Down from the Mountains

Winter is harsh in the mountain districts, and as the weather gets cold, people find reasons to travel south to places like Nepalgunj. One young woman visiting the area from her home in the mountains was invited to attend church at our training center. 

She did so, and after the service she approached Pastor Philip saying she wanted to accept Jesus as her Savior! Philip again shared the Gospel with her to be certain she understood clearly. She knelt down and prayed the sinner’s prayer there in the church! God is so great!

The Long Bus Ride

While in Nepal last month, we met an 18-year-old girl named Sumitra who is being mentored by GNN staff. Gifted with a fun and engaging personality, Sumitra enjoys getting to know people. 

While traveling back to Nepalgunj after a recent visit with her family in Jajarkot, Sumitra struck up a conversation with another girl on the bus. The girl, named Sujata, was from Jajarkot and like Sumitra, she was traveling all the way to Nepalgunj. Upon learning that Sujata was Hindu, Sumitra shared Jesus with her. Sujata listened intently. Over the course of the long bus ride, the two girls became friends.

After they arrived in Nepalgunj, Sumitra invited Sujata to go with her to Pastor Philip’s home. Although Philip and his wife, Susila, needed to go to a meeting with GNN staff, they took the time to talk with Sujata and answer her questions. Understanding her need for a savior, Sujata decided to commit her life to Jesus. She received Christ there at Philip’s house.

That bus ride turned out to be life-changing! Pray for Sujata as she begins her new life in Christ, and for Sumitra as she grows into her calling as a servant of God.

The Relative Who Came to Visit

After meeting with the girls, Philip and Susila hurried to GNN’s Bible Training Center. They were late for the meeting—but God had plans for that time! Pastor Prabajan Upadahay, who manages all our missionaries in the field, had also had an unexpected visitor: a “shirttail relative” who had come to the Training Center to see him. Philip and Susila arrived just in time to see Pastor Upadahay leading his relative to Jesus.

Rather than worry about starting a meeting on time, both Pastor Philip and Pastor Upadahay took the time to lead precious lost sheep to the Great Shepherd! No delay is ever wasted in God’s Kingdom!

Equipping & Encouraging

When the staff meeting finally began, the main topic on the agenda was planning a couples’ training retreat for our GNN missionaries. This two-week retreat, primarily for our pastors and their wives, is intended to both equip and encourage them in their ministry.

GNN Bible School principal Avi Upadahay writes, “We are preparing for the training and our classes and teachers are ready, so everyone keep [this event] in your prayer.”

Sharing God’s Building

Our training center is also being used by other Christian organizations that need conference space! GNN offers use of our building free of charge to qualified groups such as the Disciple Making Movement, pictured here. What a blessing to be able to share what God has given us!

A Dog Backwards is … Still Just a Dog

It seems that every time we visit Nepal there is a Hindu festival going on. That’s probably because there is some sort of Hindu festival just about every day of the year! A couple of weeks ago the festival involved worshipping dogs. Susila came home one day and found that neighbors had been worshipping their little white dog. The unknown worshippers had drawn a red mark on the dog’s head and adorned its neck with flowers.

Oh, was Susila upset to see that their dog had been worshiped as an idol! (The dog doesn’t look very happy about it either.) Strange things happen in this very different culture.

Looking at this confused pup no doubt brings a smile to your face—at least it should!—but it’s also a good reminder to pray for the many Nepali people, Hindu and otherwise, who have yet to embrace or even hear of the good news of salvation in Jesus Christ. Imagine the joy they will experience when they finally begin to worship the true God—a loving and powerful God who cares for them.

The Rubble Remains

On a more somber note, continue to pray for the many Nepali people whose lives have been in upheaval due to the recent earthquakes. Although our media has moved on to other news, the effects of this disaster will be felt in Jajarkot and surrounding districts for a very long time. Those who lost loved ones still grieve; many who sustained injuries are still recovering; and many, many families are struggling to rebuild after their homes and businesses were destroyed. Let us continue to keep them in our hearts and prayers.