Today, Stephen meets with Marcette Buttigieg, a dedicated missionary who has been serving communities for over 50 years. A pharmacist by trade, Marcette devoted her life to introducing medicine to poorer countries so that people in need could receive proper treatment. She recounts how, in the early days, she would have to travel over 12 hours by train both ways, to obtain the vaccinations needed for the village. Her perseverance and dedication leave a lasting impression on Stephen.
After meeting with Marcette, Stephen sets off toward the Nepal border, bringing his two-month visit to India to an end. The border crossing is a long and chaotic process, leaving him feeling stressed and eager to complete it. Once in Nepal, he immediately draws attention—locals are intrigued by both Stephen and his large motorcycle, an uncommon sight in the region.


With the border crossing complete, Stephen meets Father Benjamin, a local priest who oversees several projects financed by Missio. Father Benjamin cares for village children, offering them a chance at education through his school. Most of these children come from poor farming or laborer families. He expresses deep gratitude toward Missio, sharing how thankful the families are for the education and care their children receive, which offers hope for a brighter future.
On his second day in Nepal, Stephen heads to Biratnagar for a much-needed service for his motorbike. The workers at the mechanic shop show great interest in his bike, as motorcycles of this size are rare in Nepal. Their enthusiasm puts Stephen at ease, knowing his bike is in good hands. After changing filters and oil, the head mechanic asks Stephen to test ride the bike to ensure everything is functioning properly, though Stephen suspects the mechanic is also eager to take it for a spin himself! After a few conversations and photos with the staff, the mechanic surprises Stephen by waiving the labor fee, charging him only for the materials. They express their joy at working on such a unique bike and their appreciation for Stephen’s gratitude and company.
Following the service, Stephen visits a local school, where he gives a talk to the students about his adventure. He shares stories of the many missionary projects he has visited, the lives of other children their age, and the importance of education. Accompanying the headmaster, Stephen visits some of the students’ families and learns how the school operates. Once sustained solely by local donations, the school educated over 1200 students, but due to an earthquake and the pandemic, it could no longer rely on donations alone and had to start charging tuition. This has led to many children dropping out due to financial hardship. The headmaster explains their ongoing efforts to lower the cost, ensuring the school can continue operating while educating as many children as possible.




The following day, Stephen travels to Pumdikot, where he visits the impressive statue of Shiva and takes in the stunning rural landscapes of Nepal. We will join Stephen for the final days of his adventure in the next blog!
Join Stephen’s journey again next week to see what experiences lay ahead in this epic journey! New episodes of Dinja Mutur will be airing on ONE every Thursday at 10:10pm, and if you missed an episode, you can watch the episode on demand on one.com.mt, or on repeat:
– Saturday at 11:40pm
– Tuesday at 11:00am