November 2012

As we made our way down from  the world’s highest point, we stopped to visit the orphanage but Joanne (78 years) could not manage climbing all the steps, so the children came to the jeep to leave us beautiful flowers. Our departure was dismal but filled with love, until next time my heart was saying.

Another team member from Bangalore was waiting our arrival down in Kathmandu. Bobby, originally from Calcutta personally knew Mother Teresa. Bobby tells the most intriguing stories about Mother; one in particular was when he asked Mother why? and Mother Teresa grabbed his hand and on each finger she said “We do it for Jesus!” Bobby lived a stone throw away from Mother Teresa’s convent and had the privilege of working along side her on a regular basis.  Joanne, our group leader is the fruit of Mother Teresa and our ministry’s prayer manual is filled with Mother’s prayers. Mother Teresa was a good friend to Joanne and visits to India were frequent while Mother was alive. On September 4, 2016, Mother Teresa will be canonized  and our team will be there to witness this historical event.

Nepalese people are hungry for the harvest and this country will produce much needed spiritual fruit. Many other heavy hitter for God’s kingdom are moving mountains in this region as well, like Ruben Rai along with other pastors who work tirelessly to spread the Word of God. They all need financial assistance; the orphanage was completely destroyed by the 7.9 earthquake of 2015 and though no physical casualties reported they had to start anew. I know many of you will be moved by this work of God, you can be part of this great genesis by giving to their needs; please email me for details.

Bobby and his lovely wife Veronica have since moved to Kathmandu to work along side Brian and his wife Ruth. I know that together they will win many souls to Christ, they both have many gifting and in sync they will do a great work for God.

November 14, 2012

We needed two jeeps to transport us five hours to the Tibet Border for our three day excursion up the Himalayan Mountains to minister to over 25 pastor and their families. We pay for a drivers to take us up one way and pray that there will be drivers and vehicles available to bring us back down, no Hertz reservations here, just trusting God. Our driver did not speak a lick of English and though a seasoned coachman he only passed buses on dangerous curbs filled with passengers traveling with goats and chicken, every inch of these buses was used including the top luggage rack for added travelers . We came across so many natural waterfalls, rivers and clusters of living quarters just feet away from the main thoroughfare.

Brian, our host pastor had informed us the we would be staying in a Zero Star Hotel; I thought to myself kinda like camping? Once we arrived and got situated; Brian was right, no towels, no toilet paper, bucket flush latrine windows without screens but the best part was that our room was equipped with a pad lock on the outside of our door. We were accommodated with one pair of communal flip flops because of the wet floors in the bathroom. At night it got much colder, we slept in turtle neck and used our heavy coats as extra blankets. The Bhotehoshi River changed tunes in the evening to an air conditioner in need of repair. The perfectly pitched  morning birds accompanied by natures guitars serenaded us with sweet songs that can only be found on God’s play list.

Joanne, our director informed us that we were going to treat the pastors and their families to every meal. I asked how much it was going to cost and the answer was “Don’t worry about it, God would provide.” We took an offering within our group and we paid for the meals; this would not be my the last lesson in humility.

Before our meetings my roommate, Alida and I decided to take in the scenery. For a stipend we visited Tatopani Hot Water Springs; we walked along the noisy Bhotehoshi River and took several picture, we were lost in a paradise that heighten most of my senses. Back at the Zero Star Hotel the rest of the team was in prayer preparing for the meetings. As we made our way back, I cracked the door open to the wide eyed group waiting for an explanation. Highly convicted  I apologized for my worldly desires and a stern reprimand followed; I ordered a bigger slice of humble pie for lunch.

It is here that I met sweet  life long friends, our interrupter Bigyang, Pastor Indra and his wife Jyoti Shrestha. Pastor Indra and Jyoti run an orphanage in this region and responsible for a church as well. Bigyang is a pastor that travels village to village sharing the “Good News” to remote villages, remote is an understatement, on foot with little provisions he and his team travers this majestic range and like our postman, rain or shine they deliver.

Our sessions are powerful and much encouragement and faith was poured forth, with each person receiving prayer. These people were precious and wanted us to stay longer, we promised to return soon.

Many of the Tibet Border people lost love ones with the 7.9 earthquake in April 2015, villages completely destroyed by boulders and mudslides and what the great tremor did not annihilate the Bhotehoshi River came back to finish the job this summer. Some of these people have no means to move to Kathmandu and suffer the consequences of living in paradoxical paradise.

After losing their home and  the orphanage Pastor Indra and Jyoti were forced to move to Kathmandu and are still struggling to maintain a normal life.

The road that we took is almost completely impassable so it on foot that these pastors make their way up the the monster mountain for they have God’s work to do. The river took most of their electrical power and they need generators to survive, if you have it in your heart to donate please let me know.

November 10, 2012

We had to go off roading to find this house of worship; over 1,000 families live in this undesirable community. The most polluted river meanders around their dwelling place; sheets of metal on the roofs secured with large rocks and old discarded tires to keep it in place. I have never witness poverty like this. The dust is much thicker because of the unpaved roads and you can only image what happens during the Monsoon season. The Slum Church (that is the real name) is very well maintained with laminate flooring and ceiling fans but the most interesting thing about the church, the congregants. I counted 14 in the choir and when they started singing “How Great Thou Are” in Nepali my eyes flooded with tears of joy. So spirit filled and  anointed, these people have little to nothing but are true humble examples of what we call Christians. We left them with a suitcase filled with medicine and were off to our next assignment.

We received an invitation from the president of Nepal and believe or not now we are 18 in the van. The traffic delayed us by a couple of hours and the president was called into an emergency meeting. The Palace was heavily guarded and modest in size, the garden made a grand impression of neatly lined colorful flowers standing to greet us. The festoon of this floral garden filled the air with sweet flavors of fall, the colors of orange, magenta, and gold matched the  the palace. We were received by Naraine Koivola, the secretary to the president and Administrator of Foreign Affairs. Mr. Koivola escorted us to a private meeting room on the second floor, the ceiling was adorned with bright vibrant orange flowers and what looked like real gold. Served Nepali tea and delicate cookies we shared stories with this kind gentleman for over an hour. We prayed and left a box of See’s candy for the president. Our day continued with yet another divine appointment.

From the palace to the Chief of Police, Rabindra Pratup Shah was equally cordial but was called into a meeting as well, before excusing himself he graciously  received prayer from our team. God showed us great favor today; on the ride back to our hotel we quietly held these encounters in our hearts and gave credence to our Creator.