Banepa

By now most of you should have a small inkling of a clue that I want to spend at least part of my summer in Nepal volunteering and working with the deaf children there.

It just kind of happened one day. I was determined to go somewhere and work in an orphanage. I want to leave America for a few weeks. Volunteer somewhere that needs an extra pair of hands. Somewhere that needs a little extra love. Somewhere I could learn and grow as a person at the same time as helping others. Then I realized that I could take that desire and mold it into something better. I could find deaf children to work with. I could learn a new sign language and actually be in the culture learning it. Not a classroom.

I have had people ask me why don't I go somewhere this summer and study abroad. Well I don't know. Mainly because I have no desire to take classes over the summer. Also, because wherever I would be going to study at would more or less likely be fairly well off. The community would be supportive. There isn't a huge need for extra hands to love and cuddle kids. To teach and mentor innocent minds.

I'm not determined to go somewhere and get myself hurt which most people seem to think of instantly.

If you go there, you won't come back. 

That's unsafe. You really shouldn't be considering that. 

Bad idea.

Why would you ever want to go somewhere like that? Especially alone.

I'm sorry, but I think you're all wrong. Every one of you that thinks those thoughts. I think you're wrong. Perhaps wrong is a bit strong. I think you're mistaken. I have done by best to put this in God's hands because I know that nobody else could orchestrate such a trip. Nobody else could make this happen. While I wait for my dad to tell me if he will approve the trip, I know I'm really learning to be patient. He is teaching me to look to him when I want to be impatient and demand an answer. He is there.

I am not tied down to Nepal. I'm tied to the deaf kids. Wherever I can find them. Nepal meets my needs. Honduras once did, but after that being shot down, I kept looking, hoping for something better. I believe I've found it. I'm still waiting to figure out if I really did.

My heart is being called to leave here. It's in my plans. I know that. I know I am meant to go somewhere. I'm supposed to do something with myself. Something I can't accomplish from a dorm room in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Perhaps just change one life besides my own.

I just finished reading Kisses from Katie.

It's an amazing book. It wasn't what gave me the idea. The idea started last May. It just solidified it for me. Made it clear to me that I'm on the right track. If you haven't heard of it, read the book. If you don't want to read the book, you can check out her blog. Which I have yet to do. I whipped through the book in about 24 hours so I haven't gotten to the blog yet.

I'm hopeful for this. I want this. I can't take another summer of being in Pratt, America. Yes. It's home. I grew up there. I love it there. The people are really the best thing. But they will still be there. Pratt will still be there. Nepal will still be around, too, but my opportunities to go volunteer will decrease greatly after this summer.

P.S. I would love a travel buddy if anybody is interested!