A Mountaintop Experience in Nepal

By Solon Karthak
Director, Nepal EHC

A roaring applause to welcome our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ commenced the 25th Anniversary celebrations of Nepal Every Home Concern on May 15, 2008. It was my great joy to lead the opening session for all who had assembled that day in Stuti Prasansa Church Hall in Kathmandu. I was privileged to introduce EHCI President, Dick Eastman, who brought the keynote message from God’s Word and reminded us of the power of the printed page. Through real-life stories from EHC’s worldwide ministry, Dick challenged each person to get involved in evangelism and to bear fruits of lasting value.

We were blessed by inspiring messages from other international leaders such as Denys Blackmore of EHC/Canada, Eric Leach of EHC/Australia, Rebecca Greenwood, Robert Karthak, B. B. Rai and Rebecca Karthak. And a special thanks goes to Mahesh Thanju, Dil Thapa and Daniel Ghalay who translated messages from English to Nepali.

In the afternoon sessions, student participants shared testimonies of God’s transformational power at work in their lives. The students have been trained and challenged to become local missionaries, helping establish new churches in their own districts. Participants learned a number of choruses and new songs to teach their families and friends when they return back to their villages and towns. The atmosphere was joyous and active. A prayer tent hosting a 60-hour chain prayer was organized in the premises.

Despite a transport strike in eastern Nepal, 350 delegates registered at the conference. Some participants were stranded on the way for three to four days before returning to their respective places. For many it was a disappointment but some did not give up. Two young college girls from Darchula travelled to a nearby India border and through India then back to a border town of Nepal before boarding a bus that took more than twenty-four hours to arrive in Kathmandu. Some trekked up and down the mountains for two days or so before catching a bus to Kathmandu.Three young mothers carrying their small babies walked thirteen hours following a ravine before boarding a bus to the capital. Likewise, a number of delegates walked many days, and took bus journeys of between 36 to 40 hours to arrive in Kathmandu.

We had prayed and worked hard to bring students from all 70 districts but political circumstances did not facilitate our plans. However, there were representatives from 60 districts across Nepal. Lord willing, we hope to have a celebration for students of the eastern region later this year.

Delegates did not come empty handed. They brought rice and potatoes as we joyfully cooked for the entire delegation, enabling us to save a substantial amount of money. Likewise, contributions poured in from many sources. Never before had so many churches and individuals given their widow’s mite for this kind of event. A memorable surprise came from a group of twelve inmates locked up in central jail, Kathmandu. They were BCC graduates who sent a sum of NC 1200 ($20.00) from their jail fellowship. A young working lady opened her purse as she wrote to us, “Nepal needs to follow a true way…it is worth helping a Christian organization like EHC.”

One of the highlights of the Celebration was the presentation of motor bikes to five Nepal EHC staff who have been serving between fifteen to twenty years.

The Celebration was filled with many fresh blessings. On the closing day, thanksgiving and praise was very vocal as I read out the names of individuals and mission groups who had sent congratulatory notes to Nepal EHC. Honouring God for his unceasing love and many blessings, I again asked everyone to join their hands in applause for our great God and His mighty works.

EHC/Canada Executive Director, Rev. Denys Blackmore preaches to the assembled group.

Denys Blackmore presents a certificate of recognition to Solon Karthak and his wife.