An insight on Nepal and Christianity There
It’s been an wonderful month here in Nepal. The country is colorful, the mountains are massive and the natives are neighborly. The country of Nepal is geographically sandwiched between India and China. It’s famous for the mighty Himalayas, Mount Everest and the birth place of Gautama Buddha. The Northern region is mostly influenced by Tibetan culture and the South is more influenced by Indian culture. Statistics show us that the religious atmosphere is predominately Hindu and Buddhist. They also show us that 87% of the natives are Hindu, 10.5% are Buddhist and 2.5% follow Christ. Therefore, according to these statistics about 97% of Nepal is currently unreached. Now I don’t know how accurate these government statistics are….
However, I do know that the small 2.5% mentioned above is reconciling entire Hindu villages throughout the Himalayas for the glory of God.
A testimony from my friend Bigaun
One Sunday morning after I finished preaching in a small village over “the ministry of reconciliation” from II Corinthians: 5:11-20 , I had a conversation with my translator. His name is Bigaun, he is 27 years old and he has been a follower of Christ since the age of 16. He grew up in a small village on top of a mountain in the Himalayas that despised Christianity. On top of that, His father was the head Hindu Priest in the village. At the age of 16 Bigaun began praying for his family’s salvation. 10 years later that prayer was answered and his entire family, including his father received Christ.
It all started happened when his sister became severely ill. Bigaun’s father prayed, gave sacrifices and worshiped his Hindu gods in hope of a miracle. After a month her condition grew worse and his fathers prayers went unanswered. Bigaun wanted to confess healing over her but, he had to wait for the right time. Once his father lost all hope and accepted that he would soon be burying his own daughter. God called up Bigaun to proclaim the power of Christ Jesus. That night everyone was gathered around her in the room as Bigaun started to pray. Within a few minutes all her respiratory issues were COMPLETELY HEALED. The family cried, rejoiced and worshiped the one true God together in that moment for the very first time. Today Bigaun’s father a devout Hindu Priest for 40 years is now preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ across the Himalayas. Not only that but his own village is now predominantly Christian. All because of one small, yet significant miracle.
Persecution for Nepali Christians
(Pastor Indra and his wife Yodie, our hosts in Nepal)
The government of Nepal despises Christianity. They have launched full length media campaigns against Christians , A.K.A. “Cow Eaters”. The Nepali government believes Christianity is destroying their authentic culture. Therefore Christians are heavily persecuted there and need our prayer. Many of us will never experience the type of persecution these Christians are going trough everyday.
In fact the pastor Hindra whom I lived with this month was a victim of this persecution a few years ago in 2008. While I was graduating from High School, he and 16 other pastors were being kidnapped, dreadfully beaten, starved and fatally injured. All because of a funeral burial for one of their brothers. After the funeral, three days later the Hindu villagers hunted down every Christian pastor/church leader in the surrounding villages and forced them to dig up the body, carry it far away and lastly burn it. Then they were locked in a building and tortured for 3 days. In Nepal it only takes a few villagers to turn an entire Hindu village against you.
However, today the pastors and church leaders are still going hard and fulfilling the great commission.
What did our ministry look like?
Well it involved multiple things. Some days we trekked through the Himalayas praying for believers and sharing the gospel over tea and biscuits. Other days we taught English to abandoned orphans, preached the word of God on top of mountains and even painted a beautiful bible mural on the new Christian school being built in the village.
For the majority of the month I was teaching English to 9-10 year olds. The funny thing is they loved to write and learn vocabulary, but hated drawing. I found this extremely shocking being a teacher in the States, where kids love to doodle on their notes as I’m lecturing about the Declaration of Independence.
One thing Pastor Indra is doing in the Village of Hindi is using these small schools as a ministry tool. The schools attract children of all different faiths. And by targeting youth and brining these kids into their schools they are able to love the children, educate them and share the word of God with them. Then many of these children share that same love with their parents. It’s working quite effectively. I have heard many stories of complete families abandoning their Hindu faith and giving their lives to Christ because the incredible life they see in their very own children.
I need Help!
My final support deadline is coming up at the end of January and I’m almost fully funded! I’ve currently raised about $14,660. However, I’m still around $1,400 short. If you would like to donate to this ministry or know of someone who might be interested in donating, please spread the word about this incredible opportunity. I would be so blessed by you in during this difficult task of raising support. I don’t like asking people for money… But I need financial supporters to continue this ministry, therefore I’m not ashamed to ask your help. I firmly believe that financial supporters are fellow workers in the ministry they financially support. Which is why it’s so important to have CHRIST followers supporting fellow missionaries. (3rd John 1: 5-8 we see this principal explained).
If you donate… I will personally send you a authentic Post Card from one of the remaining countries left on my route as a small token of gratitude.
Thank you everyone for your love, prayers and support.
Blessings in Christ,
Ryan
God Bless you, Happy New Year and GO BUCKEYES!
Ryan
