Pictures - part 3

Children's home

Sister Lala and the kids

River of trash

View from children's home

Did I mention trash?

Good-bye!

"Downtown" Kathmandu

One of MANY temples

Sunrise over the Himalayas

Nerwar, or Nepali, food. Very good...and we didn't get sick!

Pictures - part 2

Pictures - part 1

First, some pictures of Nepal and Kathmandu...

This is not Mt. Everest but the view of the Himalaya we had on our overnight visit into the mountains. The place was called Nagarkot and offered a stunning panorama. This is a sunrise over the Himalayan mountains.

This is us a few minutes later...

This is Kathmandu as seen from the Monkey Temple, facing east. It is a teeming city of millions of people and to be perfectly honest, we couldn't find a single person that liked it.

Heading up into the foothills of the Himalaya we came across some very typical homes and "normal" Nepali people. Primitive, although this particular building was pretty decent.

This picture was taken from our taxi so it isn't great, but it does give you an idea of how people in the city live. Yes, those shacks are dwellings and yes, the creek at the bottom was covered in trash.

cancelled flight

Our last day in Nepal was a long day. Our flight didn't leave until 21:00 so we had to fill a whole day with whqtever we could come up with. Boring. However, we did meet with KB who came to the hotel to show us some receipts as well as to say goodbye. His oldest son and daughter also stopped by for lunch, which was very nice. They are wonderful people and we hope and pray that this partnership continues on the right path. We have much to learn and adjust as we love ahead with helping the children.
Our goodbye was full of the hope that we will see each other soon.
It also feels like our mission was accomplished even though it just started.

Unfortunately our flight was cancelled so we have to stay an extra night in Kathmandu...not happy at all about that. We miss our kids terribly.

But even as we are tired and feel spent we also feel a tremendous sense of gratitude and hopefulness over what has been accomplished and the potential future ahead. Thank you for following our journey and please continue to be a part of it.

Andreas

The wonderful day and the unnecessary day

Funny how two days can be so different. Yesterday, read Friday, was our last day with the children. We spent a good 5 hours with them and the staff/family. The sun was shining and it was a warm and peaceful day. We spent most of it outside playing soccer, throwing hackysacks and playing various games. It was glorious.
We also had a chance to talk more with the director and his family, explaining that we wanted to partner with and join them in providing for the children. We were very keen on explaining that we are not donors but partners and what the difference is...that we are not ATMs but involved and interested friends (brothers and sisters in Christ). We are investing for life, as well as our lives, and it was great to see and truly realize that we share the same vision.

To be honest we began our journey in doubt. Can these people be trusted? Are they telling the "truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth?" Are they just saying what we want to hear? You know, making us feel good so that they can have our money. We have met people like that.
There is much to tell but we are slowly starting to trust them. We now feel comfortable to leave and know that we share the same vision and purpose. We believe that when we return (as soon as possible) our partnership will be on the same correct path that it is today.
Let me share some examples of why this is:
First, we have a shared understanding of the need for financial transparency and accountability AND we have Bobby who has volunteered to verify all financial records, including receipts and also make sure that they money spent is appropriate and necessary. For those of you who wonder if we can trust Bobby, ask us for our reasons and we will be happy to tell you. They are many.
Second, the children are obviously loved and well taken care of by the whole family (KB and his wife Mina, his children Peter married to Laksmi, James married to Shittva and Paul). They are indeed poor but happy, and that doesn't just happen.
Third, there is no evidence of financial mismanagement and much evidence to the contrary. The family draw no salary. No one has an iPhone. There is no car or motorcycle. The director has the same clothes as he did when Laurie saw him 7 years ago.
Fourth, every little thing "adds up". When many different things, small and large, remain the same it eases our concerns. So when they say "A" one day, it is still "A" three days later. In short, there are no surprises.

To be sure, these are normal human beings we are dealing with and we understand that mistakes will be made...but we don't find any reasons to believe that they will occur out of wrong intentions or greed.

We went to bed smiling but we woke up with a sense of "we want to go home". I (Andreas) got the opportunity to preach in a church here in in Kathmandu. It was a privilege and we enjoyed visiting with the people and also enjoyed the lunch with the pastor's family. They were very gracious and shared their home with us.
Bobby's orphanage was close-by so we also got to spend some time with the kids there...adorable children. They are a testimony to the heart and mind of Bobby and we really enjoyed being with them. That was a great time.
Then it was time to go back to Thamel, the tourist part of Kathmandu where our hotel is. It is not a great place to be, unless you enjoy chaos and pollution (Our hotel sits off the main road a bit which helps). We met with another man with whom we had shared our vision and he told us his vision for the children in Nepal. It was good to make a new friend and we will continue to pray for each other.

We ended the day (Saturday) with some great Nepali food before we headed back to the hotel. To say that we are ready to go home is to put it mildly. We are in awe of what God has done during this trip (as well as how he had prepared everything before we got here) but we miss our boys deeply. Soon!
As we leave we fell confident that we are doing God's work, that we are on the right path and we can't wait to continue with him as he leads our future together with our new "family" in Nepal. There are many ways you can be a part of it too. Think about it.

From Kathmandu with love,
Andreas

Sorry, no post today. Wifi is terrible.

The Mundane and the Blessings

Today seemed to be mostly chores. We were in the car for most of it through congested traffic and nasty pollution. I can feel the grime on me tonight. I am coughing up pollution that has stuck in my lungs. Yet, I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that we are right where we are suppose to be.

We visited several apartment/hotel sights in different areas of the city today. We need to have a good place to stay when we bring teams and family. Nepal can be a lot to take in on your first trip, maybe even your third trip, so we want people to feel safe when they come. We found a couple places that would be good.

Bobby introduced us to a new friend today. Believe it or not his name is Expansion (I believe his father was a physics teacher or something like that). Expansion is well connected because he owns a trekking company. He can help us get better deals around Kathmandu and help with any trips that we wish to do. He was a very nice man that is well educated and well traveled. We liked him and Andreas even found a Bible in Nepali for him tonight. He said he would read it if he had one...so why not.

We also visited Boudhanath Stupa (one of the top holy Buddhist places in the world) and Pashupati Nath Temple (the top Hindu holy temple in the world). I had been to both before, but Andreas had not. They both make me pretty sad to be honest, but Pashupati got me the most today. Pashupati is where the Hindus cremate their dead and then put the ashes in the holy river by the temple. There were several funerals when we were there today. I don't really know how I can explain the sadness that I feel. Just one of so many lost, Lord please be seen. I did see 3 Sisters of Mercy (Mother Teresa's nuns) at the temple today. Apparently they work with the poor in that area. Praise God for their faithful hearts.

We revisited the area that Andreas and I stayed in when we picked up Samuel in 2006. Expansion, Bobby, Andreas and I had a traditional Newari meal...which was very good and then bought some gifts at Dhukuti (a fair trade story that I really like). Amazingly enough we met a team of Norwegians that have a ministries all around Asia (Normisjon). Bobby laughed at me as I spoke Swedish with them, I am sure many people laugh when I speak Swedish so that was nothing new.

After that came the moments that made all the mundane worth it today...we went to see the kids. We didn't get to stay long, but just to see their faces and remember why God has called us makes all the difference in the world. They are getting more comfortable with us and are getting close enough to hug and hold hands with. Several are even climbing into our laps now. They have colored so many pictures for us with poems and thank yous. They are even starting to give me things like the little necklaces that they wear or a bracelet. One little girl took out her barrettes and put them in my hair (they were purple with little purple flowers on them). It means a lot to me because they have so little but want to give it anyway..."and we must become like children....". Even the members of the family that run the home are giving and wonderful and gracious. They are very special people and I am glad to call them family as we are all children of God.

We took a few minutes to walk behind the children's home to see a new building that we might be able to rent for them. The current home is very small for all of them. The children are jammed in, there is no hot water (not that they have EVER had that), there is no yard to play in, or room to grow a few vegetable to sustain themselves. We would like to find a better situation for them while we work on phasing in the family units. We need to look at the building further and discuss rent and time to see if this building would be suitable.

Speaking of the family units that we are very strong on, the Lord has already taken care of finding us parents. For those of you who are new to the family unit concept, let me explain. We want to build families...not just house orphans. We needed dedicated couples to be parents to 8 or maybe 10 children. They would raise these children, giving them family identities, education, love and everything else that we as families give. That way when these children are grown they know how to be in and raise families of their own. The head of Light for Nations is a couple and they have done a wonderful job creating as much of a family atmosphere as possible, but 30 kids for one couple is a lot. Well, that couple happens to have 3 biological sons. Two of the sons are married. We were able to speak with one of the sons and his wife today and they are dedicated to this and want to spend their lives working for God with these children. Now we need to speak to the other couple and the son who isn't married to see what they want as their future. How exciting though that God has already been preparing their hearts for this. (Don't worry, I know many are thinking...you need to be cautious...we are and praying every step of the way).

Lastly, we come to something that has kept me in tears and praising God all night. We already know that God loves orphans and so desires that we take care of them. Last night, I will admit, I was discouraged. I was worried that we could not do this and would not be able to find the money to help? However, tonight God showed me that he would take care of it all one way or the other...after all money is nothing to him. The children's home has been in dire straights for some time (due to the instability of the government, those in the community who would normally help, have not been able to...like everywhere else, economy is bad.) The director of the home has been very resourceful, but has gone into debt to house, feed and clothe these precious children (just so you understand, he is still wearing the same clothes that he had when I met him in 2007, all has gone to the children). To many the debt is rather small, but we didn't have the money to clear it, but God provided. One phone call and it was provided. I am in awe of God's faithfulness and his timing. He, and he alone, sees the big picture and we are blessed enough to be a tiny part of it.

So praise with me tonight, even if you are discouraged about something. Give thanks for everything, know that Jesus is right where you need him to be and TRUST!

Blessings,
Laurie

What happens when some Maoists are unhappy?

They call a strike. Thus, today everything was closed. The taxis stood still and the shops were shut. Actually, it was rather nice. No, well less, pollution and noise made for a rather pleasant day. The weather was nice and warm and it was just nice to walk around with our friend Bobby to experience more of the city, more of Nepal. A country takes a long time to soak in.

It is good to take some time away from the intense situation that we are in. It reminds me of Jesus's life in some respects. We know that he had lots to do but he didn't seem stressed. Similarly, we don't look stressed and we don't literally run around...but there is an huge amount of thinking and praying and planning going on inside.
Every day is full of both adventure and seriousness. Today Bobby took us to The Dream Gardens, a place with real grass(!) in Kathmandu. It was like a park with walls and it was quiet and peaceful...amazing! It was a good place to sit down and rest and think long thoughts. Every meal is a great time to process and talk about what we have thought about while we were walking and watching Kathmandu. At the same time we both made an effort not to dig through all the details of what this partnership with Light for Nations will entail. It was a day of processing.

Tomorrow we will visit places and hotels in Kathmandu that we hope will be suitable for future teams to use. Kathmandu is a hard place just to throw yourself into. People will need a place that looks like home, or as close to it as possible, after a crazy day in Kathmandu (not to mention after the emotional effects of visiting with the orphanage/kids). We will also see some of the sights on our way to visiting the hotel and place where we stayed when we came to pick up Samuel 7 years ago. We also hope to prepare the things, or just get the things, we want to provide for the orphanage.

Thursday we travel to Nagarkot which is supposed to be a really tranquil and beautiful place up in the mountains. We will spend the night and watch the sunrise over the Himalayan mountains. This is the time when we hope to find a good amount of time to pray and listen to God and also to put some things down on paper as to what an agreement with Light for Nations would look like. Bobby will come with us and be of much help, as usual. Friday afternoon we go back to the orphanage and meet with KB (the director).

We are tired after a day of much walking and many impressions but we are so very excited to be living our vision...to actually be in it. This is what we had been talking about and thinking about for so long and now it is here, right where we are...and it is happening. It really is.

Until next time,
Andreas

Light For Nations

This city is such a contradiction. It is surrounded by mountains, the Himalayas (not just any mountains), which are incredibly beautiful. Yet, the air is full of pollution. It has some of the most beautiful people that I have ever seen and yet the city is run down and FULL of trash. You see people in their colorful clothing with sparkles going to eat or party, next to a child that is more than filthy and huffs just to survive the hopelessness. The air can smell of sweet incense, dirty animals, smog, and sweat all at the same time. There is a cacophony of sounds that start from sun up and don't stop until midnight or so. It is almost as if you can see heaven and hell in one moment.

Today we spent another day talking to the head of the children's home, playing with the kids, and looking into the possible future. It is amazing to me that God has brought us to this possible future. One that we have dreamed of for so long and yet thought that it was so far away. NOTHING is impossible for our God. How many of us truly believe and live that sentiment? I know it has taken me a long time to actually believe and trust that, but it is true.

The family that runs this home have done so for 14 years. They have scraped by but have continued to believe that Jesus would take care of their every need. Their faith has been tested more than most of us Westerners think possible. I wonder just how many children have a future and a hope because of this family and their faith in Jesus. I am in awe that they have continued all these years.

Today we also found out just how hard it has become for this family and how they are doing everything...including knocking door to door to survive. In the next few months if something does not change many of these children have to be sent back to the families that cannot provide for them and sent them to Kathmandu in the first place. These children will not get the chance to go to school or play or even eat one meal a day. They will be made to work and beg and other things that we simply don't want to fathom. Yes, children...all have to contribute when you are simple scraping by and surviving.

We are still working out and praying about the partnering agreement with Light for Nations children's home, but we refuse to let them simply scrap by and beg. We cannot call ourselves God's children, let alone human if we ignore their need.

Yes, there are millions in need, but we are looking at these 30 children and the family that has given their lives to provide...without taking for themselves.

We also met another pastor here in Kathmandu. He is a good friend of Bobby's and another man that will be praying on how or if to join this lifetime adventure of building families here in Nepal. As we meet and network with more like minded people the dream becomes more of a reality. We are incredibly humbled by what we are experiencing. Everyday I fall more and more in love with these people who show grace in some of the worst situations.

Dream with us, pray with us, join the adventure that God has lead us on....

Blessings,
Laurie

Sunday

Today was a day when we visited some people who run a girl's home, sort of, and made some very good friends. It is a privilege that only Christians have, to meet a brother and a sister who share the same vision for the children of Nepal event though they have never met before. What a joy it was to meet the Rai family today! I pray that we will meet then soon again.

Our very good friend Bobby took care of us all day long, guiding us and taking us to the Monkey temple for some beautiful vistas of the city. Then we walked through the city to get back to the hotel. Then, rather bravely I think, we ventured out into the darkness of the bustling city to find a good restaurant that we had been to yesterday...and we found it! Impressed with ourselves.

Tomorrow we meet with another new friend we've never met before and we will also get some time with the kids at the orphanage! Fun! We are also hoping to continue the talks we've started with the director and board to see how we can work together in the future. May the Lord bless and guide our time and talk. It is because of God that we are here and it is only Him that can make these things happen.

Maybe we can post some pictures tomorrow. Until then, we will rest and rest in God.

/Andreas

WOW

The first day and we are so excited,about what the day held. I have seen my Swedish husband more excited today than he has been in a long time. (for those of you who know Swedes, you know that they are quite reserved and don't show emotions often).
We met with the orphanage that we have been thinking of partnering with and fell instantly in love with the children. They have obviously taken good care of them. They are happy and well socialized kids. All but one are in school and say they like it (I am sure that at least some of them don't, but don't want to say so at this point).

We have started to talk about the future and what it can hold, so far so good...but we must pray and talk again. We want to make sure we are following and not getting caught up in the moment. We will be going back Monday to play with the kids and talk some more.

I miss my boys terribly, but know we are supposed to be right where we are. Please continue to pray for us and all that must be decided this week.
A new adventure has begun, join us!

God's blessings to all,
Laurie (will post pics when I can)

The day after tomorrow

The day is finally here when we no longer count the days but use words instead, such as "the day after tomorrow". That is what it is now, the D-day of departure. Clearly, there are so many emotions and feelings going on right now, too many to describe. We are simply so very excited to actually go and do this, to actually work on our dream.

It seems like it is so far away, still, you know, to actually be able to see a child saved from the steets or worse. It seems so far fetched, here in the rich Nordic countries, to imagine that a child could actually live on a street corner or under a bridge or much worse. But, we all know that it is true, which makes for a lot of interesting thoughts when it comes to what we do with what we know. How does knowledge affect us?

We will try to keep you informed as we go about setting up this orphanage in Nepal. This first trip has as its goal of actually finding a proper place to have the orphanage, with whom we should partner, setting up a local board of directors and make some headway in preparing for getting the orphanage up and running under the premises that we want.

It is a dauting task and it gets bigger the closer we get...but we serve a God that is able to handle it. Amazing, we know, that it is not up to us but to Him. That will have to be the final word on this blog before we travel to Nepal on Thursday.

Stay tuned for pictures and updates!

Andreas