:: Reaching Nepal ::

Serving in Nepal is the life I’ve always dreamed of. The culture, the people, and the unique problems make serving here not only fulfilling but it also satisfies that adventure bug that’s deep down. I constantly have a problem of trying to explain life and ministry here in Nepal to other people. How can I wrap up a world so different and contrary to the world we all know. This blog has been an attempt to accomplish that. Sadly, the blog has not been all I desired it would be but I hope it has provided a glimpse of life in this indescribable place.

Take for example the last three weeks. They have been marked by extremes- both blessings and burdens. A few weeks ago I, along with my national partner, my former student, and a volunteer from America took a trip to West Nepal to visit a church. Our goal was to encourage this new church, do leadership training, and to leave my former student Nardeep for three months of ministry. Our trip was more successful than I ever imagined it could be. When we arrived we learned that this new church had almost doubled in size since my last visit 8 months ago. They have grown so large that they have formed a new church to accommodate all the growth. Now the people who were having to walk 4 or more hours round trip to church have a fellowship closer to them. Also, our leadership training was well received. Around 30 people came to each of the sessions and the material seemed to be useful to their Christian walks and ministry. In my training time I took 8 of the basic commands of Christ and taught them the importance of obeying each (Belief and repentance, baptism, love, the Lord’s Supper, prayer, Bible study, giving, and going out to make Disciples). I also taught the basic elements of a healthy God honoring church. God did so much during our time there and I believe it was one of the most profitable times of training I’ve had here in Nepal.

Below is the village of Bunga Doban where we did our training and where the church we worked with is located.

Hari, my national partner

Nardeep, my former student and new pastor of the church in Bunga Doban

In ministry, burdens normally follow closely behind blessings. Just a few nights ago we had one of the hardest rains I’ve ever seen. During the heavy rain the wall at the back end of our orphanage had a landslide. About 50 feet of dirt, brick wall, and metal fence came roaring down into a neighbor’s rice field. I’m grateful that the orphanage’s foundation wasn’t damaged but I’m a bit uncertain about what will happen with the damaged area. We have people shoveling dirt and moving bricks but I’m not sure where the money will come from to pay for the repairs. I have no doubt that God will provide but please make this a matter of prayer.