Slow to speak

“Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry.”James‬ ‭1‬:‭19‬ ‭NLT‬‬

We each have circumstances that raise our anger. Impatience and failure to understand are key drivers. We can become so cross with the Lord over our circumstances that we become offended with Him and His ways. We can become likewise with His people.

Yesterday I arose at three am to ready for a bus trip to Sindhulpalchok, northern Nepal. After a three hour journey we arrived in a major town and went to my accomodation. We were made wait, and wait. After having breakfast we went out to meet an elder of a local church where we were planning to show the Jesus movie. We then caught a taxi to a far away village where my Nepali friend had family. After meeting all the family I was shown around his land and visited a church his family had built on their land. There was no other church in the area.

After walking up a very steep hill we came to the village where we proceeded to go to local shops asking about human trafficking in the area. We discovered that the trade was alive and well. After some time sitting in a tea shop we returned to the family farm where we waited for hours until dinner time. After dinner I asked to go back to my motel. We went to the main road to wait for a taxi. It turned up with four youths inside. I said, “I am not going with four youths out for a joy ride!” We then waited another half and hour for another taxi and I finally made it back to my motel at 8:30pm hot and tired.

On th surface the day had been a waste of time, but in true Nepali style I was making connections and valuable relationships. To be annoyed with the process would rob me of those connections. We now know where to base our investigations.

Today starts at four am. We will attend church locally and then I am not sure what. I would be quite happy to return home. I will see what my Nepali friend has planned. As it is the planting season most of the locals in the village are crop planting for 12 hours a day. We cannot go to the schools as they are in exams. Therefore, the people we came to see are unavailable. We wanted to conduct education on human trafficking in the area. I am inclined to go home. We will see what God has planned.