CMS Ireland Sarah Hutchinson

He' got the whole world in his hands....

2009-05-23T00:00:00Z

This song has taken on a new and exciting meaning for me recently – no longer the song you drag your way through in school but a song about how mighty, how holy and how sovereign God is. Also, as I’ve been living in a microcosm of the world, with mission people from around the globe, it is a statement of the truth – as God is supporting, strengthening, challenging, equipping and protecting all these people from the corners of the world.

I cannot believe that it is almost time for me to leave here…I can count the days on my hands!

Next week will be my last full week with HDCS and it will be a busy one as I finish off my work and hand it over where needs be. Also, we have just received the ABBS CD cover so Monday and Tuesday will be days of folding the covers before the first batch leaves Nepal! Some good byes have already been said as some staff left for work around Nepal. It has been great getting to know them and being part of the work that they do.

Sarah is away in Vietnam until Tuesday and the house is very lonely without her. But it gives me time to start packing up and sorting through things to stay and things to take with me. I have no doubt that God put us together…we have had an amazing time living together and I am so glad that we were able to get to know each other! It’s a bit late in the day…but I have finally put some photos of where I have been living all this time!

It is a strange mixture of emotions ahead in the coming week with so many lasts…but one big first as my fiancé arrives next Saturday and I am able to show him what my life has been like here. Safe to say, I am a little more than excited to meet him in the airport! I think the moment that will capture my final week, is next Sunday when, according to KICC (international church) tradition, newcomers stand and say hello, and leavers stand and say goodbye. Colin will say hello. I will say goodbye. And that is how a lot of my last week will go…introducing Colin to people and places that I got to know, and saying farewell to them.

So lots to pray for in the two weeks! Please pray that I would be able to complete all in HDCS. Pray for an amazing last few days with Sarah before Colin arrives and that they would get to know each other in the following days. Please pray for Colin’s journey and for his time here: for health and energy to adjust to KTM. And pray that God would continue to fill me with joy, even as I say goodbyes to friends here.

Please continue to pray for Nepal as there is contintued political talks as the parties rearrange themselves and hopefully a new PM will be appointed. Also for peace…at 9am on Saturday a bomb went off in a catholic church in Dhobi ghat, killing two people and perhaps fifteen people injured.

What a difference a day makes...

2009-05-06T00:00:00Z

Some of you may have picked up the story on the BBC about the current situation. I am not really sure what it will mean and how it will play out in the coming days. I am no political analyst.

All is quiet in Patan where I am…I think there may be a period of limbo to come as the political procedures are gone through and people begin to react.

So, pray for Nepal and its leaders at this time. Pray that God guides them somehow and steers them on a peaceful path. That meetings will be positive and that the country can stay calm. There are so many different groups here…a lot of different concerns and agendas to meld and monitor and keep in line.

Pray for safety for the people of Nepal, as well as the mission community. Give thanks that we are able to look after one another and keep each other informed. Particularly, give thanks for the Hopkinsons who are my surrogate family here..and have just provided me with the classic NI solution..tea and biscuits..and a luxury treat of a creme egg. I am a little uneasy but am comforted that God reigns in this place, that I have people to keep me in the loop. But currently there is nothing to be concerned about…it is all rumour and speculation. So don’t worry!! But it is a new perspective on Nepal…at how quickly things can happen.

Also, pray that I will be able to renew my visa for the full 30 days without any issues before it expires..that the route to the office is clear, that the office is open, and that they are favourable to it and for the full remaining amount.

So a lot of prayer is needed in the coming days!

Grace and Peace

Same, same...but different

2009-04-28T00:00:00Z

Summer is approaching: temperatures are high, school uniforms have changed, mosquitoes are in biting form, and load shedding has gone down to 12 hours a day. Same as home, but different! (And much much warmer!).

Over Easter , I went trekking in the Annapurna region for five days (don’t be too impressed – it was at a leisurely pace – though a LOT of steps!) and visited Chitwan National Park in the South of Nepal. It was an amazing adventure..but very strange to go from snow to jungle in the space of a few days! On Good Friday I was enjoying a nice cuppa at 3200m on Poon Hill surrounded by snow, a lot of tourist/trek people and the most magnificent views of the mountains…What a way to be reminded of the majesty and power of our LORD when he humbled himself for us! On Easter Sunday, it was the final leg of our trek and in the Gurung village of Ghandruk, we shared communion of ginger tea and chapatti. Same blessing and joy, but a little different.

It is hard to believe that four months have gone already…and home is on the horizon. I am sure that this will bring mixed emotions of leaving and returning. Over the past few months, I have been blessed with wonderful friends, amazing fellowships through bible study and conversations and now feel part of church here. So as hard as it was to settle in, it is going to be even harder to say goodbye to the brothers and sisters I have met here, the way of life and a place where God has been so real to me. This also means that it is time for me to start reflecting on my experiences here… am I the same, but different? And will friends and family at home notice? How will I convey my time here to others in a real way? How do I use my experiences here when I return to Ireland? So there is a lot to think about and process.

But there is still a month to go and I pray that I will be open to all that God has in store for me!! This will be a busy few months as I finish off work in HDCS in time for different staff members travelling the nepal..and the world.

Some prayer points would be:

 Pray as I finish the work in HDCS this month and that there will be someone to carry it on.
 Pray for God’s protection, that as home approaches that that thought will be a strength and a joy, and not be a cause of sadness or impatience.
 Pray for health – for upset tummies and coping in the heat.
 Pray for visas – as I renew my tourist visa for the last time and I apply for an Indian visa for my stop over on the way home.

Thank you for all your prayers! And for reading these blogs!

Time is marching on....

2009-03-20T00:00:00Z

So here I am, typing away to you all while glancing at my watch to note how much longer the power is on for adn thinking if there is anything I need to charge up. Normal. Bought some fruit yesterday, brought it home, put it in iodine water to soak for 20 mins before eating it.Normal. On the walk to work, I sometimes see a goat zooming along the ring road atop of a bus. Normal. Tea with tooth aching amounts of sugar. Normal (and delicious!).

I am so grateful for the presence of the Holy Spirit that i have felt since my first night here in Nepal – the LORD has put me at ease, has given me a sense of peace here, held me up and supported me, provided me with friends, surrogate families and fellowship. But as odd as it sounds, am I creating a “comfort zone” for myself? Has the new of Kathmandu become too normal? Two sundays ago at church, the sermon was based on the verses in John about God calling us to live life to the full and it has really stayed with me. God has not called us to just exist here…wherever that ‘here’ may be! Coming to Nepal was a big step for me…I stepped out of a comfort zone…but that is just one step. It has been my prayer this month that I live every day to the full in the LORD, that every day I have is lived in faith and through his strength. And being thankful for everything God has done, big and small, in my daily life. That I would be open to his will every day, even if it is out of my comfort zone. So as much as I am grateful for that god given sense of being at home…pray that I do not become complacent during my time here especially.

We are giving thanks for the little bit of rain that fell during this week…but much more is needed for electricity, for crops, for water supplies. For me, it was great to have that “rain smell” on wednesday – felt right at home!

Holi..the hindu festival of colour..involving water balloons and coloured day passed quite peacefully and we were so thankful for an unexplained WHOLEDAY of power when we were keeping to the safety of indoors!

March has also been the month of post! I received not one but three packages from home AND a letter!! One came with some visitors to nepal carrying precious cargo of summer trousers,ipod speakers, perfume, hair pins, gaviscon and percy pigs!! Then came more perfume…and more pigs!! THEN came girly fluff magazines. I am quite spoilt! (the perfumes also came in bubblewrap…very exciting!) I have found the place to do posting so dispatched some news to home after a lovely somewhat Jane Austen-esque evening of writing letters by candlelight…I just need to get a wax seal to complete the experience!

I also want to thank the CMSI friends Jane and Rory who were visiting Kathmandu and treated me to a lovely dinner and excellent company!

Thank you again for you all your support and prayers!

“Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on towards love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together..but let us encourage one another – and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” Hebrews 10v 23-26.

Grace and Peace

Sarah

(and all just before the power went!!!)

February - where did it go??

2009-02-26T00:00:00Z

In the Nepali calendar this year a month is being dropped…maybe that explains how quickly my time here is flying in – where did February go?! With time going so fast, I have felt a real call this month to open up my heart and take down any barriers to God doing work in me and through me. This something I have struggled with for the past few years – this idea of letting go, and letting God rule. A line in a worship song while at a bible study group really struck me – “leave me abandoned to your praise”. I thought of the Magnificat when Mary’s praise for the Lord just comes pouring out, I thought of David dancing before the Lord and declaring that he will be become “even more undignified than this”, and I thought so often I feel that I am holding back – because I am not sure of what to do, because I am worried about the opinions of others, about what they expect from me, because I don’t feel good enough. Love the lord your God with all your heart, all your mind, all your soul and all your strength. God has challenged me to open up my heart to him, to let go of whatever may be holding me back from loving him completely and knowing him more fully. Please pray for this.

On the work front, all is going well – i have a “to do” list stuck up on the wall in front of my desk and I am tackling each thing one by one – which of course means a new sub list of things to do is created! It is great to be part of the various programmes and to come along side them. I have also spent some time in ABBS this month for two different dance therapy classes. These were brilliant fun and it was an absolutely joyful experience to see all the kids joining in, making shapes, interacting with each other and the staff….and to see the staff joining in! This time was great, as after writing leaflets etc about ABBS, knowing the good work that goes on, I got to feel it in my heart the impact that ABBS has on the lives of the children.

This Monday was Shiva Raatri – the Hindu god Shiva’s birthday. The holy men (saadhus) and pilgrims gather at Shiva’s temple to celebrate all day. Also, nepali children try to take over the streets by holding string across sections of a road and demanding coins so you can pass. This made the walk to work a bit slower but it was good fun. This also means that the holi festival is in two weeks time – this is when you get water bombed and covered in red dye powder…so that should be interesting! Perhaps a day to work from home…

On Tuesday, I brought pancake day into the HDCS offices – it seemed to go down well and I had a great time making the pancakes by candlelight the night before. But it has started a bit of a baking trend with me – I have just made a sponge cake for a friend’s birthday, and it seems to have turned out pretty well!

Language classes have started again and I am loving them – however I have to retrain my mouth to make some of the sounds! So there has been a lot of nepali muttering, conjugating of verbs and sound practising in the past two weeks…but it will all come together eventually hopefully!

Other highlights in the month so far have been: bollywood dancing lesson, an afternoon of pampering, some sight seeing, making plans for trekking at Easter, a nepali wedding procession, a tour of Kathmandu for fabric hunting and some motorbike rides home from work.

Thanks for reading down this far of the blog..so much for bloggers block! And thank you for your prayers – and keep them coming!

Grace and Peace

My first nepali anniversary (or nepaliversary!!)

2009-02-14T00:00:00Z

Its been a whole month in Kathmandu?? Surely not! To celebrate…here are just a few photo highlights from my first few weeks.

Its also the end of my first week in my new home..its on familiar CMSI territory..just two floors up from where the Gills lived. Its a great place! Handy to my new friends, amazing views of the mountains when they are out, easy walk to work..and to two very nice bakeries! It also houses a lovely new housemate..also called Sarah (which makes answering the phone interesting – people have to learn to be specific!). i am very thankful for Sarah (the other one!) and for God providing this great new home!

I’m settling into work well and getting the hang of office life – slowly getting addicted to Nepali tea! Im loving all my communication tasks…and looking forward to spending some time in ABBS next week. Im started doing some bits and pieces for the Church Fellowhship in Kathmandu…and am looking forward to more!

Its almost odd how settled i’m feeling here..i know that its a feeling that can only come from God and Im so very thankful! Im praying that i continue to rely on his strength and not to take all his blessings for granted.

Enjoy the photos!

ps I think 12 hours of power a day is wishful thinking but 8 aint bad!!

More from Kathmandu

2009-01-26T00:00:00Z

A dear friend gave me a prayer journal before I left and I have tried my best to keep it up to date but power cuts and other things do sometimes mean it is not bang up to date…but so much happens in a day that i would be constantly writing!

The past two weeks of orientation have been a real blessing. I feel more settled, getting to grips with the geography, a little of the language and general Nepali life. God has really provided so much support for me: from Roger being here to talk about different things, to sharing in the META teams experiences, laughter and fellowship (and the trip to Pokhara), to families from international church taking me under their wing with dinners. The META team have now made it home safely and Roger leaves for India tomorrow – i will miss them all greatly but as I shared with the team I do not envy them going home, because God has given me a real sense that as their experience here ends, mine is only beginning!

Before I left, I thought that having the team here would be helpful – but i did not expect the abundant blessings I have received from them and through them. The affectionately named “Team Buff” (due to their outstanding garden tool wielding skills!) have been an amazing source of fellowship, strength, laughter and joy- true brothers and sisters in the Lord. And i thank God for each of them and will keep them in my prayers. 1 Colossians 1 v 9-14 says it all.

Last Tuesday, we all travelled from a very early hour to Pokhara – about 7 hours on the bus. The drive is simply stunning! We were delayed about 3 hours due to a bandhe in one of the villages – a bandhe is when the roads are blocked in protest. In this case, there had been a dispute between the police and a driver. It was quite an experience – enjoyable but after 3 hours we were glad to be on our way! Pokhara was such a refreshing change from teh hustle of Kathmandu..and the sight of the mountains on the flight home was breathtaking (as was the pilots landing in Kathmandu!)

So all in all I was ready to start work at HDCS today – I am refreshed and revived and encouraged in God’s plan for me here. International church on Sunday had an amazing sermon on peter walking on the water. A great reminder that when all seems chaotic and overwhelming, we just have to keep our eyes firmly fixed on Jesus, so our focus is Him and not our problems. We only need trust in him.

In so much, i have heard, seen and felt God’s love in many different ways. I pray that I remain close to Him and reflec this love. Since my arrival, I have been thinking about how God’s love enfolds us and surrounds us. That our powerful God who can do infinitely more than we can ask or imagine, lovingly holds us in his arms and watches over us.

Also, God has really opened my eyes and my heart to truly appreciate how the Church is a Body, how we are all working towards the same goal, part of the same mission. It is so vital that we ensure and nurture connections with churches at home and across the world, and that we keep each other in prayer. On their last day, the team were commissioned by the Kathmandu Church Fellowhship as they returned home. I think that this is beautiful! Their part in God’s mission does not begin and end with their time in Nepal – their part continues every day, wherever they are – and I believe God has moved in them while they have been here and will have much to share and encourage and challenge their friends and churches across Ireland.

Thank you to all who are praying for me – God is with me in many many ways big and small! Some recent prayer points would be:

1. Blessing and rest for the META Team and that they would reflect God’s love they have witnessed in Nepal at home.

2. Continued settling in to life without the team and Roger, and getting into my role here at HDCS.

3. For language and health – had my first dodgy tummy incident so I am taking food related things easy!

4. That in all things I will keep my eyes firmly on the Lord and fully rely on him everyday.

5. Give thanks for new friends and those families who are showing God’s love by welcoming me into their homes.

6. Pray for the work of CMSI global partners, and Christians in Nepal – give thanks for their passion for mission, for their reflection of God’s glory and love, and pray for encouragement and protection.

I apologise for the lack of pictures, but I promise some pictures soon!

Blessings and Love

Sarah

Namaste from Nepal!

2009-01-14T00:00:00Z

Namaste to you all! I can’t believe that I have only been in Kathmandu for 6 days. We arrrived safely last friday. The bus ride to the HDCS office was a realy culture shock…like the traffic here is crazy – its like wacky races -you see a gap, you go for it and you beep!! There are so many new sights, sounds, smells and tastes..as well as the power cuts to get used to. Electricity is down to 8hrs a day only..so organisation is key!

I have visited Kathmandu Church Fellowship to go to church on Saturday and on Sunday with the META Team. It is an amazing place – its is so warm and friendly!. I live very close to HDCS. This is where the team meets for prayers in the morning. It was great to meet all the people at HDCS that i have heard about and to see where i will be working.

I have begun my language classes and they are going well..though I do keep going to speak spanish for some unknown reason! It is a lot of work and I would ask that you pray that i can absorb it all and be brave and use it!! But i am really enjoying it!

My house mate has not returned from USA yet – she will be back on Friday. So pray for her safe travel and for our meeting at last!

Since my arrival, i have been thinking about how we are enfolded in God’s love and grace. There have been many small things already that i have felt God’s peace and seen His hand at work. Pray that that continues and that I will always give thanks for this, in the knowledge that everything I do is because of God’s strength and power.

Tonight, while the team are with their hosts, i am having dinner with the family Roger is staying with – last time we had buffalo bolognese..so im looking forward to tonight!

Thank you for your prayers!

Sarah