What’s Their Story?

I quickly walked pass an elderly couple sitting on the side of the road begging for money. I went into a nearby canteen (kitchen) to grab some lunch. As I sat there, I observed this couple. They were probably in their 50s, although they appeared older than they probably actually were. The lady seemed weak and supported herself by leaning against her husband. Her arms were medically wrapped and her hair was very short, which is very unusual for Nepal. They were dressed in very dirty clothes that probably hadn’t been washed for weeks. They reached out their hands to every passer-by and were so grateful to anyone who gave them money. The lady could hardly move and looked so miserable. Her husband was taking care of her while begging for money. After they had collected enough money, the husband went to a nearby shop and brought them back each a glass bottle of Coca-Cola. Wow, that’s real healthy, I thought. They probably haven’t eaten all day and a coke is what’s going into their bellies, especially the belly of a sick woman. Then again, can they afford anything that is even close to healthy? As I watched them, so many thoughts filled my mind. First were the initial thoughts that I can’t even seem to control coming into my brain. Go earn your money instead of begging for other people’s earned money. And don’t extend an extra hand towards me just because I’m white! I was ashamed that I had even thought these. I don’t know their story, so who am I to judge? Especially as a Christian, it is not my job to judge no matter how others appear to me. Then I began to think about what their story might be. What brought them to this point of sitting on the side of the road, wrapped in bandages, begging for money? Maybe the lady has cancer and they spent all their money to help her, but now the bills are overwhelming them. Maybe she was injured in a bus accident but they only had enough income for daily food and rent. Maybe their parents were beggars and they were never taught how to make money in a different manner, nor did anyone ever offer to teach them how. Maybe they are Dalits (untouchable caste) and aren’t able to get a job because of their caste. Maybe their children moved to far-off countries for better lives while leaving their parents to tend for themselves, forgetting to send them money as they are supposed to in this culture. Maybe they are faking it, as there are some people who beg because it’s “free money”. Do I not give them money because it encourages their begging? Do I give them money, trusting that they really need it? I could give them fruit, or pray for them, but surely I cannot judge them. After all, I don't know what brought them to this place. I do not know their story.

Update!

It’s nearly been a month since I last blogged, my apologies! So for this blog I’d like to bring you up-to-date on my life here.

First, teaching is going well. I didn’t start teaching until about a month after the new school year started though because of school chaos! The teacher retention rate is very low here because teaching is seen as a beginner job, not a life-long career. Many of our teachers quit which meant the first month of school we were still hiring teachers, constantly changing schedules, and things I couldn’t believe were happening while school was in session. Instead of teaching my classes, I was doing odds and ends and substitute teaching, if you can even call it that. It was more of me being notified with a moment’s notice that a class needed a teacher, so I should go teach them. “Just teach them something,” they’d say. Ahh, what??? I need more of a notice than that! So I’m glad that this chaotic period is over because for me it was nerve-racking, boring, and felt purposeless. But now I have my classes again and am enjoying it. I will be with my students for 5 more weeks to complete the first term. Then I’ll have one week in Nepal and one week in Pennsylvania (for MCC Re-entry) before coming home! I can’t believe this year is about over, which stirs so many emotions, thoughts, and reflections… but I’ll save that for another blog post.

Second, my mom and sister came to visit for a week! Oh, it was soooo wonderful! I have missed having close relationships around, so this was such a blessing! We spent time in Kathmandu, both as tourists and showing them my life here- Elim School, church, boss, co-workers, students, refugees, host family, etc. We even played a way fun game of basketball! Then we went to Pokhara, such a beautiful getaway city on a lake, in which we hiked, got a blind massage, had an early morning boat ride, and watched the sunset over the Himalaya Mountains. However, Denise and Mom probably came the worst week possible – Nepal’s government was due out for a Constitution (which was FAR from happening) so people protested with bandhs (nationwide strikes that shut down everything). But would they have known? So we made the best of it and used the legs God gave us!! It was also fun being the “tour guide”. Sometimes you don’t realize how well you’ve come to know a place until someone new comes. So, it was an absolutely wonderful week spent with dear relationships… plus I also had the bonus of hot showers, A/C, sitting toilets, comfortable beds, and non-Nepal food! What a week of being spoiled!

Third, I am now a student at Kathmandu University School of Art! Because of Nepal’s visa rules, I needed to get a student visa. So 2 days a week I go to KUArt for pottery/sculpture and photography classes for ½ days and then go back to Elim for ½ days. So far I’m enjoying the art classes! They are Nepali style though (laid-back time, unorganized, no real teaching), which is an adjustment but it’s still very enjoyable.

That’s all for now! I hope you all are enjoying the summer. Take care!