After three days of trekking in the Himalayas, I got a whole afternoon to spend in Pokhara. I ended up spending most of the day at a juice bar, where I ate an amazing banana and Pb+j smoothie bowl. I also got the chance to meet a women of the age of 26 who was from Kyro, Egypt.
My friends and I talked with her for a couple of hours, it was such a sweet converstaion. Even though none of us got the chance to share the gospel, we had made a new friend!
Later that evening Emili, Mykayla and myself went out to find pancakes and ice-cream, since Mykayla said she had seen a sign, advertising it earlier that day. However, we never came to find that shop, instead we found ourselves at a cute little restaurant on a rooftop, overlooking the still and calming lake.
Despite the fact that the restaurant stopped serving pancakes at 11pm, the owner said that he would make it, special for us. This of course delighted us all!
The man who waited our table happened to be the owner and his name is Raj. Shortly after bringing our food, Raj sat down and began talking to us. We talking about India and some political things. The conversation we had was light and Raj seemed to have such a joy and gentleness about him.
Shortly after we finishing our pancakes the conversation ceased and he went on to another table.
When we went to pay, I notice a sticker that said ‘Jesus Loves All’ and I was curious why he had that, so I asked him, and he told me it was because he was a Christian.
I got a huge smile on my face, as joy and excited welled up inside of me. I then told him that my friends and I were Christians as well. I asked him why and how he had become a Christian, and he then proceeded to tell us his testimony;
“I was raised a Hindu, my whole family was Hindu. But when I was 14 I got really sick, and for two years I didn’t eat solid food. Instead, I had to eat things that were blended, because anything solid I would throw up. During this time, I had a friend who was a Christian. He would continue to love on me and my friends, even though we would mock him and make fun of him because of his faith. My health continued to go downhill, and I had tried everything; doctors, idols, witch doctors, and anything else I could think of, except Jesus. So finally after my stubbornness had worn out, my Christian friend invited me to church, and I decided to go. While I was in the church service, the pastor was preaching, but it was as if he knew exactly what was going on in my heart, because he explained the war that was going on within my own self. While still in the church service, I got the revelation that I was a sinner, no one told me, I just knew. I Then cried out to God that if he was real and that He would save me from my sickness, However I didn’t understand the fullness of all he had to offer all I wanted was for the lord to heal me physically. That night after the service, I had a vision, and in this vision there were two men, one man held a sword, and he represented Hinduism. The other man had a staff, and he represented Christianity. I knew that if I went to the one with the sword I would die, because in Hinduism if you commit certain sins you will be killed, but if I went to the one with the staff I would be saved At that point I gave my life to the lord. I told him that I didn’t care if I would be healed physically, because eventually I was going to die anyway, but I just wanted to be saved eternally. That next night I got very sick and was in the hospital, the nurses tried to give me medication, but I told them not to because if the lord wanted to heal me he could, but if he chose not to then I was prepared for the because I was His. When I went to sleep that night and had a dream, or a vison, of which I am unsure. In this vision there was a figure in white, however I couldn’t see his face because he glowed so brightly. The man came over to me touched me on the head and said three times, “My son, my son, my son! You are healed and you are to go and tell everyone that you are healed and that you will not be sick again.” I had one of the best sleeps that night. The next morning I went to a pastor and told him what had happened. The pastor hugged me and wept with me. He then proceeded to bring me a plate full of solid food, and I ate it all! I didn’t vomit in anymore because the lord had healed me. I then went home and told my parents that I had been healed, they said that was all great. I slowly began to remove all the idols and pictures from my wall. My parents noticed and told me that it was great that I was healed, but now I was to go, and sacrifice to the Hindu gods or leave the house. So I left the house, because I could not deny the God who had saved me from death. From there I quite school because my parents wouldn’t pay for it and instead I went and got a job. For two years I didn’t see my family. But I continued to love and pray for them. I eventually got married, and then my parents excepted me back home but did not except the lord. That did not stop me from continuing to love them. I was encourage my friend who had loved me when I was stubborn. My mom got sick shortly after and a pastor came and prayed for her and she was healed! However, she explained that she could not practicing her faith because of my father’s second wife. The next morning however, my father’s second wife died. God was good and opened the door for my mother to worship freely. Today most of my family still isn’t Christian, but I continue to pray and love on them and hope that one day all my family will know the lord.”
He continued to tell us about how it is illegal to evangelize in Nepal, but how that has not hindered the spread Gods Word, but has made it spread even more. The Christens here are genuine and on fire because of the strictness of the laws, they are either all in or all out.
I can’t even begin to explain how encouraged, and strengthened in my faith because of this man’s testimony. He was so full of the light of the Lord, and the joy that he has was so genuine and loving.
After he finished telling us his testimony we got to pray over him, his family and country.
He told us that He wants pray for the country of Nepal, and that the people would turn away from idols and pursue the living God.
I hope this encourages all of you as much as it encouraged me! And please be praying for Nepal and that the Good news would continue to be spread.
Also be praying for the families who are Christians in villages. Pray that church spring up and that people would continue to come to encourage then in their faith because they are being mocked an ridiculed because of their faith.
