The Orphanage in Mount Olive

Raj Kumar has been at the orphanage, with his older sister, Karuna, for a year. His uncle had taken them in when his alcoholic father was neglecting them, but when the uncle got sick, Mohan and Sangeeta felt compelled to take them into the care of the Frontier Mission Center (FMC) orphanage in Mount Olive (Garmi). Raj seems to have a permanent smile from ear to ear. His English is quite good so we mostly speak in English except when I’m trying to practice my Nepali with him. He tells me that the orphanage is a good place to live and that Daniel and Prema are good to the three children who live there. He likes his social studies class best and wants to study music and art. When I asked him what kind of a job he’d like to have he said maybe working as a cook or maybe a veterinarian. He plays volleyball with skill and passion. Here is a young life bursting with potential.

Karuna, 16, Raj’s older sister, is as sweet and quiet as Raj is exuberant. She completed “high school” which here means that she has completed the 10^th grade, including passing all her exams. A week ago, Karuna started her “Plus 2” schooling down in Pokhara, which they call “college.” This is roughly equivalent to 11^th and 12^th grades in the U.S. and is designed as preparation for university-bound students. Her school offers two concentrations only: education and business. She is studying business and wants to pursue that in the university.

Shanti (maybe 12) is the epitomy of sweetness and warmth. She is tiny and I don’t think I ever saw her without a smile on her face. She calls me “Tomuncle” as if it is one word. She and Daniel’s sister, Magdelini, made me cards and bouquets of flowers. Daniel told me that Shanti is constantly busy helping around the house and is always eager to cook or help out.

Daniel and Prema’s first anniversary was last week. Their first child will be born in two months. Prema had been caring for children at the orphanage and Sangeeta thought that Daniel would do well working at an orphanage since he grew up in an orphanage and understands that experience. She asked Daniel if he was wanting to be married and would he like to meet Prema. He said sure. So they had a gathering where Daniel and Prema could get to know each other. That evening, Sangeeta asked Daniel if he liked Prema and would he like to marry her. He said yes. And that was that.

In an earlier blog I wrote about tears coming into Prema’s eyes when we told her that we wanted to buy some groceries for the orphanage. On my last day visiting the orphanage Prema fixed lunch for us all. In addition to the rice and mixed vegetables, she had prepared an omelet for me. None for herself. This is how she lives. Giving away the best that she has. I asked Daniel to divide the omelet among the five of us and he cut half for me and a bite for everyone else. I think Daniel and Prema are kindred spirits.

On Monday Mark, Memory, Bill, and I all went up to the orphanage. Neighborhood teenage boys were there playing volleyball with Daniel, Raj, and Yusef on the court with the net donated by Sports Oasis (Broomfield). Memory and Mark organized the children to read letters that had been written by children at the Trinity Fest. I asked Daniel and Yusef if they would mind helping the Nepali children to write response letters. They came gladly and engaged the children with an incredible warmth and tenderness. “God sighting.” Truly, truly this was seeing the fruit of the spirit flow through these two men.

While Mark and Memory did letters with the kids I got to play some volleyball. These guys have some great volleyball skills! But darkness was falling quickly. Mohan said, “I think we should put a light up here for the kids.” This is typical Mohan. He seems to constantly be thinking of how to do something better and bigger. His vision is as big as Nepal.

After paying for the teacher training seminar and marriage seminar expenses and all of the other projects we’ve done, our team had about $950 remaining. Memory and Mark asked Mohan what were his top priorities at this time for funding. He answered: a water filter ($300) and solar (back-up) lighting ($500) for the orphanage. As a team, we feel privileged to be your emissaries of love to these precious people in Nepal. This little orphanage in Nepal, this little family, has felt loved by God through us and through you. Soon they’ll have safe water to drink and lights to do their homework at night. Thank you for making a difference in their lives.