Blessings and Adjustments

We’re finally here!  Eleven years of preparing, studying, wondering, learning, and praying have landed us here in Kathmandu.  We arrived with only 2 of 9 pieces of luggage, but the airport workers were very kind.  Apparently each pilot gets to choose whether they are okay flying with all the luggage that has been loaded aboard.  This decision is made based on fuel costs and weather, and if he says no, luggage randomly gets kicked off and delivered on the next available plane.  Ours was probably easy to throw off since it was likely last on the plane due to nearly two hours of haggling over the proper charge for our extra luggage in Dubai.  Fortunately, our other 7 bags were indeed on the next flight, although Tim had to fight his way through crowds to get to the luggage.

Upon leaving our hotel to move into our flat, there was a van next to us of English speakers.  One man saw us with our many bags and asked if we were going hiking.  I explained that we were moving here.  Through further conversation, we discovered that he and his team are from churches only 20 minutes away from Ventura, and they are in Nepal to support Nepali church planters!  His team gathered around and prayed over us.  What a wonderful welcome!

Our flat in Kathmandu.  We live on the middle floor, which is called the first floor here.

Some friends in our same Samaritan’s Purse program are 4 months ahead of our schedule.  They decided to stay an extra week in Kathmandu to help us learn our way around.  We were so grateful for their company and guidance!  They have since moved to Tansen, and it seems quiet without their two joyful kids. 

Chloe wanted to hold Jack.
 

There are endless things for us to learn.  Here are just a few of the things we are adjusting to:

• Sleeping in the cold.  We use hot water bottles in our bed at night.
• Load shedding.  Electricity is available 12 hours per day, but typically during sleeping hours.  Fortunately we have one battery-powered light (although weak) in each room, as well as a phone app (!) that tells us which hours each day we will have electricity.  For example, the electricity might be out from 0800-1400 and 1800-2300.
• How to reheat food without electricity!
• How to hand-light a gas stove/oven.  The gas tank is precariously placed on a ledge outside the kitchen window.  We reach out into the cold, turn on the gas, turn the stove dial, and light the flame.  I have yet to gain the courage to do this myself as the flame has reached nearly to Tim’s elbow at times!
• Navigating how to cross the street.  I have never had such difficulty!  I suppose you could say Nepalis drive very well because they are able to get extremely close to pedestrians and other vehicles without actually hitting anyone or anything!  It doesn't help that they drive on the other side of the road, so I can never remember if I should look right or left.  The best advice we’ve received is to stick close to a Nepali who is also crossing the street.
• Pollution.  I have never had such severe congestion in my life!  We all have black snot daily.  Fortunately the air in Tansen is quite clear, so this should only a 4-month problem.
• Rather than wanting to pet all the dogs, I’m afraid of them and hope they stay away.  Same with the monkeys.  Rabies is a reality here!
• Leaving our shoes at the door and changing into house shoes.  It is against the culture to wear shoes inside, plus it creates more for the didi to clean.  Check out Tim's hot flip flops he bought in the bazaar near us; it was difficult to find anything to fit his unusually large feet! 

We can definitely use your prayers.  Here are some suggestions:

• Language learning.  Nepali letters are tricky!  Our teachers are fantastic, and they are Hindu.  They have interacted with believers for many years; please pray we can plant further seeds or help grow previous ones.
• There is a Hindu temple right outside our bedroom window.  We have prayed over our house, but please join us in praying against any spirits or evil that may try to enter.
• We have a different Didi (house help woman, or “elder sister”) than expected.  She speaks very little English and is Buddhist.  Please pray for a good relationship with her and positive impact in her life.
• Forming friendships during our temporary stay in Kathmandu.
• Praise that we have a gas heater/stove/hot water heater.  We have to limit their use due to smell and cost, but we are so grateful for the heat and ability to cook.  At the same time, I have a real fear of them exploding or burning us: please pray against these things.
• Congestion. I’d like to breathe through my nose again sometime soon.

 
A video of Jack laughing in Dubai.