» Home » Short Term Mission Opportunities » Trekabout in Nepal with GRN

Trekabout 2012

The following details will be updated as more information becomes available

Special note: Expect the unexpected! All the best laid plans can change. God may have a different agenda! One of the benefits of a mission like this is learning to adjust when things don't go as planned or as we might prefer. It is character developing. Consequently, for the most part, treat the following as guidelines, not promises!

Dates

Depart Sydney 27/28 December 2011, return 21 January 2012.

Flights

GRN will generally coordinate and book all flights. However, if participants wish to make some other arrangements this can be accommodated. Please contact the trip coordinator about this.

Itinerary

In general terms the trip will include the following:

1. Several days in Kathmandu for local orientation and training, visiting churches/ministries, preparing for upcoming ministry and any shopping required for the trek.

2. Continuous trek of up to 10 days. This will involve walking most days and ministry in the late afternoons and evenings. Some days we may not walk but stay to carry on ministry.

3. Ministry from a central location. This will involve staying in a larger village/town and walking out to surrounding villages for ministry over several days. This may culminate in a public meeting to which people from the surrounding villages are invited.

4. Involvement with other ministries and churches.

5. Some time for relaxing and shopping for gifts.

6. Other yet to be identified!

Ministry

In partnership with GRN Nepal we will be reaching out to people in several Sherpa villages. (Sherpa does not mean porter! Sherpa is one of the tribal groups of Nepal.) We will have the opportunity to share good news with those who don't know it. We will be distributing and using GRN recordings and other materials in the local languages so you will have the ability to share the Gospel with people in their language even though you can't speak it! We will also distribute literature to those who can read it. We will use story telling and maybe some drama.

Finances

Total cost will be under A$4000.

Conditions

Weather - January is in the middle of winter in Nepal. It will be quite cool to cold - especially in the mountains. We will not go very high but temperatures close to zero can be expected and below zero at night. When the sun is out it can be mild to warm.

Food - The staple in Nepal is Dhal Bhat. Bhat is rice and dahl is lentils. This is usually accompanied by some curried vegetables and sometimes some curried meat. Being a predominantly Hindu country, beef is unknown. Sometimes chicken or buffalo is available.

When we stay in hotels things like noodles, fired rice, usually some Indian dishes and sometimes continental dishes are available. Out in the villages it is usually dhal bhat and maybe something like chow mien. If you are a really fussy eater you will struggle! But it's a great chance to see if you are ruled by your stomach or if you rule it!

Accommodation - Sometimes we will stay in hotels that are quite good. Sometimes we will stay in places that are pretty basic. It may even be that we spend the occasional night on a verandah (that's when you will really need the sleeping bag!) or as a guest in a simple village home or in a church hall. Cooking facilities in places will be basic. Toilets will normally be squat toilets. Running water will not always be available. We will carry bottled water and use water filters (very good ones) to filter stream water. (No-one got sick from the water last time!)

Communications - Internet access will be intermittent. Mobile phones work in many areas and our guides will carry them. In some areas there is no phone coverage.

Equipment and clothing

Most equipment and clothing can be bought in Nepal but it saves some time if you don't have to buy everything there. Keep an eye out for the annual "Kathmandu" (brand) sales etc.

As you will be expected to carry most of your own stuff, the less you bring the better!

You will need a hiking pack and good hiking shoes. A hiking pole (or two) is a great help. All these can be purchased in Kathmandu on arrival but I recommend you don't take new hiking shoes on a 6-10 day hike! Buy them in Aus if you don't have some and break them in before you go.

Sleeping bags and sleeping mats will be supplied there. However, you may prefer to bring your own sleeping bag. -5 or -10C rating should be adequate.

A wind breaker jacket of some kind is important.

A more comprehensive suggested packing list will be available closer to time of departure.

Porters will carry ministry materials, food where necessary and can help with some excess luggage.

A head lamp will prove useful or at least a torch that you can hang around your neck to leave your hands free.

Small bottle of hand sanitizer is a good idea.

Preparation

1. Physical - The trip is physically demanding. We will be walking up to 6 hours on some days, much of it on steep terrain, carrying a heavy pack! (Hopefully not too heavy!) You will need to be in good physical condition.

2. Emotional - The trip will take you out of your comfort zone and test your character in some ways. Food will be different an not always to your liking. Some things you are used to will not be available. Can you cope? You need to prepare yourself emotionally for this.

3. Spiritual - We are not going on holidays! I certainly hope that we will enjoy ourselves, but our primary purpose is ministry. That means we take ourselves into the battle field where Satan does all he can to keep people in darkness. Not only should you be praying yourself, you should be recruiting a prayer team. Especially I would encourage you to get your church praying for you and the team. Get them involved! Plan to send them information for prayer whenever there is opportunity during the trip.

4. Information - There will be two team planning and orientation days before departure. One of these will include a hike in the Blue Mountains. Dates yet to be advised.

Application

Enquiries to Graydon Colville at GRN Australia.

About

What's New

Get Involved

Audio Evangelism

Audiovisuals

Audio Players

Other Resources

Search

Africa

Americas

Asia

Europe

Oceania