Today was an all around blessing. 6 of us caught a bus back to the village we were in on Monday to build another tin house for 2 families to be able to move out of tents. When we arrived we carried the supplies from yesterday's construction location to the new construction location. This required carry long bamboo poles and 9 feet sheets of tin up and down a narrow trail. It was really hot out, but it was a great workout of the day.
There was a little white dog on the porch of one of the houses we had to walk past and each time we would pass he would lunge at us as far as his chain would let him go. I believe he would have eaten us if he could. The dogs of Nepal are definitely an interesting part of the culture here.
While the guys worked on the construction of the house once we delivered supplies Rachel and I decided to visit around the community. The first house we went to was completely damaged by the earthquakes. The second story had completely clasped. They were shoveling the rubble off into a pile. We offered them some snacks and gave a couple of toys to the kids. We decided because of the heat we would walk down to the village store and buy them drinks. Because of the language barrier we could not talk, but the language of love is always understood.
Rachel bought sodas for the adults and a juice box for each of the kids. While we were paying the little boy came down to buy his mom shampoo. A single wash of shampoo costs. 05. Rachel bought 10 for the little boy. When she gave the little boy the cold juice box his face lit up in excitement. He put the cold box against his face to enjoy the cooling sensation. I offered to open it and within 2 minutes he had the whole thing drank.
We returned to the house with the 5 sodas and 2 waters. The men and women were so grateful that they invited us into their home and provided us with the 2 stools. We sat with them as they took a break from shoveling. Coke definitely has it right, something as small as a soda can open happiness for people when given with love.
Once the guys were finished with the house we went down to the store area and played games with the kids. I got out one of my beachballs and started to orchestrate some organized games. The kids were having such a great time. Most of these kids don't have the opportunity to go to school so they don't have PE or other games. They were having such a great time and it was just a small beach ball and someone taking the time to play with them.
On our walk out of the village back to the bus stop we stopped at another store in the next village to purchase supplies for our visit to the slums on Friday. Brian and I got 30 plastic balls, 12 stress balls, 30 pairs of flip flops, a soccer ball, 8 little trucks, and a badminton set for $60. While we were purchasing all of the kids from this village were gathering around. We couldn't leave them empty handed. We purchased all the lollipops the store had, 27, and it was exactly the right amount of lollipops for all the kids between the store and our bus stop.
I ran into a group of the kids I had played with on Monday. They were so excited to see me. Several of them walked with me all the way to the bus stop.
The bus is an experience all in itself. The bus is designed for 12 people and we typically have around 28 in at once. There is no personal space. The great thing is it allows you to get to know your neighbors. On the first bus I met 4 lovely high school girls who get to go to college next year. After I told them that we were here to help with earthquake relief she turned to me and asked "are you a believer?" Once I said yes, she became really excited and said we all are. They started telling me about their studies. A couple want to study sience in the US. I told them that if they make it to the US they have to find me. We are now Facebook friends.
We had to change buses and get on our last leg of the trip back to where we are staying in Kathmandu. I had planned to stand because I was so sweaty, but they refused to allow me to stand. I finally gave in and took the seat they offered. I sat next to a girl who is a medical student. She was very sweet and so appreciative of the work we came to Nepal to do. She kept thanking me. I tried writing my email down for her, but her stop came and all I got down was my name. Less than an hour later we are friends on Facebook.
Today has been so rewarding. The people of Nepal are so resilient. They have a heart that is contagious. The ladies worked all day to prepare us lunch on an outdoor fire. The smiles on the faces of the children make you want to keep going back. I am so thankful I was able to come to Nepal.
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