Global Outreach Trip Blog

Nepal Trip Team Blog 2018

Nepal Trip Team Blog 1

We started today by getting acquainted and learning more about what we will be doing while we are here. We all left super encouraged and ready for our journey ahead. Then we went to one of the largest Hindu temples in Nepal. You could feel the darkness and oppression as we walked around. Then we went to their holy river where they burn the bodies of the dead. This was super saddening to see but what really hit me was that they have been doing this for thousands and thousands of years and each person burned there in thousands and thousands of years are people who don’t inherit the kingdom of God. They are people who are living a life in hell because they chose to serve False idols and ignore the truth.

When you think about how many people that is, the number is unthinkable. Not only are they serving false idols, but the saddest part is that if you follow their belief system with karma, that would mean the majority of India, Nepal etc. will all spend eternity in hell; and if that doesn’t break your heart, then there is a bigger issue at hand. We are called to reach The nations for Jesus and we can’t do that by sitting still and going through the motions like most of the people here.

Then we went to the Buddhist temple where monks and other Buddhists were walking around a temple continuously spinning prayer wheels and singing chants. It was like watching a herd of animals corral around as you look at the lifelessness in each person’s eyes. You could see that they didn’t even understand what they were doing and why they were doing it. Many of the monks don’t even believe their own teachings but follow it anyway.

The sad reality is that we are in a dying world that desperately needs saving and these people will spend eternity in hell unless we as believers share Gods love with them…

Nepal Blog Day 2

(The team was asked to each provide a pre-blog essay when they arrived in-country, which we will use for the days they are trekking and out of range of normal communication.)

Two of my life passions are hiking in amazing places and loving people — I have been on many trips where I’ve hiked in beautiful places. And I’ve been half-way around the world on a variety of missions. But, until the opportunity to be on this Team came about, I haven’t had the opportunity to combine both passions together.

 

I watched a video played in the service about a year ago from the previous  Team and was immediately drawn to this. I went through a process of enlisting support through prayer and fundraising. I say “process” because obedience doesn’t necessarily mean “easy”. It means you love Jesus enough to die to yourself and follow. It was actually rather difficult at times to push through some fears, some physical health issues, and surrender to God in everything. 

 

Now, being in country, getting training and orientation, the vision became even more clear. I knew that we were heading to see “unreached people groups“. However, I now have a new zeal to this experience: I learned that there are 300 people groups in this region alone! We partner with people who are working with 23 of them with an intentional process to build relationships with the communities. Our team’s piece in the puzzle is strategic… We are part of the relationship building, and meeting felt needs. From hygiene to kids programs, while teaching basic truths, we are making the connection and continuing the conversation. 

 

Tomorrow we head to the first village and off we go. We will be with translators, guides, and fully available to whatever needs are set before us. May the God who created all mankind in His image demonstrate His love through me in a manner that shows His fullness of love for all people in order that they come one step closer to knowing The Truth. 

 

“I am The Way, The Truth and The Life — no one comes to the Father but through Me” (John 14:6).

 Lauren M.

 

 

Nepal Day 3

I felt called to serve God’s people internationally a little over a year ago.  I kept thinking in my mind I needed to go somewhere and it was confirmed when my wife randomly one day said she felt I should do a mission. I chose the Himalayas after having a dream where I was walking through some mountains on a trip- it just made too much sense.

I was anxious leaving because I have never been away from my wife and children this long.  In fact missing my family has been more challenging than anticipated, and the long flight and lack of sleep didn’t help that situation.

However, after a team meeting took place the day we arrived and getting to hear all the exciting things we are going to be doing, I have a renewed strength and vigor and feel ready to experience all that God has in store for me and the team.

The thing I am most looking forward to is simply experiencing the culture of the Tibetan people in the Himalayas and specifically getting to do a house visit to have an intimate experience with the some of the people.  My hope and prayer is that God will use me to bring joy to at least one person in these unreached mountain villages and that I will hear from and experience God like I never have before.

Joe

Himalayas Blog 4

Last year when GO talked about this trip, I was drawn to the thought of trekking hope from village to village. When I look back on my life, I feel like God has motivated me to be fit and active for a time such as this. I haven’t been a backpacker, but always felt driven to train. I feel like all of us should get outside our comfort zone to share His love and it seemed to me I was made and prepared for this trip.

All the preparation, training, and fundraising has led to this exciting time. As we were walking to dinner in the city, I was reminded of the hopelessness of idol worship as I passed a small shrine built right in the middle of the sidewalk. Cows park themselves in the middle of the street. Somehow they seem to understand they are revered. These people are missing the joy of relationship with the one true God. In the U.S. it is easy to forget that over 3 billion people have still not heard the name of Jesus. We are so blessed with the opportunity to go into the mountains and get to know the people, to help provide for some real physical needs.I’m hoping for a home visit, sitting around a fire, sharing about life in the Himalayan mountains and planting seeds.

Scott

Himalayas Blog 5

One of the most beautiful things about walking into an unfamiliar environment is that your eyes and heart are open to the details. There is awareness. We’ve been in country for less than two days, but I find myself caught up in the way that the brick lays uneven on the sidewalk, the rustle of the prayer flags in the wind, and the sandals on people’s feet. The thing that makes it beautiful is that God meets us in those details. Every sound and every step and every moment becomes a prayer. I don’t generally ask God to bring light to every brick that I place under my feet, but I certainly did today as we walked down the stairs of the Hindu temple covered in the ashes of lost people. I don’t always sit and marvel at the goodness of God in the life of the person pouring my coffee, but I did today. Stepping into a world outside of my own forces me to place God in the center of every detail. It brings me to the place that I want to live my life. Don’t we all want that? To live a life enthralled in the goodness of God? To be aware of who He is in every moment? To spend each day walking alongside the people He loves? To see the light in the darkness?

Tomorrow we begin our journey. I cannot wait to see the faces of the people that walk those mountains daily. To wonder at the beauty of the world God created. To serve moms, make children laugh, and share joy. I cannot wait to have conversations and meet needs and find Jesus in the moments. We have been preparing for this trip for a year. But the God of the universe has known since the beginning of time where we would place our feet. There are dreams and promises that will find fruition in the next few days because He has woven our paths together from opposite ends of the world. He does that. I’m just praying that our eyes and hearts are open to the details of how He is working before us.

Fenella

 

Himalayas Blog 6

Me. Generally my thoughts are centered around just that, me. What am I doing? What makes me comfortable? What can I work towards that makes me more centered on me? In preparing for this trip, attacks have come in ways that have been stronger than ever before and more trying than I’ve felt in a long time. Even here in the Himalayas I feel them and have to fight the pride that is me. But what this means is that God is at work.

Today I am reminded of His light after being in these dark places. I am reminded of His calling to go to all peoples. Today I am reminded and encouraged that it is not about me at all but entirely about Him. His story and how it will reach these people. It will reach in and pull the dark veil from these people’s eyes and bring them to the light that is His Son. We will be traveling to villages where people may be blinded by the darkness that has ruled here for ages. Join me today and in these next weeks by giving ourselves a backseat and placing His plan above all else. Join me in praying for these people to find His light.

Join me in praying for the work that is going on here even after we are back. Join me in praying for His people all across this world who have yet to meet Him.

Sebastian

Himalayas Blog 7

The Himalayas have to be one of the most breath-taking places on the planet.  I was here a few years ago and I’m still in awe of GOD’s beautiful creation.

This year as we passed from village to village we were able to participate in some home visits and conduct health surveys. The Nepali people are so hospitable. They would invite us in to sit by the fire and enjoy some butter tea or coffee while they shared the needs and health concerns of the village and how things have improved since the installation of water filters and designated trash areas.

In one village, I met a group of six older women about 70 years old, and after we finished the survey with the help of a translator we just talked and laughed. I could’ve stayed there all day and talked to them.

The next day Lauren and I were conducting surveys. A 92 year old woman slowly walked by and GOD spoke to me at that moment, right when I was conducting a survey, and said “stop and pray for her” and I was overwhelmed with emotion, not of sadness but how much love Jesus has for all of us and how much HE desires to have a relationship with us.

Forever changed !!

Ernie

Friday we trekked about 8 miles to our second village.  Meeting Nepali medical staff was a kick.  One in particular was told that I’m a police sergeant so he saluted me with a laugh.  I taught him to stand at “attention” and “at ease”, which was fun. Thereafter, every time he saw me he practiced and laughed.

The Nepali guys really have a great sense of humor.  I trekked with one of them in the front of the pack while playing worship songs on the speaker.  We listened to bands like Third Day. “These Thousand Hills” played as we trekked and sang.  The views were too amazing to describe. Worship has never been quite like this.  Even photos don’t do His creation justice.

Many times we came across kids on the trail and would give them stickers. Their dirty/snotty faces, bright smiles, and filthy clothes as they carried manure baskets are images I will never forget.

His Spirit speaks to me in the mountains, teaches me through what I’ve seen. I saw an old man trekking slowly uphill carrying 4 large rocks in his basket, sharp edges surely pushing into his back and ribs.He looked to be carrying 200 pounds, which was a reminder of the burdens that don’t belong in my pack anymore: worry, past sin, bitterness, old pains.

Scott

Himalayas Blog 8

I’ve heard it argued that unless you’re making a lasting impact on people, you shouldn’t spoil them with small comforts. Those people might say that by feeding the homeless you may be enabling them, or that you shouldn’t give money to someone on the streets because they’ll spend it on the wrong things. Maybe even to say that you shouldn’t give impoverished children candy because it would spoil their way of life. All to say that these people may be focusing on the lasting physical impact of people and missing a large point altogether.

On this trek I’ve had the unbelievable opportunity to play with children, give them candy, and spend minutes that do just that, spoil them with small comforts. And I’ve realized through this that it’s making a larger lasting impact than I ever could have imagined, not only for these children but for myself as well.

Whether it’s been playing freeze tag in primary school, helping toddlers climb on their playground, or just tossing up tiny runny-nosed children, it’s made a lasting impact on me and I pray it has impacted them as well. To love on these children the way I know Jesus would, may spoil their everyday way of life and I hope to God it does. The children here in the Himalayas live in a harsh and rough environment where nothing is guaranteed and by giving them time where they can just enjoy a lollipop and run in circles I hope will carry with them and plant a seed to seek truth and love and pour it out to others as they grow.

On our journey we have seen the many stages of life of these people in the Himalayas, and how this rough dark environment may easily hold a person down in bondage. But by allowing us to share a little light with God’s children, I pray they see that He is calling them to hope in something bigger than themselves. We have been blessed in huge ways by being able to play the role of God’s hands and feet by trekking through the mountains and loving on children, so that we can crack open the door to allow the people who work here to continue to build the relationship and pour out Christ’s love and make a lasting impact on these people physically, emotionally and most of all spiritually.

Sebastian

Taking the heli into the mountains, I anticipated the impact that the Himalayan people would have on my heart. We had no idea what we would be doing when we landed, but I knew that there would be children to hold and people to serve. I knew that the health trainings and home visits would be eye-opening. GO trips are like that. You fall in love with people and places and carry them with you forever.

What caught me by surprise was the impact that the long-term team of internationals would have on my heart. We got the rare pleasure of being accompanied up the mountain by a large contingency of people who have made the Himalayas their home from months to years. They are educators, nurses, professionals…all highly educated or gifted individuals who could own any piece of the world that they chose to make their corner. But they’re here. In a village on the top of the world. In a spiritually taxing and physically harsh environment. Serving people who have nothing to give them but their sickness and brokenness. Watching them work has been one of the greatest joys of my life.

The people in the villages they serve don’t know what this group of people has given up to be with them. What they do know is that these people love and value them immensely. You can see it in the way they squeal and embrace them when we would cross their paths on the trail. You can see it in the way that the children hang off of their arms and necks. The village children run into the schools they serve the way that my children run into their grandparents’ homes. These people feed them, bathe them, teach them, heal them, enpower them. They love extravagantly, in a way that cannot be repaid, in a world where people are starved for love and worth. And because of that, they have teams of Nepali citizens that now serve alongside them. Like the disciples who left their homes to walk with Jesus, these Nepalis have left their communities to bring light to the Himalayan people. They travel village to village with them, translating and teaching and serving. It’s contagious love.

As we prepare to return home, that is my greatest desire. I want to love like that. God has called us to bring the good news to our families and communities. What if they knew how much we cherished them? What if they felt extravagantly loved in our presence? How contagious is servanthood like that? It might cost us everything. It might be physically and emotionally exhausting. But the world is desperate for selfless love. It’s desperate for Jesus. Our church family is compelled to share the unfathomable amount of grace that God has given us, and why do it with anything less than absolutely everything?

Fenella

Himalayas Blog 9 (Final)

Before starting the trip, it was my hope that I would make a positive impact for at least one person while trekking the Himalayas.  Although I may never know if my presence in those mountains truly changed the life for one of the villagers, I can say with certainty that it changed my life.  I think God is funny that way, my intention was to positively change someone else’s life and I found a positive change in my own instead.

Even though I am a father of 3 children and I love kids, I haven’t always been a fan of touching dirty/snotty kids.  God totally knew this of me and I believe purposely wanted to change my heart to focus on the person, not the outward appearance or cleanliness.  Ironically, on the first day spent with the kids in a village I was the first one who had a child come up  – hands raised –  wanting me to hold her.  I instantly picked her up without hesitation and knew God was speaking to me, softening my heart and showing me what is truly important.

I was continually challenged and taken out of my comfort zone through the rest of the trip.  Doing house visits and going into villager’s homes, drinking their coffee and butter tea out of less-than-sanitary cups, caused mild anxiety but also allowed me to experience the people of the mountains on a more intimate level.  Seeing how little the average villager lived with but how generous and friendly they were put life into perspective for me.

We are so blessed with things we have and things we have access to in the USA and yet it still seems like we are constantly desiring more.  In contrast,  the villagers have dirty, cold homes, limited access to clean water, limited or no healthcare, limited varieties of foods, very few clothes and required labor for long hours each day.  Even through all that, I was constantly greeted with smiles and well wishes as I passed the villagers or spoke with them.

I pray that God will increase His presence in those mountains and bring the lost souls of those beautiful people into His kingdom.  I will never forget the experiences and the scenery, but most of all I will never forget the people.  I cannot wait to see what God has planned for the beautiful people of the Himalayas.

Joe

Seeing God use my gifts to serve Him halfway around the world is so very humbling. At one of the Tibetan villages in the Himalayas, we held a kids’ program for 50 young children one morning, and then a program for 50 older-aged kids that afternoon. This included teaching about “honesty” through games, skits, object lessons and even dressing up in costumes. Our team all played a part, bringing out principles little taught in the culture. This is a “new way” of thinking for the younger generation as they don’t even have a good translation for the word “honesty” in their language. I’m a believer in the idea of “impact the children — change the culture” and we were privileged to be part of this program.

I was chosen to lead and make the teaching connections throughout the program, partnered with a translator. When it came time for the older kids program, we trekked 30 minutes carrying a blow-up treasure chest, giant earth ball, and a bunch of props, causing quite a stir with the villagers wondering what in the world we were doing. (They had never seen a treasure chest before and one wondered if it was an infant’s bed.)

Starting with bubbles and more bubbles, the kids’ laughter was absolutely infectious. They are dirty-faced, snotty-nosed, beautiful-eyed innocent children, craving attention. Our translator started in the country’s main language, then after a few minutes one of the lead teachers at the school jumped in and translated into the native tongue. He is a young guy, so great with the children, and very respected. (Afterward, we thanked him over and over for his part to play.) The kids were extremely engaged, sitting outside in the cold on a piece of plastic held down from the winds by a few rocks, of course high in the mountains. They attended, participated, laughed and “thanked us for teaching them.”

These children were precious gifts to engage with. We were encouraged by those who live and work among the people in the mountain villages on two things: that relationships are most important; then secondly, the purpose of the teaching. If the children understood love and compassion, if they felt cared for and attended to, if they were touched and hugged, if they were “seen”, then mission accomplished.

Thank you Jesus for allowing us the hours we had with this remote “unreached” people group. (We learned that unreached means under 10% are Christians— in the ages of these children, that would be zero, with no indigenous community of believing Christians with adequate numbers to reach without outside assistance.) We pray that Your love would turn their hearts towards You.

“but Jesus said, ‘Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.’ ”   Matthew 19:14 ESV

Lauren