Necia's everyday adventures

Thailand outreach

2011-03-25T10:53:00.004+05:30

Hi everyone,

I'm back from an amazing time in Thailand! Thank you for your prayers you don't even understand how much I needed them!

I met Ellen in Bangkok and we spent a day shopping for m

aterials for BFA before heading to join Extreme Prophetic's Operation Extreme Love in Pattaya. I really was not prepared for Pattaya at all. I had been to Thailand before and was used to seeing a lot of old white men walking around with young Thai girls and had visited the red light district in Bangkok. But I was still shocked when we arrived in Pattaya.

The city is known as being the capital for sex tourism in Thailand and everywhere I looked this fact was written on the streets. There were signs for sex everywhere, some in Neon flashing lights and under neath the signs there were beautiful Thai women in revealing clothing beckoning and calling out to anyone walking by. And that was just the beginning...

Our first day with the team about 50 of us hit the streets to saturate the city in prayer. Some of us walked up and down the streets, some of us went down to the beach, some of us rented taxis and circled the city, and some of us went to a tower that over looked the city. We all cried out for God's heart and for Him to show us Pattaya through His eyes. My group walked down the most trafficked street in the city and as we looked into the faces of the people we passed God showed us His deep love for them. There was so much hopelessness, perversion, lust, and depression. But all we could see was God's extreme love and power.

The next day we hit the streets at night which was even more daunting. Because the city becomes one big party of temptations at night. Before going out we asked God to show us who he wanted us to go to. And He gave us clues like on a treasure hunt. God had shown me a swirly circle and I drew it. Ellen got the nick name Nok, and others on our team got flags, glowing red, and a neon dollar bill. As we walked out of our hotel I saw the swirl that I had drawn, on a hotel that was just down the street from ours. It was glowing red and right beside it were flags and an ATM with a neon dollar bill on it. We were so excited we headed inside and waited in the lobby. The only people inside were staff. We were not sure what to do next but the signs were so strong, we knew we had to wait. I told Ellen to find out if one of the girls behind the counter was named Nok. So she went and asked. One of the girl's eyes got big and said, “yes, my name is Nok”. Ellen told her that God thought she was special because He sent us to her. Her eyes got even bigger as she shared God's love and she gave her heart to God.

After that we continued to go where God showed us. And He continued to give us love for all those we met.

The rest of the week continued to have amazing God encounters. I feel if I write everything down it would be a book. Another highlight for me was going to the hospital and praying for women who were sick. Everyone I prayed for had tears in their eyes as I saw God move in their hearts and minds. After the fifth person asked us how to know God I began to think if they really understood us because it was just too easy. But it was undeniable what God was doing in their hearts.

Our last day we went on the streets again and prayed for a palm reader to be filled with the Holy Spirit. A bystander came up and asked one of our translators how much it was to get her palm read. The translator told her it was free and began to prophecy over her life. The woman burst into tears and asked how to know God.

As cool as each miracle was I was more excited about what God was doing in me. Breaking my heart for those who are in darkness and have no hope. Today I shared with our office manager and her husband some of the things God has put on my heart. I'm excited to impart what I learned here in Nepal. I want Him to break my heart all over again for this nation and especially for trafficked women. More and more God has been showing me the need for prayer. Please join me in prayer for Nepal and prayer to stop trafficking. Its more powerful than we think. We can't stop trafficking with out it. And I can't keep doing what I'm doing in Nepal with out your prayers. So thank you again for all of your prayers, they are so appreciated!

2011-01-21T17:28:00.004+05:30

This is me with my office assistant, Sunita on my left. And my office manager, Binita on my right. Couldn't get anything done with out them!

Hi loved ones,

I know it has been a while since you heard from me and a lot has happened since! I am still in Kathmandu working with Beauty for Ashes. However, my business partner, Ellen, has returned to the states after getting married this summer. And our other business partner, Jennifer, who was doing our weekly accounting every week is returning to the states in March. So that just leaves me here in Nepal in charge of ten women.

I am feeling a little overwhelmed with everything that needs to be done. And I really need your prayers and support.

Some things God has been speaking to me this year for myself and for Beauty for Ashes is:

A couple of months ago, God led me to Proverbs 31 as a guide on how to run BFA. Some things stood out to me right away as I meditated on it for a week. 1) we were to help the poor by being more diligent in our giving and tithing. (vs 20). 2) we are to produce quality things and not just anything that we think we can sell (vs 21, 22). 3) We are to expand our market to other places around the world (not just the U.S.) (vs 14). 4) We are to buy a house! (vs 16). Yeah this one was a shock to me, but when I read it, it jumped out at me and I began to question God whether this was something He wanted us to do. A couple days later an Iris team was praying for me and they prophesied that I would buy land. I took that as confirmation.
As I have been praying about buying a house for BFA I have found that my dreams are pretty puny compared to what God wants to do. God has promised that this is going to be a year of supernatural provision. Which is good, because a house is going to cost around $150k USD. We already found a house that we like, it has 13 rooms and land all around it. We would be able to house many more women, grow our own products as well as raise birds and goats.

Most importantly we have been finding that giving these women a job so that they can make an honest living is not enough. There is a strong need for community and discipleship. There is still a lot of pain and unhealed wounds that these women have. If we had a house where we all lived in community instead of a work office we could have more time devoted to reaching the spiritual and emotional needs of these women.
I have started meeting with my office manager, Binita, once a week to disciple her and pray together. I am excited to see her grow in the Lord especially as she steps out and ministers to our women.
I am still contending for our women to be healed of HIV. This Sunday Randy Clark (a healing evangelist) is leading a healing conference for pastors and leaders here in Kathmandu. I'm bringing my women to get prayed for. Please pray with me for their complete healing in Christ. Nothing is impossible with God!

As for me personally:

as long as this is my year of supernatural provision I am contending for God to take care of my student loan this year. I still have $40K to pay off. I already heard a story of a man who's loan just disappeared from the bank. I am totally okay with God doing that if He wants haha!
I have started training people in prayer ministry and am putting together a prayer team here in Kathmandu to minister to those around us. This is for Nepalese and expats.
I am also very much in need of some people to come and help me here in Nepal with BFA. I have asked my brother, Shea to come for two months at the end of March to help me get started with our blog, some marketing techniques, research and designs. I am so excited for him to come and help. He needs close to $3,000 for airfare.
But I would like some long term help from some people that have a heart for missions. Especially when we buy a house there will be lots to do. Some things that people can do:

Design and implement production of new gift items, and assist training employees to manufacture these goods.
organize outreaches to the dance bars and cabin restaurants
put together a witness protection program for women who want to prosecute their traffickers
create a fun atmosphere for our women to work in and organize events and outings
Lead Devotions, Pray with Employees, Provide One on One Counsel as Needed or Desired
manage our blog, website, store, and facebook page
Assist Drafting Business Plans, Research Potential Grants/ Draft Grant Proposals, Research/ Write Reports on Cabin Restaurants/ Dance Bars, Design Volunteer Programs, Assist Structural Readjustments and Anonymously Report BFA Employees' Experiences

If you know of anyone who is interested in helping me, please send them my way! :)

If you would like to send money for me personally you can send it Through Beauty for Ashes as a tax deductible donation.

A) Write a check to Beauty for Ashes Intl. Inc.

B) Mail all checks to:Ellen Brace, 1074 W. Webb Rd., DeWitt, MI 48820
Write Necia Nash in the memo
or if you want to write a check for the building project specify that in the memo as well.

I'm sure there is more to talk about but I am trying to keep it short. Some good news is our online store should be up and running next month! That means you can buy our jewelry directly from our website! Also our donation page is up and running now if you feel led to donate money for our new housing project. http://www.beautyforashesintl.com/Default.aspx?pageid=Donate.swf
Some of you have been asking me for my address here in Nepal in order to send me cards and packages (which are greatly appreciated :)
My address is:
Necia Nash
G.P.O.:8975

E.P.C.:2972

Kathmandu, Nepal

Tel:9841877082

Thank you so much for all your prayers and support! I pray that each one of you has an amazing year this year!

Beauty for Ashes

2010-06-11T15:58:00.004+05:30

Have you ever wanted to do something more with your life? something worthwhile that makes a difference? Have you ever felt that overwhelming feeling that the world is filled with too many impossible problems and pain and that its just too big or hard to do anything to even make a dent?

Some people do not even bother trying. They put blinders over their eyes and resolve to just get through the day by being a good person. Some days I have put my own set of blinders on and said, "its just too hard, so why try?"

But when I was a young girl I made a promise to myself. I remember looking at adults and thinking, "whats wrong with them? Why are they so boring? Don't they see that life is exciting, and that anything can happen? When I grow up, I don't ever want to be like them!"

What is it that makes us start looking at life differently? Because sometimes its hard for me to keep that promise to myself. Somehow it became easier to give into the 'hardness' of it all. Everyday I have to fight to keep that childhood promise to myself. Especially when I am face to face with the brutality of this world. When I look into the eyes of a woman who has experienced hell and all that is left is a broken woman holding her self together by pure will and not doing a very good job of it.

What if I could make a difference though? Even a little dent..... What if just for a day I could make that woman feel like a little girl again? To be able to make her laugh and express wonder and curiosity? To put a smile on her face and make her forget that she is dying of a deadly disease.....

I never thought that I would have that power....

But recently found that I do! And I've had it all along. "For He has anointed me to bring good news to the poor, to bind up the broken hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound. To proclaim the year of the Lord's favor and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn; to grant to those who mourn in Zion to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of a faint spirit!"

Recently I learned that I can't give any of these things if I do not have them myself. How can I proclaim the Lord's favor, if I do not feel favor? Can I bind up the broken hearted without a bandage? Can I give the oil of gladness if my spirit faints? Not very well, huh? Yet I've been trying for a long time... Oh the difference in the past few months! I know now that I don't have to give anything that God hasn't given me first. Its easy to proclaim Joy when you are overflowing with His Joy! Know that it is not hopeless, not even close! Because of the amazing goodness of God!

A little over a month ago, Ellen and I threw a baby shower for our office manager at BFA. We took the whole day off to shower the new mom with gifts and to give everyone an excuse to party. The women were so happy! It was a day of laughter and joy. We even went to the park and I took out my camera to shoot portraits of the women. They laughed and giggled as they got to act like models. It was a day where they felt beautiful.

Ellen and I were graciously reminded of why we started BFA in the first place. We got to see the 'dent' that we were making in their lives!

Thank you for your prayers and support! You make a difference!

Pray for me as I will be fishing in Alaska for the next two months in order to pay for my student loans. Pray for Ellen in Nepal as she is preparing for the future and not exactly sure what that looks like. And pray for our two volunteers, Katie and Gina, this summer who will be helping us and working with our women. And lastly pray for our women, that God would grant them the secret desires of their hearts.

2010 update!

2010-03-09T17:23:00.006+05:30

Many of you have been writing me and letting me know that it’s time to give an update on my blog. Thank you for thinking of me and remembering me in your prayers. I have needed your prayers very much these last few months.

God had taken me on a journey these last few months the result leading to breakthrough and total joy and renewal. About four months ago it seemed like all my close friends left Nepal all at once including my two business partners for BFA, leaving me with the responsibility of taking care of the women while they were gone. I found it a struggle to be on my own (as my two roommates also left). I would come home and not know what to do with myself resulting in watching way too many movies. My desire for God to step in and take control of my life increased too. God was showing me that my way of doing things as well as my emotional health here in Nepal totally depended on the people I was around and not on Him.

For New Years I had the opportunity to meet up with my friend Lisa in Thailand. It was a good excuse to get some things for BFA as well as to get away and spend some time with God on the beach and find out what He had for me this year. After traveling around a bit and getting all my BFA shopping done, Lisa and I were lead to go to a small Island to relax and spend some time with God. God totally blessed us by giving us favor with a hotel owner on the Island. It was a beautiful resort (cinnamonartresort.com) right on the beach that normally costs $150 a night to stay but the owner for some reason let us stay there for $25 for the both of us! And at the end of our stay she took us out to dinner and treated us to an amazing seafood/Thai dinner. It turned out that they even had an art studio for artists to paint and they provided all the materials! During that week of rest with God He showed me that He wanted to develop a deeper intimacy with me and that this is my year of breakthrough and change.

After getting back from Thailand it seemed like my life just got worse. I came back from the sunny beach and all its luxuries to cold Kathmandu with its strikes, and power outages. I also came back to a few office crises that needed to be handled and I was the only one who could do anything. I managed to get thru the crises. We now have three more women working for us and one of our women left to go back to her village. We now have seven women total working for us and two of them non Christians. On the first day that I hired the new women one of our other women asked me to pray for her arm which had been hurting her for a week. She couldn’t even move her arm above her head without crying out. After praying for her she was swinging her arms around her head with no pain at all. It was a very cool first day of work for the new women!

God was still speaking to me about relying only on Him and my movie watching was getting even worse as I would retreat into movies for comfort. Just over a week ago my friend Lisa came over and we were sharing about some of our struggles and she confessed that she was struggling with some of the same things. As we poured our hearts out to God the Holy Spirit’s presence and power just came into the room in an amazing way.We were both lead to give up movies completely and start a three day fast. During that fast we met with other Christians and had another powerful Holy Spirit anointing that lead to breakthrough. Yet I was still struggling in finding joy, I felt like some things of self were being ripped out of me and was finding the whole process uncomfortable and not fun at all. One night, right after the fast, God lead me into a time of repentance and confession before Him where I was convicted of some sin in my life. After spending a half hour weeping I felt at peace like something had been completed. The next day I was able to experience God’s joy in a new and fresh way, it was one of the best days ever!

That morning I was lead to contact my friend, John who has an organization called Tiny Hands (tinyhandtinternational.org). A few months ago we had discussed starting a new project together to help empower women here in Nepal. And that morning I felt the need for such a project very strongly as many of our women at BFA were needing something more than just a job. I met with John and we are in the process of developing a “Women’s Empowerment Center” where women can come and live in a community environment and get three months free rent while they get training in a job opportunity of their choice. We would provide the resources for training and the place for them to stay. This would allow us to go to the dance bars and cabin restaurants and help girls get out of that trade as well.

John would like for me to join Tiny Hands org as we are developing this together and Tiny Hands would be doing all of the funding. I am still in the process of praying about it to find out what God’s will is. I really like the idea of having accountability and support. Developing this center is not necessarily my heart and passion although I love doing what I am doing and the need here to help these women is great. As many of you know I would love to work with the missionaries here on the field in some sort of member care facility. I would also love to have a prayer ministry team here in Kathmandu both Nepali and expat. John knows my heart and vision and there could be opportunity to pursue that passion as well with Tiny Hands.

So please pray for me as I make these decisions and where God would have me at this time. Also pray for BFA, we need some designers who can sew and teach our women to make quality products. We also need a steady market to sell our products and possibly a full time volunteer/staff who could promote BFA in the States.

I apologize for the lengthy update thank you so much for your prayers! God is so good!

Much love,

Necia Nash

New Years in Thailand!

<------ Me and Binita, BFA's office manager. She is due any day now and I will be with her in the hospital so be praying that the birth goes great!

Prayers needed

2009-11-23T10:56:00.003+05:30

Hi everyone,

I'm still here in Kathmandu and it looks like I will be here for some time. My partner for BFA, Ellen, left for the states yesterday. And I recently found out that our other partner will be leaving for a few months also. So its just me running things for BFA. I need your prayers! :)

We hired another girl last week. She will be working with one of our sewing machines that has been sitting in an empty room for the last 6 months. I'm excited to design some fun things to accompany our jewelry.

I do really need your prayers, it seems like all of my friends and main support are leaving. my room mate will be leaving Dec 20 for five months. And since I didn't go fishing this summer, my finances are at an all time low. Please pray for God's provision both in friends and finances :)

I know God is faithful. I have a place to go for Christmas, so thats great. I will be joining my friend's Joel and Tammy and their family for Christmas. They are here working with the poor and crippled with Iris ministries. Last Thursday I accompanied them to one of the places where all the beggars go. We gathered up about 20 beggars and took them to a small room where we prepared a meal for them. After the meal we prayed for several people.

It was quite the experience and I look forward to accompanying them on several more occasions. Its exciting for me to place myself in a position to see God move. The other day I was accompanying a new friend, showing her around and a blind man came up to me asking for money. I was filled with boldness and asked him if I could pray for him. I didn't see a miracle of sight right then, but God touched him through me that day.

Thank you for all your prayers and your encouragement! You really don't know what it means to me.

oh yeah on another note, I'm trying to make some money through my art. I've posted some of my paintings and photographs on www.fineartamerica.com look me up under artists. And if you like any of the paintings you can buy a print. Here is a sample of one of my pieces:

catalog

2009-10-13T21:49:00.002+05:30

Heres the recent catalog, we are still making adjustments and we may not have some items in stock, but let us know if you want to buy anything or if you want to sell some of our products for us.

Link for BFA Bracelets

http://docs.google.com/fileview?id=0B_8rq619V47EN2Y5NTY4OWEtNTA1My00MzgxLTk4YmMtMTFjMDVkMmY0YTk1&hl=en

Link for BFA earrings

http://docs.google.com/fileview?id=0B_8rq619V47EYWQ5MmVmZGMtZTA1Mi00MmJjLWE2ODktZDYwNzkzMjZiN2Vj&hl=en

Link for necklaces

http://docs.google.com/fileview?id=0B_8rq619V47EYzE4OWFjMmQtY2VjZC00MGI0LWI3ZTMtM2Q1NDcwZWNkM2Nl&hl=en

Link for silver line

http://docs.google.com/fileview?id=0B_8rq619V47EZDBhYmM2YWUtMGNmMC00YTVlLWE2NjctNTNjYjRkMDYxNmVh&hl=en

Parent's visit

2009-10-09T10:46:00.008+05:30

My dad and I rented bikes and went for a little ride.

Spelunking

Mom and dad playing with the elephant

At the pastor's seminar. Mom and her prayer team!

Me and Dr Jerry sightseeing

nothing like morning chai!

Elephant safari with the folks

The Pastor's and their spouses seminar

overdue update

2009-06-22T19:06:00.014+05:30

I just can't seem to keep up with this updating thing. My cousin Katie has come and gone. It was so great to have her here. She came to help us with BFA by teaching two of our women how to crochet. It was so cute watching her learn nepali crocheting terms and our women loved her. One day I walked into the office to find our women making animal noises and singing a song that they had just made up about elephant friends. Yep we will definately miss having Katie around :).

Before she left we went to Thailand for two weeks in order to get some materials for BFA and to have a place where we could get away and focus on what God has for us and if we are still on the right track. It was a great trip but not as restful as anticipated. We got all our shopping for BFA done and had two great days of seeking the Lord. On our last day Ellen and I went to a park in Bangkok and brainstormed on what needs to happen next with BFA. As we were brainstorming we kept getting interrupted by large lizard/dragons that were swimming around the lake. They were amazing! After that we bought roasted squid on a stick off of a street vendor. We had a great time!

Back in Kathmandu we found that our women in BFA managed without us for two weeks, which was great news because eventually we want them to be totally self sustaining.

If your wondering why I never post any pictures of our women and what we do, its because BFA has a policy to not show any photos of the faces of our women in order to maintain their anonymity and dignity. So I hardly ever bring a camera to work with me so you only get to see pictures of when I'm out playing! :) Anyway Enjoy!

The cool dragon lizards we say at the park

Squid on a stick! yum yum :)

When I first spotted this guy I thought he was a huge snake rising out of the water.

Katie and Elen and me with our normal facial expressions

It was so nice to see the ocean and play on the beach. That one of the main things I miss living here in Nepal

And fresh seafood!!!! yummy!

We took a ferry to Phi Phi Island from Phuket and stayed on the Island for a few days. It was relaxing.

Katie's first time having dhal bhaat and eating with her hand. It tastes better when you eat with your hand ;)

Back in Kathmandu getting caught in the rain. Benita (our awesome office manager) and I had to share a two headed poncho (made for motorcycles) Katie called us a pushmepullme :)

2009-04-30T20:01:00.004+05:30

That almost brings us up to date. Last week my cousin Kaite arrived to help with Beauty for Ashes and teaching our women to crochet. The day after she arrived, we joined David and his family again for a rafting adventure. We certainly had an adventure, I managed to fall out of the raft twice in the rapids and the second time everyone joined me as we capsized. I am so thankful for your prayers because there were moments when we were all terrified as we got tossed around by the river. I was the only one who managed to not hit any rocks, although I got trapped under the raft for a few seconds and swallowed a bit of water so couldn’t breathe very well as I floated down the rapids. We all made it through with only a few scratches and bruises and missing items of clothing and what not… I told Kaite that she had experience more culture and adventure in that one day than I ussually do in a month. I’m so thankful that everyone was all right, God was definitely with us that day.

This picture was taken right after falling into the rapids and getting safely aboard the bus, notice all of our utter relief to be alive…

After the rapids adventure I took Katie back to Pokhara to relax and enjoy the lake. Susie and her mom met us there. We had a relaxing time exploring caves and swimming in the lake. Although, the lake turned out not to be a good idea because both Susie and Katie got sick the night after.

Himalayan

2009-04-30T19:50:00.004+05:30

At the beginning of this month my friend David invited my room mate, Susie, and me to go on a four day trek in the himmalayas with his parents and little brother and our Phillopino friend, Ting. Susie is a teacher at an international school in Kathmandu and had the time off so we agreed to go. It turned out to be an adventure involving yaks, a crazy guide named Bhimson, and great comraderie. We finished off the trek on Easter Sunday where we caught a bus back to our hotel in Pokhara. However, halfway there the bus got stopped by protestors and so we had to get off and walk while the hotel van came and picked us up two hours away. As we were walking we stopped along the side of the road, I pulled out my portable speakers, we put on some worship tunes, and had an impromptu praise service. It was a perfect way to celebrate Easter!

Heres me going in for a kiss with a yak. Yep I really need to meet some available men, right? :)

Here's all of us as we were walking back to Pokhara. shortly after we stoppe along the side of the road to do our Easter worship service.

Me and my room mate Susie standing by the lake at sunset...

Chitwan adventure

2009-04-30T19:35:00.004+05:30

In February I went down to Chitwan(on the Indian border of Nepal) with my friend Lisa to accompany her because she needed to meet with some people there. While we were there I had asked God to bring me sick people so I could pray for them. The second day we were there we met a father and his little boy at the pharmacy and the boy had a fever. I went over and in my broken Nepali asked if I could pray for him. The father said yes so I did. I didn’t stick around long enough to see the results but felt like I had stepped out in boldness and done what I was supposed to do.
On the day we left we were running a little late, and Lisa was a little anxious to get going because there was talk of a possibility of the roads being closed. Having had an amazing one on one with the Lord I felt sure that we should not feel anxious because God would get us home and on the right van. When we got to the micro van, we were the first ones there so got to choose the best seats. As we were about to sit down, this old man accompanied by his wife appeared having been carried on a rickshaw. The old man was obviously sick, so we graciously gave up our seats. When I first saw him, I was like “yes! Another person I get to pray for!” So I sat next to them and again in my broken Nepali asked if I could pray for him. They accepted and again I prayed and then sat down with Lisa in the back of the van.
sitting next to us was a man named Niel who we had met the night before when we had gone into his shop to buy some souvenirs. We asked him why he was going to Kathmandu and he said he needed to go to the hospital because his left hand and arm had been hurting him for a few months. Lisa turned to me and jokingly said, “we should take a toll and see how many people are going to the hospital on this micro van”…. We didn’t feel led to pray for the man until we got to Kathmandu. So the whole ride there I was asking the Lord how to go about praying for him and the Lord said that we should pray for his shoulder and then invite him to dinner at our friend’s house because, he is ready to hear the gospel. So when we got to Kathmandu we asked if we could pray for him and he accepted, when we asked how his arm was, he said that half of his arm had no pain. We were like, “cool”. So we called our friend and invited him over for dinner.
Our friend, Brian talked with Niel for about and hour and shared the gospel in Nepali, when we were done, we asked if we could pray for him again, so we did and he said his whole arm and hand, felt completely healed. I dropped Neil off at the taxi stand and before he left, he asked me if he should still go to the doctor tomorrow because his arm felt fine. I told him that if his arm felt fine and he wanted to go to the doctor and the doctor confirmed that he was healed that would be better. I said goodbye and promised to stay in touch. I talked to him on the phone a couple of weeks ago and he is doing good, but I have no report on how he is doing spiritually. So pray for Neil and his family if you think about him. God is faithful to complete the work that He has started.

this is me at the pharmacy praying for the little boy

Outside our hotel the elephants came to the river to take their baths

Creative interests

2009-04-30T19:16:00.003+05:30

I know it has been a while so I thought I would back up a few months. As you can see from the photos, I’ve been painting. Remember how our women had been having bad dreams? Well after we prayed over their rooms, my friend Lisa decided she wanted to decorate their bedroom so it didn’t look so dreary and desolate. So we asked the women what their favorite color was, and they said blue. So we got some paint, ordered some curtains and some carpet and got to work. Lisa and I painted murals on their walls with scripture verses. I don’t think the women have had any bad dreams since we prayed for them.

Since then, I have been inspired to paint while worshiping, here are two of my paintings that I have done. My “quiet times” with God have grown into something different as the Holy Spirit has been teaching me new ways to connect with God.

Happy Holidays

2009-01-04T15:49:00.002+05:30

I hope everyone had a good Christmas and New Years! Mine were wonderful. Because of the snow it was just my immediate family for Christmas day. I have a rather large extended family so it was nice to have a smaller gathering for Christmas.
I just wanted to let everyone know what my plans are for the coming year. I'm going back to Nepal the end of January and will be returning to fish in Bristol Bay in May. I will be working with Beauty for Ashes teaching women to make various handicrafts so that they can support themselves. Hopefully six months will be enough time for it to be pretty self sustaining. I'm taking it one year at a time to figure out what God has for me and where He wants me to be.
Thank you for your prayers. My trip to Nepal in November went well. I was able to help Ellen with BFA at a crucial time and met with the new Shepherd Watch board members in Nepal. I also managed to get really sick twice, witnessed a dog maul my friend's house keeper, and got in a motorcycle accident. To say the least I needed your prayers. It could have been a lot worse and I'm thankful for God's grace and protection. I will continue to keep you updated. In the mean time I'm staying with my parents in WA and enjoying the snow.

Turkey, Destruction, and Life

2008-11-29T18:02:00.002+05:30

This Thanksgiving I got to be in Nepal again. I was invited to a friend's house with a bunch of other Americans and one girl from Uganda. On the way we were driving across the city and hoping that the food would be turkey and not Dahl Bhat. The street suddenly became suspiciously empty of all vehicles and we had to avoid broken glass and burning tires. The two wheelers in front of us suddenly veered off into a side street and motioned for us to follow. As we turned to follow we noticed a huge crowd of young people walking towards us. An ambulance drove past us and soon encountered the crowd. As we watched, the people on the street began to throw bricks at the ambulance. My friends and I shook our heads in disgust and quickly got out of their way. We drove in the opposite direction of our anticipated American dinner and slowly made our way around to find an alternative route.
Sometimes no one really knows why people decide to strike and riot in this country. Its just excitement and confusion and you just try to get thru a normal day. My friends and I made it to the dinner and enjoyed all of the American Thanksgiving delicacies that many of us take for granted. It was quite a surprise to find turkey instead of chicken.
The next day I was on my way to work when I saw a Nepali friend of mine that I needed to talk to. I pulled over and we were soon discussing yesterdays strike. According to him the reason behind the chaos was that two young students (males) were killed with no explanation and so the youth of this country decided to declare a strike for their own right to live. As I struggled to understand the logic behind this I noticed my friend's eyes burning with passion as he described this recent event. I could see in his mind it seemed to make perfect sense. 'Two youth were killed so the youth of this country rose up and rioted for their right to "Life" by throwing bricks, burning tires, and breaking out into unnecessary acts of violence.'
Where does this way of thinking stem from? As I tried to get my mind around this logic I found myself identifying more with their emotions than the mental processing behind it all. The people of this country want to live… However, they don’t just want to live, they want to have opportunity to live free and in relative safety. The uncertainty of life here must feel like a dark blanket of despair sometimes. These desires and passions that are deep inside each one of us if not met; can explode into sudden violence and confusion.
The cry for life is not as irrational as we may first think. We are all dying after all. And with out the true life giver we can easily fall into patterns of death and destruction. So my prayer for this country is the same cry as the youth of this country. Jesus give them Life, and life abundantly! And as the holiday that reminds us to give thanks has come and gone I lift up a prayer of thanks to God. Thank you for saving me and giving me a new life in Christ Jesus, where I have freedom and eternal security…

Necia’s Overdue Update

2008-11-21T11:28:00.005+05:30

Hi everyone,
As some of you may know I’m back in Nepal at the moment. I was planning on returning in January but some finances came in and I was feeling like God really wanted me to be here to help Beauty for Ashes (BFA) get going. So that’s what I’m doing now. I told Steve Kaptain with CYCN that I would not be joining their organization as I may have put too much on my plate. I feel at peace with this decision and look forward to what God has for me with BFA.

Beauty For Ashes
I’ve been here for two weeks now and been helping Ellen with BFA as much as I can. Currently we have three women that have come out of the sex trade industry working for us. Right now we are only making jewelry and selling their products in Canada. But eventually we want to make other handicraft products and sell in other places. And we want to be able to higher more women that have come out of the sex trade. We also have a heart to visit the dance bars and cabin restraunts that hire girls from the village to do everything but sex with their customers. These type of atmospheres lead girls to prostitution and we want to develop relationships with the women and offer an alternative source of income if their willing and wanting to get out of that business.
We had our first order and shipment of BFA products last week. So I’ve been busy organizing, delegating, and designing jewelry. This week I plan on getting my business visa and Ellen and I are going to sit down and discuss the future goals of BFA and write out all the paperwork that goes into developing a new organization.

Future Plans
My future plans are to return to the states for December and January and then return here to Nepal the end of January until the fishing season begins again in June. I could use and would appreciate any support you would like to give. I do not have the money for a plane ticket back here in January but trust that God will provide if He wants me to be here.

Prayer Requests
Thank you for all your prayers and encouragement. Pray that I will get my business visa in the next two weeks and that it goes smoothly. Pray for BFA: we need volunteers, people who know how to make handicrafts of various sorts and who would be willing to come and train our girls; people who have a heart to develop relationships with girls in the dance bars and cabin restraunts; and someone who can be at the office full time and who could keep things running smoothly.
I’ll see some of you soon when I come back in December. Thank you for being involved in my life. I’m excited to be a part of God’s work.
Much love,
Necia Nash

This is Ellen Bender my partner and Friend in Beauty for Ashes. Shes been a missionary here in Nepal for a couple of years now and is pretty much the heart and drive behind this ministry to women.

summer newsletter

2008-08-18T22:52:00.000+05:30

Hey everyone!
It has been a while since my last news letter so I know I need to fill some of you in on what is going on in my life. I've returned from Bristol Bay Alaska after a good fishing season working with my dad on his boat. Thank you for your prayers. There were no accidents, a good amount of fish, and an above average sightings of Alaska's wildlife, including sharks, killer whales, belugas, and walruses.
Nepal is awaiting my return however I am unsure of the exact time of when I will be returning. I may stay in Washington for a few months and then lead a Shepherd's Watch team in December to India and Nepal. We will be conducting training seminars for indigenous pastors and church workers. We still have to work out the details of who will be going, seminar topics, finances and timing. So please pray for us as that all comes together. In the mean time I will be presenting to various churches our work with Shepherd Watch which is dedicated to supporting and encouraging pastors in Nepal and India. And describing the amazing work that God has allowed me to see and be apart of in those two countries. If any of you know of any churches that would like to have me come and speak and or you want to join our team in December, or help financially just write me an e-mail and I'll be in contact.
I am looking forward to returning to Nepal again in December. The day I left Nepal to come here, my friend Ellen and I met with a lawyer to discuss and sign papers to begin the process of starting a small exporting business. The vision is to open a small textile factory where women that have been rescued from the sex trade industry can come and learn skills in making handicrafts in order to support themselves.
The business/ministry is called Beauty for Ashes and I'm sure you will be hearing more of what is happening as this grows and develops. Right now we are getting everything legal and organized and raising funds to get it started. If you are interested in more details of this project let me know and I can start forwarding you Beauty for Ashes newsletters as well J.
The third area of ministry that I will be/am involved with is the youth organization Christian Youth Connection Nepal (CYCN). I will be working with an American named Steve Kaptain and his team working alongside Nepali Christian leaders to implement youth programs and ministry. Youth ministry in Nepal is a very new and fresh concept in the church and most churches do not have a lot of opportunities for the youth to grow in their faith. There are a number of different opportunities for ministry that I will be involved in and I will be praying about which ones to pursue. Some options for me would be to work with short term mission teams that come to Nepal and take care of their needs and anticipations, work within the Nepali schools and possibly teach an improvisational drama class in order to connect with some of the local youth in Kathmandu, and or visit Bhutanese refugee camps in order to conduct research on family systems and development of youth growing up in a refugee camp in Nepal.
There are various other opportunities that may come up along the way and as they do I pray that God will give me specific direction and guidance for each. Most of my time will be committed to working with CYCN. Shepherd Watch and Beauty for Ashes wont be a daily responsibility for me but I will be involved as needed.
In the mean time there is plenty of work to be done and I am excited to be a part of what God is doing in and thru Nepal. Thank you for your financial, emotional, and spiritual support. I will continue to keep you updated.

In His Hands,

Necia Nash
necia.nash@gmail.com

Since leaving Nepal

2008-08-18T22:18:00.007+05:30

I stopped in London for a Week before coming home from Nepal to visit my friend Jenna who is going to school there.

Jenna and I somewhere in London. I'm leaving for New York tommorrow to attend her wedding this weekend.

My sister, Trish, and I in Whistler, Canada. The women of my family had a women's retreat in Whistler shortly after I got home. It was nice and relaxing and great to be with my relatives right after returning!

Trisha, my cousin Katy, and me goofing off in a fountain at Whistler

For Cailin's birthday we went to the Seattle aquarium to show Jeren the fish!

More family! this is at my graduation party.

On the boat in Bristol Bay, Alaska! Jeff, my dad, Chip, and me!

Me on the back deck picking up the net. I don't think we had much fish this day.

After we were done fishing, my dad took Jeff and me to Katmai on a float plane to go see the bears do their thing.

Here are the bears doing their thing.

Sometimes Bristol Bay can be absolutely beautiful!

A pod of Orcas! First time I've ever seen them in Bristol Bay, very cool.

After Bristol Bay we went to Kenai, Alaska to visit our fish site at Coho. By that time fishing was pretty much over so we did a lot of hiking and some hiking which all involved bringing airsoft guns and shooting at each other.

Ready to come Home

2008-04-21T09:14:00.002+05:30

I know it has been a while since I last wrote. I can officially report that my internship is over! I just have to meet with my advisors back home and I will have my MA in psychology and counseling. I didn't send out any graduation cards but feel free to congratulate me anyway ;). I've had quite an exciting time this last month. My sister in law, Caitlin came to visit me and then shortly after she left my parents came. Other than entertaining guests I continue to be involved with Christian Youth Connection Nepal (CYCN) and have started Nepali classess with a new teacher. My Nepali classes are going great. It makes such a difference if you have a good teacher! I'm still praying about joining with CYCN for next year. I feel pretty good about it. I was reading through my journal of 4 years ago and in it I had written that I wanted to live in Nepal and help Christians to grow into Godly leaders who follow Christ. I still have that calling and am excited to see what God does. The plan for now is to leave May 1st and stop in London for a few days to visit a friend and then to head home to prepare for fishing this summer. I hope I will be able to see most of you. I can't tell you how much I have appreciated all your prayer and support. God has taught me so much this year. Especially how to rely on Him and to be in His presense. You will be hearing more from me but I may take a bit of a break from blogging this summer just to warn you :).

Much love,

Necia

Parent's visit

2008-04-20T15:45:00.007+05:30

My parent's and me on my mom's birthday. Happy birthday mom!

On my parent's first day here in Kathmandu I made my dad drive my bike and we went over to a friend's house to have Nepalese food.

On their second day we drove across the city to where I attend Nepali church and my mom gave the sermon. She carried her harp on the back of my bike while my dad followed us on the pulsar. My mom said she was praying the whole time :).

On Sunday we held a pastor's seminar on self care.

The woman sitting to my mom's right is my supervisor, Rita.

After the seminar we had a day of fun and went white water rafting with some people from my fellowship group. The water was a bit low so we kept getting stuck on rocks and we had to bounce are way free. It was a perfect day and at least three of us including my dad and me managed to get our knees sunburned.

From left to right from starting with the back: Lisa, me, Susie, my dad and mom, Anna, and Eugene.

My dad driving in the city.

My mom and me on my bike. If you look closely you'll notice that both of us have our eyes closed. Maybe we were tired, I'm not sure :).

Driving in Nepal sometimes recquires crossing sketchy suspension bridges. It can be quite interesting with the swaying and all.

Caitlin's visit

2008-04-20T14:47:00.017+05:30

Caitlin and me in Nepal!

We went to a bouldering Gym thats next to my house. We didn't do much climbing that day because Cait got distracted by all the cute little kids outside and just had to buy them all candy.

We went to Sharon Home, a place for women with HIV. Caitlin taught them some new jewelry designs.

Just and artistic photo by me :)

We went to Chitwan National Park to hang out with the elephants!

Little Elephants too!!

We went on a safari ride thru the jungle. It was not the most comfortable ride, lots of branches and spiderwebs in the face. But we did see lots of rhinos, deer, wild boar, monkeys, and peacocks.

After the safari ride we went down to the river and got to bathe the elephants but in actuallity the elephants bathed us.

We decided to float down the river and we found our elephant from the safari ride. The Mahout (driver) gave us a ride back to our hotel bareback.

I've gotten to be quite motorbike driver living here in Kathmandu.

Street shopping

Nepal Life and Culture

2008-02-25T15:49:00.005+05:30

The petrol line

February Newsletter

2008-02-25T14:30:00.012+05:30

Sparks Youth Group. There was no power so we decided to use candels in a worshipful way that night.

Three and a half hour drive to Tibet! That's me in the front. On the way we stopped at Last Resort where they have a suspension bridge and two of my friends bungy jumped off of it.

My friend Gloria who is standing next to me in the center left Nepal for the next 6 months. We all got to together to say goodbye. I'm going to miss her.

A few weeks ago the Bihibar group met at our house and had an into the night worship service. We stayed up till around 3am. It was very cool!

A few weeks ago we drove our bikes outside of the city and parked them alongside the road. Then we trekked down into the jungle and made a campfire and roasted marshmellows and buffalo sausages. When we trekked back up we discovered that our bike were missing. We had to walk to the police checkpoint about a mile down the road to find out what had happened to them. It turned out that the police were worried that someone would steal our bikes so they stole them to keep them safe. We eventually got them back and made it home.

Jared, Kaitee and me sitting by our campfire roasting marshmellows and buffalo sausages! hhmmm good!

Jarle, Sunu, Kaitee, and me on a bike trip to get out of the city for a day. It is so refreshing to be able to get out of the polluted city if only for a few hours and see the beautiful country of Nepal!

January Newsletter

2008-01-24T13:47:00.000+05:30

I'm officially back in Kathmandu, although my internship at Elim Kids academy has been put on hold since I got here. The first week back from India I just needed some time to settle back into the swing of things. And the second week I attended a 9 to 5 seminar on improving your interpersonal skills. I went so that I could see what a counseling training seminar looks like here in Nepal and how its received by the people. Most of the class were Nepalese so it was very informative. I learned a lot of cultural insights and it was nice to get to know new people. The facilitators of the class were from Canada and USA but currently living and working in India. Dianne (the facilitator from the US) is a YWAMer working in Goa, India and has a heart for member care. I was delighted to get to sit down with her for lunch and hear about the spiritual retreat house she has there for missionaries to go and receive rest, renewal, and hospitality. She has invited me to go visit in April the week before I'm meeting my parents in Pune.
I'm excited to share all of this with you because its a big part of what God has put on my heart to do here in Kathmandu, Nepal. While I was in India I prayed a lot of what my purpose was here in Kathmandu. Before leaving I was rereading Chasing the Dragon by Jackie Pullinger. She was a missionary in Hong Kong and had a powerful ministry working with street boys who were addicted to Heroin. While discovering her ministry she saw many needs all around her. It seemed there were a multitude of people who needed to know of the love of God. Realizing that she couldn't reach them all. She asked God which part of His work did He have for her.

After reading that I realized that I was in the same position. There is so much need here in Nepal. Every week, if not every day I get asked to help somewhere in some way. Its overwhelming and sometimes its hard to say no. So I began to ask the Lord to show me which part of His work was mine. Some of you may not be too surprised by what the Lord showed me. However I admit I was surprised to find out that I'm not actually called to Nepal to work with Nepalese. It fits in with how God has used me in the past on the mission field however, I had assumed since I was in Nepal I should work with Nepalese. While here I have had plenty of opportunity to meet one on one with Nepalese people and to get involved in the Nepali church. Although, I have enjoyed it I have found it to be draining in many ways. I kept asking God about it. Shouldn't I be getting energized by being in His calling? I started looking at the times when I was energized and was excited to be here and those were the times when God had brought missionaries into my life where I got to pray with them and counsel them in the Lord. The thought began to occur to me maybe I need to focus on those people. God has called me to the missionaries, pastors, and ministry workers here in Nepal to bring encouragement, provide rest, and use my counseling skills to help bring about freedom so that they can do a better job here in Nepal.

I have yet to talk with my supervisor about all of this, although I did talk with her a little before I left for India. This week I was supposed to meet with her but there is a petrol crisis and demonstrators have blockaded the roads. So I probably wont be able to meet with her until next week. I'm still praying about working at the school though and need to honor my commitments there. So you can be praying for our relationship and how God may use it.

I've been talking with my parents and this vision fits in with Shepherd Watch and their mission to help support and encourage pastors and missionaries. As God directs we are looking into acquiring a house slightly outside the city limits to be used as a spiritual retreat center for missionaries to come and find rest. I am still in the brain storming phase of things and God has provided the right people for me to talk to about getting something like this started such as Dianne from Goa and others. One girl here is helping me write up a business proposal and look into buying a house here. I've talked to many missionaries here who are involved in counseling and/or member care and they are excited to see something like this come about here in Nepal. So please pray with me as God reveals more of what He is to do.

I also want to ask for the ultimate support from some of you... That is yourselves. I need a team of people who are willing to come and help me with this project. I need counselors and or trained listeners with hospitality skills and the same vision. I don't need a team right now but would possibly need people to come back with me in September or around that time. I just thought I would give you all plenty of time to pray about it and inquire of the the Lord. It's His plan and I know He's already started working in the hearts of those to be involved.

Thank you all again for your prayers, words of encouragement, gifts, and finances. I am so blessed to be surrounded by such people as you.

much love,

Necia Nash

Christmas and New Years!

2008-01-12T14:07:00.000+05:30

Me at the Delhi McDonalds. Its amazing what one will miss after a time!

I went on a camel safari in Rajastan! My camel's name was Ali Baba. He kept stopping at all the trees and grabbing a bite to eat. It was a bit annoying.

Just outside of Pushkar, Rajistan, India

This was our campsite. We slept under the stars and had food cooked over the fire.

Our campsite in the background.

Those yellow rolls in the ashes are our bread. After they were done cooking we scraped the sand and crust off of the outside and ate the inside. It wasn't bad, although a bit sandy.

Getting on and off the camels was the hardest part. One time I didn't want to wait till the camel knelt down so I jumped off. It was a lot farther from the ground than I thought it would be. But I made it to the ground all right.

On New Years Eve us girls decided to get our hands hennaed up. Afterwards we went to the roof of our hotel and watched the fireworks and prayed in the New Year. It was very memorable. It was interesting because I couldn't help but remember the last time I was in India in 2000/2001 on New Years and went up to the hotel roof by myself and did the same thing. That year prooved to be a lifechanging and very memorable year. We will see what God has in store for me this year...

Namaste!

Some people think I like to chase pigeons... its true

This monkey was very polite

After spending Christmas in Nagaland, I met some friends from Kathmandu in Rajastan, India. Kaitee, Lisa, me, and Gloria

In Nagaland every household slaughters a pig for Christmas and distributes it to the neighbors and family and friends. Every kitchen had pork hanging from the ceiling. Needless to say I ate a lot of pork while I was in Nagaland.

Avikho's parents and Great Aunt. We sat around a campfire outside the house to keep warm. There is no indoor heating. It was very cold.

Christmas with Avikhos family. I'm wearing a traditional Naga dress that her mom gave me. I started a new tradition in the family. Even though they have a tree they don't give and recieve presents. I made sure I brought a Christmas present for each member of the family and on Christmas Eve night I snuck them all under the tree. The family was so happy that they decided they would like to do that with each other every year.

Me and Avikho's parents. It was so nice to have a family to celebrate Christmas with!

me pretending to sleep on the train

Avikho and I traveled from Chennai to Nagaland. A three day trip! this was the third day of traveling. We look pretty tired don't we?

In Chennai around the tree.

2007-12-17T13:26:00.000+05:30

I am now in Chennai, India visiting my friend Avikho. On the 20th we will be going by train to her family's home in Nagaland to spend Christmas. This is the Christmas tree in her apartment.

Avikho and I met six years ago When I came to India on my DTS with YWAM. After our outreach was over I stayed in India to see what God had for me. I ended up joining a trauma counseling team to go to Gujarat where there had been an earthquake. Avikho was also on that team and we formed a fast and lasting friendship. She now works with Compassion International here in Chennai.

This is her boyfriend, Sonam (hes from Bhutan).

Compassion International had a Christmas celebration and I helped Avikho greet people at the door.

At the end of the service we lit candles and sang silent night.

Before coming to Chennai I got to celebrate my birthday in Kathmandu. Mike and Darlene Corman from Colorado let me use their house to throw a birthday bash. In the past I have not had that great of birthdays, ussually I will invite around 20 to 30 people and maybe 2 people will show up. So I was surprised to find that almost everyone I invited showed up for my party (30 in all). Darlene baked me two cakes and I brought pizza. The best present that I recieved was realizing that God had blessed me with an abundance of amazing friends from all over the world. It was one of the best birthdays ever!

The Farquel playing team!

The world really is a small place! Mike and Darlene Corman were Audrey's supervisors when she was here in Nepal for her internship a few months ago. I was flipping through one of my journals from the last time I was here in Nepal and found their phone number. I realized that I had already met them but didn't realize where or how. When I was in Indonesia visiting my cousin he told me about a friend of his that was doing her dts in Nepal and wanted me to contact her. When I arrived in Nepal I was told that the dts team was staying with the Cormans. I already had their phone number written in my journal so I called them up. I found out later that I had met Mike when I was here in Nepal two years ago at the school he works at outside of the city. He had given me and Anna his phone number to come and have dinner at their house some time. I never got around to calling them but made it up two years later. Since reconnecting with them they have become a big part of my life here in Kathmandu.

My house mates, Eleonora and Jarle

me, Eleonora, and Carolin (from Germany).

I met Carolin at the office where I have my Nepali language lessons. I found out that she was here in Nepal visiting a mutual friend. She had a two month break before finishing her degree and decided to see what Nepal was like. We hit it off right away. I invited her over to our house and Jarle, Eleonora and I did our best to convince that she needs to come back to Nepal as a full time missionary.

Sunu and me enjoying a beautiful day by going up to the roof and enjoying the himalayan view.

During Hindu festival, Tihar some students came by our house to play music and dance for us. Its tradition for the youth to go door to door kind of like caroling, afterwards they are rewarded with money.

Dancing in our kitchen!

I got a bike! I'm taking it slow and just driving around the back roads and at night when there is less traffic. But I hope to get more confident and skilled, my goal is to take a motorbike trip to either Tibet or India sometime next year.

Every Monday night our house has dinner together.

Thats Jarle, Svain, Carryn, me and Eleonora taking the picture

The Bihibar (Thursday) night fellowship group. This is the most unique fellowship group I have ever attended. Christians from totally different nations and backgrounds get together and sing worship songs, pray for each other and share out of the word. The number fluctuates from week to week. In this picture the nations that are represented are: Holland, Northern Ireland, Nigeria, Norway, South Africa, Korea, and New Zealand. And that was just half of the people represented! I feel so blessed to get to worship with these people every week.

Here I am on the my roof as well as the roof of the world wishing you were all here.

newsletter problems

2007-11-08T17:38:00.001+05:30

Hello all,

I've been getting some negative feedback on my newsletters so I've followed my cousin's example and started a blog. I copied all my newsletters onto the blog and put some new photos on it. Your welcome to view it anytime. I'll try to keep it updated. Thankyou for your e-mails. I apologize if I don't respond right away. I do have internet where I am living but I can't always count on the power being on.

much love,

Necia Nash

http://necianash.blogspot.com/

2007-11-08T10:56:00.000+05:30

Necia Nash
Kathmandu, Nepal
necia.nash@gmail.com

Nov. 8, 2007

Cultural Findings

Every Tuesday morning I go to a prayer meeting that intercedes for Nepal. The things that God reveals to us during those prayer meetings are truly insightful. For example Nepalese love to sing. It is not uncommon to see people walking down the street whistling or singing to them selves and not even notice they are singing aloud. I prayed that we would join them by singing praise songs to God wherever we go. God also had us pray for unity in the church family here in Nepal. The family is so important in Nepalese culture. Therefore, the church family should be an example of how a healthy family functions.

Cool Experiences

After arriving in Kathmandu and talking with my supervisor I was discouraged because it seemed like I did not have a lot to do. My supervisor was going on vacation because of the Hindu holidays and it seemed that she was unsure where I could get involved. So I went trekking for 11 days to the Annapurna base camp. I went with four other missionary women and one ten year old boy who was the son of one of the women. It turned out to be amazing! Not only did I get to experience more of this beautiful country and its culture. But I made some great friends while doing it. I have to say that Matthew (the ten year old) was my favorite. Everyday him, our Nepali guide, and myself would lead the way at least an hour in front everyone else. I have to say that trekking in the Himalayas is not a breeze. It was all up and down with some Nepali flat areas in between (Nepali flat means either up or down that’s less steep than the rest). Those of you that were praying for us, thank you. No one got altitude sickness, the weather was great, no accidents, no Maoists, it was perfect!
After getting back from trekking I was a little unsure of what I would be doing back in Kathmandu. I met with my supervisor and expressed how I would like to work with youth if it was possible. I think that’s what she was waiting to hear from me. Because she made me the school counselor of the school that she is the principal of, with the possibility of also being involved in 8 other Christian schools here in Kathmandu.

Prayer Requests

- Join with us in prayer for the Christian family here in Nepal.
- Pray for me as I attempt to be a school counselor for students whose first language is not
English
- Pray for the Sojourner Guesthouse and its future ministry
- Pray for me as I struggle to learn the Nepali language

God Moments

Me and my friend Eleanora have moved into a new flat with three Norwegians, a friend of mine from my last visit to Nepal and an older Norwegian couple who are doing ministry here in Nepal. The Flat (apartment) is very large with three stories. It’s lacking furniture and carpet in some rooms though. Our vision for this place is that it will be a place where long term missionaries can stay, a place where the Christian community can gather and have fellowship. We have named it The Sojourner Guesthouse. We have only been staying here for a little over a week but God has already used it as a place for Christian fellowship. Before going trekking I attended a Bible Study where young missionaries from the two international churches get together every week to eat, worship, and share the word of God. After getting back from trekking I invited the Bible study to meet at our house and so last Thursday we had 15 people over. It was an amazing time of fellowship where we prayed for those that needed a word from the Lord. It was also great to get to know the other missionaries that are here in Kathmandu. I’m looking forward to the community that God is building through the Sojourner Guest House.

Pictures from trekking

2007-11-05T16:59:00.000+05:30

Naomi and Matthew on one of the many interesting bridges that we crossed on the trekk

My trekking Team! (from left to right: Bhim, Maureen, Gilian, Lila, Eleanora, Matthew, me, Mhin, and Katherine (Matthew's mom))

Matthew and me exploring caves

I brought Settlers of Catan to play at base camp

Eleanora and me

Machha Puchhra (fish tale) Base Camp

This was one of the guest houses that we stayed at

Oct. Newsletter

2007-11-05T16:42:00.000+05:30

Necia Nash
Kathmandu, Nepal

necia.nash@gmail.com

October 15, 2007

Cool Experiences

My supervisor’s husband is a pastor here in Nepal and I have committed to attending and participating in their church while I am here in Kathmandu. The Nepali church meets on Saturdays instead of Sundays and a two and half hour service is considered a short service. It’s a pretty big commitment considering the service is mostly in Nepali. Two Saturdays ago I was invited to share with the youth after church. During the service I was telling God how I would really like a close Nepali friend and if He could find me one I would really appreciate it. After the service I met with the youth (and also many of the adults who were curious to find out more about me). I shared one of my testimonies and afterwards a Nepali girl (Lily) came up to me full of excitement and said, “When I was listening to you it was almost like you were telling me my own testimony, God has done something very similar in my life”! We sat and talked for about two hours. I knew that God had answered my prayer.

God Moments

When I first arrived here in Kathmandu I moved into a guesthouse. After about a week of staying there I was feeling very lonely. I asked God to provide another place for me to stay where I could find Christian community and encouragement. Eleanora, a Dutch girl, was also staying at the guesthouse. The first Sunday her and I walked to church together and she introduced me to a nice American couple and their small baby. There names are Jonathan, Kristy, and Elle. I didn’t talk long with them but made promises to go over to their house for dinner sometime. Shortly after my prayer about my living situation one week later, I got a call from Kristy. Her husband was leaving for three weeks to work on a research project in the Himalayas. She wasn’t comfortable staying in their house alone for such a long time so she asked me and Eleanora if we would like to move in with her and Elle while her husband was away. So the last three weeks I have been enjoying the fellowship of these two amazing Christian women. Eleanora and I are planning on going trekking with
some other Christian women this coming Saturday. We will be
going to the Annapurna base camp and be gone for 10 days.
I am really looking forward to it!

Cultural Findings

Two images pop into my mind when I think of culture here in Nepal. The first is an empty throne and the second is a red dot. The empty throne symbolizes the political situation here in Nepal. In 2006 parliament asked (made) the king step down in favor of a democratic government instead of a Kingdom. Since then there has been a power struggle with the Maoists (people’s army) and the soon to be new government. The red dot I see all the time on the forehead of Hindus in Nepal. It is a sign of Hindu worship.

Prayer Requests

- Pray that the empty throne would be filled by Christ Jesus
- Pray that the red dot would be replaced by God’s mark of worship which is His Holy Spirit
- Pray for me as I go trekking in the Himalayas
- And pray that I will use every opportunity that God puts before me to the fullest

While I was shopping for trekking supplies I saw this walking down the street

Me eating famous Nepalese food, 'momos'

The Indonesian YWAM Team in Nepal!

Eleanora, Christy, and Elle

Leaving Indonesia

2007-10-11T23:13:00.001+05:30

Thursday, Oct., 11, 2007

Hello everyone,
I thought I should write and let everyone know that I am now in Kathmandu, Nepal. Before coming here I stopped in Indonesia to visit my cousin Chad who is with YWAM over there. I had an amazing time! Some of the highlights for me in Indonesia were driving Chad's motorbike, relaxing by going to a spa and getting back massages for only $8, going to Bali and snorkeling, and of course having quality talks with my cousin. I told Chad that it felt like I was Mary going to visit her cousin before she had her baby. Other than the whole being compared to a pregnant woman he thought it was a good analogy. After all God is birthing something new in my life and for the first time I am able to go full time into missions. And Chad has been on the mission field for two years now and going through similar experiences.
Before leaving Indonesia I was asked to speak at the International school to a 6^th grade social studies class about Nepal. Instead of giving them a bunch of country facts and pointing out the country on the map I wanted to make Nepal more personal to them. I started out talking about identity and what is involved. After listing some of the things that make up our identities I told them to keep those things in mind while I shared about Nepal.

The first thing that I shared was about the Kumari, also known as the Living Goddess of Nepal. Maybe some of you have heard about the Kumari but I'm guessing that most have not. The Kumari is believed to be an actual goddess and many people here in Nepal worship her. She is an actual person who is chosen when she is 3 to 5 years old. She has to have specific qualifications including perfect skin, teeth, eyes, hair, and so on. She has to be born the same month as the king, of a certain caste, and many other qualifiers as well. One of the tests that is set before this little girl is she has to be in a dark room where the heads of oxen that had been sacrificed lay all around her while men in grotesque masks dance around her and yell. If the young girl does not make a sound, and does not cry, or seem afraid then she moves onto the next task. Her next test is to choose the clothing of her predecessor among various pieces of clothing. Finally she is sent into a room where the spirit of the goddess Durga is invited into her body. After this she is know as the Living goddess or the Kumari. From that day on she is taken from her parents and worshiped as a god. She is not allowed to touch the floor or leave her new home except for a few times a year. If she ever gets sick or bleeds then it is said that the goddess Durga left her because after all a goddess can't get sick or bleed. They then have to find a new Kumari. Usually these girls remain the Kumari until their first menstrual cycle and then a new one is found. The old one is sent home to her parents and has to figure out how to live a normal life. She usually does not get married because it is said that if any man marries her he will die because of the spirits living in her. As I told the students about the Kumari's life they listened with wide eyed interest. It was hard to imagine this girl's identity compared to their own.

I then told them about the royal family of Nepal and the tragedy that befell them in 2001. For over 400 years Nepal has claimed to be a Hindu Kingdom, believing that even the king himself is somehow divine. They have taken great pride in this. In 2001 nine members of the royal family were shot to death one evening. Rumors claimed that the prince under the influence of narcotics had shot everyone and then himself. But most believe that the only remaining heir to the throne planned the assassinations and then covered it up. Under these rumors the new king took the throne and for the first time in hundreds of years the people of Nepal began to question a part of their identity. Some were even quoted to have said at the time, "We have no God!"

After only five years under the reign of the new king the Nepalese people had enough and parliament told the king to step down in favor of a democracy. Roughly that is the political situation in Nepal today. Elections were supposed be held to place leaders over this country in November but elections have been postponed a second time which is causing stress in many of the people here. People need leaders and the political situation is very unstable right now. However, change is in the air and even though the situation is tense there is also hope that things will get betters. No one is sure what things are going to look like but most hope that it will be better than what it was before.

After sharing this with the students I asked them to pray for the people of Nepal. I'm going to ask you to pray for the same things. For the first time in many years the people are open to a new identity. Pray that their identity will be found in Christ Jesus. Pray for the coming elections that God will place good people in office. Pray for peace in the streets and the safety of people living here in Nepal. And if you think of her pray for a little girl who thinks she is a god.

I have only been here for just over a week and already God has made it so clear that He has chosen for me to be here at this time. I have no idea what His plans are but I am excited to be a part of it. Thank you so much for all your prayers, financial support, and best of all your notes of encouragement to me.
Much love,

Necia Nash

Pictures from Bali, Indonesia

2007-09-03T11:50:00.000+05:30

Hey friends,

I thought I would write a personal note to those closest to me to let you know how I'm dong in Indonesia. I absolutely love it here! I keep telling people that Indonesia is paradise compared to Nepal or India. Although Chad doesn't want me to tell some of his supporters just how good he has it over here ;). I just want to say if any of you needs a nice vacation you should consider visiting Chad :). I've been staying with some of Chad's missionary friends while I'm here and their family is pretty wonderful.

Yesterday Chad let me drive his motorbike around some of the back roads. The Indonesians were impressed that I would drive after only being here for four days and on a bike thats a clutch. I did fine but it was a little stressful. Even though I know the mechanics of driving the bike pretty well, I don't have the reaction time that I need. I'm hoping to get a lot more practice in and then maybe I will consider driving in Nepal.

Its been nice to be able to relax and enjoy meeting new people. The other day Chad had his language tutor meet us at one of the tourist spas and while he studied language I went and got a massage and swam in the pool while enjoying complimenary iced coffee and fresh fruit ($8 total). It was pretty nice and I look forward to going there again.

Yesterday Chad took me and one of his Indonesian friends, Jackson, to an outdoor swimming pool thats fed fresh water from an underground spring. While Chad was teaching Jackson how to swim I got to borrow Chad's goggles and look at the fish swimming around the bottom of the pool. I was amazed to discover that the type of fish swimming around were the same fish I had in my aquarium back home. It was like being in my own aquarium. there were guppies and swordtail fish and little tetras. It was so much fun.

The other thing that I've really enjoyed here is talking with other missionaries and sharing with each other our experiences. I'm not quite ready to go to Nepal yet. I'm soaking up all I can here first. maybe in another two weeks I'll be ready and excited to go. On Monday Chad and I are taking a trip to Bali. We plan on going surfing and snorkling while there. I love you guys and thankyou for your prayers and e-mails. I love hearing from you
Necia Nash

Me Driving Chad's bike

The swimming pool with aquarium fish in it

Chad and I bought hammocks in Bali and had a relaxing afternoon back in Salotega

Chad studying while I went to go get my massage

Chad and me on an Island off of Bali.

Did i tell you that we got to swim with a shark? It wasn't on purpose at first. Chad was snorkeling by himself and came back to the beach where me and a new friend were. He was a bit shaken up because he saw a shark. The new friend and I had never seen a shark so we all three went back in the water to go find it. We found it... it was a black finned reef shark. It was pretty cool, it must have already eaten because it left us alone.

the beginning

2007-09-02T11:11:00.000+05:30

Since I'm beginning a new life away from all my friends and family I thought I would try out this blogging thing so that you guys can still be a part of my life. I can't promise on the frequency of my updates as I also have other sites that I'm committed too such as facebook, myspace, and regular e-mail. However, we will see how this goes for now.