A Random Smattering.

"May the God of hope will you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope." (Romans 15:13 ESV)


I have to brag on God a little more right now. I am LOVING my time here in Nepal. He is giving me strength, peace, patience, hope, and joy. I am so incredibly thankful for those gifts. I am in a time of abundance and blessing in my life.

This time around, again, my blog post is going to be littered with a random smattering of occurrences that made up my last week. It was an interesting one, to say the least.

This last week was election week here in Nepal (thank you to those of you who were praying). It was a strange week. Monday night, as my roommate and I were laying on her bed watching Downton Abbey on her laptop, we heard bombs going off. After doing some research, and hearing from several different people, we found out that they went off in Kuleshwar, about 2 miles from where we live. It was a strange experience lying in bed that night with the sound of bombs lulling me to sleep, and not a very goodnights sleep, either. Tuesday (election day) was fairly uneventful. Millions of people made their way to the polls peacefully. Praise God!

I continued language learning this week. My teacher has the misconception that I am gifted at speaking languages (I can barely speak English). She is throwing a lot at me, and it's a little overwhelming. My roommate is a gem, and is helping me study in between my classes, which are three times a week. We even try to study ahead sometimes (adding to my teacher's misconception, I'm sure). I'm excited to continue learning Nepali! I love seeing peoples faces light up when I try and have a conversation with them (TRY being the keyword).

Another glimpse into my new life...I got hit by a bicycle this week! I was walking to the store, he was toting empty water jugs on the back of his bike. We made eye contact, he tried to steer around me. His front wheel hit a rock, and I knew it: there would be a collision. The Nepali man lost his balance, and his bike started to tip towards me. In a last ditch effort, I tried to jump out of the way, but I was too late. His front handle bar slammed into my right hip and sent me to the ground. My rear end is a little sore, and I have a righteous bruise on my hip...but it's all a part of the adventure!

Thursday I took my roommate down to our campus to meet some of the kids. We laughed, played hopscotch, listened to the little girls sing, and helped with some studying. I loved how eager the younger girls were to include, play with, and love on my roomie. Friday I practiced English with Sunu and Junu, the two ladies who work at our pasal (that's store in Nepali). They are such a joy to be around! They love to giggle, make language mistakes, teach me Nepali, and soak in the English lessons. Although I don't have much to teach them, I love getting to spend time with these two ladies.

This last Friday was my mom's 29th birthday (you're welcome, Mom). I have to admit that it made me incredibly homesick. But it gave me another opportunity to lean on the Comforter. And when I was feeling pretty low, I was able to think back  on memories that my mom and I have together. While looking at pictures and videos brings on the water works, I loved sitting in my living room with a cup of tea and a blanket that my mom's grandma had made, and knowing how much sweeter those memories will become as this year goes on.

This morning I had the chance to lead worship at the international church I attend here. It was a blast! I loved being able to have that opportunity, and to get to play alongside friends of mine. I loved worshipping with people from all over the world. I met three siblings visiting from Finland, a girl my age from Canada, and a lady from England. All before lunch! I'm excited to be a part of the worship team here, and I can't wait to continue to serve in that way!

This next week is going to be a difficult one for me...it's Thanksgiving. My first holiday away from home. If it crosses your mind, would you say a quick prayer for me while you're gathered together with your families? That God would ease my heart and my homesickness, and that He would give me great new memories of my own. And please, CHERISH the time you have to spend with your family. Knowing that you're all doing that will make me feel better.

My roommate and I being a little touristy today at Patan Durbar Square.

A Day in the Life.

"Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me." (Philippians 4:11-13 ESV)

My post this week isn't going to be very long, or profound by any means. It's just going to be a glimpse into the life that I love living. I know that there are times coming when I won't appreciate these things, and I may actually come to despise some of them for a while. But for now, I like them. Even love some of them. And I want to take advantage of that!

I was skyping with my boyfriend the other day, and he was asking me questions that I thought were ridiculous, like what king of groceries do you buy? What is culturally appropriate for you to wear? And, my favorite, can you show my inside of your mug so I can see what your tea looks like?

A lot of my journey is going to be spiritual and emotional, but it's also going to be immensely physical. Literally as in I ride a bike everywhere (and I DETEST physical exercise), and not so literally as in the things I see.

So here is a randomly compiled list of things that make up my life, that you may or may not find interesting...
-If I want to buy a bag of M&M's, I have to pay $10.
-We have the option of an Western toilet or a squatty potty in our bathroom...just incase we want to practice!
-Pedestrians DO NOT have the right of way. Neither do bicyclists. Or motorbikes. Or cars. It's a dog-eat-dog world out there.
-A meal isn't complete to a Nepali if there isn't rice in it, no matter how much food they have eaten.
-Only married women wear red.
-We have THE MOST beautiful view of the Himalayas from our rooftop. But only if it's sunny, you're standing in the far left corner of our roof, and you tilt your head 15* to the left. Just kidding, but you do have to be in the left corner of our roof in the sun.
-We have to heat up water for about 30 minutes to take a warm shower.
-I have only fallen off my bike once...down a hill...in front of 10 or so Nepali men. They all looked amused, except one guy who was doubled over in laughter. You're welcome, sir. I'll be here all year.
-I egregiously over packed for my year here. 
-I painted my room orange when I got here (it glows).
-Making coffee in our French Press is less about the precision, and more about the rush to get the finished product that my roommate and I live off of.
-You can buy knock-off North Face products here for FAR cheaper than you would hope to find them on clearance in the states.
-As a white person, I get stared at...a lot.
-Our house is made of concrete, making it an unearthly temperature that hovers near freezing all the time (at least it feels that way). There's no central heat or fireplace. We have A LOT of blankets.
-Nepalis drink tea with everything.
-Sari shopping is one of the most exciting experiences you could every have (as I discovered this last week with my roommate).
-There is a 54% unemployment rate in Nepal.
-I can buy garlic, two onions, four potatoes, a cucumber, and a lime for just over $1.
-Going out to eat is generally cheaper for two single girls than buying groceries and eating in.
-My scarf fetish has served me well in this cold weather.
-I have to hold my shower head in my hand in my hand to shower (but we have a bath tub, which is a rare commodity here, so it's a fair trade).
-We have "load shedding" which means the government thinks it's ok to turn off you power while you have dinner guests. Not ok, Nepal...not ok.

I hope that gives you a little glimpse into my life here! I love answering questions about being here, so feel free to shoot me an email of a Facebook message and ask away!

Also, I have an address that you can send letters and packages to! If you would like that, let me know I can send it your way.

This week a lot of things got underway for me. I spent some time down at our campus with the women working on making our Mercy Works bags and wallet. I have discovered a gift for wielding chalk and scissors. I also met with Sunu who works at our bakery, every Friday we are going to get together and practice her English. She's very bright! And it's a good lesson for me in Nepali, small talk, and my own language. I also began language learning this week. My teacher, Usha, is very encouraging, which will be necessary as I tackle this difficult language.

This Tuesday is election day, please keep praying! Our prayer this morning at international fellowship was that God would bring to power the politician who will begin to lead this country towards Christ and His glory. We want to keep our hearts and minds set on Him, and we want that for the people of Nepal as well.

Thank you for your prayers! God is giving me strength to face each new day, and each unique challenge. I'm excited to continue to share what He is doing with all of you.

Holding hands.

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God." (2 Corinthians 1:3-4 ESV)


It's funny how having your hand held can mean so many different things. If your dad holds your hand, you feel safe. If your mom holds your hand, you feel loved. If your significant other holds your hand, you feel cherished. If your best friend holds your hand, you're content.

This week, I had my hand held by many different children. Some because they were happy to see me, some because their feelings had been hurt, and some just because. And every time I felt a tug on my arm, and looked down to see a small brown hand fitting into my ghostly white one, I felt something...I felt AT HOME. Like I belong. Like I'm right where I'm supposed to be.

And when three young girls tried to steal my purse this week, I held each of their hands. And I asked their names and how they were doing. I took time to love them the way that Christ would have wanted me to. And now, thanks to my new friends, not only do I have a heightened sense of security, but I have three more sets of hands that I love to hold.

Each person has something in their lives that makes them feel that way. It could be a hug from a certain person, a job well done, a scripture that holds special meaning. For me, it's holding hands with someone who wants desperately to be loved, and to give love. It's the impish grin of a little girl who feels like she's putting her hand in the cookie jar just by sitting in my lap. The sideways glance and slight smirk of a preteen boy who doesn't want you to know that he enjoys your company. Those are the things that make me feel like I belong here. The things that I look forward to, and back on, when I'm having a hard day.

I can't encourage you enough to find that one thing, or two if you're lucky, that make you feel at home. Maybe a cozy blanket, or a sweatshirt that smells like your grandpa. Maybe a picture that brings tears of joy to your eyes. Or, for my roommate, the rain. It's in these things that God gives confirmation, comfort, and a glimpse of eternity. At least he has for me.

Confirmation that I'm right where he wants me. Comfort that no matter where in the world I am, I am loved. And a glimpse of eternity...that somehow God is using me to impact the lives of these women and children for His kingdom and His glory.

And he is using you, too. As a Christian example to your children and coworkers. As an encourager to your hurting friends. As a vessel through which Christ shines. I am praying those things for you. Since I have been here, I have come to truly enjoy time spent praying for other people. It's no longer a checklist or a chore. But something I'm excited to do everyday when I do my devotions. My prayer this week has been that people wouldn't forget that being on mission isn't defined as global actions. They are urban. In your backyard. Literally. In your work place, at the grocery store, amongst your non-believing family members.

This week as you're praying, please pray for yourself! That you wouldn't lose sight of the missions opportunities right in front of you, and that you would also be mindful of global partners like myself and missionaries I work with here. That's my prayer for all of you. Also, that you would find something to "hold your hand."


Wow, it's hard to believe that it's been a month already! A month ago today I was loaded into a van on my way to the airport! It has flown by, and I feel like I left home yesterday. This week the kids had a break from school for 3 days for the festival of Tihar. So I was able to spend a little extra time loving on them, my favorite thing to do! I'll be getting into the swing of things these next two weeks.

Please be praying for the upcoming weeks in Nepal. It's election season, and tomorrow there is supposed to be a complete bundha (strike), which means EVERYTHING will be closed down, all the shops. And the rest of the week there is supposed to be a transportation strike, so no public transportation will be allowed on the streets. Pray for the safety of everyone here during election time, as it is pretty tense. And pray that God's will would be done in the government.

A rough beginning.

"The Lord is my chosen portion and my cup; you hold my lot. The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance. I bless the Lord who gives me counsel; in the night also my heart instructs me. I have set the Lord always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken." (Psalm 16:5-8 ESV)


This week was hard, I'm not going to lie. A lot of things happened that were out of my control, and they all added to up to a really challenging week. For starters, Monday sucked. There really isn't another way to say it. I was horribly home sick, missing my parents, wishing I could sit with them on the couch and laugh at the TV. Or eat a family dinner, homemade straight from the box. I was getting pretty down on myself, which isn't something I normally do.

Generally I'm pretty upbeat, happy to be alive and to get to serve Jesus with each day that I have. But for some reason Monday was different. I don't know if it just hit me that I won't be home for over 11 more months, or if it just got a little overwhelming being here. I went to sleep Monday night with a very heavy heart. And woke up Tuesday morning with a completely different problem...

I was sick to my stomach. Not the "homesick" kind of sick to my stomach. But the "my stomach might make an appearance via my mouth" kind of sick to my stomach. I woke up at 3 am, and proceeded to throw up at least twice an hour...for eleven hours...talk about miserable. My roommate was awesome, she stayed up with me, emptied my bucket (quite a glamorous job), and stayed home from work to take care of me. And then, after 11 hours, we made the judgment call to go to the hospital. This was my first hospital visit EVER, and it was in a third world country. I was more than a little nervous.

We arrived, I got checked in, and they stuck an IV in my arm. I was pumped up with 4 milliliters of anti-nausea medication and 1000 milliliters of saline. It took three hours, but I was finally able to keep down some juice and water. Praise God! We went home, and I promptly fell asleep for 12 hours. The rest of the week I rested.

Saturday I was finally able to go to the campus and see the women and kids. And, to be honest, I didn't want to. My heart was still heavy. I was wrestling between wanting to go home, wanting to stay, and wanting to just mope in my living room a little longer. But I decided I needed to leave the house, so I biked down to the campus. Best. Decision. Ever.

As soon as I entered the gate there were greetings of "Megan Auntie!" and "Hello, Sister!" and "We missed you this week!" And my heart was full. I can't believe it, but as I'm sitting here typing this, I'm crying. For those of you who know me, I'm not much of a crier. But I can't believe how blessed I am to be here. At the end of a really hard week where I just wanted to take a shower without having to hold the shower head in my hand, or feel clean for more than 5 minutes, or not have the power go out two times a day for a total of 8 hours, God showed me his faithfulness. Again. Like He always does. Another confirmation that I'm where I'm supposed to be. It's pretty overwhelming.

Now that I'm getting in to the swing of things, please continue praying for me! I really want to find a place that I fit in here. I'm the one single girl amongst four married couples that I'm working with, and I really want to find a good spot for me to fit in the team. Please pray that I would have patience in doing that! Hopefully I will be getting some responsibilities this week, and begin language learning soon. I'm so excited for things to really begin picking up.

A quick side note, PLEASE KNOW THAT GOD IS ANSWERING YOUR PRAYERS. Every time I have written a prayer request, it has been undeniably answered by God. The older girls at the campus are more comfortable around me now, I'm meeting many new people, and God has given me peace amidst the hard times already. THANK YOU for praying. It means the world to me.