Stranded with 2 Kids and a Broken Down Van across the Border into Mexico--1500 Miles from Help

It’s now 1977. We have moved from Nepal to Oklahoma to California to Oklahoma and now on to Mexico ALL IN ONE YEAR. To get to Mexico City, we purchased a used 1973 VW van to carry all four of us and all our earthly belongings—plus the micro computer Bill had built. Ten year old grandson Ethan drew a picture of what he thought it must have been like when the engine threw a rod and we were stranded. Note our faces in the window.

Here's what my journal recorded: 9-3-77

"Here we sit in a Nuevo Laredo motel. We had a lovely trip until we got to the border. We had to drive all night from Tucson, but we made it.

We spent 5 hours at the border with customs. They really gave us a hard time, except they hardly inspected our luggage at all. Instead they gave us medical exams and said we didn't have enough of the required forms to know we were not dangerous.

We were exhausted after all this and decided on. but 15 minutes on our way out of town the engine sputtered and broke down. We pushed it on its last breath into the VW dealership that happened to be in Nuevo Laredo. We gave thanks for God's timing and placement of the dealership. BUT they had neither the parts or the facilities to repair it.

So Bill called our colleagues in Mexico City to ask for advice. While waiting an answer we hired a tow truck to take us to a motel for the night. Right now we're sitting in a hotel room with boxes, drum, suitcases, duffle bags and everything from our van filling up the huge room. And we're waiting, waiting. By yet another miracle, 2 SIL folks from Mexico city, drove the 1500 miles to arrive with a mechanic-- the amazing Fred Tuggy,  We are deeply grateful for their willingness to come and rescue us.

The Lord has given us deep peace and anticipation knowing this is for our good, perfecting patience in us and bringing forth joy. I think it's answers to people's prayers that we've had so much peace and rest in this. The only part that causes a bit of anxiety is when I think how much it's going to cost for the mechanics' trip and our engine repair. Mexico City is 16 hours away if you're driving straight throough. Thank-you, Lord, for this VW and the things you are teaching us through it.

It's been hardest on the kids when they were so tired yesterday, but they seem recovered today. We'll be glad to get to Mexico City and hopefully resume normalcy. And Father said, "I am your normalcy, child. Come to Me; Peace in the midst of turmoil, joy in the midst of pain, love in the midst of frustration. I want to walk the fire with you. Always remember I am there perfecting and loving."

9-6-77: We made it to Mexico City in 18 hours--a long but good drive, thanks to Dick Bronson and Fred Tuggy.

We were and still are tired. We're living in a one room posada and are very cramped until a new efficiency apartment is completed, hopefully soon. People have been very friendly. And still it hurts, much deeper than I thought. Looking back always does for me. It's so big and modern here, and rich. I feel a fish out of water and long for the small branch fellowship and love we had in Nepal. Help me, Lord, to step out and minister that love to those around me."

The Year Between Two Worlds

Moving on from Nepal to the next nomadic moment in our life was like moving on from one world to another. So where do you go when all your plans for the future disappear? First you go to Father to listen for His Voice. And then you listen some more. As we listened, we knew we needed to head to Santa Ana, California for the next school year. We needed some time to heal and a place to settle while we awaited His Voice and direction for the next big move.

Bill’s parents were in Santa Ana and mine were in Santa Barbara, so we would have time with family nearby. And it meant that Jonathan, at 6 years old, could attend the school at our home church, Calvary Church of Santa Ana. He loved first grade and did well. Jenny, at 3 1/2 went to their nursery two mornings a week and stayed home with me the rest of the time for whatever home school we could fit in, but mostly mother-daughter time, and soul resting. Meanwhile, Bill went to school to study electronics at the local college. His goal was to put together a computer to take to our next assignment—wherever that would happen to be. 

While traveling the year between the worlds, God gave us a cute little rental home on Parton Ave. in Santa Ana. The church helped us find furniture and even an old piano for me to play. Even with the kindness of everyone around, my heart wandered in and out of depression, wondering how to trust Him now. Letters from expats and friends were encouraging. But it was especially hard when we heard that some of them planned to head back to Nepal. Memories wandered in and out of my heart daily....such longing. I even missed our small Bharatpur airport, which was just a grass strip back then and had only two flights a week. Now it's now a major airport in Nepal with three flights a day! 

But Father had not put in Bill's heart to return to Nepal--an unknown protection for us. This was a very hard decision for me. I somehow felt like a 2nd class citizen not returning home or going to a place of our choice--like the Lord's most loved were there. That was the crucial issue--finding my proper place in Him, not locations or even people. 

Then a word from dear friend Deidre Bobgan came: "Lean on Me; lean heavily upon My Love, for I am strong and will uphold you, comfort you and supply your every need. Take your eyes from off your concerns and worries and steadily gaze at Me and I will do all things well. As you trust Me, you will be free. As you gaze upon me, your entire body will be full of light and healing. But remember to lean on me and I will give you peace. Behold, you are complete in Me!" 

So it was a year of slow healing from the emotional searing and tearing from so many loved ones. Jenny drew of her behind a fence and our dear Kunti on the other. Even the kids felt the loss and pain.

We also learned that we could get sick in the US. Both kids came down with scarlet fever in January. But most of the time they were well and found that they liked things that came with living in the US, like “ice cream, hot dogs, Sesame Street, and toy stores” (says a newsletter sent out to friends). But they too missed our village and Wycliffe friends.  Plus we had many wonderful times with family, and a Christmas with both Bill's and my family, being loved on and spoiled over and over. Here's a pic of the kids that year with Bill's parents.

During the year we kept in touch with friends from Nepal, and received a letter from Kissan telling of his decision to follow Jesus. He was baptized soon after.

Baptism in Nepal meant he could be put in prison. In Nepal, baptism has been the dividing line to declare you allegiance to Jesus and to do things His way and not the old ways of tradition. We later learned that Kissan’s father had stopped sacrificing and was believing Jesus' Word too. He was 80 years old and probably the first Tharu from Nepal in heaven! Soon there were 3 more believers, and now we hear there is even a church in our village that used to be so small!

Meanwhile we sought to hear His Voice and just be with Him as He healed us from such loss. Initially we thought we might head to Indonesia. It was “close” to Nepal and we thought it would be a good place to invest our lives. We began planning and put together a supply list. Have you ever tried to think of all you’ll need for 4-5 years for your whole family and then get it together in just a few months?

However, Indonesia was not meant to be our next home. Instead our assignment was to that familiar country of Mexico. Funny how God redirects our steps. So how did Mexico become the new destination? Well, we kept getting invitations from people in Mexico asking us to come and help them. And Bill grew up in Mexico, plus we both were already fairly conversant in Spanish. Still, it wasn't our first choice. Thankfully, God is bigger than our first choices and knows the exact times and places for our lives (Acts 17:26). 

This change in direction was like the Macedonian call that Paul had, when the Spirit wouldn’t let him go to Bithynia and sent him to Macedonia. Acts 16--the Holy Spirit prevented them from speaking God's message in Asia! He heard the words, “Come over to Macedonia, and help us.” Those were the words we heard from Mexico and we knew it was the Lord’s voice.  Some called us "an answer to prayer." So our death to a vision was the answer to others' needs we could not yet begin to imagine.

As it turned out, Mexico was also a better place for Bill’s computer project. And the Lord promised that He had "a people for you for I put things together that go together" and Indonesia was not a fit. We learned, albeit slowly, that the Lord also has a burden for those in Mexico. 

It also became clearer that being in Mexico would enable Bill to help those going back to Nepal to get photo-ready Scripture portions off the press. During this year we had good visits from many friends from our years in Nepal. We also had opportunities to share God’s work in Nepal and in our own lives with churches and friends.

Before our first pilgrimage to Mexico City, we spent the summer at the University of Oklahoma in Norman, where Bill taught grammar and I taught phonetics. We loved it. The kids loved it there too, and made many new friends. 

But we were ready to move on to the next assignment skillfully prepared by Father and the new goal was to be in Mexico City by September so the kids could start school: Jenny in kindergarten and Jonathan in second grade. And so, to get to Mexico City, we purchased a used 1973 VW van to carry us and all our earthly belongings—plus the micro computer. However, as if in foreshadowing, we had car problems all the way from Oklahoma to California. But many repairs later, after saying many goodbys with family and friends.....we headed into the next great unexpected adventure....in Nuevo Laredo.

No Regrets, Just Anticipation: Summary Photos of our Years in Nepal

It has taken awhile, but my heart holds this truth -- There are no regrets, no mistakes, just anticipation of God's faithfulness and goodness. So here are the last slides, just found, of family and village friends. More stories with most pictures too.

Proof that once upon a time, Bill actually had hair.

In front of our last house in Kathmandu.

Jenny's 2nd birthday cake and celebration!

Jenny's first birthday in the village: Grandma Leal was there and we all had homemade ice cream--the first the villagers had ever tasted.!

I love this one. This was our kitchen in the village and our dearly loved Kunti is in it  A British friend named Julie came  to visit and painted the wall for us.  Our sink was that pail at the end corner. We had straw mats on our cowdung and mud floors.

This was how we got to the airstrip in Bharatpur to catch a flight to Kathmandu. We caught a bus in Tandi when there was one. That's Bill's Dad with Kunti, Jenny and I. 

Jonathan and I in Pokhara with the Himalayas behind us.

Kathmandu from the air....1974

Another one of Jenny and the flowers. She's always loved them!

Jonathan and Jenny introducing the two Henderson kids to one of the village goats. Dudley is a dentist and came down to the village to help the village people with their dental problems. He pulled a lot of teeth in our backyard!

Jonathan and an amazing man we called Malidai. He worked for us five years and helped our garden to grow and so many other helpful things.

Kissan and Hathani and their first two kids, Santa Kumar and Mina. 

Our landlord, ManSingh, had two wifes. We gave them fabric from the US and they made matching blouses. They didn't live for long in the same house.

My mom came to Kathmandu when Jenny was born. 2 women I love very much!

One of my favorites--kids in the flowers and Malidai in the distance tending our vegetables....and strawberry plants

Not all bridges were safe to cross.

Kissan, his dad and younger brother

Bill and Kissan at work on analyzing the Tharu language.

Kissan was baptized shortly after we left and followed Jesus all his life until he had a heart attack at age 50. We look forward to seeing him in Heaven!

When we were expelled from Nepal, our whole group of 100 worked very hard 24 hours a day. We took shifts printing recently translated Scriptures. Here I'm working on the gospel of Mark in Tharu.

Some precious village kids!

Bill and Jonathan and I think one of our rabbits! Jonathan called them "hummies" and when we had to kill one to eat it, he combined his Nepali-English vocabulary to tell us, "Hummy sidhiyo" which means quite literally, "The bunny is all gone or finished." I love watching and listening to children's language development!

Jonathan loved books from an early age. Anyone recognize the book?

Jonathan pumping water for us from the one village pump we had installed.

Bill's parents came to visit when Jenny turned one year old. :)

Mom and Daughter in matching dresses

Jenny and Melinda Hugoniot celebrating 2nd birthdays together. They were due the same day, and born 10 days apart.

Jenny, tinker toy, and friendly chicken later to become dinner!

Jonathan's tinker toy creation :)

This was how we got places more quickly than walking.

Wake up, Daddy!

Christmas with Trudingers and Sewards--a roast pig on top of Trudingers' house. Our house is in the background.

Recent Pics from our Tharu Village Friends in Nepal

So delighted to find these treasures in Nepal!

Kissan's Wife, Hathani (in green), surrounded by two sons and two daughters: Santa Kumar, Ramji, Mina and Niru (Putali)

Kissan's family's house

Niru and her two sons. We've had some emails and lots of talk about helping Oz Aman get more education.

Church in Devouli!

Inside of church

Kissan's mother, 100 years old. One amazing woman!

Nothing's Mature at the Time it is Born

It has been a long time since I've written more of my story. So much has happened that draws my heart back to Nepal. It was a time of seed planting, watering, and not seeing anything mature.

Yet in the last two months something amazing has happened. Through Facebook, many of Kissan's Tharu children and grandchildren have found us! We've been having daily contact with them and even chatting and  talking on the phone ... in Tharu. We have found they all survived the earthquake, but are suffering from the Nepal-India border sanctions. BUT several are following Jesus. There is even a church in our village. So hard to imagine. All we left with Kissan was the book of Mark and half of Genesis. Then Kissan's letter came, soon after we settled in California, telling us how he had decided he, too, would follow Jesus.

This story goes on in future blogs, but for now, another serendipity: I found a whole batch of pictures and slides from our time in Nepal ... and now we have received some recent ones that our Tharu friends have sent. So, before moving on to the "rest of the story," here are some pics and memories of those years planting and watering and seeing nothing mature.

First, a series of pictures Jonathan drew for one of his kindergarten assignments. The kids were asked (Thank you, Heather Wells!) to draw where they lived in their villages and what it was like. I love these pics! The next blog will be the recently discovered photos with captions. Enjoy!