Dear Friends,
The weather is beginning to change here in Kathmandu. While the days remain hot and the monsoon rains continue day after day, the mornings have a chill in the air that we haven’t had all summer. So, when I head over to Prem Ghar at 6 in the morning for prayer with our ammas, I get excited about putting on a sweatshirt and drinking the cup of coffee that will inevitably be there for me when I arrive.
During this time, I continue to think about the beautiful rhythm our world has. In Minnetonka when the fall comes, the leaves turn orange, red, and yellow before turning to brown and falling off the tree. The fall in Kathmandu may not offer the wild colors that Minneonka does, but I’m told that the clouds will finally part and the mountains, hidden this whole time, will show through. This morning before prayer I saw a few peaks poking through the colorful sky.
One of the hardest parts about being here has been the challenge of finding a healthy rhythm to my weeks and days. It feels like every day is different and every week brings something new to get in the way of structure and rhythm. As a result there are times I feel I am not working enough and other times when I’m so busy I don’t find time to sit down and read a book. After those busy weeks I find myself recovering, trying to find my ground again, and searching for that rhythm of learning the language, building relationships, advocating on behalf of and serving the poor.
At the beginning of September I traveled from Kathmandu to Darjeeling. I left tired, frustrated, longing for a break from this chaotic city, and fighting a chest infection. When I arrived in Darjeeling the chest infection turned into pneumonia. So, I spent my week of vacation drinking lots of tea, resting, and chatting with my friend, Josiah (who traveled from California and stopped to see me on his way to London). It was in the middle of the night, while the fever was raging, and my lungs felt they would fall apart from my incessant coughs, when I decided something needed to change. And I’ve concluded that what I need is some consistency. So, I am taking a lesson from the changing of seasons, and creating some rhythm in my life.
I’ve returned to Kathmandu hoping to remain flexible, but also protective of the space need to live this life well. I’m guarding my day off, and the time alone I need to connect with the Spirit of God. I’ve realized that part of what has been missing in my life is the consistent communion with God. It is here, though, that life is found. Between dealing with culture stress, the chaotic life in this city, and the difficulties of working among the poor, there is enough in this life to burn us out…or give us pneumonia. And it is connection with God that renews us and gives us strength to live well. While I know growing up in the church, the application for every Bible study was to pray more and read my Bible more, what we’re really looking for is a deeper relationship with the God who loves us. And yes, prayer and Bible study point us in that direction. So, I’m finally attempting to take the advice of the mystics we read who tell us that service without contemplation is merely social work or activism. But with contemplation, with that connection with the Spirit of God who is within us, we find real transformation take place, in us and in those whom we serve. That’s what I’m walking towards. Walk with me.
I’d appreciate your prayers, friends. Pray for my body, which can’t seem to catch a break. Pray for direction and guidance as I walk on. And pray that I would find the rhythm I need to find intimacy with God and to serve my friends well. Slow down this fall. And spend some time with the Spirit within you. Thanks for your love and prayers.
peace,