October 17, 2007

Hello!

The M.s, Prem (our guide), and I just returned from a six day trek. It was one of the greatest, but hardest experiences I have had here. On day one, we left about 7am and took an hour taxi ride to our drop off point. Then we grabbed our bags and started our journey up and down all of the stairs. (Trekking here consists of endless stairs up and down for hours.)

 During the first few hours of our trek I had a minor fall down a few stairs. It was nothing major, but left a nice bruise. We trekked through the mountains for about eight hours the first day. In Landruk, we spent the night at a guest house. Before dinner, we sat for a good bit in the kitchen with the family that runs the guest house. Mr. M. knows them well. They have heard about Dad many times, but still do not know Him personally. We had a great time talking with them.

On day two, we left around 8am for Chhomrong. Only a few minutes after we left, I had to pull out my knee brace. I had injured my knee many years ago playing softball and it still gives me problems at times. All day long bending my left knee was quite painful, but after about eight or so hours we made it to Chhomrong. I was so thankful to get there.

The next day when I woke up, both my knees were hurting. After breakfast, we went to visit a lady who is a B. there. In Chhomrong, there is not a C. so she has to travel a few hours to enjoy fellowship with other B. Slowly, but surely I made it down all of the stairs and through the rice fields to her home. Mrs. M and I showed her how to share with other people, fellowshipped with her, and taught her how to study Dad's word. She was so grateful for the fellowship and encouragement.

On day four we headed to Kimrong Khola to visit with some other B. On the way, Prem cut down a piece of bamboo so that I could have a walking stick to ease the pressure put on my knees by going down all of the stairs. I was so thankful to have it. After a few hours of trekking up and down and over a landslide, we made it to the outskirts of Kimrong Khola. We stopped at the tea shop that the B. run and ate lunch. I played with the kids for a long while before lunch. They were so adorable and lots of fun. After lunch, we had a time of fellowship with the mom, daughter and two little kids. Mrs. M and I also showed them how to share with others, p., and study Dad's word. It was obvious how much the mom loved Dad and wanted to know Him more and share Him with others.

On day five we left for Ghandruk. We went up over the mountain, through the jungle, and down to get there. We stayed at a guest house there where Mr. M had shown the film a few months before. The owner was not a B., but interested in Dad last time Mr. M talked with him. The owner is an older Gurung man who has a mentally ill son. The son was healthy until a few months after he tried out to be a Gurkha soldier. Then one day he started acting strange and it has been downhill since that day. It is such a sad picture to see the older man taking care of his young son. The old man and his wife have tried everything to cure him, but nothing has worked. The old man told Mr. M. on his last visit that if Dad would heal his son then he would believe. Mr. M. explained to him that is not how it works. Dad is the one true G. and no matter what happens we are to trust in Him.

On this visit, we had been told both the older man and his wife had become B. However, after talking with the older man we realized this was not the case. He p. to Dad on his son's behalf, but he did not have a relationship with Him. After dinner, Mr. M asked the older man if he could talk with him. (The old man's wife was not there while we were in Ghandruk) They went up to Mr. M and Prem's room to talk. All of them talked for a long time and then Mr. M asked the old man if he wanted to have a personal relationship with Dad. The old man said yes and p. on his own to Dad that he might be forgiven and know Him. Prem and Mr. M could see the change in his eyes afterwards. (Oh happy day!)

The next morning we all p. for his son and then left to go back to PKR. (Mr. M will be going back up the mountain weekly to disciple the old man.) The last day of the trek was the hardest for me. By this time, I had both of my knees wrapped up, a lighter backpack, pain medicine, and a walking stick. However, I still had to have Mr. M.'s hand to help me on the down sections of the stairs. We left around 8:30 am or so and did not make it back to PKR until about 5:30pm. At one point the bridge was out due to all of the rain the night before and the new landslide. However, Dad took care of us once again. He provided a group of men who built a bridge across the rushing water and helped each one of us across. Dad is so good!

All along the way from Landruk back to PKR we were able to pass out tracks and share with people. It blows me away to see the receptiveness of the people here to hear about Dad. However, they just add him to who they already wor.ship. They miss the whole personal relationship idea. Everything seems to be fear based. The people seem to be in a constantly state of limbo trying to keep all of their g.ods happy.

During the trek I found Mal. 1:11 to be encouraging. It says, "My name will be great among the nations, from the rising to the setting of the sun. In every place incense and pure offerings will be brought to my name, because my name will be great among the nations." Incense and offerings are constantly being offered in this land to others than Dad. It leaves me encouraged to know that one day they will see the truth and Dad will be their focus.

Our first ESL class ended yesterday. We shared with them again, but none of them know Dad yet. Today we had a class picnic at the lake. It was the perfect day for a picnic. Unfortunately, only half of our students were able to make it. We went on a boat ride, played games and ate. I am going to miss seeing all of them everyday. Even though class is over, I still plan on keeping in touch with them and sharing with them about Dad. Please continue to p. for each of them that they might know Dad personally (Asha, Ali, Ishu, Padma, Bibek, Pobin, Ohm, Bijay).

I am thankful to Dad for each and every one of you! Your p., love, and encouragement mean more to me than words can express. Thank you.

-Sarah

P.S. I only got one leech bite during the entire trek. J