On Friday morning, we rose early and took a short hike up the mountain to see the sunrise. We walked the short trail into the tea fields, guided by the moonlight. Once we reached the top, we paused to just appreciate the majesty around us. Over the next hour or so, as the sun made its appearance, each of us took in the beauty in our own ways. The sun hitting the snow-capped mountains in the distance was beautiful. All of it...just so majestic!
No words can describe what I felt that morning. The crisp, clean mountain air was refreshing. As the sun peaked through, I could see more of the layout of the mountain and noticed a trail. I quickly hiked down the mountain a bit and broke into a nice run. I know many of you think I'm crazy, but this was such an amazing and special experience for me. It was just so beautiful, I was moved to tears. What a privilege and blessing for me to have this opportunity -- to run in the Himalayan mountains among the tea fields as the sun rose! I am so thankful to God for these opportunities. I am taking nothing for granted. I am trying my best to live life to the fullest. My heart is full.
No words can describe what I felt that morning. The crisp, clean mountain air was refreshing. As the sun peaked through, I could see more of the layout of the mountain and noticed a trail. I quickly hiked down the mountain a bit and broke into a nice run. I know many of you think I'm crazy, but this was such an amazing and special experience for me. It was just so beautiful, I was moved to tears. What a privilege and blessing for me to have this opportunity -- to run in the Himalayan mountains among the tea fields as the sun rose! I am so thankful to God for these opportunities. I am taking nothing for granted. I am trying my best to live life to the fullest. My heart is full.
Upon returning to the hotel, the staff was kind enough to make up some warm water for a bucket bath which I was very thankful for.
We all shared a delicious breakfast together. Ganesh had gone to a local market and purchased fruit for us -- we have a fruit feast! And, he found out I liked avocados so he had the staff bring me one to try. It was shaped much different than ours in the US, but tasted just as delicious!
After breakfast, we began our long journey for the day, to travel back to India into Bihar. This was about a 2 hour drive to the border between Nepal and India, waiting a bit in customs for our rides into India.
We said our goodbyes to Shemlal & Hanna, Ganesh, and Mohan (temporarily, we hope to see our friends again in a few days) and said our hello's to Joel and Noel. We squished (literally) into two vans to make our 4 hour drive to Bihar. We stopped 2 hours into the drive for lunch. Quite a crazy experience with the traffic and people and train crossings...never a dull moment! We are now back in the chaos of the city...no more crisp, mountain air.
After lunch, we continued on to our hotel in Bihar. After checking in, we left to have supper at Joel's home. I am overwhelmed by the warm hospitality of our friends here. We were welcomed into their home. Santali custom, they honor either the pastor or leader with a specific custom, placing a special jar of water at their feet (I forget what it is called), and then, any who had sandals on, their feet are washed. When we entered, both Pam and I had our feet washed by Joel's two daughters. Very sweet and very humbling...very moving. We were served a delicious meal in his home and his daughter played and sang a song with her guitar. It was a lovely evening.
Saturday will be a full day. Due to the travel band on not being allowed on the roads between 10-3 on Saturday, we plan to leave the hotel around 9 and go to the Purnea girls hostel not too far away. We will spend most of the day with them and after the travel band is lifted, we will head to the Banmankhi boys hostel. So, we are visiting two hostels -- it should be a very full day.
No comments:
Post a Comment