It really was not that long ago when the Lord invited me to come away with Him. In my mind, I believed that invitation expired once I arrived in Nepal.
I came away.
I would think, I came away with Him. Is that not what He asked me to do? It was not until recently that God reminded me that the journey, the adventure, the call, the invitation has barely began. The call to obedience is not a one time agreeable question.
No,
The call to obedience is a life time of saying, "Yes, God. Yes, I will follow you God forever. Even if that means you will call me to some uncomfortable places, because Lord, I trust your will over mine, forever." That is the real call to obedience. So as I adventure and journey through my life here in Nepal, please remember that I am continually having to surrender my will to Him, as He continually calls me to act on obedience.
It was a long day when I arrived at Agape orphanage on that Saturday evening. My eyes had rimmed a blackness that illuminated my tired feeling. Before I opened the gate I heard a "Jay-ma-see" (Nepali Christian greeting meaning, praise the Messiah!) coming from the roof of this brick home. I looked up to see only one child standing there, "hmm" I thought. But before I could look down I was getting tackled by many small children. One small one looked at me and put her hands in the air for me to pick her up. I picked her up and watched a huge smile appear on her face.
I forgot all about how long my day was and how tired I felt. Being in the presence of children, particularly these children does this to me. Such peace that they bring into my heart every time I see them.
Right now, I am writing this blog during my break at the international school that I am so blessed to be a part of. You see, it took me some time to realize how blessed I am to work here. At first I found myself frustrated because I was not working with marginalized Nepali kids. As I believed that the call to obedience ended with arriving in Nepal... I was a fool, friends! The call to obedience is forever and ever! And working at this international school is a part of His master plan that is beyond my own understanding.
Here is a photo of one my students as we were practicing writing sight words in English. This student is from Brazil.
Working here now gives me another temporary mission as I am being thoroughly prepared for the next mission. I work with third culture kids. Some are children of missionaries and some are children of diplomats. Meaning not all of the children I work with know the Lord; however, we have the freedom to tell them all about Him! What a blessing to learn how to teach children in a way that glorifies God. Instead of giving a lesson about rocks that ends with a simple, "these are the types of rocks…" I have the freedom to say, "isn't God wonderful that even the rocks He created are unique!?" My students were amazed at the different types of unique rocks and how they are constantly changing, that we had to praise God for His beautiful creativity.
Two of my students from South Korea do an activity to remember how to spell words.
I should note that the school administration is fully aware of God calling me here only temporarily, and we prayed together to see how they can best train me here to prepare for the next mission God has for me.
At the international school, I am able to pour into lives of children from all over the world. I have students from the Middle East, Brazil South Korea, India, Nepal, and many other countries. What a blessing to be able to pour Gods love on these children who will grow up and impact the entire world!
It is beginning to seem that the main mission God has for me is to teach children to find their identity in Christ. One morning as I was talking to the students about countries all over the world, I had a student raise his hand. "Miss Barger, I don't know which country I belong to." He said glumly. I asked him what he meant by that and he proceeded with, "Well my dad is an American but my mom is from Nepal and I have been to America… but God told my family to live here. How do I know which country I am from?" He said with sheer curiosity in his eyes. An entire lesson about identity and being new creations (like a butterfly) came from his inquiry.
I am beginning to realize that every day, and every where is a beautiful opportunity to be a missionary. My friend and I went to get tea on an afternoon while we prayed together and read our Bible. The waiter asked us about what we were reading. We were then able to share the gospel with the intrigued waiter. This friend that I speak of is a great friend of mine and has been serving with me at the orphanage as well as praying about partnering with me in the future ministry God has planned for my life. Here is a photo of him at the orphanage holding one little boy who was feeling sick, and the other who was excited to be in his arms.
It continually brings tears to my eyes, as these children cling to him when they sense the love and compassion he has for them. God has called us to be the hands and feet of Jesus, and I feel that this friend of mine continually does this selflessly.
Please continue praying for all the children God has under my care, including Aashika and Pratikchha who are orphans under the care of a dear friend of mine, Pastor Dawa Lama and their family. God placed it on my heart to fund their education and so please continue to pray that God will provide the funds to do that.
Also, please pray for my Nepali language development. It seems that it comes and goes, but I would love to be fluent as that would open up more doors for ministry.
Please pray for a Nepali friend who is in the need of a job.
Please pray for the Nepali woman and daughter who I am living with as the woman is also seeking employment right now.
