Yesterday was my first full day on Nepali time. It feels good to have my mind, body, appetite, etc all on the same continent.
Yesterday I walked to a market and bought vegetables: cucumbers (as big as a squash and tasty), okra and huge carrots. I bought about 4 kilos of vegetables for $2.40. I also bought a 12 pack of liter water bottles for $2.00. I can take a taxi for about $3.00 too. They have these vehicles called Tok-Tok's. It's basically a three wheeled pickup that you cram as many people in the back as you can. One day we rode in one and there were 15 people in the back. I felt like I was in a clown car.
My time here has been very interesting. Not what I expected it would be. Most of my days are surrounded by Westerners who are temporary missionaries here. Conversations surround how to get an extended visa, how to learn Nepalese, and some British-American rivalry.
Water and electricity are not reliable. Showering is not something you do to start or end your day...you do it when there's water.
I am in the stage of letting go of expectations or hopes about what this experience was going to be and learning to appreciate it for what it is. I don't know if my research will change or if I will have to be more intentional in connecting with Nepali believers. They usually come only on Saturday night for church. Saturday is the holy day here.
Some of the missionaries are still going to the slums. That may be my best opportunity to talk with new believers in the slums. If I am honest, I don't want to go back there. It would make for great research but...
This experience has been a quick emptying of myself. I feel much like Peter & John (?) who said, "silver and gold, I don't have. But I do have Jesus." (Obvs. Paraphrased).
That's all I know for today. Please continue to pray for my lungs, my research that God will guide me to the right place.
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