Ten Things I Wish People Knew About My Field-Nepal.

I was asked by the Baptist Missionary Women's blog to create a list of ten things I wish people knew about our field for a blog hop including missionary wives from all over the world. My mind began to churn.....Ten things ten things....ummmmmm....ten interesting things about Nepal, ten things that make people want to visit Nepal, ten things I like about Nepal. No, no, no. Ten things I wish people knew about Nepal.

Wow, that's challenging. I could list hundreds of things I know people don't know about Nepal unless they live here but to list 10 things I truly wish people knew that's another story. If I had a captive audience what would I want them to know about the place that I call home. My blog is generally filled with third world tips and life experiences while keeping house near the rooftop of the world. But today isn't about how to bake with real butter, boil fresh milk or decorate with limited resources. Today is just about the field that God has placed our family in 6.5 years ago. Challenging as the topic may be, here goes.

1. I wish people could understand the inticricacies that goes into every background story we tell.

I wish they could understand the depth of the story due to the drastic difference in culture represented here compared to our own. I wish they could see that a seemingly insignificant story of seemingly insignificant success was mountaneous and ginormous in our eyes due to the giant spiritual and cultural obstacles the Lord overcame to make it happen. Sometimes, I simply wish I understood the intricacies of the culture we are surrounded by and sometimes I wish I could just push download and you could have the file safely transported into your brain in 2 minutes (or 2 hours if your on third world speed:).I'm so thankful for all those around the world who listen and care about our ministry here. I don't feel alone or misheard I just wish you knew the depth of the story that only comes from experiencing it. I'm sure we all no matter where we come from or where we serve feel this way about some situation in our Life.

2. It's great to be home by 7pm every night!

When the sun goes down in Nepal within an hour or so the majority of people are home and in for the night. I didn't really realize the awesomeness of this until we retuned on furlough, where churches don't start till 7pm and people and their children are out that late or later on a regular basis. I'll tell you this girl loves to have dinner on the table by 6ish and be done for the night! We can play with the kiddos and get them in bed at a reasonable hour and spend the night enjoying each other! I'm sure some people in the states are able to do this also but it's a challenge for sure. There are so many things to do and friends to visit with and meetings to attend and sales we need to raid:) I get that and we are generally never home by 7 on furlough and we squeeze every drop of fellowship and fun out of it we can. But, I love to step back into life here and know 99% of the time night time is just family, fun and relaxation.

3. Everything is homemade and it is so good!

We live in a third world country where frivolities and amenities are not abundant. We are blessed with a large chain of supermarkets that I am extremely thankful for, but don't be mistaken it isn't Wal-Mart. There are not 20 different brands and choices of cheese, cereal,pop or anything else. Our main abundance of choices exist in teas and biscuits.

 

So when grocery shopping generally the items we come home with our flour, sugar, eggs, cheese, cream, milk, butter, fresh fruits and vegetables, meats, rice, pasta, bread and some drinks. Oh and get this frozen corn and canned pineapple and retired beans:) Those are a few of the processed items we have. So if it's on that list ladies we make it! We definitely spend more time in the kitchen but once you adjust to that you can enjoy the yumminess of all things homemade. Pie crusts, pizza crusts, tortillas, cookies, cakes, and everything that is set on the table for dinner. We do from time to time crave some restaurant food.

 

 

My husband dreams of his beloved Chipotle Chicken Crispers from Chilis but for the most part food is so good here we don't get too homesick for food.

 

4. This land is in the middle of the spice Capitol of the world!

While they do not have some of the Italian spices they are overwhelmed by most of the other spices.

It is normal to walk past a small store filled with bags of fragrant spices piled high in colors of red, orange and brown. You can see a cloud of smoke fro, the freshly ground spices and you can smell it a block away! Mmmmm .....and if Nepal lacks for anything it isn't spice and flavors.

 

5. You can affordably buy beautiful pashmina(cashmere).

Pashmina is a type of cashmere. It's the lightest, warmest and comfiest material you will ever feel. People pay top dollar in the states and we are blessed to buy it at a reasonable price since it is made here in Nepal.

6. Nepal has had much influence from England.

Therefore they are big tea drinkers, they follow the English school system, learn the England English way of speaking and most of their western influence of dress comes from Europe or Korea. So if you hear us talk about going on holiday, eating biscuits, our daily cup of tea or see my husband wear slim cut suits with pointy shoes, or rave about football(soccer) don't be surprised. Our cultural surroundings here are #1 Nepali and #2 British. The only American influence is TV and that generally that isn't a good influence. We are a very multi-cultural family.

 

7. We live slow paced-chaotic lives.

I know, sounds like an oxymoron right? But, I find it to be true. Most days our lives are filled with tons of things to do but never reigned by a tight schedule. When you get off the plane in Nepal you might as well pack up your watch and relax because time is not important here. Here people are never too busy for a visit with a friend, or a cup of tea with a stranger. If you come to visit you come for a couple of hours and are looked at perplexingly if you try to leave after a brief visit. Parties, events and business' all have flexible hours. You can arrive within 3 hours of the expected time without having any disturbance or surprise by the host or customer. If, you arrive at all! Your delivery man who said he'd be there at 8am may show up at 5pm, your party or church guest may show up two hours late, and church visitation generally consists of 1-2 visits lasting an hour or more each.

Rarely does a day go as I plan it. Something always comes up. Even when things do go according to plan, we may not have a PDA beeping with all our appointments but homemade meals, dishes by hand, hanging laundry, homeschooling and cleaning a house in a filthy environment will always keep your schedule full!

But we generally have the freedom to take a pause when need be and enjoy life, friends and family.

8. Nepal is arrayed with bright and brilliant colors.

From their houses to their clothes you will generally not find a full color in Nepal.

Their outfits are a mixture of patterns and multi-colored fabrics. Their houses are

brightly painted. Most houses we have ever rented had multiple pink and orange

rooms. It's difficult to find something in a boring color like tan! Why would you want

that? Or children's shoes that aren't covered in speckles, sparkles, lights and

pattern. So if you are in love with color oozing from every possible place than you

will live Nepal

9. Nepal has a very struggling government.

Around 15 years ago the beloved Nepali King, Queen and many family members were assassinated by assumadely his brother. He then took over as King. His reign didn't last long as people did not have any affection for him. He was soon Ousted in favor of a more democratic government. However after hundreds of years a under a king the freedoms they desired was given to people who were very uneducated about government or politics. Also this culture is one that thrives on gossip and bartering. Due to this they fought and bickered for approx. 7 years about a new constitution. The good thing about this is it took a country from a Hindu monarchy where converting people to a new religion was illegal to a secular country where freedoms are much more abundant, although still restricted. Since signing their new constitution India has been mysteriously enraged about their new laws. Because of this, they have cut off all gasoline, cooking gas and many other products. This has made our life quite challenging for the last 6 weeks. We have been either paying super inflated taxi rates or riding our bicycles.

People have sat in gas lines for days and sometimes only for the gas to to run out before they receive any. Life is always a crazy place in Nepal.

10. I wish you could know that we are Happy.

Despite any hardship, trial or inconvenience we are happy where God has placed us. I wish you could know and see the spiritual victories that God answers on a daily basis. I believe and know that God works in all Christians lives across the globe on a daily basis. I know that without a doubt! But I can't help but feel special in the way we are privileged to see God work on the foreign field.

Our daily lives require spiritual battles and triumphs, petitions given and answered by the Lord. They can be minute and small such as the fervent prayer for safety on roads that are chaotic to say it mildly, for gas or water or food supply in a place that is torn by political and geographical disasters, for speed in a post office where it can take hours on a bad day.

To large life changing events such as, the salvation of someone you've poured your heart and life into for years. Nothing can describe or explain the feelings of seeing God answer these prayers. He is unmistakably present everyday caring, providing, comforting, convicting,guiding, giving discernment and lighting the way.

 

 

Please continue this blog hop with Rachel from Estonia and all the other great ladies that come after.

http://winklerfamilyupdate.blogspot.ru/2015/11/would-you-like-to-know.html

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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