Great things happening in Nepal

What I love about Nepal

The People

As always, when you engage and get to know the people around you, you find them amazing and wonderful. The kindness and generosity of those who surround me is a sign of God’s love and care.

One day on my way home from school, I was walking towards the tempos. A taxi cab pulled up beside me and the driver waved me over. I went up to the open window, he asked me where I was going. I told him down the hill and he beckoned me to get in the car. I said 200 no more. He said “No, no, I am going that way. ” So taking a chance I got in the car. When we got to my street I started to hand him the two hundred and he said, “No I like to bless you.” He would not take the money. This was definitely a blessing from the Lord.

I have been so blessed by the people at school. My line manager, the ELL teacher before me, the Special Ed teachers, the secondary and primary teachers and leaders at school have been wonderful in helping me learn the ropes and have been supportive in so many other ways.

The office staff and tech support staff, always eager to help and patient with my impatience.

The Nepali staff, kitchen staff, gate keeper staff, maintenance and other staff have blessed me with their smiles and friendliness. Sometimes even helping me with my Nepali or finding things I need.

Other people who have let me stay in their homes while they are away. Beautiful homes they are and a blessing to me in so many ways.

Home group people, have been helpful, and encouraging too. A place to let my hair down, so to speak (if you know me my hair is seldom up).

Even in the drier, dustier times beauty blossoms.

Looking at the plant with the dust all over it, yet it blossomed with beautiful pink flowers, made me think of people. When we are out in the world we get dusty at times, dusty with the wrong thoughts and attitudes with hurt and pain. However, to be rid of the dust one just needs to come before the River of Life to be cleaned and refreshed. How refreshing it is to be still and receive the blessing of forgiveness and new life. To be clean and know you are loved anyways, despite your faults, weaknesses and failings. There is always hope for a brighter tomorrow.

Staff Picnic Day

A Nepali Picnic on the hill overlooking the mountains. A beautiful view. Although pictures on a phone camera never quite capture what you are seeing and experiencing.

We went out of the city to a hill top. It was beautiful, even hot at times.

There was plenty of space for games.

A child from the next picnic playing on the hill.

There was a great view of the mountains.

Dancing and Food

Eventually a few people lay down and rested.

It was an all day event. It was lots of fun and the beginning of new friendships.

The ride out was great but the ride home was long, traffic jam on the way home.

Every year there is a picnic, but at a different venue. Looking forward to the adventure of next years picnic.

Deep

5-minute writing prompt with Kate Motaung

Its been a while since I wrote on a Friday prompt.

Well I guess I am deep into a new school year and a new country. I moved to Nepal in July and started teaching Psychology and helping ELL students in KISC, a school for foreign students, in Kathmandu. I have been enjoying it, but it has been pushing me deeper into the Father’s arms as I wrestle with body pains, new culture, and various other things.

I just had a deep conversation with my neighbor about Dashain and parallels to Judaism and Christianity.

If you want to read about Dashain please read my earlier post from today.

God bless and thanks for reading.

Holidays in Nepal

DASHAIN FESTIVAL 2019

This is the most important Hindu holiday in Nepal. The festival lasts 15 days with several main days that have special significance, the days most businesses will be closed. Families often travel to their home towns to worship the goddess Durga.

It started on September 30 this year and is completed on October 14, but it seems most of the celebration is between October 5, Fulpati, with a parade and October 10, Dwadashi.

The first nine days are called Nawa Ratri. The first day is called Ghatasthapana, which means pot establishing. Kalash a holy vessel is prepared with holy water.

It is a celebration of the gods conquering the demons. This surprised me, as it showed me how, no matter the religion it is a belief of good conquering evil, vice versus virtue.

Christians believe that Jesus came and conquered evil by dieing on the cross. As he died an unseen battle was waged in the Spirit Realm where he conquered death by dieing in our place so we could live and have true life, eternal life with him.

In Hindu tradition there is a story told about the goddess Durga, who fought and killed a demon called Mahisasur. Mahisasur had been cruelly terrorizing the people until Durga conquered and destroyed him. Durga is worshipped during this festival as the symbol of power.

Sacrifices are made several times during the festival. Goats, buffalo, chickens, and ducks are sacrificed to appease the gods. I was told that the blood of the animal is smeared over the door frame, or at least used to be. That reminds me of the Israelites at Passover, how they smeared blood over the door posts so death would pass them by.

So many religions require the blood of animals to bring blessing, freedom, life to the people who believe. Even in Judaism and Christianity blood was needed to bring us close to God. However, in Christianity, Jesus was sacrificed once for all for the forgiveness of sins, to bring us near to the Father so we can live a life of freedom from religious rituals. He was the final sacrifice and no more sacrifice is needed. God is not blood thirsty but filled with love for people. God’s desire is for us to have a personal, intimate relationship with him as our Father, Brother, Friend.

During this time there are many rituals that are followed from decorating the house, setting up the Kalash in the prayer room, where a priest comes to intone a welcome requesting the goddess Durga to bless the kalash vessel with her presence.

The seventh day of the festival is called Fulpati. There is a parade where the Brahmans carry the royal kalash on a decorated palanquin under an embroidered umbrella. After this the feasting begins. Much celebration follows on the eighth day as the god of creativity, Vishwa Karma, is worshipped.

On October 8, 9 and 10 are the days when children will receive Tika, a mixture of rice and red dye placed on their foreheads by elders who bless them. On this day greeting cards and gifts are exchanged. When night falls there are parades and dances.

This has been an interesting time as I have seen women and children dressed in very traditional clothing with Tika’s on their heads travelling to visit relatives. Though thousands of people left Kathmandu to go to their home villages, there were still many people here in Thecho, maybe even some visiting from other places. As I researched this holiday I found there were some differences in websites on what days were called, so I attached some websites for you to check out if you are interested in learning more. However, I hope this has given some insight into the largest festival in Nepal.

Be blessed.

https://www.himalayanst.com/blog/dashain-the-most-auspicious-festival-of-nepal

Another source was Inside Himalayas

https://www.visitnepal.com/nepal_information/dashain.php

See Dashain Festival 2019 and 2020 calendar for list of special days and their dates

Early Morning on the Roof

The birds awaken and soar,

Higher and higher they go.

Flapping their wings quickly

They fly past me, so close,

I stretch out my hand, but

I cannot reach them.

Beautiful birds, black and white,

seen from a distance.

I ask, “Why do they soar so early in the morning?

Do birds ever fly for fun or only search for food?”

They each sing their own song as they fly,

“Are they singing to their creator or each other?”

I’d like to think they are praising the One who made them and thanking him for the food they find.

Maybe they ask for direction, “Which way Lord to find the best grubs?”

Or do they only sing to glorify the King?

Things in Nepal that may seem strange

Wild dogs roam the streets, in the daytime they are passive, friendly, quiet. During the night they come alive, in packs like wolves, howling, barking, running.

(unfortunately, video cannot be uploaded)

One morning I was getting ready to leave the house and what did I find at the bottom of the steps (inside) by my door? A wiggly squiggly worm, an earthworm. I guess the house seemed to be dark, and cool.

The refridgerator: the temperature control says, Winter 1-2, Monsoon 3-4 and Summer 5, these are the suggested temperature settings for the fridge.

The traffic: Unless you have lived in Britain, um it comes from behind you when walking on the side you think you should be on.

The roads: narrow, and rocky; during monsoon rains flood them

Waterbuffalo

We are very close to village life here on the outskirts of Kathmandu. Here are some pics from walk behind the school.

Well it is Sunday morning September 8th. I have been in Nepal almost 2 months now. Another strange thing is the power goes off suddenly, so one has to adjust quickly, especially when using Wifii as, at least at home it quits when there is no power. So when you don’t hear from me for a while its because there is no power to connect.

Hope you are all doing well and enjoying the new school year, that you are also enjoying some fun along the way while you learn.

Be blessed

Mountain View

Unbelievable, three times this week in the early morning the Himalayas mountain range was revealed. What a glorious sight, so much better in real life than in a picture.

After a heavy rain, the sky becomes clearer and the mountain peaks can be seen.

The peaks could be seen from the guest house roof top and from the school.

I have had a busy first week at school with getting to know the students, staff and my class schedule, so this view in the morning energized me and gave me hope. It was a blessing to me to be reminded who is in charge and holds the future in His hands.

Although there are difficulties there is much beauty to be seen too. This mountain top view is a good reminder to keep looking up.

New Life in Nepal

Just over a week since I landed in Nepal. It has been exciting, challenging and at times overwhelming. I arrived at the airport in Kathmandu at 6am on July 19, after about 18 hours of travel. It was a smooth landing and I was pleasantly surprised by the small airport. It was quick to obtain a visa and go through customs.

I met two other teachers that were also coming to teach at KISC, in Thecho (Te-cho).

I live in the Kisc Guesthouse with 8 other people, which makes life interesting. My favorite spot is to go on the roof top to take in the beautiful view. I am told in November we will be able to see the Himalayas, but because of the season right now we only see the foot hills.

Everyday I have been at the school for training and taking language classes to learn basic Nepali. It has been a busy two weeks.

Today all of the teachers were at school for a PD day; they are from all over the world including, Spain, Finland, Britain, Ireland, Venezuela, Australia, USA and Canada.

Nepali Dal Baat is provided for lunch. It includes rice, lentil soup, a vegetable dish and sometimes chicken. It is delicious.

The Nepali people are kind and helpful, they are relaxed and happy, even in traffic they do not appear to get upset or impatient.

The students start classes next Tuesday. I am looking forward to meeting them.

Design a site like this with WordPress.com
Get started