Nepalgunj

Hello! It has been a great week so far here in Nepalgunj!! It was hard to leave David and Sony and the family there. I felt so loved by them and am greatful for the friendships made. This week, we have traveled all over this region, speaking at churches, encouraging the believers there, praying over them, and sharing fellowship. It has been the most eye-opening week for me. So, as much as I can I want to share this experience with you. I want you to feel as if you are here with me so that you may be inspired yourself and receive a blessing. First, I want to share with you about the pastors who Bro Rick and Mrs. Bev have partnered with here.

When I arrived in Nepalgunj, Mrs. Bev and Sushilia were there to greet me with a beautiful handmade flower necklace. I felt such love when I arrived to Pastor KB and Sushilia’s home. They have a campus here with many things going on. On their land, they have their home, their church, a primary school, housing for Bible students to be trained, and the construction of a new and larger church (taking place in the back of their property). Mrs. Bev showed me all around the campus. We were given a tour of the school, and were able to see the fence being built in the back of the property. The fence is going to surround the soon to be church. We even stopped to pick and eat fresh peas from their garden. Then, Pastor KB, Sushilia, a man named Doc, Mrs. Bev and myself met in their office at the school and KB began to explain the story behind the school and part of his testimony. KB was in Bible school searching for his place in ministry when God showed him to, first start a church and then open up a center to teach English. KB was very unsure about starting a language center. One day his friend from India told him “KB, I don’t know what it means or why it’s coming to my mind, but this just popped into my mind….You need to start a language center.” KB had not shared this with anyone except his wife; so needless to say, he took this as a confirmation from God.
(Sidenote: This really encouraged me. God cares so much about us. He cares about our futures. He will even go to great measures to see that you are confident in the purposes and plans He has for you. How blessed are we!! “Blessed are you O Israel! Who is like you, a people saved by the Lord? He is your shield and helper...” Deuteronomy 33:29).

Starting the language center was no easy for KB and Sushilia. They lived in a very small room with their 2 children (this room is now actually part of their church). It was hard for them to pay their bills, even though KB was teaching more than 8 hours a day at the language center. He began to ask God “God, what can I do? Am I doing the right thing?” KB noticed how in the community he was gaining favor with everyone. This was because everyone wanted to learn English- police officers and the like. So, KB began to see the center as his ministry. He would write a Bible verse on the chalkboard everyday before class. One day in particular, he wrote the verse “Love your neighbor as yourself.” A student in his class, Doc, became impressed with the word and approached KB after class about the meaning. See, Doc and his family had been having some neighbor problems. The problems were so bad that they were actually going to court over them. So, the word Pastor KB wrote on the board was very timely for Doc and he became interested in wanting to know more. So KB shared with him about his testimony and gave him a Bible. As time passed, and Doc read the Bible, he came to KB wanting to know Jesus. KB shared The Gospel with him and he became a believer. Doc has been a faithful leader under KB since that time (about 10 years). KB said he was given many opportunities like this at the language center. I love how he did not force The Gospel on Doc. He simply placed the Word out there for anyone hungry to grab. Sort of like fishing. You place the bait on the end of the hook and wait for a hungry fish to bite. This is the way to evangelize in a secular setting. Our life is our best sermon, but we must also place ‘bait’ out for those who are hungry to grab.
KB and Sushilia now own and manage Sophia’s Primary School. ‘Sophia’ actually means ‘Wisdom’ in Greek or Hebrew. God began to place a burden on their heart for educating the poor and needy children, especially those who live in the mountains and have no opportunity for schooling. KB understands and believes in something very important: the training of a new generation. Children are the future leaders. So, if you want change, start with the children. Train them. In Nepal, if you are educated, many people will follow you (since not everyone has the opportunity for education). KB and Sushilia’s school is not listed as a Christian school, and they have many children who come that are unbelievers. They come because the parents and community is very impressed with KB and Sushilia’s school. They use creative play as a means to learning. This is a Western approach. So, for example, they have water toys and sandboxes for the children to play with. They also learn through English through songs. I often hear them singing their ABC’s and many other songs in the morning. It’s funny because one morning we went to the school and all of the children were in a circle (there are about 90 children). One of the teachers in the school, Surresh, has a guitar and another tambourine. They were all singing. And in the middle of the circle, was one boy and he was break dancing as they sang Christian songs!!! Oh man it was awesome. Joey, you would have loved it!! Out of the 90 children, only 6 have been sponsored. You can actually see their faces and stories if you go to Brother Rick’s website: rickzachary.com and click Sophia’s Primary School. I know you will be touched!!
This school is like no other school in Nepal, thanks to their creative techniques of teaching and their passionate love for Jesus. KB and Sushilia’s school teaches of Jesus during meeting time and over half of the children have already become believers. AMEN!! Pretty soon all of the children will believe!

People like KB and Sushilia are diamonds in the rough. It is hard to find good people with pure hearts and clean hands who are willing to sacrifice everything for the Kingdom of God. Everything they have they devote to the advancement of The Gospel. May we all learn from their example and become likewise.

Jeremiah 30:21- "For who is he who will devote himself to be close to me?” declares the Lord.

PS: I am not able to access Internet often, so I will update sometime next week. Love yall much
Tova