So we're about to head off on our trekking experience for 5 days which will be great fun but we're so unfit that I'm sure it'll be a challenge!
I've heaps of stories but feel like sharing one in particular with you at the moment. We were in Nepalgunj a few days ago (on the Indian border)and visitted some projects running there through International Nepal Fellowship (INF). Amongst othere things we had to wait for a ferry boat for 4 hours whih then carried our vehicle across...quite scary on a rickety boat. It was a fantastic day though...saw a lot of poverty in villages and heard many stories of malaria and TB killing so many! extremely sad!
SOmething that really got to my heart was when we visited the Drug Awareness and Rehabilition Centre. It was fantastic to hear about the service works, testimonies from ex-drug users and those participating in the program at the moment. It's so marverlous that while it is a Christian organisation the Hindu community are very much using the service and are extremely grateful. We hung out with the boys, played table tennis and by the end I just wanted to cry with all the emotions. THese kids have been through so much...and are coming out the otherside with a renewed hope for their futures and for their community!
We took a walk in the back streets of Nepalgunj and I was completely torn a part with teh amount of poverty, lack of hygiene and seeing the places where the drug users hang out. I'm just so very thankful that there are so many dedicated workers out in the streets doing real community development. IT's so good to see and soooo very encouraging. The workers are so passionate about their community's future and believe so strongly that they are making a differnece. and I could see it as we walked along and people respoected them, wanted to stop and chat.
So inspiring.
Anyway best be off. We're in Pokhara (tourist central, minus the tourists cos it's off peak season) and seeing a few bits and pieces tomorrow.
If you heard about the bomb blas in Kathmandu don't worry, we weren't there and it wasn't anywhere near where we'll be.
Take care and see ya soon.
