text and images britt-arnhild
I have been to Pokhara, on the foot of the Himalayas (the Annaputra photos were taken from the top roof of this house). There I met the Swedish/Norwegian missionary Mirjam Bergh, who was the writer of the book about the midwife Ingeborg Skjervheim, the Norwegian woman who came to Nepal around 1956 and gave her life to the Nepalese people. Regular readers of my blog already know Ingeborg and the impact reading the book made on me.
Mirjam invited me to stay in her house, a house she shares with a young Nepalese girl, Prothiba Manaen.
Prothiba is also a writer. She has published one book, A Friend in Thousand, and is working on her second, hoping to publish it next year. You can read more about Prothiba´s book here. Prothiba´s book is out of print for the moment, but more copies will be made, and as soon as possible I´ll get myself a copy. The money Prothiba earns on the book will be used to set up a foundation for school fees for rural Nepalese girls.
Staying with these two strong women was a blessing. Stories flowed between us, food were shared. I was tired when I came, and Mirjam made sure I got the best rest. I had an upset stomack, Mirjam baked bread and we ate them right out of the oven. She knew I needed sleep and told me when I went to bed in the evening: "Don´t set your alarm. I will be up in the morning anyway and if the sky is clear I will wake you so you can see the sun on Annaputra.
Before I left, Mirjam and I sat down and prayed together.
Mirjam prayed for my writing............
Thank you Mirjam for opening up your home for me.
May God continue to bless you and your work.