(Natalie and Elizabeth decorating Elizabeth's mini Christmas tree!)
(Email from Mommy to friends/family back home)
Hello Everyone,
It's been a little while since we wrote for many reasons. It's not as easy to connect from here because the internet is via phone and electricity is on and off. Also, we have just been processing all of this and trying to adjust to this VERY different life and VERY different place. Even though we have seen many pictures and videos, nothing could prepare us for the sights and smells at the end of the world.
During our 24 hours in the capitol, we stayed at a lovely guest house which is an oasis in the middle of a nightmare. While there, one of Elizabeth's friends visited with us and we had a lovely time together. It has been so great to meet her friends and hear their stories.
That evening we left for the train station. Words cannot describe the heartache that I felt as we walked through this black, dark place. We got to the spot by the tracks where we were to meet our train and I turned and saw three little boys looking up at me with huge longing eyes. I smiled and one of them smiled back, the sweetest and most unexpected smile. I was overcome. I have never felt such heartache. We ended up having to wait there for nearly an hour so we made friends with these little ones with smiles and gum. We were in their home. When it got late, they laid down on the black concrete next to the trains and went to sleep.
Looking over the tracks, it seemed there was movement in the blackness. Yes, there were rats running around and people walking across the tracks using them as a bathroom. Could there be a darker place anywhere on this earth?
Elizabeth got us seats in the nicest part of the train so there were beds to sleep on through the night ride. I wish I could have slept. Finally, the morning light crept through the curtain by my head and I peeked out to see fields dotted with people squatting. I keep searching my mind for words to describe what I see and there just aren't any. The dirt and filth and poverty are overwhelming.
We rode to the last stop on the train and then got into a taxi for a 3 hour ride through treacherous mountain roads, through roadside towns with cows roaming and people going about their daily routine. All five of us were in a very small taxi but we were glad to be together.
Finally the taxi stopped on the road and we got out and climbed down some rocky, steep, very unsafe steps to Elizabeth's home, which is on top of another dwelling. Though we've seen videos, it looks so different - smaller, darker, more closed in and yet close to the other people. You have to walk outside to go to the bedroom or bathroom.
Nothing is routine for us. None of our habits work here. Everything from brushing teeth and going to the bathroom to making a meal require our full concentration and involve a much different process than at home. There is one sink to use for everything and you can't put that water in your mouth, so you have to really think about what you are doing. And the bathroom ?Let's just say we should all be thankful for those comforts we take for granted!
How could our child survive, let alone love, this life?? Well, she doesn't love every aspect of this life. She is clearly here out of obedience, just doing what God designed her to do and therein lies the joy.
Elizabeth is an excellent hostess - it is very gratifiying as her mother to see her serving in such a mature, gracious way. She anticipates our every need and tries her best to make us comfortable. And she is a great cook!!! There's only room for one in the "kitchen" so she is on her own and quite capable. Why does that surprise me?
It's encouraging to see how the neighbors and people here were so happy to have Elizabeth back. Their faces just light up when they see her. She has such a genuine rapport with the people AND SHE CAN SPEAK THEIR LANGUAGE! It's just fascinating to watch her speak so naturally and normally with the people. AMAZING.
The house helper,?comes each day and makes (delicious) chai?(tea) and has tea with us out on the porch (hallway) and she fixes (the same) lunch each day (rice and daal - and Natalie likes it!!), as well as washes dishes, sweeps the (impossible to clean) floors and washes (by hand) the clothes. It's interesting to see her interact with Elizabeth's other friends who are obviously of a much higher station than her. Normally these people would not interact, but they are laughing together and enjoying each other like good friends. To me this is such a testimony of God's influence on this home.
Somehow, we were able to enjoy a sweet time of visiting with these ladies, even though we could not speak their language. Of course, Dave speaks everybody's language!!! None of these gals are believers, but they are certainly learning about the unique love of God just by being in this home.
It is cold here, but pretty warm during the day (outside - there is no heat in the houses). The cold is probably the hardest aspect of life here for Elizabeth. She really dislikes being cold and there is no warm place to go.
Today we are going to visit the house helper's village. It will be quite a trip.
The scenery here is beautiful. The Himalayas are just beyond the mountain tops around us. We are at the top of the mountains.
We have a whole new understanding and appreciation for Elizabeth's life and work here.
It will be very difficult to say good bye. We will take the long trek back to the capitol on Monday (maybe some Benadryl will work for me where the sleep medicine didn't work on the night train)
All for now.
Love,
Jane Anne
Hello Everyone,
It's been a little while since we wrote for many reasons. It's not as easy to connect from here because the internet is via phone and electricity is on and off. Also, we have just been processing all of this and trying to adjust to this VERY different life and VERY different place. Even though we have seen many pictures and videos, nothing could prepare us for the sights and smells at the end of the world.
During our 24 hours in the capitol, we stayed at a lovely guest house which is an oasis in the middle of a nightmare. While there, one of Elizabeth's friends visited with us and we had a lovely time together. It has been so great to meet her friends and hear their stories.
That evening we left for the train station. Words cannot describe the heartache that I felt as we walked through this black, dark place. We got to the spot by the tracks where we were to meet our train and I turned and saw three little boys looking up at me with huge longing eyes. I smiled and one of them smiled back, the sweetest and most unexpected smile. I was overcome. I have never felt such heartache. We ended up having to wait there for nearly an hour so we made friends with these little ones with smiles and gum. We were in their home. When it got late, they laid down on the black concrete next to the trains and went to sleep.
Looking over the tracks, it seemed there was movement in the blackness. Yes, there were rats running around and people walking across the tracks using them as a bathroom. Could there be a darker place anywhere on this earth?
Elizabeth got us seats in the nicest part of the train so there were beds to sleep on through the night ride. I wish I could have slept. Finally, the morning light crept through the curtain by my head and I peeked out to see fields dotted with people squatting. I keep searching my mind for words to describe what I see and there just aren't any. The dirt and filth and poverty are overwhelming.
We rode to the last stop on the train and then got into a taxi for a 3 hour ride through treacherous mountain roads, through roadside towns with cows roaming and people going about their daily routine. All five of us were in a very small taxi but we were glad to be together.
Finally the taxi stopped on the road and we got out and climbed down some rocky, steep, very unsafe steps to Elizabeth's home, which is on top of another dwelling. Though we've seen videos, it looks so different - smaller, darker, more closed in and yet close to the other people. You have to walk outside to go to the bedroom or bathroom.
Nothing is routine for us. None of our habits work here. Everything from brushing teeth and going to the bathroom to making a meal require our full concentration and involve a much different process than at home. There is one sink to use for everything and you can't put that water in your mouth, so you have to really think about what you are doing. And the bathroom ?Let's just say we should all be thankful for those comforts we take for granted!
How could our child survive, let alone love, this life?? Well, she doesn't love every aspect of this life. She is clearly here out of obedience, just doing what God designed her to do and therein lies the joy.
Elizabeth is an excellent hostess - it is very gratifiying as her mother to see her serving in such a mature, gracious way. She anticipates our every need and tries her best to make us comfortable. And she is a great cook!!! There's only room for one in the "kitchen" so she is on her own and quite capable. Why does that surprise me?
It's encouraging to see how the neighbors and people here were so happy to have Elizabeth back. Their faces just light up when they see her. She has such a genuine rapport with the people AND SHE CAN SPEAK THEIR LANGUAGE! It's just fascinating to watch her speak so naturally and normally with the people. AMAZING.
The house helper,?comes each day and makes (delicious) chai?(tea) and has tea with us out on the porch (hallway) and she fixes (the same) lunch each day (rice and daal - and Natalie likes it!!), as well as washes dishes, sweeps the (impossible to clean) floors and washes (by hand) the clothes. It's interesting to see her interact with Elizabeth's other friends who are obviously of a much higher station than her. Normally these people would not interact, but they are laughing together and enjoying each other like good friends. To me this is such a testimony of God's influence on this home.
Somehow, we were able to enjoy a sweet time of visiting with these ladies, even though we could not speak their language. Of course, Dave speaks everybody's language!!! None of these gals are believers, but they are certainly learning about the unique love of God just by being in this home.
It is cold here, but pretty warm during the day (outside - there is no heat in the houses). The cold is probably the hardest aspect of life here for Elizabeth. She really dislikes being cold and there is no warm place to go.
Today we are going to visit the house helper's village. It will be quite a trip.
The scenery here is beautiful. The Himalayas are just beyond the mountain tops around us. We are at the top of the mountains.
We have a whole new understanding and appreciation for Elizabeth's life and work here.
It will be very difficult to say good bye. We will take the long trek back to the capitol on Monday (maybe some Benadryl will work for me where the sleep medicine didn't work on the night train)
All for now.
Love,
Jane Anne
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