Family Jensen

Saturday, March 11 (Nepal Day 4)

*raining day--rain was unexpected but welcomed in this dry, dusty country.  

Matt, Heidi & James traveled to visit a village church.  Phillip, Hannah & I attended Crossway Church.  Arbin Pokharel is the pastor.  He visited our farm with his family in 2013.  His wife Bimila runs Higher Grounds Bakery/Cafe which employs women out of trafficking.  It was incredible to take part in the larger body of Christ all in Nepali--singing, praying all at once, trying to follow the sermon with very little English.  We had an encouraging chat with Arbin and Bimila after church.  We are planning to meet with them on Tuesday night.  Phillip also agreed to speak at Arbin’s seminary class on Wednesday morning.  

After church we took a taxi to Thamel.  Phillip wanted to to find a specific farmer’s market.  We bought a baguette and ate lunch in a nearby park (parks are almost unheard of here)--trail lunch again. The park was littered but not as much in comparison to the city as a whole.  There is trash and litter everywhere.  

We walked the narrow streets of Thamel filled with market shops.  Had tea at a rooftop cafe.  (Really we were just looking for a western toilet...but the tea and company was good, too!)  In the market, Phillip bought a Nepali shirt and Hannah bought some pants.  There are very convincing salesmen and women.  The goal of the day was to visit the “Monkey Temple.”  We spotted it high on a hill from a couple miles away.  I really did not think it was possible to hike to the top...but we kept going!  It was worth it.  Swayambhu (Monkey Temple) is a Buddhist temple.  We walked up 365 steep steps to reach the top.  There were monkeys around the temple.  The views were incredible, as was the temple itself.  We took our time and soaked it all in.  After making our way down we took a taxi back to Jawalakhel Chowk--that is the name of the closest roundabout intersection to our Goshen Guest House.  

Over supper we shared our day's adventures with James, Heidi and Matt.  We ate at the restaurant just two blocks away from our guest house.  Most of our meals have been around $4.00/person.  That includes more than we can eat, a drink and tip.  Phillip loves momos, we all do!  Momos were 8 for $1.15.  We might go back there.