In May 2019, I traveled with a team to Nepal to encourage indigenous church-planters working among unreached people groups (UPGs). Even today as I write this post, these men and women are currently working across the nation of Nepal, reaching those who have never once heard the Gospel. We held conferences in Kathmandu (KTM), the southwestern plains on the Indian border, and in the northeast among the lower Himalayan mountains. Our goal was to teach, equip and encourage.
While I could share at length about all that I saw and experienced at these conferences, I want to share just briefly about two events that happened on the same day at one of our conference locations.
The day was Sunday, May 26th, 2019. Our team arrived in the southwestern plains of Nepal, alongside the Indian border, the previous evening. Our conference with local Nepali church-planters was to begin in the evening at a local church. During the day, we decided to break off into teams and visit local house churches among the UPGs in the area. Luckily, I was able to join my team leader and go on the team with the Nepal regional director, a mighty man of faith in the Lord Jesus. However, I was not aware of what a special day this particular Sunday was about to become.
The "Hut" Church
That morning, we awoke early and hopped in a jeep. Our first destination was a small "hut" church far out in the agricultural plains to the west. After nearly an hour drive, we arrived at a small church made of wood, branches and mud. In the early summer, this region of Nepal is quite hot! However, the hut church offered some shade and cool.
Inside the hut church were nearly thirty people, most of whom were new believers in Christ. Also present was the local church-planter a few other visitors and the neighbors. We began with some introductions, Nepali worship, and sharing some testimonies. Then, we held a time of prayer for the sick. Afterwards, the regional director shared the Gospel using flashcard images. At the invitation to receive Jesus Christ as their Savior, 6 people decided to give their life to Christ that day! But then, something even more extraordinary happened.
To conclude the morning visit, our team asked everyone to gather in a circle so that we may bless them in prayer. We decided that we would pray for everyone to receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit.
Immediately, out of nowhere, a strong wind came rushing through the hut church!! There was no wind at all for the whole morning. Then suddenly, this rushing wind came and blew threw the crowd. Further, an old grandmother stood up, flailed her arms and started speaking in tongues. By this point, some of the young ladies who were neighbors had very funny expressions - this was a very interesting group of people, these Christians! Praise God for this wonderful time of the coming of the Holy Spirit upon these dear brothers and sisters.
The "Bodi" Village
We left the hut church that morning greatly encouraged. The local church-planter followed our jeep using his motorcycle. We were off to our second destination, a small village further out in the west. The church-planter had visited the village the week prior and had arranged a meeting with a few of the village leaders in their home.
After another 20 minute drive, we arrived at the village. We felt the darkness as if a weight was on our hearts. As we got out of our jeep and followed the church-planter to the village leader, we were surprised to find that the ENTIRE village was sitting on blankets, waiting to meet with us! The village leaders and Hindu priests were gathered to hear our message.
Later we counted that nearly 60 people had shown up for our presentation. Women, men, children, young and old - everyone had showed up for the foreigners coming into the village. We began our presentation with a dance, performed by a young daughter of one of our teammates. Then, I and another teammate shared our testimonies.
Then, the regional director again shared the Gospel using those same flashcard images. Now remember that this was the afternoon of that hot day. We were under a few trees which provided shade, but it was still quite hot. However, when the regional director started sharing the Gospel, another rushing wind came blowing through the village! Previously, no wind was blowing. The wind was strong enough to kick up dust into some of the children's eyes. This was an incredible moment, and the villagers realized that something special was happening before their eyes.
After the Gospel presentation, the regional director asked if anyone would like to receive Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior, and the entire village raised there hands!! Further, the two Hindu priests gave their lives to Christ as well! One priest shared that darkness had came over his mind months prior. He went mad and could not think clearly. But then, someone gave him a Bible in his language. Once he started reading the Bible, his mind cleared and the darkness left.
The other (former) Hindu priest came up to our regional director and told him he had a very important question. Then, the priest asked if, now that he believes in Jesus, could he eat meat! This was so funny, because previously he was not allowed to eat meat as a priest. Praise God for the freedom in Jesus to eat whatever you like. I received a report from that village that showed that this former priest had become the village pastor, being trained by the local church-planter. Praise God!
This trip showed me that, truly, there are people who have never once had the opportunity to hear about salvation in Jesus Christ. There are entire nations of people just waiting for someone, anyone to tell them about the good news of Jesus! I learned an important lesson on this trip: always share the Gospel. There is nothing more important than this!
Romans 10:15
"How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!"
God will always back up His Word. It is true - just like in the book of Acts, so it is today. If we are faithful to preach the good news of repentance, forgiveness and salvation, then God will be faithful to heal, deliver and empower. as it says here:
2 Thessalonians 1:11
"That God...may fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith by his power..."
Amen! Today, I pray that if you know Jesus, you will do whatever it takes to share the good news of salvation, in every way you know how. Nothing is more important.
If you don't know Jesus today, I pray that you will seek Him. If you seek Jesus, you will find Him. He desires to save you and give you a life full of purpose, hope and abundant joy. Tell Jesus you are sorry for living a life away from Him. Ask Him to forgive you and change you. Ask Him to come into your heart. Then, He will! He will. He has a journey for you that you could not even imagine if told.
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