The Nelson Family Indonesia

In Nepal there is one day off each week – Saturday. So people worship on Saturday, and on Sunday schools and businesses are once again in full swing. So we are starting our training today, which seems strange but really doesn’t make too much difference.

After our training concludes about 4:30pm we head back to the hotel. We are invited back to the church for dinner in a couple of hours. After a bit of rest I head downstairs to the hotel lobby to find the doors locked tight and covered with security doors of heavy aluminum. Hmmm.

It is the Hindu festival of Diwali, and we’ve been hearing sporadic fireworks throughout the day. The frequency has definitely increased now that it’s dark. When Michael joins me we begin exploring. The hotel is empty, with none of the half-dozen or so staff members we normally see as we walk in and out present. We wander into the basement and finally discover someone in the kitchen who is able to let us out.

Diwali is called the festival of light. It has various iterations and specific beliefs depending on who you talk to. In broad terms it celebrates the victory of light over darkness and offerings are made in the forms of small oil candles and colorful chalk designs intended to guide good luck and fortune to the household. There’s no mention made of the fireworks going off as we sit and eat in the church courtyard. While in the US Diwali is growing in popularity as we idolize diversity for the sake of diversity, here it’s very much a spiritual and theological issue. No cultural quarter is given by the church here for these pagan holy days. A good reminder.

I never would have imagined I’d be listening to the fireworks of Diwali in Nepal. Had I imagined it, I might have only thought of viewing the celebrations, marveling at the lights and fireworks and candles. But remembering those things are part of worshiping a false god changes the expectation and anticipation. Each explosion (and some of them are quite loud!) is cause for dismay and sorrow for those who know Jesus as Lord.

Michael has been entrusted with a motorcycle to take us back and forth to and from the hotel and church the next few days. And while he’s undoubtedly a good and safe cyclist I doubt he’s used to having a passenger on the back! We make it to the church and back safely but there are a few seconds of panic as we hit an unexpected bump. God is good!