Week 2 (Longwinded) Recap!

Four weeks seemed like a fairly long time before arriving in Nepal so it's crazy and sad to realize that it's already more than halfway through!

I’d left off the last post mentioning that we’d be traveling to complete some assessments in a more remote area.  We ended up spending three days struggling with, among other things,  

1.      terrible roads including mudslides blockages that meant 5 hour detours, and

2.      no power, internet or cell phone network leaving plenty of difficulties connecting with community leadership. 

BUT having said that, it truly was an amazing three days, and each challenge led to further opportunities and learnings, not to mention some great memories. 

One of several landslides blocking the road to the village we were travelling to.

I think every building on the military base we stayed at has suffered irrepairable damage meaning all base personnel are still living in tents.

One of the highlights, and encouragements from the three days, was going out the furthest, and what the community leaders had described as most vulnerable area in the their region.  It was over a 3 hr walk from the nearest pickup accessible road, which will make the logistics of providing shelters challenging.  And as we crested the final of many hills to reach this place, we found the community members, none of whom have started rebuilding their own homes, gathered together to tear down the remnants of the local primary school to rebuild so that the children could restart their studies.  

The rest of the team also wrapped up an intense two weeks of emergency shelter and hygiene supply distributions this week.  So, a number of us changed gears and spent Friday afternoon at a nearby school for deaf children to deliver and setup a donated tent and some other supplies.  It was such a blessing to be able to spend this time with these children, who at first were shy and timid, but quickly warmed up to us, and us to them.  I think that this was my first experience at a school for the deaf and at first, it seemed a bit strange adjusting to the silence as most of the kids barely make a sound.  It’s also difficult to imagine, in a culture where discrimination remains prevalent between castes, classes, and professions, how these children are regarded by the greater society.  But through a lot of hand motions, some sign language the older kids taught us, and a lot of smiles and some funny facial expressions, I thought we bonded better than we could have with words!  Overall, it was just a really refreshing time to get our minds off work, make some new friends, and be encouraged by these children who are making the most of what they can despite their limitations. :)

I got along especially well with the lil guy on my left. :)

During one of our morning meetings, one of the team members shared the verse, Psalm 127:1, which says, “Unless the Lord build the house, the builders labor in vain.”  Our plan going forward, and my main focus with the remaining time here, is now to focus on developing our shelter program.  I hope to have our assessment and training teams up and rolling before I leave, with the framework for the implementation of the physical shelters to follow shortly afterwards.  This verse was such a timely reminder in the midst all of everything we are working on, not to rely on our own understanding and expectations.

Our team lead closed by playing “Come thou Fount of every blessing” on the harmonica and it was just a great moment of reflection, as we sat in our living room/office, listening to the hymn, and being partially drowned out by a helicopter taking off from the landing pad next to our house.  One of the NGO’s we work with lost a helicopter with several staff aboard earlier this week, so it was an especially poignant reminder to cherish every moment we have as only God knows how many moments there will be.  

So to conclude with a few thoughts on Nepal from what I’ve read/been told/observed thus far.  This country has had a difficult past, bearing many effects of being geographically and culturally sandwiched between two of the most influential countries in the world, not to mention a strong lingering European colonial influence.  The result has left a fragmented society that has struggled with different government systems that have hindered its ability to develop and prosper, despite boasting an incredible natural environment that includes some of the most stunning landscapes I’ve had the privilege to experience.

The people of Nepal have endured much, and the most recent earthquakes are yet another setback that they are now struggling to recover from.  But it has been so encouraging to partner and share their great passion and energy to rebuild better and stronger than where they were before.    

Amazing.

This coming week will be similar to last in that we will be back in the rural areas starting the detailed assessments with our new teams so will probably be another long recap towards the end of the next week! 

Danyebaad (thanks) again for sharing in this work with your support and encouragement.