Happy Jesus’ Birthday!

 

I cannot believe that Christmas is almost here. It seems like just a few weeks ago Sarah and I arrived back in the States but this month marks a year since we returned. To recap the year- we spent much of the winter getting to know each other’s families, planning our wedding and visiting supporting churches. In March, we were married and then spent most of the summer back in Nepal as well as doing various mission trainings with ABWE. In August, we moved to Louisville, Kentucky to start a Masters program at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and to raise the additional funds we need to return to the field.

 

Our first semester at seminary has been absolutely amazing. We came here with lots of questions we needed answered and are getting the tools we need to answer them.  While in Nepal we came to the conclusion that we may be one of the few sources Tibetan people have of hearing and understanding the Word of God. The more we realized this the more we became convinced of the necessity of receiving this seminary training before returning. With each class we take we receive more confirmation this was the right step and we look forward to applying what we are learning with our people.

 

Last month I was given a reminder of what a huge blessing it is to be called to reached and train others. One of the men I discipled in Nepal, Khadga Dhai, is now is the States trying to get into a medical residency program. He flew to Louisville and stayed with Sarah and me for 5 days so that he could attend a medical missions conference in the area. During that time, we were able to mutually encourage and challenge each other in our walks with God. God used my friend to remind me of the joy it is to disciple others. Please pray for Khadga Dhai as he seeks a residency program here in America and eventually as he returns to Nepal to do medical missions.  

 

Pre-field ministry is also going well. God has brought us several churches who have a real desire to be missions-centered, God glorifying churches. We would like to thank the following churches for allowing us to come and share our passion for the nations: Fellowship Baptist Church in Springfield, VA, Poplar Heights Baptist Church in Jackson, TN, Kal-Haven Community Church in Allegan, MI, and Westwood Baptist Church in Cleveland, TN. Each of you were a blessing to us and our hope is that we were a blessing to you as well.

 

Many of you have been asking when we think we might return to the field. To be honest, we are not sure. We had hoped to return very soon but still need to raise almost 50% of our support. What that means is that we will continue to be faithful in doing pre-field ministry and trust that God will provide the support we need when He is ready for us to return. We would like to congratulate our teammates, Daniel and Chrissy Winslow, as they will be leaving for Nepal early next year. They have worked very hard and are excited to start their new life and ministry in Kathmandu. Please be praying for them. We would also like to congratulate our friend Sujan Joshi on his new marriage. Sujan and Priti were married in London England and are both doctors who are preparing to serve in ministry. Sujan was one the men I discipled in Nepal and a very close friend. Please pray for Sujan and Priti as they start their life together.

Thank you all for your love and support. We want to wish you a very Merry Christmas and to quote Paul’s words from Romans, “to the only wise God be glory forevermore through Jesus Christ! Amen.” (ESV)