Nepal 2012 Video

Home from Nepal

Hey, all! Well, it's Good Friday...

Home.

I got home Monday afternoon after 23 hours in flight + layovers.

I can't believe it's been 4 days since I got home, I've been battling jet-lag... It feels like I've been in bed with the flu for a few days. I finally fell asleep and woke up at a decent time last night!

Praise God for His faithfulness.

Good Friday.

It seems I can't write today without acknowledging what we remember on every Good Friday.

Without this day, our entire belief system would be debunked. The power of the gospel lies in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ...

So, allow me to take a moment to dwell on this day... this moment in human history.

1. I often think of what Louie Giglio says about the cross - how can we call today "Good" Friday?

Something so horrific, so terrible, how can we call crucifixion good, let alone, killing an innocent man "good"? But, somehow "God is ALWAYS working for His glory and our good."

The cross is the most beautiful display of God's love, goodness and mercy. Even tho, on that day so long ago, it looked like God had abandoned the scene. It looked like the Jews hope of salvation was crushed. Yet,

"Yet it was the LORD’s will to crush him and cause him to suffer,

and though the LORD makes his life an offering for sin,
he will see his offspring and prolong his days,
and the will of the LORD will prosper in his hand.

After he has suffered,
he will see the light of life and be satisfied;
by his knowledge my righteous servant will justify many,
and he will bear their iniquities.
Therefore I will give him a portion among the great,
and he will divide the spoils with the strong,
because he poured out his life unto death,
and was numbered with the transgressors.
For he bore the sin of many,

and made intercession for the transgressors." Isaiah 53:10-12

The word "intercession" here means:

"to encounter, meet, reach, entreat."

Because of the Cross, GOD, JESUS "encounters, meets, reaches and entreats the transgressors!"

Ah, I hope that we let this reality sink in, that we first, realize it for ourselves and then in turn believe that those around the world realize and grasp this truth. We all are transgressors (those who have violated the laws and commands of God), but He is rich in mercy, and desires that no one should perish, but everyone would come to Him. (2 Peter 3:9).

2. Today, I also think of the book I recently read called "In the Footsteps of Jesus" by Bruce Marchiano, I won't go into detail, but if you read this book, I am willing to bet it will change your life -because it will open your eyes to who Jesus Christ really was as 100% man and 100% God.

The one thing from this book that I think of today, is that

"Jesus wasn't dragged to the cross, He was crawling to the cross."

He wasn't forced to die at the hands of angry men, He choose to die. He could have gotten out of it at any moment, but He not only went willingly, He was purposeful and determined in choosing the cross. He was determined to get to the cross for us! The cross was not going to be His ultimate defeat, but His ultimate triumph. He pushed past the pain for the glory set before Him.

Thank you, Jesus.

Back to Nepal.

You see, this all ties together...

After this trip to Nepal, there was so much to see, feel and experience with the 5 senses.

There is much to process.

There is also so much to see and feel spiritually.

There is much to process.

I think of the hope the Nations put in their idols...

On the last day in Nepal, I was sitting in the lobby of our hotel, when I fully realized the idol worship, the religiousness that was literally all around the room - all around the city!

For example, here in North America, Buddha is just a decor fashion statement, we are almost numb to it. But there, I was surrounded by incense, wall-hangings, flowers, sacrifices, statues, idols... all for the gods. There was so much of it constantly, I almost failed to recognize what it was.

"The idols of the nations are but silver and gold,
The work of man’s hands.
They have mouths, but they do not speak;
They have eyes, but they do not see;
They have ears, but they do not hear,
Nor is there any breath at all in their mouths.
Those who make them will be like them,
Yes, everyone who trusts in them." Psalm 135:15-18

One Answer.

Over all there is to be said, learned, or figured out, the overarching truth is that Jesus is the answer. I know I said this already while in Nepal. It seems so simple, yet it cannot be overlooked.

We can house people, we can rehabilitate them, we can curve their behavior, we can lock them up, we can give them love or justice or truth. But, without Jesus actually changing their heart there is no sustainable victory.

In one of my previous posts I talked about how the gospel transcends all cultures.

Jesus knows how to reach each person. He uses words, dreams, supernatural occurrences and He uses you and me.

These people of Nepal, and every human being needs Jesus. They need a personal revelation. No one can change their very heart on their own. Only Jesus.

The answer for the traffickers is Jesus.

The answer for the victims is Jesus.

The answer for the street boys is Jesus.

The answer for every madam who owns a brothel is Jesus.

The answer for every man here and abroad who is funding the sex industry is JESUS.

The answer to HOW do we make a difference is Jesus.

Everyone of these people need a change of heart... Jesus.

I would ask you to ask the Lord what is your part in fighting for justice for the oppressed. Before leaving Nepal, we spoke with the president of this special organization focused on helping at-risk women and children, about how to get people concerned enough so that they cannot turn a blind eye to trafficking anymore.

We asked him how to get men involved in the fight... he turned to me and asked, well, what do you think?

I said just what I just told you, "it requires a change of Heart".

I know beyond a doubt that Jesus is the answer.

Justice.

As far as it goes with us physically doing something. The need is so vast and great and the opportunity to make a change is available...

John puts it this way - "Imagine there is a button. Every time you hit it, you save a life. Every time you hit it $100 is also deducted from your bank account. That button has been created. How many times would you really be justified for not having hit that button?"

THANK YOU.

Thank you to everyone who read these posts, who gave to make this possible, who prayed to make this possible. I was and am still being so blessed hearing your kind words and the stories of how you were praying at just the right time.

God allowed me to be joyful through this trip. And allowed me to be there to care for other people. I genuinely cared about how other people were feeling, so much so, that I think some people don't know how to handle it!

I took whatever came at me head on. I often felt like Nike, "Just do it!", I mean why not? :) What an awesome experience.

Thank you, Mom and Dad, and EVERYONE who sent me emails, comments, texts, prayers, scriptures, thank you for standing behind and with me. There are many of you to name and I don't want to miss anyone, so just THANK YOU, you know who you are!

It is so amazing to know that you were in this with me.

I am working on a slideshow/video so that you can see my images and videos from the trip! I will let you know when I have it ready!

Thanks for your prayers as I reacclimate.

There is still so much more that I could say, but I think this is all I can say for now. Have a fantastic Easter weekend. Thank you again for sharing this with me! I am BEYOND grateful.

I look forward to seeing what God will do with me, with Tiny Hands, with Nepal, with you, with us, here and everywhere! I know there is so much more than we can see.

So, it's not the end, just like the cross was not the end - only the beginning! - MUCH LOVE, Anna

Nepal #8

Well, I'm here packing up my dirty clothes and headed home tomorrow night!

LONG flights ahead whew... Hoping I can sleep and that the jet lag of the 11 hour difference is

not too bad!

Can't wait for you to see pictures and glimpse more of this trip! Thanks for sharing it with me.

Thanks for your continued prayers for the fruit that will come from this journey.

Love to all!!

- Anna

Nepal #7

Hello again!

I made it back to Kathmandu from the border safe and sound! Thank you to everyone who was praying for me in the past few days. It is amazing to hear how some of you were called to pray for me at the exact time I needed it. The Lord truly has gone with me on this trip.

bhairahawa.

The border town we spend one night and two days in was the dustiest place I've ever seen... Definitely not a place tourists choose to pass their time. It was apparent that white girls were quite an attraction, we were stared at pretty much nonstop while we sat in the hotel lobby. It was extremely hot and there was no air conditioning, but plenty of mosquitoes to keep us company.

There was a mosquito that seemed to be hovering around my face in my room last night, but - amazingly - thank God, I didn't find any bites this morning! Pretty amazing, since I had no bug repellant or even a sheet on the bed to cover me! Plus, there was an open hole in the window!

Yesterday at the border I literally got the point of just feeling overwhelmed by the trash and the dirt. I had a terrible headache, I was congested and could not find a place of relief from the smells and the harshness. But, God is good. There is literally a team of YOU praying for me - Amazing! By the end of the night, my mood and my physical body were feeling very much improved.

Sarah and I laughed a lot and I got to hear such a cool story from Sangeeta who travelled with us from Kathmandu as our interpreter and guide. She is awesome, she is only 22, and so much fun. Here's the story:

Before she was born, her mother and father were Hindu, every morning faithfully her father would get up early and perform his worship ritual worshipping the Hindu god of strength.

He had the idols image set up in a "frame". One day the "plate" with the image of the idol fell and broke. Her father was deep in thought the entire day and the next morning he did not rise to perform his act of worship. This was so uncharacteristic it prompted Sangeeta's mother to ask her father why he was not getting up! He said he had been thinking, "How could a god who could not save himself; save his own leg from being broken; how could he save me?".

This experience totally shattered her father's Hindu faith and he went for a while being unreligious, until someone introduced him to Jesus. Sangeeta was born and raised in a Christian home... a rare thing here in Nepal.

trafficking.

At the border we were confronted with children begging for food (sadly most of this is not legit), and the actuality of human trafficking taking place at the bus stations in which we were standing.

On the plane ride over I read a booklet full of stories of victims and traffickers. Most of the traffickers were married men 20,30 or 4o's. They trafficked girls for money. Some expressed no remorse for what they had done...

Most of the girls in the book were coerced to travel to India with these men on promises of love/marriage or just a good job. Many of the women are "married" and then trafficked by their husbands.

The entire industry runs on lies. It's no wonder that it's evil. The traffickers and everyone involved speak a web of lies - the devil's native language.

According to these stories, these girls who are trafficked into India are forced to have sex with multiple men for as little as $0.62 a DAY. Seriously?

It has got to be one of the biggest injustices of mankind today.

None of these girls have any idea that they are being trafficked... or even what that is or how it works... Lies and deception.

This NPO I am here with is trying to get these girls before they cross the border and lose not only their human identification, but their dignity, innocence and freedom.

We got to see the safe house in the area for girls who are intercepted before they cross the border to India. There were several girls there and several staff members. One of the staff there is only 21 years old. She is one of the main people bringing the traffickers to justice. She is a prosecutor with legal training and has seen multiple traffickers sentenced for their crimes. She stands under 5 feet tall, but she is not afraid, just passionate for justice.

We also saw the border monitoring staff in action. We got to see them question a girl traveling alone with a man. Their story did not add up at all and they kept changing the facts the more they were questioned. It was fishy, but they didn't have absolute evidence of trafficking, so they took a report and sent them home warning them not to try to cross the border again.

Yesterday, they also intercepted a young couple legitimately running away together to India.

The caste system has been done away with on paper, but it is still very alive in the hearts of the people here, especially the elder generation. This couple was unequally matched according to their castes and the girls parents would not accept the man as their son-in-law. Consequently, they couple had chosen to run away because the girl was being forced into marriage with another man. Sadly, when the home's staff called the girls family, they said they had already performed a death ceremony for their daughter, she is dead to them and they want nothing to do with her...

She was also housed in the girls shelter last night.

video.

It has been very cool to be here while the film crew from the states is shooting 4 new videos for Tiny Hands. Makes me want to get into videography more! One of the guys is a SCAD graduate too! The film crew have been interviewing girls, staff and children, it has been a great thing to see and great to have them around. I cannot wait to see the videos they are going to produce.

Glad to be back from the border and my time left here is short. These people and this city has become endearing in a strange way.

Jesus.

It is very interesting to me that we spend a lot of time and energy thinking and strategizing about how to approach different cultures. For instance, this organization tries to do a lot of their work through nationals who understand the culture, instead of having westerners coming in and essentially changing the culture by simply doing things as seem right to us.

This is a tough issue and a very valid point.

However, last night I was reminded of how the gospel message is somehow so universal.

Sangeeta's Father could not except an idol who could not save himself, yet now he worships Jesus who choose not to "save himself" for the people of the world.

The fact that the story of Jesus is so cross-cutural blows me away! Jesus wasn't "black" or "white" and His Love is what every person needs.

There are so many questions, so many angles, so many problems here (and everywhere) that are all intricately woven together... no issue can be dealt with quickly or on the surface.

People have a lot of questions and they reason out what is the best possible solution.

Reality is that the answer is people need Jesus. They have a god of wealth and a god of strength etc, etc but there is no change of heart-no real solution except through Jesus.

There is a lot to think about from this trip. All the processing has only just begun. What a wonderful experience.

I am so thankful for the Lord on this trip. I haven't gotten to read the word every day, but wow, reading it here... the only way I can describe it is it is so LIFE-GIVING. It's like cold water.

lessons.

Also, there was a day this week where I was really fighting being frustrated with people (a.k.a. someone) and feeling so internally agitated. You know when you tell yourself, "It's really not a big deal!", but yet you just churn on the inside??

Well, going on this trip, I have realized how many things in life and relationally are just DISTRACTIONS. I think it's one of satan's biggest ploys-distractions along with fear. It's subtle until you look for it.

In my frustration/offense towards people, I realized that if I turned my "churning" into prayer, I wasn't letting the devil win. What I do with a situation is my choice.

God turned my attitude around and I was actually able to talk to the same person about a spiritual issue they asked me about. God resolved both of the issues. People are hard to understand and often hard to love. This concept is HARD, even still now, but what a freeing way to learn to live...

adios.

It's raining here in Kathmandu tonight, maybe monsoon season is starting early?

I desperately need a shower-2 days worth of dust and dirt typing over here!

The next 2 days are going to be filled with more sightseeing, eating and final questions and discussion with THI president and staff... good times.

Then flying and more flying.

This has been long catching you up on the full last couple of days.

Photos/videos to come - thanks for your patience - there are a few thousand photos!

THANKS FOR YOUR PRAYERS - WOW, WOW, WOW!

"Not to us, LORD, not to us but to your name be the glory,

because of your love and faithfulness.

Why do the nations say, “Where is their God?”

Our God is in heaven;

he does whatever pleases him.

But their idols are silver and gold,

made by human hands.

They have mouths, but cannot speak,

eyes, but cannot see.They have ears,

but cannot hear, noses, but cannot smell.

They have hands, but cannot feel,

feet, but cannot walk,

nor can they utter a sound with their throats.

Those who make them will be like them,

and so will all who trust in them.

All you Israelites, trust in the LORD—he is their help and shield.

House of Aaron, trust in the LORD— he is their help and shield.

You who fear him, trust in the Lord - he is their help and shield.

The LORD remembers us and will bless us:He will bless his people Israel,

he will bless the house of Aaron,

He will bless those who fear the LORD—small and great alike."

Psalm 115:1-13

Nepal #6

Lake today...

Hey,

Here are some more pics from yesterday and today. Got a lot of exercise today... went across lake and hiked to "Peace Pagoda" (built by Buddhist monks for world peace)... it is high us there! Went out on lake again on pontoon boat and also walked to a children's home. We're leaving Pokhara tomorrow, will make a stop in Kathmandu and then go south to the border to see what this non-profit (NPO) is doing in intercepting women being trafficked.

Prayer requests: for my continued strength and perspective...

THANKS!

Yesterday: Dream Center home under construction

Market:

Nepal #5

Hello, Everyone!

Today I got some pretty shots of the river here in the morning. There were brightly colored small boats scattered about and children rowing their way across to get to school.

Pokhara is a city where you are supposed to have a spectacular view of the mountains... however, we've had terrible fog/clouds while we've been here... we are hoping and praying for rain so that we could have a clear day! We leave day after tomorrow (it's 9:30 at night on Monday here as I am writing this). We're going hiking and boating here tomorrow.

Today we visited a new children's home with all girls. We had a blast playing two games that they taught us. The girls made necklaces and we took pictures of all of them. The parents were sweet and the home was one of the nicest (inside/decor etc...) that we have seen!

Then we, along with the film crew who is here shooting for 4 videos for the organization, went to the new land (which I mentioned yesterday). The children and parents from 2 homes were present. They will be the first two homes to move onto the land. The land overlooks water and is in the hills. During the monsoon season, I was told it is surrounded by waterfalls, there were two small ones in sight today!

The kids were so happy, they kept pointing and telling us, "That is our house!"

There is going to be a soccer/football field next to the homes - the boys loved it. They played soccer for hours, literally.

When the kids were leaving it was sad, they are so precious, I wish I knew all of their stories. They shouted and shouted bye, bye to "Nana and Papa" (Doug and Shirley).

One of the little boys we met today was abused and neglected by his mother who was a prostitute. She was going to literally throw him away... and speaking of "throwing away", you should know that there is no garbage disposal here in Nepal... There are only garbage heaps and burning garbage piles. Somehow someone from the organization knew this boy's mother and found out what she was planning to do to her child. They were able to save him and get him into a loving home.

Even though we have quite a few days left here in Nepal, I can see the end, and almost feel like it's nearing quickly. It's the dustiest place I've ever been, but I am beyond glad to have been here and to meet these people and see this part of the world...

I finally made it to Asia. Never thought it would be "Nepal" when I thought "Asia", but sure enough I am here in South Asia!

The dust in the air and the dirt that cakes your feet makes me think of the dirt roads of Jesus day and how he lived out in the streets among the people. Up close and personal!

Well, I'm tired from today and I am dusty, sweaty and all around dirty, so I bid you farewell!

Dhanybhad for reading!

Love,

Anna

Nepal #4

Hello!

Here's an update from yesterday and today. I'm including some pictures from my phone, my camera pictures take a long time to load onto the blog.

Well, the Church is alive in Kathmandu! Yesterday morning, I attended Ganeshwor Church, which is the oldest church in the city. They have three services on Saturday mornings. It was great to be apart of the worship of the One true God with another people group. It always gives a small glimpse into heaven...

Next weekend, their church will be walking in a procession for Palm Sunday. They will walk the road around Kathmandu welcoming the King. It is pretty cool and a bold stance for these believers who are in the minority, and aren't accepted by family if they have abandoned the family's Hindu faith. (BTW, Christianity doesn't even hardly make a showing in the percentage rankings of religions here in Nepal, most are Hindu, then Buddhist, then Muslim. Roman Catholic makes up around 1%).

We then visited a children's home especially for boys who have been rescued off the streets, or boys who were about to end up on the streets. This is a tough ministry as you know, if you've read my previous post which talked about street children. The boys were precious, precious. The oldest boy in the home was 14 and the care he has over the younger boys was evident. He has a beautiful smile...

We didn't stay as long as I would have liked, both of my teammates weren't feeling well and wanted to make it a short stop. Nevertheless, the boys and the home father whom we met, made their own special impressions.

Today - off to Pokhara!

My teammate who has been sick made the decision to go home so she did not fly with us today to Pokhara. Sarah is getting stronger and has been able to eat a few times, which I am so grateful for.

We flew to Pokhara this morning, this was my first time on a tiny propellor plane, but I loved it. I finally got a HOT shower here in Pokhara - praise the Lord for what we take foregranted.

We are staying in the tourist area of Pokhara, but it has a definite different feel than the tourist area of Kathmandu. The natives are a bit more laid back and there are many tourists. Most tourists come to Nepal to go Trekking and most treks start out from Pokhara.

We are lakeside and will be eating breakfast over the lake tomorrow morning.

We visited my most favorite children's home yet today. The kids were so happy and comfortable and welcoming and the parents are also full of joy.

This is one of the families that will be moving to the larger community space once the organization has finished building it up. (If you want to know more about what that is - view this video http://youtu.be/MGY5iJgZLZw )

Tomorrow we will see the larger community land and the two homes that are already built there.

p.s. this little kid has my heart :)

Tonight we had dinner with the film crew who will be shooting on the land and going with us to the border after Pokhara.

The only negative happening today is that we were going to bike ride to the children's home and I started out fine but quickly ran out of air and had to stop because I couldn't breathe.

The other girls were ahead of me and I had already lost them.

DUST+HEAT+SMOG+SMALL NASAL PASSAGES+HIGH ALTITUDE - yikes.

Eventually, I made it back fine and was able to get some water. The other girls ended up running out of steam themselves and had to turn around as well.

The streets here are so dusty - sometimes you can crunch the dirt in your teeth. Plus the exhaust is so strong. I was just eating the dirt and smog as I road and then even more because I was literally gasping for air.

Afterwards my chest was incredibly tight. I have had a weeze in my chest ever since and an ugly cough/laugh.

So my prayer request is for that to be removed from my chest! We are also supposed to go hiking, so please pray that the weather becomes clear and that I can breathe!

But more so, pray that Jesus will reveal Himself to the people here...

to the locals and the tourists.

To the hard men and the oppressed women.

The Hindu, the Buddhist, the Atheist...

To the people who came here to trek, to get high, or to sleep with prostitutes...all the people we would rather not be bothered with or even think about.

They are all here tonight.

They are all in your city too.

It's always night somewhere in the world, just as it is always "night" in someone's life who is around you...

So, shine your (His) light...

May God enlarge your vision, not just temporarily but permanently, for people and the Kingdom around the world.

Jaimasihi,

Anna