We arrived "Gospel Assembly" (Pastor KB and Sushila Bassel's organization) later than we had planned, because the Yeti airline did not take all of our luggage. 35 bags, including the small carry ons, because Rhonda will always insist on bringing "Christmas". Thats why so MANY suitcases. They were stuffed full with the things Rhonda wants to put in there, for the many faces she knows, along with every name she also remembers. This is her second family. It's so fun to watch her with her 'family.' Buddha Air was wiling to take the luggage for $300.00! 13 pieces of luggage, the rest went on Yeti, including the carry ons because there was no, no, no room on Yeti. 16 people barely fit on the prop plane. It is another story all it's own. $300 is WORTH IT to get our clothes for the next day since the clothes we had were very sweaty and very stinky after the hours outside under the 'gypsy' tent we sat under waiting to leave Kathmandu. Then, in perspective of where we are, I am just grateful to have another set of clothing! Well, honestly several sets of clothing. WE ARE SO BLESSED in America.
THE ARRIVAL
A procession of people/children were standing in parallel lines waiting to greet us as we walked through the clapping and greetings of "Jayamashi". We ended up at the entrance of the "Compound" (for lack of better words) to the front of Rhonda and David's home (bought by Wendi and Charlie Clevenger who are also on this trip). The people waited at least 2 hours since the plane was late taking off from Kathmandu and the luggage from Buddha had to arrive after our Yeti flight landed. Then, it was dark. ;( So I have NO pictures of that until photos from Jesse's awesome camera appear on Facebook.
The children sang songs and the smiles on our faces were frozen as we listened and watched them sing to us. Tears filled as I listened to my sis call out every name to every face she recognized in the dark. She hasn't been back here since last year and they light up when she shows up. But, so does she and David. They think David is it. You can see it in their faces!
I can't really write this blog without telling about the dog that has laid by my feet the entire time I have been sitting here.
Or, the little white frog I watched a chicken almost try and peck so I had to go and rescue it! I can't hardly stand to think of the skinny horse we saw pulling a man's cart without making the sad face.....again. And then there are the tiny ants that I find crawling on me. Life is so wonderful here. It's real. It's dirty and it's smelly and it's a joy to be in the presence of such detail and goodness, within the compound that God has built.
Then, there is the 'crazy' lady, my sis calls the 'trash lady' because she loves trash and makes earrings out of foil and bracelets of, I DO NOT KNOW WHAT.
The other 'crazy lady' is one who the trash lady fusses with. They sometimes do not get along and other times they are best buddies. Then there is one more crazy lady. Who sometimes has her right mind, and it will only last about 15 minutes, then she goes back to 'her world'.
All 3 of these women Shushila felt sorry for, because they were homeless, she took them in to feed them and clothe them and give them a place to sleep. For years now, this has been their home. They have certain chores and yet, they really do nothing except, live. It's funny though, they know not to come where I am sitting.
The 'trash lady' has quite a story. She is actually from India and was beaten and left for dead. She 'somehow' found her way to the streets of Neplgunj and Shushila found her. Sushila has an amazing and loyal heart. She took us shopping today and she's even loyal to certain merchants. She RULES the area, I am convinced.
I can't close without telling you about the 'kitchen' and how every meal we will eat will be cooked over these 'stoves'.
There is a little boy who is sweeping outside of my seating area while the crazy lady watches from a window. She's adorable.
The children are coming and going.....asking; "You Rhonda's sister?"
This is the first school. Inside of here is where my dad said to KB, "you gotta have fans". He bought the first fans for the compound in 2003 when they had no money in this ministry.
The other thing I have around me is the sound of the water pumping from the antiquated, yet Valuable well. The cost for a water well is ...$175.00.
So much to write about, so much to say. My heart is full and my battery is again low.
I will hopefully be back with more as time 'alone' haha...permits.
loving my time here. What day is it? Who knows.
That means Praise The Lord!! When you are greeted in the 'compound' of the Gospel Assembly, everyone approaches you with a slight bow and hands together as if to pray. They also give you a huge smile from their beautiful dark skinned faces!
I am sitting on the porch of Pastor KB and Sushila's house, which by the way, the money was donated to them from a lady in England so they could buy the land and build the house. This woman heard Shushila talk from her passion and decided her heritage should live long after she is gone, in Nepalgunj. The house is three stories high and it is not fully air conditioned. Though it is very muggy and sticky here, they do not mind the heat or humidity. Us, on the other hand are fanning and panting! It's hot and my hair is very frizzy! But, who cares. I am with my sister on the other side of the world, sharing in what she has talked about and written about (yes, in her book!) for 10 years. She loves it here. She loves the people and thrives in the atmosphere. This is definitely 'home' to her. She gave us the tour and you could hear the excitement in every single word. She amazes me how she wants to give to them, not just clothes and shoes, but love and laughter and mostly, her. She's here for them. She listens and watches for the need. Then she does something about it. Something I think the whole world, especially me, could learn from her.
We had a long long journey to get to our final destination here in this place called the "Armpit" ....I will not bore you with all the details. Simply put, LONG LONG LONG trip...and did I mention, Hot? Hair. Frizzy.
Or, the little white frog I watched a chicken almost try and peck so I had to go and rescue it! I can't hardly stand to think of the skinny horse we saw pulling a man's cart without making the sad face.....again. And then there are the tiny ants that I find crawling on me. Life is so wonderful here. It's real. It's dirty and it's smelly and it's a joy to be in the presence of such detail and goodness, within the compound that God has built.
Then, there is the 'crazy' lady, my sis calls the 'trash lady' because she loves trash and makes earrings out of foil and bracelets of, I DO NOT KNOW WHAT.
The other 'crazy lady' is one who the trash lady fusses with. They sometimes do not get along and other times they are best buddies. Then there is one more crazy lady. Who sometimes has her right mind, and it will only last about 15 minutes, then she goes back to 'her world'.All 3 of these women Shushila felt sorry for, because they were homeless, she took them in to feed them and clothe them and give them a place to sleep. For years now, this has been their home. They have certain chores and yet, they really do nothing except, live. It's funny though, they know not to come where I am sitting.
The 'trash lady' has quite a story. She is actually from India and was beaten and left for dead. She 'somehow' found her way to the streets of Neplgunj and Shushila found her. Sushila has an amazing and loyal heart. She took us shopping today and she's even loyal to certain merchants. She RULES the area, I am convinced.
I can't close without telling you about the 'kitchen' and how every meal we will eat will be cooked over these 'stoves'.There is a little boy who is sweeping outside of my seating area while the crazy lady watches from a window. She's adorable.
The children are coming and going.....asking; "You Rhonda's sister?"
This is the first school. Inside of here is where my dad said to KB, "you gotta have fans". He bought the first fans for the compound in 2003 when they had no money in this ministry.
The other thing I have around me is the sound of the water pumping from the antiquated, yet Valuable well. The cost for a water well is ...$175.00.So much to write about, so much to say. My heart is full and my battery is again low.I will hopefully be back with more as time 'alone' haha...permits. loving my time here. What day is it? Who knows.
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