In the brutal cold of a Nepalese winter, 67 Christ Group leaders met earlier this year for four days of intensive training. Some of them walked for three days in order to reach the nearest bus stops from which they travelled on to their ultimate destination, the city of Butwal in western Nepal. Their fields of ministry are unlike anything most of us could even begin to imagine. One of the participants was from a place called Ganga Acharya where he ministers in a Maoist armed forces camp. He bravely communicates the love and truth of Jesus to rebel soldiers. All 67 leaders arrived on January 23 and got some desperately-needed rest and fellowship before in-depth training sessions on January 24-25. On the final day, January 26, the participants joined with volunteer teams from 20 local churches in a massive outreach to nearby villages. Over 40,000 homes were reached in a single day. The following day, the revitalized Christ Group leaders began their long trek back home.
The Extraordinary Ministry of EHC|Nepal
In the first three months of 2012, EHC’s pioneer missionaries in Nepal have taken the Good News of Jesus to over 750 villages and delivered more than 560,000 Gospel messages. In one of the world’s most forbidding areas, the seed of God’s truth is being planted in the soil of human hearts. Praise God, it is taking root and growing strong in thousands of lives. People are being transformed by the power of Christ. Even when the message is discarded by someone with no interest, it can be used in another life. Listen to the testimony of Bishnu Prasad Jamkatel…
“On March 25th at the dawn I was walking by the side of the village when I saw a booklet at the edge of the garden, wet and covered with the frost. After drying up the frost and cleaning the dust I saw the colored picture of a middle-aged man followed by children, seeming to head towards some destination. The name of the book was THE WAY TO GOD. Since the pages were wet of the dew I was unable to read it. The same day, after reaching home and drying it in the sun I started to go through the book after dinner as I was lying on my bed. Finally, after reading it completely I felt that the knowledge and the teaching bestowed by God are perfect and great. Please send further information as I believe that Jesus is the only one who can set us free from sins and show us the right way.”
David Lepcha, Director of EHC/Nepal, reports that testimonies like this are not uncommon. In his most recent communique he tells the story of 35-year-old Khom Bahadur Darlami Magar, a man who was for many years tormented by demons. Desperate for relief, he would go to the lamas and witches and plead for their help. Instead of helping him, they directed Khom to do bizarre things and pronounced curses on him. When EHC arrived at his home, Khom was weak, thin and longing to be whole. The pioneer missionaries told him the Good News of life and salvation through Jesus. He proclaimed his faith in Christ alone and was set free from the oppression that had for so long defined his life. As he recovered his physical strength, EHC workers returned to his home every day for five days straight. Khom joined the local Christ Group and became a vibrant witness for Jesus. Through his testimony four families from his village have now put their trust in Christ.
The work of EHC/Nepal, now celebrating 30 years of ministry, is an extraordinary venture of faith. In spite of obstacles and opposition, the team has kept pressing forward. David Lepcha reports that in the next quarter alone they are endeavoring to take the Gospel in person to another 90,000 homes. During those same months, an estimated 160 Christ Group leaders will be trained. David comments, “There are 75 districts in our country. Our goal is to have at least one pioneer missionary in each district. Please pray for us that God will provide the workers and the financial support to meet their basic needs. Pray also for God’s protection upon our pioneer missionaries because most of them labor under severe conditions in remote places.”
Indeed we should partner in prayer with David and his dedicated team. They are truly fulfilling the Great Commission in one of “the uttermost places” on earth. May God bless them richly and may God empower us to stand behind them in prayerful, generous support.