Beautiful chaos. That's what this week has been for me. I've been in Nepal for 8 days, and it feels like it could be months. I've done so much, taken so much in, met so many new people - and I love everything about it. Our work here isn't the kind that drains me. Granted, it's exhausting - filming from sunrise to sunset - but I'm experiencing this country in a way that most people will never, and that fills me up with a new kind of energy and strength.
After a weekend of adjusting and getting settled, my team set out all day Monday to film a number of major locations and events throughout Kathmandu. 2 of the team members went to Kings Kids - a ministry working with street kids - to meet and interview the boy they would be following this week to tell his story. The other 5 of us set out at 4am to film sunrises, festivals, temples and ancient cities within Kathmandu. Probably 10 of the 14 hour day was spent traveling in our minibus over bumpy dirt roads, through the mountains and farming lands, into the deep poverty of the city and out to beautifully elaborate Buddhist and Hindu temples. It was a little overwhelming to take in all in one day, but I'm so thankful for all we were able to capture and experience.
Monday night I hit my bed as soon as I got back to the guesthouse, to wake up again before sunrise Tuesday morning. While 4 worked on a street kids documentary, Jes, Jon Paul and I (the J team) flew out early in the morning to Pokhara on a jumper plane for 3 days to try and capture a glimpse of all the works being done through this campus. Although Wednesday struck all of us pretty hard with sickness (a good case of the 10/40s, we call it) Tuesday and Thursday were amazing days of hiking, interviews, filming and just learning about all of the amazing things God is doing in this country. I love getting to know people on a deep and real level. to cut right to the point, right to the heart of why they do what they do. I met some of the most exceptional people this week with the biggest heart to serve God and everyone around them.
And to top off a great week - I had the best birthday celebration I think I've ever had in the last 22 years! Hiking a mountain at sunrise - playing with a pet monkey - paragliding the Himalayan mountains - 80 degree sunshine in February - stargazing from rooftops - birthday cake and party hats - tailor made punjabis - incredible friends to celebrate with. I could write pages and pages of stories, but instead I posted a couple albums of photos on facebook - and I hope they serve to tell a couple of the stories for me until I get home to share them in person :)
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2211559&id=17216698&l=c6ff0
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2211568&id=17216698&l=b7c0d
With all that we've done already, I can't wait to see what the next week brings! We're taking the weekend off for some much needed rest and relaxation, then have another full week ahead before we fly to Thailand on Friday, March 6th. Please e-mail me if you want to hear more stories or ask questions about anything in Nepal. I'd love to hear from you and will do my best to answer!
