God’s Doing Great Things
The first two years or so of a new missionary’s life are supposed to be filled with language, conflict with the culture, and handful of frustration. Now I am experiencing all of these, but in the mist of the normal I am seeing the extraordinary. Just when I start to feel down or think I can’t new really get this language, God moves in and around me in ways I never expected. Here are a few things God has done just this week.
On Monday I started going to language school in Kathmandu. Most of you are thinking, “I thought he was in language school.” I have been studying with a tutor for the last five months, but just this week did I start going to a real school. I have really enjoyed meeting new people and being able to share with some of my new classmates the goodness of God in my life. I have also been encouraged to find out just how much language I really do know!
The second thing happened on Monday afternoon. As most of you know my desire is to work in the unreached parts of Nepal. I am using my time here in Kathmandu to learn language and to look for open doors with unreached people groups. As I was teaching class on Monday, I noticed a new student. Later that afternoon I meet him and found out that he speaks Tibetan and that he is from the most unreached district in Nepal: Upper Mustang. My heart was full of joy! God has already gone before me and He knows exactly what my journey will be. Not only did He give me hope that I will soon be working with the unreached, but He even brought one to me!
The next blessing is a direct answer to your prayers. I asked you last week to be praying for a sport that I could be involved in. I have been trying to find a wrestling team here in Nepal to work with, but with no luck. I had almost given up and decided to move on to a new sport and then God stepped in. On Tuesday afternoon I had tea with Nepal’s national wrestling coach and starting Sunday I will be training with the national wrestling team. For the next month I will be working out with this men two times a day as they prepare for the South Asian Games in Sri Lanka. God didn’t just answer my prayer; He went above and beyond what I ever expected. Isn’t that just like our God? This is just one more proof that God listens to the prayers of His people- keep on praying!
July 21st, 2006 at 10:59 am
God is good. I’m so glad to hear how God has allowed you to have the desires of your heart. I’ll keep praying for you as you study Nepali. This entire week I’ve been thinking “Be not weary in well doing for in due season you shall reap if you faint not.”
July 21st, 2006 at 5:09 pm
Nathan, I rejoice with you! What an awsome God we serve! Love you dearly. Norma
July 21st, 2006 at 7:19 pm
Awesome man. Glad you found a sport.
July 22nd, 2006 at 10:14 pm
Nathan,
It is amazing how God meets not only our needs but also our wants! Who knows how He will use your involvement in the wrestling team. Learning a new language has to be difficult but stay focused. Praying, like always!
July 25th, 2006 at 9:49 am
Nathan,
Absolutely amazing! OUr God is so amazing. I can’t comprehend the depths of how awesome he is, and your entry here just reminded me of that. It was just what I needed as lately I’ve been experiencing those immense frustrations, cultural barriers, and language problems of the first two years. But here too God sprinkles the frustration daily with his power, and showing His glory above all in many small and big ways. Keep praying for the new believer here Helmer, he is still struggling a ton, as well as many others. Satan is doing his best to bring down all the progress that’s been made. Pray for God to hedge us in with his protection from spiritual attacks.
Praying for you and its great to hear these answers to prayer!
Bethany
ps…my Costa Rican family’s daughter is visiting right now and her husband is currently in Kathmandu…he is a pilot with a mid. east. airline, so it was interesting to hear a bit about her experiences there, as she as well has been there many times with him.
July 26th, 2006 at 5:47 am
HEY man i havent put nothing on in a long time! I havent forgot you . I am praying for you all the time. I am glad you can take them out like you did here.(wrestling) you are the MAN!!! But you know who always can take you!!!! lol keep doing the work there.
July 26th, 2006 at 7:57 pm
Hello Nathan,
Just wanted to let you know that you are in our prayers. Ain’t GOD Good to give us so many blessings! It is wonderful to hear you wonderful news. We miss you.
July 30th, 2006 at 5:43 am
Nathan,
Praise God! He is so unfathomably amazing! I am praying that God would open your eyes more and more to how amazingly beautiful and powerful He is and that the knowledge and joy that comes from that would spill over into the hearts of all that come in contact with you.