Haven’t had the internet the past few days, so here are some updates and notes.
The past couple of days have been ok. The mornings have been a bit rough as usual, but they are getting better. I still do not have internet at the house, but it should come shortly and that will help with the mornings.
Yesterday I met the American family that lives two doors down. He is a doctor and they both are extremely nice and helpful. She asked me where I was from and I said Cincinnati. She was from the Canton/Akron area. And then she said it; the eight most beautiful words I have heard since coming to Kathmandu. “I’ll have to make you come Cincinnati chili.” I promise you I heard a chorus of angels suddenly cry out in joy. There were even a firework or two. And I’m not certain, but I think I heard the Hallelujah Chorus somewhere off in the distance.
I also have an invitation for Thanksgiving. An invitation for Thanksgiving is a wonderful thing. Take advantage of this Thanksgiving, and give thanks for your family. Family is a wonderful thing. Use this Thanksgiving to get better connected, rebuild burnt bridges, and just enjoy their company. Family is an amazing gift from God. Use it wisely, graciously, and generously.
I attended two church services this weekend. One was a Nepali speaking service on Saturday and another was an English speaking service on Sunday. I wore headphones for the first one so I could hear a translator. She had a great accent, but didn’t translate much. The minister would speak for five minutes, and then the translator would say a sentence. It’s a bit uncomfortable when everyone else is laughing after the minister says a joke and you are not. They look at you because you are not laughing. You can see it in their eyes; they are questioning you, “Why are you not laughing?” But how can I laugh when the translator never translated the joke? All I heard was the hum of the electricity flowing through the cable to my brain while the translator sat laughing at the joke, never translating it for my Nepal-deaf ears. I got the idea of the message though. It was on the importance of prayer. I was glad to hear it.
The English service was another great experience. The minster was from Scotland. I’ve never heard a sermon given with a Scottish accent before, but I must say I enjoyed it. And for the record, no, he was not wearing a kilt. He did have a fanny pack though, but no knife. I guess you can’t get rid of all your traditions. Attending the service were people from all over the world. Americans, Germans, Aussies, British, and others. I sat next to an older Aussie who sang with a mighty, bass voice. I thouroughly enjoyed it. The sermon was once again on the importance of prayer, but given in a different manner. And once again, I was glad to hear it. And then to end the service we sang “Be Thou My Vision”. This is my most favoritest hymn ever. The melody brings a lightness upon my sould, and the words are words we should hold dearly to our hearts as we go about our days. I have posted the lyrics for the first verse at the bottom of this entry. I encourage you to find the rest of the lyrics.
And oh yes, I had a hot shower yesterday. Hot, not lukewarm, but hot. It’s my first hot shower since leaving home nearly two weeks ago.
A hot shower, Cincinnati chili, and an invitation for Thanksgiving. Things are starting to look up.

Be thou my vision, O Lord of my heart,
Be all else but naught to me, save that Thou art;
Be thou my best thought in the day and the night,
Both waking and sleeping, thy presence my light.