I met Purna last Wednesday when I wandered into the university grounds hoping to find a way to the top of the iconic clock tower. He’s in his final year of a psychology degree. We chatted and he volunteered to show me around the Monkey Temple and introduce me to his church. Well today he did that. We met at the Monkey Temple (Swayanbhu). This is my third time to this temple and each time I’m learning more about this special place. While chatting I answer his questions about Australia. Explaining our history, I’m surprised he knew about James Cook discovering eastern Australia and claiming all for Britain. He didn’t know that white Australia started as a penal colony and that the first white Australians to populate the country were rogues, thieves and murderers! I explained that most crimes were small time so we’re mainly descended from small time bad people. He was surprised to learn this, but now understands why we are so different to the British.
From there Purna takes me to his sister’s restaraunt. He has four sisters and a brother. His father is retired army officer and now had a business. I order mo mos, which are a very typical Nepalese dish. The food is nice, ‘the best mo mos I’ve had’ I tell him. I asked him the question I ask every Nepalese. ‘What do you think happened on the night the royal family were massacred?’ He had an amazing insight into the event because his father was in the army at the time, though not at the palace that night. A friend was. There were army at the palace that night but during the shorting, they were instructed from high up to not get involved! Purna, like everyone else, doesn’t believe the official version of events. And like everyone else he believes the Kings brother was involved. The Kings brother was not there but his wife and son were. Miraculously, and mysteriously, they were spared when the rest of the Royal family were killed. While at the restaraunt Purna is busy preparing his sermon. Yes he is giving a sermon at his church tonight and he’s invited me to come.
The church is in a normal looking multi storied brick building. The only thing indicating it’s a church are a few signs that say so. Christianity is a minor religion here in Nepal. Purna’s family converted from Hindu to Christian when one of his older sisters was suffering from psychological problems that traditional medical and psychological treatments couldn’t fix. His family in desperation investigated other avenues and found Christisnity worked. Deep in faith, she is well now. The congregation is small this afternoon. It’s difficult for Christians to meet on a Sunday in Nepal because Sunday is a working day. I’m warmly welcomed into the fold and get asked to briefly introduce myself to the audience. The entire service is delivered in English because this is an international church. It’s called ‘United Vision Church, International Fellowship’. The offer a service on Saturdays in Nelalese. There is a lot of singing and they are good at it. Purna presents his long sermon and after an hour, we’re done. I take their photo outside of the church. They warmly welcome me back for next week. I will go if I’m here.
A 30-minute walk gets me back to my hotel.
angusmccoll 