Nepal Update 9 - The Final Days

Hello Friends,

It has been a great past few days. We arrived safely in Kathmandu on Sunday. Although, we were sad to be leaving Pokhara, we were excited about our last few days of ministry.

Monday we went to another orphanage. It was so much fun. It was started by a man that goes to the first church that we visited our first Saturday in Kathmandu. I think that we set a Royal Servants record by performing in the smallest space ever. The kids were super cute and so much fun to be with. I spent a good chunk of time trying to tie complicated balloon animals for one young boy. After the third popped balloon (so disappointing) he settled for the tried and true balloon dachshund.

Tuesday was one of the most fun days in Nepal. We went WHITE WATER RAFTING!!!! Although it was quite the challenge to keep the water out of our mouths (I always seemed to be laughing or something when the boat next to us would start splashing). I sat in the front of our 10 person raft (which by the way is the best seat if you want to get really wet!!!) and set the paddling pace with my front seating buddy. We rafted all sorts of classes of whitewater, but we were able to successfully pass through a couple of class 4's and even class 5 whitewater. It was tons of fun!!

Wednesday was our last official day of ministry. We went to a rescued women's shelter, most commonly referred to as Shanta's (pronounced Sah-nta). Shanta has been running the non-profit organization since 1988. She started it by borrowing about $14 dollars from someone. The organization now has 3 homes and 3 border patrol booths. It is really an amazing ministry. Shanta and her son sat with us explaining to us their ministry and the horrific details of the illegal sex trafficking industry between Nepal and India. Thousands of young girls are sold to brothels in India every year, with estimates of 150,000 currently. The biggest reason why these girls fall victim is the poor literacy rate and poverty among many women in Nepal. Many can't even read signs telling them that they have crossed Nepal into India.

Shanta shared with our team her how her passion for God and the vision He gave her for this ministry changed her life. She also shared with them the power that they have to change the world if they too would seek out God and God's vision for their life. As I sat listening I was deeply moved by her passion and what God was doing through that ministry...His ministry. I was also moved as I looked around the room at the faces of the students as their hearts broke for these young girls, and was reminded of the passion and vision that the Lord gave me for them.

Today was our last day together in Nepal. Tomorrow morning we'll load up the bus and head to the airport. I found myself tearing up as I looked around the circle tonight at all these young people hoping and praying that they wouldn't return home the same person they left. That they would take what the Lord showed them here in Nepal and return a people knowing the worlds burning and desperate need for a Savior and have the boldness to share Him wherever they are.

I know that I will miss this team dearly and although I am happy to be returning home, I am sad to be saying goodbye so soon. We ended our night with worship and prayer on the roof of our hotel overlooking Kathmandu Valley. We know that this may be our last night together here, but we look forward to and rejoice in the day that the Lord will bring us all together again and reveal to us the work He did through us while we were here in Nepal.

Love and Blessings,
Margaret