Favoured

So I am now on week 6 of life in Nepal and time is flying! It’s such a beautiful country to live in – I can still barely believe that it’s real that I get to be here! The people, the scenery, the food, the joy, the colour..

I feel like I’m beginning to settle into somewhat of a routine, I am trying to fiercely guard my time against working too much, yet want to be on top of things as much as I can. I had a conversation with someone very wise the other day who just gave me permission not to have everything as sorted as I would like it to be, and talked about “redefining success” which keeps coming back to my head. Success for me here looks different to success in the UK and I’m learning in a new way to not rely on my own strength (of which there isn’t much anyway!) and let God do what He wants with me.

I am overwhelmed by how awesome the people are that I am getting to do life with here. I LOVE life in community and it is my joy to walk alongside people, pray with people and just love them well. I already feel like family with a number of people here and I see the Father’s fingerprints everywhere I look. I am having mind-blowing conversations all the time as I get to know people and hear their stories. There isn’t anywhere else I would rather be, really genuinely! I also have so many opportunities to speak into people’s lives and encourage them – which is one of my very favourite things in life (as you might have figured!) And not only that, but I am also loved really well here, people are SO kind and genuinely want to know me and serve me so well. I can’t even begin to tell you how extravagantly blessed I am - it’s stunning.

I'm singing this song in my head all the time as I meet different people and am startled by clearly I can see God's fingerprints all over their lives. If you don't know it, it's a good one.. :-)

I am also having a lot of opportunity to speak into my kids’ lives – asking God how He sees them and declaring life, hope and truth over them. We’re praying together a lot and having fun whilst learning! They’re really cool, it’s wild that God would trust me with their hearts and lives almost every day for an entire year! I’m also having fun getting to know the different families. I’ve been for dinner at one of my kids’ houses already, am meeting a different parent for coffee at the weekend. It’s a different sort of relationship to the teacher-parent relationship in the UK for sure.

Finally I have been invited to so many different churches and people’s houses and ministries. It’s fun getting to meet inspiring people and be with people who have nothing materially but carry the presence and fragrance of God in such a beautiful way.

So “Hannah” means “favoured” and that is the story of my days. It’s not easy but it’s beautiful and I’m undone by the favour and glory of God on almost a daily basis as I learn to live here and get lower before Him.

Please keep me in your prayers. Specifically for: continued good health, time set aside to be with Jesus, my relationships with my roommates, my relationships with my colleagues, my kids and parents at school, a church community. And then just however God leads you. If He gives you prophetic words, pictures, Scriptures then please share them. Remember that you’re all on this journey with me, which is my joy! I feel very blessed to get to share with you. Thank you for persevering with me – a number of you through many years and many countries! You are incredible.

This friend is one of the most remarkable answers to prayer I've ever seen. She's from the UK, invited me into her world in Nepal and is so generous and wild and glorious!