Trekking Update
Storing our TREASURE in Heaven
"Turn around" Michael firmly said.
I managed to turn myself around on the crowded bus. We were going home after spending the night watching the World Cup at Michael's cousins house.
"Your backpack is unzipped" Michael worriedly said.
We both knew what just happened . . . my wallet was stolen--My credit card, Lisence and Michael's wedding ring. My heart sunk. Michael had taken his wedding ring off to sleep & I had safely put it in my wallet. Frustration & anger filled my heart. Lord, why? I breathed in and released my frustration & anger over to The Lord. Thank you Lord, I praise You.
That evening Michael & I were encouraged by our reading from Luke 12, "“Provide yourselves...with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also."
Michael's golden ring is merely an earthly treasure. The things of this world will fade away. We asked the Lord to help us store our treasure in the things that truly matter.
Trek
The next morning we left Kathmandu. Our bus traced it's way along the brown river muddied from the monsoon. We then made our way by jeep through a steep and narrow road where we arrived in a small village after dark. We had traveled for nearly 10 hours. Worn out and ready for a shower I asked for water. Michael pointed to a bucket where water was dripping from the rain falling off the roof of a house and said, "This is the only water they have."
"Oh my", I imagined it was clean as I stooped down and rinsed my sweaty hands, arms & face. "This will have to do."
The rain poured down landing loudly on the tin roof we were sleeping under. I dare not glance up to see the spiders in their silk spun webs. Morning had come and still the rain had not ceased. Was I ready to face the rain, mud and leeches of the Himalayan foothills? Was I ready to proclaim the hope of resurrection life and so toil for this heavenly treasure?
"Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit" says The Lord.
- Zechariah 4
I found my shoes on the dirt floor and arose with no little fear to face the day. Despite this fear I searched for things to be thankful for. By the time Michael and I packed our bags the rain had stopped and the magnificent white Himalaya's peeked through the clouds. It was beautiful! The quaint village seemed more friendly than it had the dreary night before. We were ready to carry this message of love, peace and hope. The next 3 hours we spent walking and talking to those we met. We passed out gospel tracks to many people and shared the good news with a group of children (see pic -->) who prayed to ask Jesus to take away their sins & accept His Spirit of peace, love & holiness. Jesus says, "let the little children come, for to such belong the kingdom of heaven." Matthew 19:14
We arrived in Ghale Gaun soaking wet & out of breath. Michael looked at me, "You won't believe this" he said, as he pulled a fat leech from my head. And a puddle of blood followed. Ahhh.
Interesting Fact: Leeches have a huge appetite. They can ingest an amount of blood that is five times bigger than their own weight. Once they are full, leeches will detach from the victim.
At least we had made it to Ghale Gaun. This is one of the villages we had shared the gospel this past Christmas. We spent the afternoon worshipping, and going from house to house handing out tracks and talking to those who would listen.
This lady, (<-- see pic) Druga Devi Ghale, welcomed us into her house for a cup of hot sweet tea. We had stayed with her with our mission team in December. Druga was excited to see us again and especially excited to hear that Michael and I were newly married. She opened up and shared about her life. As we talked in her smokey, dirt-floored home, the Lord gave us opportunity to share the gospel and she opened her heart to believe in Jesus!!!
Another lady, Rupa Ghale, was healed from a sickness on our mission trip in December and since then she has accepted Christ and stopped worshipping all her other gods. We brought her a Bible but she cannot read so her daughter will read to her. Pray for these two ladies to grow in their faith and for a church to be planted in their village, Ghale Gaun. We were able to share the gospel with many more people and nearly all that we shared with had heard about "Christianity", but non of them had heard the name of Jesus. It seems that "Christianity" is more well known than the Name of JESUS.
We continued our trek, walking along the muddied pathways, and through overgrown jungles. At one point we did not know if we were going to make it. Walking up the steep mountain side surrounded by leeches for hours on end was perhaps one of the most exhausting experiences. Michael, being a Nepali, has an innate ability to trek these mountains and was able to carry my bag. Exhausted from the stone stairs that seemed to have no end and the leeches that never had their fill, I was encouraged by what Graham Cooke said, "Let's frustrate the enemy with thanksgiving, let's paralyze him by rejoicing even in the difficult things." As we climbed this mountain we rejoiced in this difficulty. We were suffering for the sake of the gospel. As Paul said, How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news...
Pray for Michael and I as we continue to shine with the LIGHT and LOVE of Christ. As we have arrived back in Kathmandu we will continue to pray these seeds will be watered and grown - -> a hundred fold!
Thank you for your partnership.
In Christ,
Michael and Holly
"Turn around" Michael firmly said.
I managed to turn myself around on the crowded bus. We were going home after spending the night watching the World Cup at Michael's cousins house.
"Your backpack is unzipped" Michael worriedly said.
We both knew what just happened . . . my wallet was stolen--My credit card, Lisence and Michael's wedding ring. My heart sunk. Michael had taken his wedding ring off to sleep & I had safely put it in my wallet. Frustration & anger filled my heart. Lord, why? I breathed in and released my frustration & anger over to The Lord. Thank you Lord, I praise You.
That evening Michael & I were encouraged by our reading from Luke 12, "“Provide yourselves...with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also."
Michael's golden ring is merely an earthly treasure. The things of this world will fade away. We asked the Lord to help us store our treasure in the things that truly matter.
Trek
The next morning we left Kathmandu. Our bus traced it's way along the brown river muddied from the monsoon. We then made our way by jeep through a steep and narrow road where we arrived in a small village after dark. We had traveled for nearly 10 hours. Worn out and ready for a shower I asked for water. Michael pointed to a bucket where water was dripping from the rain falling off the roof of a house and said, "This is the only water they have."
"Oh my", I imagined it was clean as I stooped down and rinsed my sweaty hands, arms & face. "This will have to do."
The rain poured down landing loudly on the tin roof we were sleeping under. I dare not glance up to see the spiders in their silk spun webs. Morning had come and still the rain had not ceased. Was I ready to face the rain, mud and leeches of the Himalayan foothills? Was I ready to proclaim the hope of resurrection life and so toil for this heavenly treasure?
"Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit" says The Lord.
- Zechariah 4
I found my shoes on the dirt floor and arose with no little fear to face the day. Despite this fear I searched for things to be thankful for. By the time Michael and I packed our bags the rain had stopped and the magnificent white Himalaya's peeked through the clouds. It was beautiful! The quaint village seemed more friendly than it had the dreary night before. We were ready to carry this message of love, peace and hope. The next 3 hours we spent walking and talking to those we met. We passed out gospel tracks to many people and shared the good news with a group of children (see pic -->) who prayed to ask Jesus to take away their sins & accept His Spirit of peace, love & holiness. Jesus says, "let the little children come, for to such belong the kingdom of heaven." Matthew 19:14
We arrived in Ghale Gaun soaking wet & out of breath. Michael looked at me, "You won't believe this" he said, as he pulled a fat leech from my head. And a puddle of blood followed. Ahhh.
Interesting Fact: Leeches have a huge appetite. They can ingest an amount of blood that is five times bigger than their own weight. Once they are full, leeches will detach from the victim.
At least we had made it to Ghale Gaun. This is one of the villages we had shared the gospel this past Christmas. We spent the afternoon worshipping, and going from house to house handing out tracks and talking to those who would listen.
This lady, (<-- see pic) Druga Devi Ghale, welcomed us into her house for a cup of hot sweet tea. We had stayed with her with our mission team in December. Druga was excited to see us again and especially excited to hear that Michael and I were newly married. She opened up and shared about her life. As we talked in her smokey, dirt-floored home, the Lord gave us opportunity to share the gospel and she opened her heart to believe in Jesus!!!
Another lady, Rupa Ghale, was healed from a sickness on our mission trip in December and since then she has accepted Christ and stopped worshipping all her other gods. We brought her a Bible but she cannot read so her daughter will read to her. Pray for these two ladies to grow in their faith and for a church to be planted in their village, Ghale Gaun. We were able to share the gospel with many more people and nearly all that we shared with had heard about "Christianity", but non of them had heard the name of Jesus. It seems that "Christianity" is more well known than the Name of JESUS.
We continued our trek, walking along the muddied pathways, and through overgrown jungles. At one point we did not know if we were going to make it. Walking up the steep mountain side surrounded by leeches for hours on end was perhaps one of the most exhausting experiences. Michael, being a Nepali, has an innate ability to trek these mountains and was able to carry my bag. Exhausted from the stone stairs that seemed to have no end and the leeches that never had their fill, I was encouraged by what Graham Cooke said, "Let's frustrate the enemy with thanksgiving, let's paralyze him by rejoicing even in the difficult things." As we climbed this mountain we rejoiced in this difficulty. We were suffering for the sake of the gospel. As Paul said, How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news...Pray for Michael and I as we continue to shine with the LIGHT and LOVE of Christ. As we have arrived back in Kathmandu we will continue to pray these seeds will be watered and grown - -> a hundred fold!Thank you for your partnership.
In Christ,
Michael and Holly
Write CHECK to:
"Light 2 the World"
"Light 2 the World"
Memo: "Michael and Holly Nepal Mission"
Send to:
3300 Odd Fellows Road
P.O. Box 12178
Lynchburg, VA 24506
3300 Odd Fellows Road
P.O. Box 12178
Lynchburg, VA 24506
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