
I spent the month of October in Nepal and ministered in
three congregations in three separate cities, helping to establish the Vision of
Twelve in their leadership. The
meetings have been fruitful but what was most fulfilling was the week I spent
with David and Soni Sagar in Bhaktapur, Nepal.
For two years we have been supporting
a small orphanage in Katmandu. We moved the home
to Bhaktapur, a city about half an hour from Katmandu two months ago and rented
a small hall where we could hold regular services. The children love the new location since we have more room
and it is in a quiet area. The
church has already grown to 25 adults in only eight weeks and we just baptized
seven new believers! It reminds me
so much of the early days of our church launch three years ago in Colombo, Sri
Lanka. Most of the people are new
believers out of Hindu backgrounds and they know very little about the Lord.
It is exciting and fulfilling to see them growing in God.
The worship is a little rough since the people do not know the songs and
really do not know what to do but they are learning.
Colombo was like that too, in the early days, and now their services rock
with enthusiasm!
We have set the same growth goals for this church as we did
in Colombo and hope to reach 100 adults by the end of the first year.
Our second goal will be to double in size in the second year.
The Lord helped us to reach our goals in Colombo and I have the faith
that He will also help us here in Bhaktapur.
The challenges here are a bit greater, since the people have less
exposure to the Gospel and live at a poverty level that has affected their
thinking but the growth the Lord has already given us is an encouraging sign of
the potential in this city.
I will be in North India the month of November, helping to strengthen our works there and in Pakistan in December. Thanks for all you have done to partner with us in helping to establish and direct congregations that are truly touching cities for Christ.
Rick