scooter buying, Tihar festival and more
Hello hello. I just have to say this has been an incredible week. I must admit there were some tough times my first few months here. Imissed my family sooosooo much… and some days it was very hard to cling to the CALL of God. But since I have been back and had some time away reflecting on the blessings of a CALLED life (we all live a called life)… I have just been so blessed. God has magnified my love for this nation, these people, this hopelessness. OF course I still miss my family so bad it hurts, but God called Abraham to be go and then to be willing to sacrifice Issac.. I have had to sacrifice some things to follow God to his promised land for me.. but it’s worth it.
So back to this week.. thursdsay i did a big thing.. I bought a motorcyles (ok.. scooter thingie.. but it’s so much more fun to call it a motorcyle so from now on that’s what it will be ok!) It was fun.. my teammate nathan took me to pick it out with my philipino friend and the girl I disciple. We found a purple one to match my helmet.. because of course that is very important. And I am so excited because it does not have gears.. it is fully automatic. That is important to me because i will be to busy dodging dogs, people, cows and various other flying objects to think about changing gears. I will pick it up next week.. and don’t worry daddy– nathan is going to take me out for more driving lessons in the “park” before I go out to the real road! I also bought a microwave, refrigerator and rice cooker because I am moving out of this flat in a few weeks to the flat upstairs.
ok.. and today I got to go back to church and it was so great to see how they were so excited to have me back. The body of Christ is so beautiful. Red yellow black and (well all black except two white at this church ) they are precious in his sight. Then tonight i went to my friends house to meet her houseowner who is very hindu. These past three days through tommorow are the Tihar festival in Nepal. It is the end of the biggest festival and the only way I can describe it is all of our holidays rolled into one.. they have fireworks all day and all night (not the pretty ones.. the loud ones) like fourth of july, they go door to door asking for money and singing every night (like halloween and christmas caroling), they get together and eat with their families (thanksgiving) and they hang lights and candles all over the city– so it looks like christmas. All of this is to worship the god of wealth. They puja (worship) dogs one day (and you can tell because all the dogs have flower wreaths and tikas (red flower paste), cows the next day (the cows with flower wreaths look realy hilarious), crows, and then their brothers. There are pujas everywhere and food offered to idols everywhere.
so tonight i went to meet a hindu lady. She is the nicest lady and it breaks my heart she is in such darkness. Just yesterday me and the girl i disciple were ready in 1 corinthians chapter 8 about eating food offered to idols. The bible truly comes to life here. The hindu lady offered me a plate full of food that she had just offered her idol. What to do. I was so glad that I had just read that.
please pray for her.. she is coming to my house for breakfast on thursday morning.
Please pray for this nation– They need Jesus. ……….
mahima (glory) because I am reminded our God reigns!
Glory! Glory! Glory! I cannot wait to see a picture of you on that motorcycle with that purple helmet! Just think what an influence Central High’s Purple Pounders had on you! ha! I am so glad that you will have a motorcycle to get around a little faster than your feet. I am so thankful that you had a wonderful trip and that you are back safe and back to God’s business. I had read all about the festival of lights that are going on there now and had even seen a picture of some little girls worshiping a dog. It was an old ugly black looking dog. It is so sad to think that these people need Jesus so badly. We will continue to pray for their salvation. Continue to post on this blog! We love reading all about your adventures each week to see what you have gotten yourself into next. ha! love ya, Momma Ellis
I can’t wait to have a skype date with you really soon! Praise God for His contentment in you! I love you!
Oh girl You MUST post a picture of you on that Motor Bike! I am smiling just thinking of it! I am glad Nathan is going to work with you on things. I don’t think I’ve ever admired you more than I do after reading this post! You truly are one of my heros! I cannot imagine how hard it is to be in the midist of such spiritual darkness. The light himself lives in Jenn! Your courage ministers to us all! You are a special princess of the King Of Kings! I feel a tear coming down as I think of how wonderful it is to be part of your life, and have you in mine! Thank you for encouraging my heart, just being real! I love you! Praying! Mom was so ecited as she read your post today!
Jenn,
I’m so glad to hear that you have had such an incredible week, and I’m elated about the items you bought on your shopping spree. A purple motorcycle! How appropriate. You are wearing the color of royalty and riding as a messenger of the King. Instead of being in the Hell’s Angels motorcycle gang, you are the charter member of the Heaven’s Princess Warrior gang! I can’t wait to see pictures of your “Hog.” I’m glad that soon you won’t always have to walk or take taxis with drivers that try to overcharge you, or ride on stinky busses with sweaty armpits and smelly animals. God is so good.
I’m not surprised that everyone has been so happy that you are back in Nepal. You are such a ray of sunshine and such a beacon of God’s love. I was telling T.J. the other day that the huge outpouring of love you received when you left home is going to be repeated when you leave South Asia. Thank you for the sacrifices you are making to share God’s love with people who need to know that He wants to be their Father and their Friend.
Love you bunches,
Sandra
hehhe…jenn in her matching helmet and scooter……I’d prefer you call it a scooter. it sounds much less dangerous. I am so proud of you…..
Cows with wreaths on them. It is not funny.But it really is…….Gosh….Christmas is in the air:) Remember our old athons.hhehhe. you would have a lot of things to write about in a window athon in nepal. you should try that sometime.
Love you
Jenn,
I can’t express my appreciation for your sacrifice. The reign of God is expanding in that place because you are a faithful king*om citizen. “Thank you for giving to the Lord,” as the song writer said.
Much love and admiration,
Your brother, Todd
Hi Jenn,
You have e-mail! I love you and I am so proud of you! I hope the e-mail will encourage you!