Nepal

Each day will find you traveling to a new location. You’ll bring joy dancing with kids at an orphanage while getting in balloon sword fights, venture into some of the slums to reach children, and hike through muddy rice paddies to pray with and love on those dealing with Leprosy (but don't worry, you can not catch the disease). You’ll also meet with full-time Christian workers to gain first-hand knowledge on the front-line efforts to combat human trafficking. All of these are everyday experiences on the Nepal mission trip.

Royal Servants takes the safety and health of each participant seriously. We go to great lengths to ensure participants remain healthy and safe throughout the trip. 

Therefore, no participant is allowed to be alone in any city; Royal Servants always travel in groups of three or more, and when possible, with either a male or Summer Staff in each group. The Trip Leaders also continually monitor conditions within the host country before and during the trip. The team will be moved to a stable location if a situation threatens the team's security, whether from political or environmental conditions.

In between ministry assignments, you and the team will trek up to the 6,000 ft. pass, called Australian Camp, where the breathtaking, snow-capped Annapurna mountain range opens up before you. It’s a feast for your eyes! You’ll also venture away from the mountains to Chitwan National Park, where you can do some bareback riding on elephants. Be at peace; not only are the elephants loved, well-treated, and protected, but they also provide a source of income for impoverished villagers.   

In Kathmandu, you’ll stay in the bustling Thamel district. Some days, you’ll be side-stepping “holy” cows and dodging rickshaws while on your way to get a cup of Nepali tea. Amidst the noise, sights, and smells, you’ll find silver jewelry, hand-made paintings from local artists, knock-off brand-name clothes, and mountaineering gear. A word of warning - Nepali shopkeepers are professionals in the art of bargaining.

Because Hinduism and Buddhism dominate the religious scene, you’ll explore temples and monasteries dedicated to various gods and gurus to understand the people better. Religious practice and ancient customs clash with modern life, and the blending of incense, burning trash, diesel exhaust, and sizzling samosas being cooked on the street creates a unique and unforgettable aroma. The result is a wild and exotic display of sights, sounds, and smells -- an authentic sensory experience.

You can expect to see the Spirit of God move in you and change your understanding of the world as you confront the challenges of ministry in Nepal. Idol worship is tightly woven into the fabric of Nepali culture, and you’ll be confronted with it daily. When talking about Jesus, you’ll have to learn to articulate your faith in a way that can be understood by someone who believes in karma, reincarnation, and an endless variety of gods. Experiences like these, coupled with intentional discipleship and in-depth Bible study and training, will teach you more about our loving Father and the power of the Gospel, enabling you to return home more prepared to share your faith.

Nepal is a developing nation where things don't always go according to plan. Each day is going to throw a lot of new experiences at you. If you can celebrate the chaos and embrace the uncomfortable moments, you will appreciate ministry in Nepal to its fullest. 

A person who can listen well, ask thoughtful questions, and have a heart for people, including the underprivileged and sometimes forgotten members of society, will always do well on this trip. But be aware that Nepal can be a physically demanding trip; steep hiking trails, strange bugs, lots of walking, and getting caught out in the rain are all daily experiences on this trip.

The team will make its basic breakfast and lunches, while dinners out at tiny local restaurants add to the adventure. Nepali dishes consist of dhal (lentils in a mild curry sauce) and bhat (rice). Most menus include a variety of Indian dishes loaded with curry and spices. Mo-Mo’s, steamed dumplings with a delicious filling, are a big favorite. Don’t expect any beef in your diet, but there’s plenty of chicken, pork, and water buffalo to supply you with protein. And when the craving hits, you can usually find a decent slice of pizza or a treat from a local bakery.

While in Kathmandu, the team will be staying in a small but comfortable hotel in the heart of Thamel, which is the budget traveler area of the city. The rooms will be basic, but they are clean and have A/C and showers. Accommodations in Pokhara will be similar. Each hotel has a rooftop area and meeting rooms where the team gathers to meet and eat together.

You will return to Kathmandu for debriefing, which includes time for processing, reflecting, and sweet moments of worship on the rooftop. Debriefing is also about preparing you to transition home. It will give you tools to apply all that God taught you through the ministry, relationships, teachings, and encounters that happen every day in Nepal.

You will partner with resident believers and churches in Kathmandu and Pokhara for local outreach, connect with long-term workers who will help you understand missionary life in Nepal, and work with organizations that meet men and women where they are, empowering them to develop independence and sustainability. You’ll also visit ministries focused on combating human trafficking and learn more about how you can join the fight, whether in Nepal or back home.