The Times They Are A Changing

Time flies.

How cliche. But what else to say? I'm entering my last week in India and the, albiet cliche, thought seems most appropriate.

Time flies when you're having fun.

Cliche again. But again, what else to say? Ryan and I have been having incredible fun tipping, tripping, and trekking about Nepal and India the last two weeks. During his first week here I gave him a two day introduction to Indian culture via a trip to Delhi and Agra. Agra was a highlight, as we saw God provide three traveling companions -- Jonathan, Jamie, and Hudson. They were our ages, believers, and they had just come from an interior village in south India where they had been doing medical relief, English lessons, and a host of other activities. Besides the blessing of good company, the dynamic weather and aggressive clouds provided near perfect pictures of the Taj, which made picture happy Ryan nearly giddy. The Taj, by the way, was recently confirmed as one of the new Seven Wonders of the World.

One of our major Delhi site-seeing ventures was a foray into crowded Old Delhi. Ryan's comment: "I think this might be the onlky place the term 'mass humanity' technically applies'". After climbing a windy, spindly tower at the largest mosque in Delhi, we got some amazing ariel views (and more pictures) of the crammed Capital.

The youth group has been planning to have a summer retreat for some time, but I'd opted out as their return date conflicted with Ryan and I's departure for Nepal. At the last minute we were "convinced" that we could both enjoy and participate in camp and make it back in time for our flight. So off we went to Sattal, a small mountain getaway an overnight train ride from Delhi. There were about 30 in all from our group and in the end both Ryan and I were thankful we went. I was especially thankful for some sweet time with the girls I've come to know and love and for the chance to participate in amazing worship. It was also a joy for me to watch Ryan minister through his kind and friendly personality. I have loved and been encouraged, as a big sister, by his easy way with people. It's made it seem quite effortless to introduce him to my life and friends here. I'm thankful for God's gifting and maturing him in this way. The point being -- it was fun to have him a long and fun for him to be along. It gave him a heart for the local church here, something I'd been praying for. Secretly though, I think Ry's favorite part of camp was the rap that he preformed for his team. I have it on video. I do accept bribes. :)

Time at camp was too short (there's that pesky time again!) and after only two days we were back on an overnight train and directly to the airport for our July 8th morning flight to Kathmandu, Nepal. I think it took only the flight in for Ryan and I to look at each other and declare our love for Nepal. It's beautiful. Gorgeous. Amazing! Kathmandu itself, though we were only there for a day, was a refreshing, free city, with much to do and see. We spent most of our time seeing the sites and shopping in and around the Tamil section (read: tourist section). It was an artsy, alive place with great culture, food, and music. After our afternoon and evening there, complete with a meal at the "famous with trekkers" Rum Doodle, we met up the next morning with our trekking guide and porter -- the funny, knowledgable, and sweet duo of Dorje and Bam. Our flight in a tiny, rickity plane into the Himalaya's was breathtaking and would have, in and of itself, made the trip worth it. I got choked up viewing the spread -- including Mt. Everest -- as I recognized and praised God for the awesome display of his beauty, power, and majesty. God is beautiful!

I'll let Ry describe our trek:

"In terms of trekking, Karisa and I have both found our ideal vacation. Flying into a cloudy mass in the sky we suddenly dip and drop nose sniffing for the runway. Then a mountain appeared right in and we settled into the small village of Lukla, Nepal. Our guide Dorje quickly assembled our porter Bam and us and a few minutes after touchdown we were officially trekking in the Himilayan region. The first day we an easy trek filled with beautiful waterfalls and vast crevases the were crossed by rickety bridges. Words fail in describing the vast expanse of God's handywork. The second day was quite the adventure. Karisa had become a bit ill from the day before's helping of Dhal Bhat (rice, lintle stew, and veggies) and a trek directly up the side of a mountain with only clouds for a finishline became quite a labor. Even still we made good time and reached our final destination of Namche Bazar, a small villiage pearched on the side of the mountian we had just ascended. As we arrived the storm that had followed us up the mountain settled in as well. Though the cloud cover was too much for us to see the Himalaya's from the village or trails the cloud cover allowed us to appreciate the beauty around rather than just focusing on the jutting peaks above. The next morning - after a restfull relaxing time of reading and talking with Dorje, Bam, and a few Sherpa - we headed back down the mountain dissapointed that our time in one of God's most beautiful patches of creation would be leaving us soon. Too bad we can't make time stand still! Our time in Nepal was a short and sweet little oasis from the hustle and bustle of India. Words don't describe what its like waking up among the clouds but we'll be home soon and maybe some pictures will."

Time didn't stand still and we're back in Delhi, something we're both thankful for even though we left the beauty and simplicity of Nepal with more than a twinge of desire to stay forever. Anyone want to hike to Everest Base Camp with us in a year or so?

I had prayed that these last couple weeks away from my normal life here in India would be my "debrief" time. I truly have been able to spend so much time thinking and praying and processing. It's also been an unexpected blessing to have Ry here. Of course, I knew it would be fun and in many ways a blessing, but what I hadn't expected was that his fresh eyes on India would help me process and pray through what I've learned. I've been able to see so many areas of growth in my life as I've looked back on what it was like when I first came. God has been, and continues to be, good and patient with me through this incredible growth process. Please continue to pray for both Ry and I as we enter this next, final week of our time in India. I have a lot of goodbye's to say, a lot to still process, and a lot to do before I leave. I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed today about all that will happen in these next 4 days. Poor Sibu and Tannu especially have already been privy to my buckets of tears as I'm trying to grab some precious last times with them.

Time to go... (I couldn't resist).

With love,

Duffy

Pictures from our travels the past two weeks are up! Just click on the link on the right (as usual) and check out the new tab: O Brother!