21 hours and 27 minutes later we finally made it to Kathmandu, Nepal.

We are staying in an area of the city called Thamel. Tiny streets lead you around countless shops full of books, souvenirs, clothing, and travel agencies. It’s the perfect little bubble for tourists. But it’s not an area that defines Kathamandu and we didn’t come to Nepal to do life in a pretty bubble.

This morning we walked to a place called Banquet Church. It was planted through an organization called Iris Global. There we helped set up chairs for the hungry that would be coming to eat. This happens every Tuesday and Thursday. 

Mostly it was men. Some were still drunk. Most knew very little English. Once the food was cooked we went around with pre-made plates and handed it to them. Potato curry, rice, and daal that was fit for kings (seriously, I’m fasting food right now and it looked mouthwatering). 

Before that we went out around the area with the founders of the church to seek out any who might be hungry. They’ve been here for nine years so they recognized 90% of the people we came across.

All were invited, but not many of them came. Joel and Tammy (the founders) explained to us that some made more money begging and it was prime time for people to be rushing through and giving them their spare rupees.

We fed 50-60 people today and did our best to love them. As I was sitting there, not sure what to say or what to talk to these men about, I thought, ‘They will be hungry again.’ Which made me remember the story of the Samaritan woman that Jesus talked to at the well. 

John 4:13-14

Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”

That’s why we share Jesus with people, young or old, rich or poor, white or black...we want them to know that they can have life and can live it abundantly. Because the people of Nepal are hungry not just for food, but for God.