On Monday, we started the trek to Dang. The estimated travel time was 10 hours in the bus minimum. Raju was incredibly wonderful and booked us our own private bus for the journey with blasting AC and nice, cushioned seats. We get this bus for our long travel to Pokhara on July 5th too.
Before leaving, Raju's wife gave us all gifts as a goodbye! It was so so sweet! She gave the ladies these super nice woven bags and the gents were given woven fanny packs. We won't be seeing her or their kids again on this trip, so that send off was even more special.
There has been quite a bit of renovation in Nepal the last couple years as God has blessed them with peace, resources, and a strong desire to improve their country. As a result of this, they are redoing a lot of the roads so many were all torn up. This made for a very bumpy ride, but we can't complain as we were grateful to not be hiking it instead. God has also blessed our trip with no landslides and no rain after the morning. It is so comforting to know that He is always watching over us.
We had only a few stops for the bathroom and lunch. Right in the middle, we stopped at the supposed "exact birthplace" of Buddha. It had some ancient ruins from his palace. Countries from all over have donated different temples to Buddha that cover a very large area in this place. We only went to the main one. Before this, Todd told us to let this "break our hearts," and it definitely did. It is so saddening to think about how much work and time and life has been put into something so meaningless. On average only 4 out of 100 people know their Savior in Nepal. And those who do know have such a hard time being witnesses for their faith. Even with our own turmoil in the US, I think we often take for granted our state as Christians there. I am even more grateful to be given this opportunity to share the Good News I've learned from childhood with people here in Nepal. Earlier this week, I read Psalm 71 and these verses have really stood out to me:
"O God, from my youth you have taught me, and I still proclaim your wondrous deeds. So even to old age and gray hairs, O God, do not forsake me, until I proclaim your might to another generation, your power to all those to come."
Psalm 71:17-18 ESV
After about 12 hours of travel, we reached an unexpected twist. My group (Sam Radermacher, Ben Haslett, Lydia Ohlmann), Missionary Ohlmann, and Rajan separated from the rest. We slept, are teaching here in part of Dang today (July 4th), sleeping here tonight, and will, God willing, rejoin the others tomorrow morning. They had two more hours left on the bus to their place of stay and have the same schedule as us.
Please keep everyone in your prayers! Please pray for our good health, safe travels, and especially the souls of those we teach to and the words we teach. Thank you for all the prayers and support thus far. Also happy 4th of July from Nepal!!
In Christ and His love,
Erica Oster