Present situation in Nepal

The other day, Ball ram (name changed) called me and told me that his family is running out of food supplies. He does not have a job. He has been raising some chickens during the lockdown. He told me that he is not able to sell them in the market. No one wants to buy them because of the fear of corona. His wife has a job in the school. All the education institutions are still closed. She has not received a salary since the beginning of March. The school authority told her that there is no income, and she cannot be paid compensation because students’ parents refuse to pay the fee. It is six family members, with two kids, parents, and grandparents. It is a familiar situation for now. We have been helping people with humanitarian relief and aid. People ask us for food such as rice, lentils, and beans. The problem is getting desperate. There are so many who ask us to help them.

The government has lifted the lockdown. Kathmandu’s primary income is from tourism; hotels, restaurants, businesses are still affected. Regular church service is resumed. Cell groups and house fellowship continue as usual. Transportation is open each day with even and uneven numbers. A covid-19 number continues to go up.

More drainage pipes installed!

Eight more new drainage pipes are installed during the heavy monsoon rain season this summer. Thank  you lord for the provision and We will put more as the Lord provides. In the last three months, Monsoon has caused some damage to the children’s home area. Neighbors leveled the mountain last year and pulled a lot of mud. There is no proper firm boundary to stop mud going downward and the drainage systems. The rain brought a lot of dirt in the pathway, and children home and flooded. Some of the first floor rooms, toilets, and shower rooms flooded. Our people worked day and night every time; it rained to ease the water flow. Thank God that No one was hurt, and everyone is safe. Now water is going through the pipeline. We will need to put another twenty more of them. Thank you for your prayers.

Continue rain causes flooding and landslide in a different part of the country. There have already been 150 deaths because of flooding and landslide in Nepal.

 

Humanitarian help continues…

After 85 days of lock down Nepal has started easing it. Schools and public places area still closed. Slowly life will be normal soon.Many people live in rented rooms with their families. When there is no income they have no way to pay the rent and food in the table.  We continue to help people with humanitarian help most essential foods. Many families have ran out of food and asked the churches for help. We continue to serve them whatever we can. Thank you for your contributions and especial thank you to our dear friend Christoph  Brocker and his friends !

Corona and Nepal !

For many choice is simple.  Where is our next meal coming from? Many people in Nepal made enough wages for a week or more and less.  This plague seem slow moving. It might be months before every thing is normal again. Government has two solution that are recommended to people social distancing and lock down. Poor countries like Nepal is not ready for this type massive challenge.  Corona effected numbers are going up. Before Corona, the majority of the people have already little. Everything is still close, and people are inside their homes. People, especially living in cities, are effected the most. Many people rent a room with a family and live. People that were working everyday wages have lost their job. That means no more money coming. Restaurants, hotels, private businesses all are close for a good while. Everything is close. Church believers have called the pastor and told that they do not have money to buy food. Both Children’s homes are doing OK with supplies. The elderly home is fine. Some church believers and the community around them need help. We will not be able to help everyone but the neediest who needs rice, lentils, salt. We are helping with basic food. We are taking these opportunities to share the Love of God through action. Food prices have gone higher and higher each day. People fear more starvation and famine then Corona. We are trying to help a community around both children’s homes and neighborhoods most basic.
I know many of you have a tough time, and there are need regardless of where we all live. Some of you have asked how to help. If you like to help, here is the link. Please make sure to mark your donation with with specific note.  We so thank full to you all. You all are in our prayers.https://compassionforasia.com/giving-donation/

Living in such a time like this!

I am reminded with our experience that We went through a huge disaster five years ago. 7.9 hector earthquake the effect was 8900 people losing their lives, hundred -thousands of houses ripped off, damaged and permanently destroyed. Uncountable people were wounded and the destruction was unimaginable. Some roads and walking trails were swept away by big mountain slides. School buildings crumbled. Some areas will never be inhabited any more. Damage is so much that we lost some of our dear ones and ministry buildings, which we had invested years of resources into.
We, together with children from children home, spent sleepless nights on the open sky. Uninvited guest rats, snakes and mosquitoes invaded our temporary shelters and tents. After the earthquake, we used to have aftershocks that lasted for more than a year and caused trauma to all of us, especially to our small children that would wake up crying with fear. For a while, I could say that crisis tried to terrorize us and tried to make our heart empty and hopeless some days. We were accused and blamed that earthquake was because of Christians by some extremist groups. But we knew and stood fast for our help that comes from above from the maker of heaven and earth (Psalm 121:2 )

However, we were not defeated regardless of what we went through. We came out strong. The Lord pulled us through. I learned not to panic with fear or anxiety. Jesus is in control. He is still the King, regardless of what we go through.Even in the midst of tragedies and bad thing, or what enemy means for evil, God will uses them to bring good for his children and nations. Ultimate victory is His and those who love him. we kept seeing continue lost souls being saved and His kingdom grow.

This is totally different situation. It is another season . I like to tell you that weeping may last night, but joy comes in the morning, Psalm 30: 5. Year after year we kept working hard and with all of your help, we are almost back to normal. Our riches and dependency are not on our earthly belongings.Our heavenly father know what we need and our mind and heart must seek after Him. Matthew 6:25-34. We are more than conquers regardless of what we face in our lives. Reading further you will find Paul encourages us; “Now, in all these things, we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Roman 8:37-39
Our shield and anchor is Jesus. He is our strength and refuge. We dwell, live and rest in Him. If God is with us who can be against us. Let me read these verses to you from Psalm 91:1-7
“Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.[a]
2 I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust.”
3 Surely he will save you
from the fowler’s snare
and from the deadly pestilence.
4 He will cover you with his feathers,
and under his wings you will find refuge;
his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.
5 You will not fear the terror of night,
nor the arrow that flies by day,
6 nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness,
nor the plague that destroys at midday.”

Right now, Coronavirus is the headline on social media and news channels. The world is at war with this virus. We might have been caught with fear of the unknown future of economy and jobs loss or just scared of getting sick. We, without realizing it, started depending on our feeble world. Now is time for us to turn back and trust our big God. We have hope and future beyond what the world can offer.

Our work in Nepal has been affected by this media headlines. Prices for groceries have already started going up. Nepal is one of the most unprepared country for epidemic. Our medical world is emerging. Our hospitals are already crowded even in normal flu season. International flights have stopped and all of our borders have been closed. Until now, Nepal is following like every other country, such as schools and education centers being closed. Public parks, museums or cultural sites closed—no big gatherings such as political or religious, and others are allowed at this time. Nepal has locked down. No one is allowed to be out. Kathmandu and the rest of the country is calm and quit.

We have two children’s homes; we have a elderly people, and many churches.We are praying and standing with you together against the Coronavirus. It has given us great time to think, pray and study the Word.

If you would like us to pray with you, please do not hesitate to send us a prayer request. We would love to pray for you.Let us also remember to pray for our people who are working in medical field.
We speak good health and God’s protection over you and your family. It is time for us to pray and fast for our nations!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year 2020!

And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins. Matthew 1:21

What a great time of the year again to remember the birth of Jesus Christ. Let your heart be filled with love of the birth of Jesus Christ.  Be refreshed and Get some rest. It is the happiest time of the year.  Merry Christmas to you all. Thank you so much for your steadfast prayers, words of encouragements, contributions and everything else.

Also would like to wish you happy New Year 2020! We love you all. See you in New Year

Annual Leadership Conference 2019

We just hosted our annual pastor and leadership conference. It was a great time with renewal and refreshing for people who work in very difficult areas in the world. The leaders and pastors from all over Nepal and India participated for three days. There were over 80 pastors. It is always great time for us to see all people who work with us.

After the final meeting, Couple of TV journalist arrived on the neighbor property.  Someone had invited them to let them know that we were having Christian meetings. We have anti-conversion law. People have complained against Christian meetings and put false claim about converting people. The other issue Journalist came to see was completely pulling down the mud by neighbor.  Our two American friends (who had been soaking during the meetings) had to rush up to our apartment at the children home and wait there until the journalist had left. They came last hour of the three-day conference and we all ended up safe.

This is not the first time that a journalist has come and then the police, to arrest pastors and leaders and to send foreigners out of the country. All on the basis on a complaint. We believe that God timed this perfectly for our protection so that the journalist came just a few minutes after the meetings were over.

We appreciate your prayers while living and working in a country where we have less and less freedom to be a Christian

Mayor addressing Run-Nepal general assembly!

Run-Nepal presently runs two children home, small elderly home, scholarship program, drinking water projects, helping schools and involved in social work. Last 20 years, we have worked hard and continue to make an impact in Nepal. We have raised 100s of orphan children and provided them accommodation, food, education, clothing, and everything. We continue to invest ourselves because it is the right thing to do and share the love of God.

I also would like to thank each one of you who are our partners and contributors. Because of you, we are able to do this work. On 20th September we hosted our general assembly and invited Mayor of the city, local politicians, the police officer and people from villages. It was an encouraging participant of some of the neighbors.

One of the boys Kumar Budha gave shared his life experience and testimony and said that the local government should help and provide protection to the Mahima children home. Kumar is raised in Mahima children home. He was four years old when he came to the children home. Today he is doing his master degree and works in one of the finance company.

Girls from children home had song presentation. Mayor has encouraged us to keep up the excellent work. Other local leaders spoke at the program, and they have promised their cooperation in the future. Local government does not support any of the programs. Instead, they expect our help.

I spoke and said that we do it because God loves and cares this nation. We love this nation. Only if the person is changed so the country will be changed. Run- Nepal is NGO that compassion for Asia supports and works with. Again thank you for your partnership to make a difference in the lives of people in Nepal.

Would you please join in prayers with us!

Working in Nepal has been full of adventures. It is always questions that I ask what is next? Finally came out of the children home-road challenge and move to the next one. We live and work in a country, which is hostile against the minority, especially towards Christians. Everything we go through we know in that all things works for the good of those who love him who have been called according to his purpose.

Paul’s words also remind me of 2 Corinthian 4:8-9 We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; 9 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed. We have not experienced a hostile environment like Paul, but still, those words are full of encouragement as we live and work in Nepal. Every time we go through a tough time, we get to grow and put our trust in Jesus. He is our strength and shield. The anti-conversion law has empowered an extreme opponent of the gospel and try to limit the voice of the churches.

Our present challenge is the same neighbor who caused the uproar and moved the road to our side is giving us problems again. Now he has also bought the property next to the children home new building and their playground. It used to be a hill, but he pulled down the mud and is now making a large wall structure next to the playground. We have agreed on paying him $3500 to finish off the wall and the drainage, but we do not know if he will do it until it is finished. He cannot be trusted.

It is still rainy season around here and the mud from the same mountain has been used to fill in a lower property behind the children home. It has flooded our property and the first floor of where the children have lived before they moved last year. It has been complicated, as laws have very little power. The authorities do not care as long as someone bribes them, so our voices are not heard.

Our approach at this moment is praying, fasting, and asking that the Lord will deal with both of these men. We have watched God take out people before, so we know He can do things that we cannot. Currently, we cannot afford to put at least $15.000 into drainage, wall, and repairs for the damage the neighbors are doing, since there has been one thing after another. We are financially drained.

We also need to put a wall around our property, as it protects the land. If we do not do this soon, people can come and claim our property. It is just how this county works.

On the positive side, the emergency steps are coming along. 60% of the bills have been paid and we are grateful for Gods provision for this important project. These steps will be able to hold up in a case on an earthquake or other emergencies.

I would like to ask you to pray with us. I am currently working 12-hour days, just to try to keep things going, but unless God interferes, we are not sure what we can do. Your support means the world to us, so thank you!

 

Teej Women fellowship!

 

Nepal filled with festivals and religious ceremonies. Majorities of people follow Hindu religion. It is hard for believers in their families if they are the only Christian. Many are often forced to celebrate the Hindu holidays and make the sacrifice in the temples.

We do not celebrate those festivals; instead, we try to encourage believers to come to the church, and we gather there during the main Hindu holidays. Today we had a women’s fellowship and prayed for our nation. Women and girls who felt alone and who wanted to spend time with the church family could join the fellowship.

Anne Lise did an awesome job of encouraging women. She spoke about how God sees women valuable in His eyes as we see our children. It was vital to share that message because Hinduism treats women as men’s property, very much like the Jews used to treat women in the Old Testament.

The observance of Hartalika Teej is dedicated to the Goddess Parvati, commemorating her union with Lord Shiva. The festival is celebrated for the well-being of spouse and children and purification of one’s body and soul. The festival is a three-day-long celebration that combines feasts as well as rigid fasting. Teej usually takes place in the first week of September and lasts for three days.

After the fellowship, all the women have a meal together at the roof of the church. It was so warm, and the sun was intense. There was no roof. It was not easy. Pray for Nepali women that the Lord will deliver them and that they will be allowed to live in dignity and respect.

Anne Lise doing the teaching!

All enjoying meal together after service!

Hindu Teej Festival-Picture from google

Hindu festival Teej making offers!