and asked the lady to recommend a good place.

So, one of the reasons I was nervous (other than a natural dislike of strangers touching me in ways I don't think I really appreciate) is because our translator, Kumar, has told me on more than one occasion that out of 200 massage places in Nepal, maybe 1 is good to go to. We found one of the "good" ones, but something got lost in translation. I asked for shoulders and head, but got a back massage instead. Plus it was a guy...they didn't have women. I was super uncomfortable and tense the whole time and ended up in way more pain than when I started (he was very professional though, so that was good). On a good note, Becky loved hers and way relaxed when we got back. We spent the majority of the rest of the day just resting and spending quiet time in our room. It was nice. Becky, Vicky, and I went out to dinner that night and on the way back I bought a beautiful hand sown tapestry or table runner if you will. It was a spur of the moment purchase that I will not be regretting!

Today was our last day of ministry in Pokhara. We went to a school called Saint Frances. They were very welcoming. When we got there they performed a minor welcoming ceremony for each of us which included putting this red powder on our foreheads (kind of what you see on people from India). In Nepal that particular forehead coloring means that you have worshiped (of course for them it would be idol worship). We didn't want to be rude and refuse (I believe Paul says to be all things for all people so that you might win them to Christ), but we were pretty quick to remove it once we were on the bus on the way back. Didn't want to send mixed messages, you know?

Tomorrow we will be hiking about a foothill of a mountain to look at the Annapurna Range super early in the morning. Which include boating across a lake first!!! Then final debriefing, ending the night with an authentic Nepalese meal and dancing with the traditional Nepali dancers at the hotel.

We'll be traveling back to Kathmandu on Sunday and will leave there on Friday for the states. It's weird to think I will be home in a week.

Hugs and Blessings!
Mags