November 23, 2007

Hello Everyone. The past few weeks have been busy with Dashai, Tihar, and visa runs. It seems hard to believe that my time here is coming to an end. I only have about two weeks left until I return home. I am anxious to see family and friends again, but I think goodbyes are going to be quite difficult.

Dashai is a Hindu holiday, but it is enjoyed by all of the Nepali people. This holiday is celebrated for up to three weeks. It is considered to be one of the favorite Nepalese holidays, and it is also the longest; thus, enabling people to return to the villages and pay respect to their elders. Most children get out of school for three weeks to celebrate this holiday, but usually businesses are only closed for three or four days. During this time, large bamboo pings (swings) are built for the children to play on and kites are flown. Sacrifices are a major part of this festival as well. Many animals, especially goats and sheep, are sacrificed to ensure a safe journey through the year. Families also travel back to their villages well dressed in order to receive a tikka from their elder relatives. A tikka is a colored powder, usually red, mixed with rice and placed on the middle of the forehead. Blessings and gifts are also given out among family members. The remaining days of Dashai are filled with feasting and gambling among family and friends.

On the first day of Dashai, the M.s and I went to go see the festivities in town. Mr. M was pricing knives and ran into a man named Deepak. He shared with Mr. M that he had been having dreams about Dad and wanted to know more. Mr. M shared with him and asked him to come over to his house to learn more. Deepak promised to visit after the holiday was over. A few days later, Deepak called and came to visit. Mr. M shared with him again and Deepak knows Dad now. After accepting Dad his exact words were "mentally I am a little different, but spiritually I am completely changed." It is so exciting to see people come to know Dad. Mr. M is discipling Deepak now on a weekly basis. Please remember Deepak in your p.

Near the end of Dashai, Asha invited us over for dinner. We walked over about 6p.m. and met Asha and Kundin (Asha's boyfriend). For the first time Asha actually let me help her cook in the kitchen. I was so excited, because Nepalese would typically never let a bideshi (foreigner) help do anything even if they were good friends. Asha let me make a relish type dish and help serve everyone else. While I was helping Asha in the kitchen, she said she needed to ask me a favor. She continued on to say how hard Kundin had been trying to get to America, but had been unsuccessful in obtaining a visa. She then proceeded to ask me if I would "fake marry" him, and then divorce him after he obtained American citizenship. When I heard this I was shocked and somewhat speechless. I was not sure how to answer and still maintain my friendship with her. I considered Asha to be one of my closest friends here. This conversation made me feel used, but I knew that was not how she saw it. On this side of the world, it is okay to ask friends these sorts of favors. I gently told her that I could not do what she asked for many reasons. First, I told her that I believe marriage is a sacred union between man, woman and the One True Father. Since Kundin was not a follower of Christ I could not marry him. Secondly, I do not believe in divorce if it can be worked out. Third, I am seriously dating someone else and I love him, not Kundin. Fourth, my parents would not be happy at all. Plus, I am pretty sure my ICS professor would not approve either. She did not understand at first, but eventually got the idea. It is still a little awkward at times, but we are working through it.

The following weekend Kundin invited the M.s and me to go celebrate his brother Poen's birthday with his family. We went out to his grandmother's home on the outskirts of PKR. We all had a good time and ate some new interesting foods. Kundin's grandmother now considers me to be her granddaughter. None of Kundin's family knows Dad so please keep them in your p.

After Dashai, the M.s and I made a trip to KTM to renew my visa for the last time. There were some minor difficulties in renewing my visa, but we were able to get all of the kinks worked out. In KTM, I went on my first motorcycle ride with Mr. M. We had fun even with a minor run in with another motorcycle. Mr. M was trying to turn left when a man on a motorcycle behind us kind of cut us off. Thankfully, no one was hurt and we were both able to keep on going. On the way back to PKR from KTM our bus was stopped many times for all of the people dancing and singing in the street due to the upcoming holiday called Tihar. I think we were stopped about twelve times. Each time our bus driver had to give them money in order to pass through the crowd.

Tihar is the second biggest festival in Nepal. Tihar is also known as the festival of lights, tinsel decorations, and sweets. On different days, people worship crows, dogs, cows, and oxen by placing garland around their necks, giving them tikkas when possible and feeding them delicious foods. One day during this festival everyone cleans their houses and places candles, oil lamps, and other lights all over their homes in hopes that the goddess of wealth, Laxmi, will enter their home. On Bhaitika, the last day of the festival, sisters make offerings to their brothers to increase their longevity while in return brothers reward them with valuable gifts.

During Tihar, I spent most of my time working on school work. I was able to finish up an assignment for Dr. Reeves. Also, my ethnography on the Gurung people is due soon. After about 28 pages of information I finally finished writing my Gurung ethnography. Once I make a few more final revisions I should be completely finished and ready to turn it in.

ESL classes are starting up again this week. Please p. for our new students to be open and receptive to Dad. Also, continue to p. for our previous students to know Dad. Please p. for me to remain focused and to make the most of every opportunity to impact others for Dad. Thanks for all of your p.s, and encouragement. I appreciate your support and partnership with me during these past five months.

-Sarah