One of the first things that we were told when we arrived in Nepal was that as believers in Jesus Christ, we are a family. We were told ‘we do not say Sir or Ma’am but we say Brother or Sister…. Or in the case of an older person, Uncle or Auntie as a sign of respect’. This month, I have seen and been immersed in the Nepali family of believers. We have lived and ministered with a family and seen the way they love one another. We have walked for hours to pray with and encourage some of our Nepali brothers and sisters because we were the closest believers to them. In a nation with 0.5% Christians, the community is very dependent on one another. Most of them have been disowned by their Hindu families because of their faith in Jesus and their brothers and sisters in the Lord are the only family they have. The first and last thing they say to one another upon every meeting is ‘Jamaci’ (pronounced jay-ma-cee) which means ‘Praise the Lord’. I have been so honored to have lived here for the past month.
On Easter, I had the opportunity to meet some of the other pastors in the region. Believers came walking hours and hours to celebrate the resurrection of our Lord. We took communion together and our Uncle washed the feet of every one of his brothers and sisters. I watched women weep, (I was one of them) our Auntie knelt and washed our feet.
I have been honored and humbled to have spent this last month living with these precious brothers and sisters. Their dedication to worshiping the Lord and proclaiming His Name in Nepal has forever impacted me.
