We called our good friend Craig Ricks and asked him if he would come and check out our Skype. It hasn't been ringing when an incoming call comes in. He and Tracey came right up and before long he had us all set and ready to go. I don't know what we will do without our computer support guys. A special 'Thank You' to our son Chad. He's computer wise and always helping us out. He has installed Team Viewer on our computer and will be able to take control of our computer, even from Nepal. That's comforting to me. I always calling him for help. Thanks, Chad! 

That evening our Skype rang and it was Elder and Sister Deppong calling from Kathmandu. They are the couple we will be serving with in Nepal. They asked if we had any questions and they answered a lot for us. We talked about the money exchange and they told us when we use our debit card in Nepal, rupees come out. Talked about how much cash we needed to take. And Elder Deppong warned us that when we arrive at the airport, there would be many guys there who would really put pressure on us, wanting to carry our bags out for us, for outrageous amounts of money. He said to be firm and just say “NO”.

We talked about the food and they told us there is one place where we will be able to go and they have lots of familiar kinds of food. Even a KFC and a Pizza Hut. They did say that we can buy milk there. It is imported and it is safe. They told us there were wonderful kinds of fruits readily available. Remember that we have to be able to peel or cook everything that we eat. There won't be any green salads. I will miss that.

They asked if we had been made aware of the bathroom facilities all around Kathmandu. Gene asked if they meant the hole in the floor and they laughed and said ‘yes.’ I asked how bathroom facilities were in our house and they said the home is very nice and the bathroom fixtures were all there. I told them every time I shower, I wonder how the shower will be there and they said it wouldn’t be bad, in fact there were some solar panels on top of the house and if we had a shower in the afternoon, it should be pretty good, at least for the first person.

They told us they had been on a wheelchair distribution and also had distributed some hygiene kits. They said they were great experiences. They said we would love it there and the help is so needed. We talked about the branch and how wonderful it was. They did tell us that most everyone spoke ‘a little’ English but some people weren’t coming to church because they didn’t understand English. Now they are having a talk in English and then one in Nepali. I know we aren’t going to understand much of what is being said. I hope Heavenly Father will bless us with the gift of tongues that we can understand a bit of what is going on.

They told us that we can purchase most things we need there. It was so fun to talk with them. Sister Deppong is a real talker and we look forward to working with them. Their call was for two years and so they will be there the whole time with us. It will be good. We wish we could just board the plane. We are ready to go.

 Yesterday our phone rang and caller ID said 'Jay Smith'. I recognized the name as the person President Livingston (Kendall's mission president) said we should talk to. Brother Smith was serving in the Asia Area Office and had spent some time in Nepal last April. Anyway, we had a wonderful visit. He told us we would love Nepal. It's beautiful and the people are great. He shared a blog website that he had put together about their time in Nepal.   http://jayandjenaveesmith.blogspot.com/

Check it out. It has information on the Kathmandu Learning Center where we will be teaching English, Wheelchair Distributions and also the Clean Water Initiative. Brother Smith was very helpful and we are going to try and get together with them before we fly out.

My Brother Bruce also sent me a link to a blog that was  very informative. Thanks, Bruce - for thinking about us. that link is: http://ordinarylifebromley.blogspot.com/search/label/Nepal

 

This is a young LDS family living in Nepal. There are a lot of pictures and I'm enjoying it. We are learning lots about Nepal and the adventure awaiting us.  Life Is Good!