Physical Prep
The winter months in Nepal start in December and go through to February. The winter months are great for trekking and getting majestic views of the mountain peaks but can get cold in the higher regions of Nepal.
If you are planning on trekking be sure to pack light with warm clothes and water-proof shoes. Thermals, gloves and a good beanie will help as well. In the tourist areas you can hire jackets and sleeping bags. If you are planning on trekking be sure to test your ability and do some hiking or step training beforehand if needed.
Some places you travel to may have scarce or intermittent power so it is wise to pack a USB power pack for devices and a torch for emergencies.
Also, see your travel doctor about 6 - 8 weeks before travel for advice about immunisations and safety and finally try some Nepali food before you go overseas.
Spiritual Prep
The majority of Nepalis are Hindus and part of their daily ritual is to worship the Hindu gods every morning. most homes in Nepal will be calling on gods or spirits for blessing. Because the spiritual world in Nepal is a very conscious reality Christians should, whether serving long term or visiting short term, prepare themselves spiritually through prayer and meditation of the bible.
Before going on any mission trip, seeking God's will as to whether to go on a trip is important. Often God answers prayers differently for different individuals so the answer may come while you are praying and reading the bible. It may come through the opening or closing of doors surrounding your circumstances. For others, as long as the motivation is correct, God wants people to make their own choice as to whether to join a short term trip. Just remember though, that once you make your choice, don't be surprised to experience moments of opposition which are good opportunities to rely on God in prayer. It is also wise to ask advice from trusted people such as family, pastors or spiritual mentors and also ask them to pray for you in your journey. Writing a diary or journal of your preparation including prayer requests and how God answers is also useful.
If you have any concerns, whether physical conditions or circumstances, you should lift those concerns to God prayerfully. Other things to pray for are spiritual and physical protection before and during the trip as well as asking God to show you what he wants to show you during the trip.
Finally, studying a passage of the bible with your group can be a useful tool to foster unity and focus throughout the trip. It will also help to guide your own thoughts and spiritual growth. There are also many good books that discuss mission prep like this list at www.askamissionary.com/resources/books.php or for more information about deciding or preparing contact INF today.
When planning a trip to Nepal the physical preparation is important but if you are considering joining a short term mission or vision trip, the spiritual preparation is just as important if not more so. This is because Nepal is a highly spiritual environment and Christians can get caught off guard if not prepared spiritually. Read on to find out how to spiritually prepare for Nepal.
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Considering nepal?
what you need to know