Hello from Nepal! So much has happened since our last post. We're almost done with outreach! We fly out tomorrow for New Zealand.
After we left Kathmandu four weeks ago we headed to Lamjung and worked with a man named Hom for a week. On our way we stopped in Pokhara for a night and worked with an orphanage for boys. We played soccer with them and had dinner with them.
Once in Lamjung, we joined a missionary named Karen and worked with her and Hom on community development projects for the week. They shared with us their vision to open a small hospital in the near future and then a larger hospital in several years. We did a lot of intercession for these projects as well as for the community in general. We performed our dance and skits for the people there and were able to share the gospel and pray for healing for several people afterwards. We also visited several houses of believers in that region and prayed for them as well. On one of the days there we hiked up to a hilltop that had a view in all directions and spent some time in worship and intercession for the whole country of Nepal.
When we left Lamjung we went back to Kathmandu for a couple days to rest and met our next guide named Reuben. We travelled with him to an orphanage he's building which is a 14 hour bus ride from Kathmandu. We met up with a World Race Team there of 15 people who helped us with our work there. We did practical work that week and helped to finish the orphanage. We made two cement floors, made a badminton court and moved rocks to make a walkway. It was challenging doing this type of work because the process in a 3rd world country is different from what we're used to. Overall it was good to see what we had accomplished at the end of the week.
When we got back to Kathmandu we met our next guide named Glenda. She is a missionary who runs a business here called Beauty for Ashes that supplies jobs for women rescued from sex trafficking. We went with her to Newakot, a region of Nepal where many women are trafficked from. We stayed with two missionaries named Cynthia and Bethany who live there and have a heart to prevent sex trafficking. They taught us about the history of human trafficking in Nepal, some of the reasons behind that and the current issues related to it. We learned what each person can do about justice issues like this and spent a lot of time in worship and intercession. One day we went up to the mountains to a historic palace where sex trafficking originated in Nepal and spent some time interceding for Nepal from there. At the end of the week we went with Glenda and visited her business and the women working there. We got to pray with some of the women and we bought some of the things they had made to support them.
After leaving Glenda we started our debrief portion of outreach. We had decided earlier that we wanted to do a mountain flight over the Himalayas. We got up early that morning and thankfully the weather was clear and we were able to do the flight. We saw the mountain range and Mount Everest. After that we went to our debrief location in Kathmandu and we've been spending some time reviewing what this outreach has meant to us and how we go forward from here. We have a day off today and we fly out tomorrow! It's hard to believe it's over!
Thank you for supporting us in prayer during our outreach! We couldn't have done it without you!
Tuesday, February 17, 2015
Saturday, January 24, 2015
Back at Kathmandu
Hey everyone! We arrived back in Kathmandu on Thursday morning after our two week trekking trip doing village ministry in the Khotang region with our guides Chandan and Brother Krishna. We hiked up and down the hills (we would call them mountains) and delivered encouraging messages to the Christian families living there. We also performed our skits and dance numerous times to visually demonstrate the Gospel and God's love for them.
Our experience in Nepal has been amazing so far. For many of us this is our first time in a 3rd world country. It's amazing how different life here is but also how quickly we adapt. We started in Kathmandu and had orientation to the Nepali culture. Then we took a bus overnight 13 hour bus ride followed by another 5 hour bus ride into the mountain region of Khotang. We learned some valuable lessons from those bus rides - always bring ear plugs because they play very loud music all night and we learned that it's best not to look out the windows because Nepali drivers are much more daring than what we're used to.
Once we arrived we hiked for a few hours then stayed overnight with a family of believers. We were amazed by their hospitality. We were told that most of the believers in this region came to Christ because of Brother Krishna (There's a link at the end of this post that talks more about his ministry). The next morning we hiked 5 hours up the mountain to the church that became our base while we were in this region.
We stayed at the church for 4 days initially (partly because several people were sick and couldn't hike). During that time we shared our skits and a sermon with the congregation there. We also did some practical ministry by helping to build a stone toilet for the church. The girls carried rocks up the mountain and the guys dug the pit for the toilet.
We also hiked around to several close villages and did our dance and skits. Afterwards we would ask if we could pray for people and we saw God bring healing to many of them. There were times when over 20 were lined up and we would pray, our translator would inform us that their pain was gone and we would move along to the next one. God healed toothaches, back and knee pain, heart and lung problems, stomach problems, and he delivered people from evil spirits. We celebrated each healing and became so accustomed to God working in miraculous ways. We were really encouraged by the healings because Brother Krishna informed us that most people come to Christ in this region because they have been healed.
Once everyone was up to hiking we went farther into the mountains and witnessed to people there. We were really blessed by Brother Krishna and Chandan because they had lined up Christian houses for us to stay in along the way. We did more skits and saw more healings. After one service we had 2 people follow us and ask for healing because they had heard of others getting healed.
Overall we were received very well by the people here. Many are fascinated by our white skin which gives us a chance to talk with them. We would announce that we were going to perform and people would walk for over an hour to come see us. We were able to witness to many Hindu people and we also encouraged many believers. Some days we visited believers in surrounding villages because they were often the only family there and needed to be built up.We prayed for their families and prayed for healing.
Before leaving to come back to Kathmandu we held a seminar at the church to encourage the believers. All of us spoke on topics we had learned about during lecture phase including hearing God's voice, the Father heart of God and identity. Some people walked for 5 hours to hear us speak.
We will try to update this post with pictures and a more detailed account of our days today pending we have power and internet at the same time. Please continue to pray for the team's health as we have been having difficulty adapting to the food.
Here is a link that shows some of the region we were in and shows you Brother Krishna aka Kris in the video. Rise Campaign
Our experience in Nepal has been amazing so far. For many of us this is our first time in a 3rd world country. It's amazing how different life here is but also how quickly we adapt. We started in Kathmandu and had orientation to the Nepali culture. Then we took a bus overnight 13 hour bus ride followed by another 5 hour bus ride into the mountain region of Khotang. We learned some valuable lessons from those bus rides - always bring ear plugs because they play very loud music all night and we learned that it's best not to look out the windows because Nepali drivers are much more daring than what we're used to.
Once we arrived we hiked for a few hours then stayed overnight with a family of believers. We were amazed by their hospitality. We were told that most of the believers in this region came to Christ because of Brother Krishna (There's a link at the end of this post that talks more about his ministry). The next morning we hiked 5 hours up the mountain to the church that became our base while we were in this region.
We stayed at the church for 4 days initially (partly because several people were sick and couldn't hike). During that time we shared our skits and a sermon with the congregation there. We also did some practical ministry by helping to build a stone toilet for the church. The girls carried rocks up the mountain and the guys dug the pit for the toilet.
We also hiked around to several close villages and did our dance and skits. Afterwards we would ask if we could pray for people and we saw God bring healing to many of them. There were times when over 20 were lined up and we would pray, our translator would inform us that their pain was gone and we would move along to the next one. God healed toothaches, back and knee pain, heart and lung problems, stomach problems, and he delivered people from evil spirits. We celebrated each healing and became so accustomed to God working in miraculous ways. We were really encouraged by the healings because Brother Krishna informed us that most people come to Christ in this region because they have been healed.
Once everyone was up to hiking we went farther into the mountains and witnessed to people there. We were really blessed by Brother Krishna and Chandan because they had lined up Christian houses for us to stay in along the way. We did more skits and saw more healings. After one service we had 2 people follow us and ask for healing because they had heard of others getting healed.
Overall we were received very well by the people here. Many are fascinated by our white skin which gives us a chance to talk with them. We would announce that we were going to perform and people would walk for over an hour to come see us. We were able to witness to many Hindu people and we also encouraged many believers. Some days we visited believers in surrounding villages because they were often the only family there and needed to be built up.We prayed for their families and prayed for healing.
Before leaving to come back to Kathmandu we held a seminar at the church to encourage the believers. All of us spoke on topics we had learned about during lecture phase including hearing God's voice, the Father heart of God and identity. Some people walked for 5 hours to hear us speak.
We will try to update this post with pictures and a more detailed account of our days today pending we have power and internet at the same time. Please continue to pray for the team's health as we have been having difficulty adapting to the food.
Here is a link that shows some of the region we were in and shows you Brother Krishna aka Kris in the video. Rise Campaign
Friday, January 2, 2015
Team Nepal
Hey Everyone!
Our team had a great 3 months of training here at the Marine Reach YWAM base in New Zealand and we're ready to share what we've learned! We've learned a lot about ourselves and about God in line with YWAM's mission to "Know God and Make Him Known." We have had some amazing speakers, gone on some wild adventurous hikes and now we're ready to tackle the next big adventure! We are going to Nepal to reach out to those who haven't heard the Gospel and encourage the believers there. We'll be there for the next 7 weeks, leaving January 4 and returning February 21. As a team we're already really close and can't wait to share the next season together. On our team are Bradley Young, Charlotte Jensen, Sumaya Abdeen, Alex Bava, Kenzie Muir, David Payne, Cody Warren, and Jeff and Erin Burton. Below is a brief introduction for those of you who don't know them yet.
My name is Bradley Young and I am one of the leaders on team Nepal! I am a New Zealander born and raised, and did my DTS in July 2013. It has been such a blessing to be staffing this school, and following Jesus has been the most best, and exciting decision of my life! I am pumped to see what he is going to do in Nepal.
Hi, my name is Charlotte and I am from Denmark. Together with Bradley, I am leading this team to Nepal. I have never been there before, but I really felt like God wanted me to go there, so if that is where He wants us, that is where we will go. I am excited to meet new people, experience the culture (since it is very different from what I am used to), but most of all I am excited to see what God is doing in Nepal, and be a part of His great plan in this country.
Hi everyone! My name is Sumaya Abdeen, and I'm from the Netherlands! Coming to this DTS in New Zealand, was one of the best decisions in my life. I love travelling and enjoying the creation of God! I'm so thankful I got the chance to be here and learn more of God and meet those awesome people. I look forward what God has for us in Nepal. One thing is sure; It's going to be awesome!
Hola!
I'm Alex and I'm from California. I'm so looking forward to this outreach! Getting to know people in Nepal for two months is going to be epic! God has worked some miracles in my life for sure during this DTS. I am always up for an adventure and am so excited to see what He's going to do next!
Hello, my name is Kenzie Muir and I'm Canadian. I traveled to New Zealand from Taiwan hoping that my relationship with God would grow, and he did that and much more. My team has been blessed with the opportunity to share our faith with the less privileged people of Nepal.
Hey there! My name is David Payne and I'm from Southern Illinois! I came to YWAM looking to experience the Holy Spirit in new ways and He has certainly drawn me nearer to Himself in ways I never could have imagined! God has clearly led our team to Nepal which excites me and gives me confidence that He is going to do great things! Life is an adventure but He is the greatest adventure!
Hello, I'm Cody Warren, from Minnesota! This DTS has reshaped my life in every way possible. God has absolutely wrecked my life in an amazing way, and is pouring out more of his restoration power on me every day! I am incredibly excited to see God's power movie in Nepal, and to share the unending love Christ has given to me with the Nepalese people!
Hey Everyone! My name is Erin and I'm from Michigan. My husband Jeff and I came to New Zealand to grow in our relationship with God and with each other and He has exceeded our expectations! We can't wait to take what we've learned and share it with the people of Nepal! We know that God is doing big things around the world and we want to be part of it!
Our team had a great 3 months of training here at the Marine Reach YWAM base in New Zealand and we're ready to share what we've learned! We've learned a lot about ourselves and about God in line with YWAM's mission to "Know God and Make Him Known." We have had some amazing speakers, gone on some wild adventurous hikes and now we're ready to tackle the next big adventure! We are going to Nepal to reach out to those who haven't heard the Gospel and encourage the believers there. We'll be there for the next 7 weeks, leaving January 4 and returning February 21. As a team we're already really close and can't wait to share the next season together. On our team are Bradley Young, Charlotte Jensen, Sumaya Abdeen, Alex Bava, Kenzie Muir, David Payne, Cody Warren, and Jeff and Erin Burton. Below is a brief introduction for those of you who don't know them yet.
My name is Bradley Young and I am one of the leaders on team Nepal! I am a New Zealander born and raised, and did my DTS in July 2013. It has been such a blessing to be staffing this school, and following Jesus has been the most best, and exciting decision of my life! I am pumped to see what he is going to do in Nepal.
Hi, my name is Charlotte and I am from Denmark. Together with Bradley, I am leading this team to Nepal. I have never been there before, but I really felt like God wanted me to go there, so if that is where He wants us, that is where we will go. I am excited to meet new people, experience the culture (since it is very different from what I am used to), but most of all I am excited to see what God is doing in Nepal, and be a part of His great plan in this country.
Hi everyone! My name is Sumaya Abdeen, and I'm from the Netherlands! Coming to this DTS in New Zealand, was one of the best decisions in my life. I love travelling and enjoying the creation of God! I'm so thankful I got the chance to be here and learn more of God and meet those awesome people. I look forward what God has for us in Nepal. One thing is sure; It's going to be awesome!
Hola!
I'm Alex and I'm from California. I'm so looking forward to this outreach! Getting to know people in Nepal for two months is going to be epic! God has worked some miracles in my life for sure during this DTS. I am always up for an adventure and am so excited to see what He's going to do next!
Hello, my name is Kenzie Muir and I'm Canadian. I traveled to New Zealand from Taiwan hoping that my relationship with God would grow, and he did that and much more. My team has been blessed with the opportunity to share our faith with the less privileged people of Nepal.
Hey there! My name is David Payne and I'm from Southern Illinois! I came to YWAM looking to experience the Holy Spirit in new ways and He has certainly drawn me nearer to Himself in ways I never could have imagined! God has clearly led our team to Nepal which excites me and gives me confidence that He is going to do great things! Life is an adventure but He is the greatest adventure!
Hello, I'm Cody Warren, from Minnesota! This DTS has reshaped my life in every way possible. God has absolutely wrecked my life in an amazing way, and is pouring out more of his restoration power on me every day! I am incredibly excited to see God's power movie in Nepal, and to share the unending love Christ has given to me with the Nepalese people!
Hey, I'm Jeff Burton from Michigan. My wife and I came on this DTS in New Zealand for different reasons but God has really been renewed in my life. I am so excited to share the gospel with the people of Nepal and am so pumped to see how God is going to work with us to impact them as well. God's love for the Nepal people is so strong and I can't wait to demonstrate that to them in our outreach!
Hey Everyone! My name is Erin and I'm from Michigan. My husband Jeff and I came to New Zealand to grow in our relationship with God and with each other and He has exceeded our expectations! We can't wait to take what we've learned and share it with the people of Nepal! We know that God is doing big things around the world and we want to be part of it!
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