Land of Mt. Everest

Land of Mt. Everest

by | published on Oct 10, 2014

Warmest greetings from the Nafziger family. At the moment we are “split up.” Shova and Bethsaba are at home in Nepal while Sushma and I (Dale) are in the USA (more about that below). In the following lines we want to tell you just a bit more about some of the exciting things happening in the “Land of Mt. Everest.” Along with that we want to extend a hearty word of thanks for your partnership, both in prayer and in giving. That has been and continues to be very special. God bless you, each one! Now on…to an update.

 

Warmest greetings from the Nafziger family.  At the moment we are “split up.”  Shova and Bethsaba are at home in Nepal while Sushma and I (Dale) are in the USA (more about that below).  In the following lines we want to tell you just a bit more about some of the exciting things happening in the “Land of Mt. Everest.”  Along with that we want to extend a hearty word of thanks for your partnership, both in prayer and in giving.  That has been and continues to be very special.  God bless you, each one!  Now on…to an update.

ImageHighlights of the Past Number of Months

Rarely a day fails to pass when we don’t thank God for the true privilege of being able to live and serve along side God’s children in Nepal.  Some of the highlights of recent months include the following:

  • In September 2007 our church started a child day care centre. Currently about a half-dozen working families benefit from this service and we are hoping the number will grow.
  • Again in September, we started a new company, Top of the World Coffee, Pvt. Ltd. “TOW Coffee” maintains the goal of providing sustainable and safe jobs for some of the world’s most-deserving people. Read more about TOW Coffee at http://www.towcoffee.com/.
  • In October 2007 we appreciated a visit from our Common Global Ministries Southern Asia Area Executive, Rev. Dr. James Vijayakumar. It is very special to have support of this nature in-the-field. Thank you Global Ministries!
  • Again in October and extending into November we had nine family and friend visitors with us in Nepal for about five weeks, including my 78 year-old mother. We split into three groups: one for “hanging out” in Kathmandu, one for trekking to the Everest Base Camp, and one for climbing 21,830 ft Mera Peak.

ImageWhat is it Like to Climb a Mountain?

Probably the most-essential skill in mountain in mountain climbing is the ability to wait: wait for the porters to catch up, wait for one’s body to adjust to the altitude, wait for the clouds to clear, wait for the wind to die down, wait for the water to boil, wait to catch one’s breath (there’s less than 50% of the oxygen one finds at sea level!)…..  The second basic skill in mountain climbing is well-articulated by Ed Viesturs where he notes, “It’s a round trip. Getting to the summit is optional, getting down is mandatory.”  Despite our natural tendency to resist waiting I came to appreciate the times-of-delay imposed on our climb of Meera Peak.  Even in a country such as Nepal, life can become very intense.  Removed from phones, computers and other “essentials” however, it is amazing how much time I managed to occupy recently-simply being in touch with both my body and my Creator.  In the context of waiting the second facet of successful mountaineering is also essential: a round-trip.  Jesus needed times away-but it was always with the intent of coming back “into the thick of things” again.  So it is in our lives also-the mountain top experiences need to better-prepare us for our workaday world.  If you haven’t done it recently…take a few minutes to “climb a mountain” today!

ImageWhy is Only Half our Family in the USA at the Moment?

This is a question that I am frequently asked as I travel around speaking in churches (Jan-Feb 2008).  Under Nepali law we may only adopt two children from Nepal and they must be of the opposite gender.  Following our adoption of Sushma as an infant back in 1999, our hearts were strongly moved to “adopt” a second girl-given the difficult plight of so many girls in Asia.  We took Shova into our family in mid 2002, when she was about five years of age.  After major effort requiring about two years, we succeeded in getting her a birth certificate, a Imagedeath certificate for her mother, and legal guardianship.  Since we only have legal guardianship, however, Shova is not allowed to travel with us outside of Nepal.  Hence in 2004, and now again in 2008, we have “split up” for a number of months.  People frequently ask if there will ever be hope of Shova traveling to the USA with us.  Frankly, no-at least not until she becomes an adult and can travel under her own volition.  Since we have a long-term calling and commitment to life and service in Nepal, however, this constraint makes little difference-except for once every four years.  We appreciate the interest and concern many people have expressed regarding this matter.  Thanks!

For Sushma, Shova, Bethsaba & myself-
Dale

Dale & Bethsaba Nafziger are missionaries with the United Mission for Nepal.  Dale serves as an electrical engineer.  Bethsaba works for the health department of the United Mission to Nepal in midwifery and general nursing.

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