A lot of people talk about wanting to change the world, but every once in awhile, you meet people doing just that! This month we are working with missionaries here in Kathmandu, Nepal, and they are doing big things in this country. If you research religion in Nepal, you will find that the country is vastly Hindu and Buddhist. Up until about 2005, Nepal was officially a Hindu country led by a monarchy. After the monarchy was removed, Nepal was officially declared a secular country, but traditions remain. Some claim that Buddah was born in Nepal and the Himalayas hold special significance in Hinduism. Right next to the airport, one of the first things you will see is a temple that is considered one of the holiest sites in Hinduism. All over Kathmandu, there are temples and shrines to different gods. Many people here have marks on their bodies, cars, and homes showing their allegiance to their god. And this is where we were sent this month to proclaim the name of Jesus.
For the month of February we have been working with an awesome group of people who are being light in the darkness. In accordance with James 1:27 and Psalm 68:5, they reach out to the most at-risk women and children. One of the top industries in the world is the selling of women and children. Any time there is a deviation from the Word of God in a culture, these two people groups are more likely to suffer. So this ministry works to reach women and children, whether this takes them to the slums of Kathmandu, the hills of Nepal, or cabin restaurants known for trafficking, they will go anywhere to fulfill the mission God has given them.
A little more detail about what we did with them this month, hardly any day was the same. Every morning we would walk about 15 minutes to a house they have for interns and to host groups. Once there we would spend the morning reflecting on the day before, time with God, and praise and worship. In the afternoon, we would go do outreach at various places around Kathmandu. While the ministry runs a school in the slum, businesses for women trying to leave tough situations like trafficking and prostitution, and other skill development programs, this month they felt the primary need was evangelism, so many of our afternoons were spent proclaiming Jesus to Kathmandu.
A few days we went to famous temples to pray to Jesus for the city, talk to people as the opportunity arose, and have our eyes opened to what ministry in Nepal looks like. For two afternoons, we went to a large bus station that is known to have a prostitution/trafficking presence. For the Nepali’s that go abroad for work, many will return to this station with money that is much needed by their family, only to fall prey of ‘cabin restaurants’ and the enticement of drinks and girls, often leaving with their pockets empty, never making it out of the bus station with the money they worked so hard for. The mission we are working with has been part of rescuing girls who have been trafficked from villages to this area. They sent us in to meet the girls working in these places and play the dumb tourist card, as if we didn’t know what that business really was and just wanted to get to know local people. This way we could get girls information for the mission to follow up with in the future to offer help. There could be a whole separate blog about these two days, but the two cabin restaurants my team found were stomach turning, knowing what goes on there. Many of us are passionate about stopping human trafficking, and so seeing it up close and personal was difficult, but I am glad to know the mission we supported this month is involved in putting an end to it in Nepal. Other ministries involved playing soccer with street kids, evangelism to specific groups such as business people or government officials, and preaching in villages outside of Nepal.
This month was an eye opening month to say the least. Nepal falls in the 10/40 Window which is a part of the world that is considered to have the least access to the Christian message and resources. It was difficult knowing that the vast majority of people do not know Jesus nor fully understand His teaching. Many do not want to convert to Christianity because it makes life and business harder as you would be in the minority. As the month closed out, I constantly thought about Matthew 9:36-38, “When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to the disciples, ‘The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few; therefore pray earnestly to The Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.'”
The people of Nepal have been so kind to us, going out of their way to get to know us or help us. Here in the neighborhood we are staying multiple people have been invited in for tea by people who may have had little else. My heart yearns for revival here in Nepal, for the name of Jesus to become famous and for people to find the joy that comes with following Christ here on earth. I want people to understand just who God is and how they don’t have to do good works or suffer in order to earn their way to heaven. I desire for people to know that they can have full assurance of where they will spend eternity. Will you join me in helping spread God’s glory in Nepal? One of the first ways is for praying for the country, pray for the ministry we worked with, and pray for more workers to be raised up in Nepal. Also consider supporting missions and the local church in Nepal. Lastly, you are always welcome to come to Nepal yourself!
Expect more blogs about this month later!
Fast Facts:
Month: Two
Location: Kathmandu, Nepal
Ministry: Tami Asia
Housing: Four story guest house with all 55 members of the squad. Rooftop view with 360 degree view of Kathmandu. I was in the basement with 20 other girls staying on sleeping pads.
Food: Made our own food this month, so lots of PBJ, granola and yogurt, pasta, Mexican
Off-Days: Thamel area of Kathmandu and Nagrakot, Nepal about a 1.5 hour drive from Kathmandu where one can see the Himalayas
