Our team has completed the first stretch of their journey back toward home!  They left the village early this morning, and are in Kathmandu now.  When they awoke this morning, the fog lifted, and they had spectacular views of the mountains from their campsite.  The village leader and his mother presented them with special thank yous as they left.

And, as for the ride back to the city...well, I'm simply going to share Gretchen's own words because I'm not entirely sure that the wit can be captured by anyone who didn't experience this adventure of a ride!

"We've made it back to Kathmandu, and Dale Earnhardt Jr, our driver, got us back to town in record time.

Though pictures can't do it justice, riding on these roads is a crazy adventure.  There are two lanes, and any time the driver thinks it's safe, he goes into the oncoming lane beeping horn and charging ahead of whatever is in front of us.  It's not a big deal or anything...not many cars are coming in the skinny mountain lane...not many cars...but tons of trucks and buses!

But, really...not a problem if we get run off of the road because the [shoulders] are wide and forgiving.

And, one simply cannot imagine a safer place for motorbikes, which are free to bob and weave through it all.

And, no, sidewalks are not necessary either!  Pedestrians just join everyone else on the road...

After 4-5 hours today, we are so happy to have returned to the guest house in Kathmandu.  Here's the view of the city from our roof...

Tonight, we eat dinner in the city, and, tomorrow, before we catch our plane, we will do a bit of sightseeing.

Traffic in the city ^."

In the words of one of their hosts, "I know now exactly what the work 'careening' means because it's how we came down this mountain!" :)

Please pray for:

-good sleep tonight for our team

-that they might effectively encourage their hosts before leaving

-safety in the city

-safety, endurance, and health during the long journey home

-our team's families as they anxiously await the return of their loved ones

For so the Lord has commanded us, saying, "I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth."  Acts 13:47