Contrast

Hearing the alarm sound at 3:15 this morning was not a very welcoming noise. But we each slowly arose from our sweet slumber. After quick breakfast of boiled eggs and noodles, we piled into the van for an hour or so journey. Some of us slept and some of us were not so lucky to grab a few more minutes of sleep as the van rumbled over the incredibly bumpy roads. For most of our drive we were going in what seemed like circles. By the time we reached our destination some of us were... slightly nauseous. But alas, we had arrived. The next half-hour or so were spent deciding what exactly we would be doing. It was decided by Pastor Dhan that we should have coffee. So we went inside a very nice hotel to enjoy a nice cup of java (for some, it was our 2nd for the morning). And then, we headed out into the frigid air as we saw it. What exactly did we see you might be wondering to yourself. We saw the majestic work of our awesome God painted for us in the heavens above. We could not help but stand in awe of what our Saviour and Creator had made for us to see. The sun was rising from the east reflecting off the Himalayas to the north. The grandeur of our great God will never cease to amaze.

CONTRAST


After winding through the maze of streets we have come to know as Kathmandu in our brown chariot (which on occasion has been known to stall) we summited to the stopping point. We stepped out of the car and were greeted by the sounds of monkeys and the ever faint smell of burning incense. Pastor Dhan paid for the tickets and so we entered. At the begging we passed some who sold coins, some food, some memorabilia. We climbed the many stairs until we reached the top.


Littered everywhere were the remnants of worship. A candle here, red and yellow dust there. Atop the large white sphere at the top of the hill workers worked on constructing the gold figure. Around the figure were wood spindles, 181 we were told. By spinning them your sins are "forgiven" is the explanation given. In other stations around the large figure are smaller figures. Above our head we could see strings of flags being flown. Upon them bore the words to prayers that are believed to be ascended into the heavens every time the wind blows. Some people we passed muttered unintelligibly words.


At this place of worship for so many Nepali people, I couldn't help but be left with few thoughts. They were very different than the ones that were left resonating in my mind from this morning. They were thoughts which made my heart ache. These thoughts were played out by the pictures which were passing before my eyes.


The god that these people had come to worship to be cleansed by, was locked behind a gate. This god couldn't comfort them, let alone hear them. This god does not see their hurt or hear their cries. This god sits there, locked behind a gate. It has no power.


The prayers written on the flags flying high above our heads, would soon be rubbish on the ground along with the other ones which have withered away and fallen to the ground and now are laying in the dirt. There is nobody that is there hearing these prayers. Needless to say, there is no one that is going to answer them. The dirt where they will eventually lie and decompose will have greater chance hearing the prayers which are written upon the flags than the figure which sits behind a gate and a lock.

Nepal needs your prayers. Less than 1% of the people here have confessed their sins and believed upon a God who truly does hear there prayers and who will truly forgive them and wash them clean as snow. Also pray for the people who are laboring here in answering the call to make disciples. Pray for the Lama family as the Lord expands their ministry everyday. Our prayer is that it's not remembered about who we are or where we come from, but that its all about the God who lives, see, feels and hears. That He alone is the only person who can make a difference in their lives. That He alone is the one where they can find joy and fulfillment.

Keep our team in your prayers as we finish up our time here. Tomorrow is our last full day here. Most of the team is taking a plane up to see Mt. Everest in the morning. When we leave we will be incredibly sad to leave all of the people who we have come to call friends and others we have come to call family.


Thanks for your prayers support. It has been not only an encouragement to us to know that there are people back home who are praying for us. But it has also been an encouragement to the people that we have been able to minister to while we've been here.