This last week one of the men I am discipling took me to his village in the Terai (southern part of Nepal). After a 12 hour bus ride from Kathmandu, we arrived at his mother?s village. This trip was full of first time adventures. The first thing that startled me was the fact that Hari’s mother was married to a man who already had a wife. I don’t mean they were separated or divorced. They all lived together in the same home: one husband, 2 wives, and 5 children. It was an experience. Some other new things included: drinking buffalo’s milk that was fresh from the utter, riding on the top of a bus for 2 hours, and making butter. The week was exciting and full of meeting new people, but the great experience of all was what God did in the villages.

My friend Hari and I went to minister in three villages. To be honest we didn’t have a detailed plan. We just wanted to go show the Jesus Film then preach the gospel. The first village we ministered in had never been reached with the gospel. First of all we went to the local school and asked if we could use their building. The principle said we could do whatever kind of program we wanted with the kids (200 of them) and then we could use the building for the adults afterward. Next Hari went to the head of the village and explained exactly what we were doing and asked for his approval. His answer was remarkable, “Nepal is a free country now, we should have the right to believe whatever we choose”. It was amazing. Keep in mind that converting people is illegal in Nepal, yet this village opened their doors to us. That day we shared the gospel with over 250 people. Almost all of them had never heard before. The greatest blessing of the day came when I got to sit down and share the gospel personally with the principle, 2 teachers, and the head of the village. The joy came when they all realized the full meaning of the gospel. They understood that Jesus was the only way!? No one made a profession, but that is not my concern. I tell the story and the Holy Spirit does the saving.

After that we ministered in 2 other villages. Over all we shared the gospel of grace with over 350 people, most whom had never heard. The amazing thing is we could have done so much more, but we were limited in personnel and equipment. The door is opening wide here. People know that what they worship is created by man and that God must be something greater. When I preached I focused on the point that there is only one God and Jesus is his name. I got nothing but positive responses.

Several men showed deep interest, but gave excuses. Most of their excuses centered around their families. Keep in mind that to follow Christ here many times means giving up you family. The cost is high, but the worth of Jesus is higher. Pray hard for these men and that they would abandon all to follow Jesus.

One of the young men I got to share with responded very well. So well in fact I felt he needed to have more exposer to the gospel, so I brought him back to Kathmandu with me. He is 19 years old and I can see God working on His heart. Pray that God draws him to Himself. Here are a few picture for you to enjoy.

The kids at the school as Hari taught them Christian songs.

One of the pastor’s daughters making butter.

The women’s side of the church. All churches in Nepal sperate the men and women.

One of the pastors we worked with closing our service in prayer.