oh yeah...
We got in touch with Mountain Child Guest House, moved, and stayed there a couple nights. They were very friendly. The house is located behind a zoo. It was a neat thing...we kept the windows open, and you could hear the animals.
Through our friendship with Shanda, we
met Clem and Jenny Chen. They opened the doors for us to help at Banquet House. Banquet House feeds and ministers to the needy ,and they have church there. I got my share of squats in while washing dishes. Oh what an honor:) There were less ladies than men. One lady sang and sang. She also prayed for me. Seated beside her was another sweet soul who wouldn't let my arm go. We couldn't understand each other, but we spoke as if we did. The language of love is universal. These ladies face so much hardship, yet they remember to love. We also met other missionaries at BH. Amongst them,we met Heather. If you have been around me enough, you have heard her name a few times. We struck up a nice to meet you conversation and exchanged numbers. She mentioned that she lived in the same place as another American missionary who was married to a Nepali missionary...in case we needed anything.
(I'm having to leave out some things in the blog. It would be a book if I left in every detail.)
We decided we needed a more appropriate place for us to stay. My stomach wasn't taking the new yummies very well...diarrhea became the norm. <---this is real people lol. We moved again to a "hotel" type place. The people there were so helpful. We were comfortable there, and we danced in the bedroom right after we got in...lol I laugh now thinking about it. There was even a friendly kitty:)
The next day, Josh was nauseous and violently vomiting. If you know Josh well enough, then you know he is a man who lives by faith for everything....including health. The next day, We all laid in bed with tears . We fought with our faith and prayed. Josh was in the most pain he had ever been in in his life. It was difficult to see this man I love who lived with all his heart in such strong faith like this...BUT God is faithful. We decided it was time to ask for help.This day was a strike day. Which happens often in Nepal...and also means no taxis. The staff was eager to help us, and called the ambulance. Josh road alone to the hospital. Natalie and I made our way there.
We chose to use the Nepali hospital, because it is significantly cheaper than the British hospital. I called Heather, and she made her way on her scooter to meet us. I am so grateful for her. When we got there, Josh was on the bed in the ER...nothing like the ERs in the states. Folks would freak out if they could see. I trusted God would take care of everything. Once Josh was laid and on the bed and boom...another earthquake. I went inside, and noticed that Josh's lips were beginning to turn blue. I decided I would not be afraid. God is faithful. In the end, Josh recovered. Heather being at our side was a Godsend. I'm pretty sure it helped Natalie a whole lot. My little girl is brave.
We ended up meeting Heather's housemates,Michael and Holly. They along with Heather spent many hours helping us look for a place to live...to no avail. We are forever appreciative. The time we spent with them blessed us immensely.
I ended up going online and finding a real estate agent. We moved again. The rent was good and the place was furnished...which was rare. I ran a fever the first night,so Heather came over and brought pizza for us. We love her;) hehe A Korean man lived above us and the landlord family lived above him. They were all so friendly.
The gas smell from the water heater became overwhelming...I was at my bottom...we decided to search for another place. Between moving and being sick, I felt exhausted emotionally. We were determined to keep going. The daughter of the family spoke English very well. I was in tears when I told her that we were leaving. I felt ashamed of my weakness. This is normal life for them...I was at a low. Yet, God is faithful.
Remember Cynthia and Kevin? We had spent a day with Cynthia looking for a place to live, and remembered a place we turned down on account of the cost. We decided to stay there after all. We would be further from our friends Shanda and Heather, but only a 5 minute walk to Cynthia. We moved again.
Almost everyday after that we spent with Cynthia. Her southern accent was comforting, and we found out that we had lots in common. She showed us how to get to the nearest grocery stores, and where some good food was located. There I could go out and by produce and things like that...the place was already furnished so we didn't have to buy pots and pans.
She and Kevin have 2 Nepali girls who live with them. They became very close with us all. Natalie seemed super happy to have friends to play with...and I was glad.
Kevin and Cynthia invited us to go to the "slums" with them to a church where they did a Bible club with kids. We went a couple times. The children worshipped and listen to Bible stories. It was so good. I can see God smiling about that...:)
Remember Cynthia and Kevin? We had spent a day with Cynthia looking for a place to live, and remembered a place we turned down on account of the cost. We decided to stay there after all. We would be further from our friends Shanda and Heather, but only a 5 minute walk to Cynthia. We moved again.Almost everyday after that we spent with Cynthia. Her southern accent was comforting, and we found out that we had lots in common. She showed us how to get to the nearest grocery stores, and where some good food was located. There I could go out and by produce and things like that...the place was already furnished so we didn't have to buy pots and pans.
She and Kevin have 2 Nepali girls who live with them. They became very close with us all. Natalie seemed super happy to have friends to play with...and I was glad.
The second time we went, we walked a different way. We saw how these children lived. It broke our hearts. I felt helpless...how could I help them all...just our little family....help all these people. I realized what it means to truly be nothing at all without God. I can't help them by myself, but God can make a way. In places like this, mother's try and give their children to you in order for them to receive care. They love their children so very much, and as a mother it wrenches my heart to imagine how they must feel.
Josh was ready to get out and do something about all this....He went downstairs at our apartment and spoke with the manager. He asked about where some more needy people were that we could help. The manager got excited. He volunteered to help us help people.
We rented a car and ventured up to a village that he told us about...ventured....lol What a bumpy ride...it makes me laugh out loud thinking about it. We laughed on the ride, too. It was like riding in a little car driven by Dale Earnhart, Jr. except we were on the side of a mountain. We would get stuck, and we would all giggle. I silently prayed each time, and we got unstuck every time.
When we got to the village, we met the village "owner" or as we think "mayor". The village was up in the clouds and some of the families were without shelter due to the earthquake. The mayor was such a sweet man. He showed us what use to be his home. He explained that he left his home 2 minutes before the quake. Both his wife and children were killed. I was holding back tears.
We met with a group of men from the village...I reckon they were like the head men. Raj (the apartment manager) was our interpreter. They seemed suspicious of our wanting to help, but Raj assured them we were ok people.
On the way back down the mountain, we ate trout. It was super good. ha
Raj helped us arrange to supply tin to 21 families. They combine the tin and bamboo to create shelters/homes. The next time up the mountain we rented a jeep which is much like what we call land rover type vehicles. Heather went with us to deliver the tin. It was a more fun ride this time. I know my bottom went up 2 feet at least off the seat one time when we hit a bump. lol
Trout
Do you see what God did? We met amazing people, and he guided us to where He wanted us. I still am so amazed. This is why we shouldn't worry. I mean...we went to Nepal knowing not one person...and he supplied friends...family really...and he lead us to a person willing to help us help others.
Why did we come home? Well...God never told us a time frame. We had to decide whether or not to use the money we had to live there longer or shelter 21 families. We came not back home...but forward home. Transitioning from the mission field to what you knew before isn't rose petals....or cotton fields lol We are changed forever.
What are we doing now?
We are working jobs, and sort of starting over...but we aren't. We went to well...I guess you could say "boot camp" in Nepal to get ready for what is next. We desire to go back to Nepal for a short term trip. We are praying that God shows us where and what...
Kingdom Harvest International wasn't an accidental name. I fully believe that God gave Josh the name in 2009 for such a time as this.
There is so much more to this story, but I hope this answers some of your questions. I tried not to drag it out to much:)
Thank you to those who prayed and helped financially on this trip.
Pray with us won't you.
Pray for our precious friends on the field. These are our family more than our friends.
Pray for Nepal.
We love all of ya'll:)
http://www.khimissions.org
We rented a car and ventured up to a village that he told us about...ventured....lol What a bumpy ride...it makes me laugh out loud thinking about it. We laughed on the ride, too. It was like riding in a little car driven by Dale Earnhart, Jr. except we were on the side of a mountain. We would get stuck, and we would all giggle. I silently prayed each time, and we got unstuck every time.
We met with a group of men from the village...I reckon they were like the head men. Raj (the apartment manager) was our interpreter. They seemed suspicious of our wanting to help, but Raj assured them we were ok people.
On the way back down the mountain, we ate trout. It was super good. ha
Raj helped us arrange to supply tin to 21 families. They combine the tin and bamboo to create shelters/homes. The next time up the mountain we rented a jeep which is much like what we call land rover type vehicles. Heather went with us to deliver the tin. It was a more fun ride this time. I know my bottom went up 2 feet at least off the seat one time when we hit a bump. lol 
Trout
Why did we come home? Well...God never told us a time frame. We had to decide whether or not to use the money we had to live there longer or shelter 21 families. We came not back home...but forward home. Transitioning from the mission field to what you knew before isn't rose petals....or cotton fields lol We are changed forever.
What are we doing now?
We are working jobs, and sort of starting over...but we aren't. We went to well...I guess you could say "boot camp" in Nepal to get ready for what is next. We desire to go back to Nepal for a short term trip. We are praying that God shows us where and what...
Kingdom Harvest International wasn't an accidental name. I fully believe that God gave Josh the name in 2009 for such a time as this.
There is so much more to this story, but I hope this answers some of your questions. I tried not to drag it out to much:)
Thank you to those who prayed and helped financially on this trip.
Pray with us won't you.
Pray for our precious friends on the field. These are our family more than our friends.
Pray for Nepal.
We love all of ya'll:)
http://www.khimissions.org
