Rajendra and I traveled to Hetauda for a youth conference where we were invited as guest speakers to talk about “Friendship – Disciple” on November 2. The ride took us about 2.5 hours, navigating the winding tracks from Kathmandu on my semi-dirt bike. Upon our arrival, the local pastor who had invited us hosted us for the night. Our conversation with him that night took a personal turn as he opened up about the heartaches and challenges of ministry in his area. It became an unexpected but meaningful moment for us to minister to him simply by listening and offering encouragement.
The next morning, we were warmly welcomed at the church by a group of young men and women waiting for the conference to begin. They served us hot tea and snacks, setting a gracious tone for the day. Although the event started an hour later than planned, it didn’t dampen the energy. I was scheduled to speak during the second session, which lasted about 55 minutes.
After the conference, our next destination was Soti Pipal in Damauli, west Nepal. Along the way, we decided to rest overnight at Bandipur, a historic Newar settlement known for its charm. The following day’s ride to Soti Pipal was nothing short of an adventure. The roads were newly dug, and the recent monsoon floods had washed away parts of them. It wasn’t easy navigating the steep mountain tracks on a motorbike with two people.
When we finally arrived, we met a Christian brother who had started a small house fellowship in the area. His family welcomed us warmly and shared a meal. After spending time with them, listening to their struggles, and learning about the challenges they faced, we encouraged them to remain steadfast in their faith despite the hardships.
We decided to return to Kathmandu the same day. Although I was physically and mentally exhausted after riding for two days straight, we pushed on. The journey back proved even more challenging. Parts of the highway were completely destroyed by floods and landslides, turning stretches of the road into makeshift potato fields. What should have been a six-hour ride stretched far longer.
About 2.5 hours from Kathmandu, we met with an accident. Heavy trucks were approaching from both directions on the slippery, uneven road. While trying to avoid a trench, my bike slipped. It was my first significant accident, and I got injured. A young truck driver came to our aid, helping us move the bike and asking if we needed further assistance. I was incredibly grateful for his kindness.
On any other day, this accident could have been far worse. The smooth roads and speeding trucks could have made it fatal. But by God’s grace, we were spared. While my full-face helmet protected me from serious head injuries, my right arm sustained a deep cut, and I bruised my knees and legs. I could barely move my arm and feared I might have dislocated my shoulder.
After a brief rest, I decided to ride on, knowing the pain would worsen if we waited until the next day. We finally reached home at 10:30 p.m., utterly exhausted but grateful to be alive.
Together in Faith: The Maharjan Story 