While Shane and Bev have been developing the children’s village in southern Nepal, I have focused on the project to build a home for our blind children up in the mountains of northwest Nepal.  The Lord has been gracious to us in both of these works.  In September, we were able to purchase the property we need up in the mountains for the blind children’s home.  By the time you receive this newsletter, I will be in Jumla, working on the plans for our building and ministering in the villages where we have congregations.

 

Our key leader, Pastor Deepnath, continues to do well as he oversees the blind children and the churches.  I have grown very close to Deepnath over the past five years and have a great respect for the work of the Lord in him.  He is frail and his health, precarious.  Every year, when I visit, he embraces me and weeps, saying he may not be there when I return.  It is always a touching moment, and I always say that I intend to see him again next year.  I received a letter this summer from Deepnath that I want to share with you.  It is like reading from one of the letters of John the apostle, and it will help you to understand the challenge and the need of this remote region.

Beloved of the Lord and my beloved, 

 

Greetings from Huma Gospel Church.  I came from Jumla to Nepalgunj in February 2011.  I was sick and about to die.  Pastor KB and Sushilla, Docht, and Mohan helped me to go to the hospital and by God’s grace, I am alive today.  I thought of you while I was dying.  God gave me victory over death. 

When you left from my house to walk to Ra Ra I cried because I thought I might never see you again.  I am praying I will meet you again.  I am praying for you.  God showed His love to me, and more than this, God loves you also.  I am praying for your welfare, your well-being and that you may have a long life.  Thank you for coming to the very remote places of the world. 

 

The blind children are blessed through your ministry.  You are trying to transform this place.  People are sleeping here.  We are thankful to God for your heart.  I am praying always with tears.  If I die, I request that you keep doing this work.  The church is growing here.  I am not educated, and I am not a gifted man. 

 

Thank you for teaching us good things.  I am so thankful for you.  I am always getting power and peace from the Lord.  I will never forget your help and your kindness to the people here.  Keep praying for me.  I am not strong.  I am very far from you as I write but I am not far from you. 

 

Your beloved - Pastor Deepnath

It is difficult to describe the sentiment I feel when I read this letter, and it is even more difficult to describe the conditions these people live in.  Medieval comes to mind.  But conditions will change quickly over the next few years.  A crude mountain road is making its way up from the south and soon the area will be accessible by bus.  We now have a little guesthouse near Deepnath’s home, and we are sending our leaders up regularly to teach and help develop the church.  It is hard to believe that only five years ago there were no believers in this region.  We now have six growing congregations.  Thank you for all you have done to stand in faith with me to reach this dark corner of the earth.

 

 

Rick