How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach UNLESS THEY ARE SENT? ...So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
Romans 10:14–15a, 17
I have one full day in Kathmandu before my flight home tomorrow (Tuesday, December 17) morning. Ruju and I parted ways yesterday when I flew to Kathmandu, and he returned to his family in Chitwan. We've done this for the past few years, so he doesn't need to spend another three or four days on the road and away from his family and the work. I've been here enough times that I'm comfortable navigating this country and Kathmadu on my own. My typical routine includes visiting a couple of my favorite places to eat and staying at a decent but inexpensive hostel with good Wi-Fi. It's also a plus that the hostel is just a short walk to a small tea and spice shop where I buy Beth's favorite Nepali chili flakes.
This morning, I'm just hanging out at the hostel, making good use of their free Wi-Fi, writing reports for the Board of Missions and the Kinship Committee. Later this afternoon, I will meet with Rajan to discuss the Kinship Cheli Project he directs, which assists and protects young at-risk girls from marginalized tribes and villages in the Himalayan hills outside of Chitwan. And this afternoon, I'll probably slip out and find a few small gifts to bring back for the grandkids.
This visit was about a week shorter than usual due to a couple of additional visits to Liberia and Pakistan that needed to be scheduled. But thanks to Raju's good planning, it was a productive visit that was highlighted by opportunities to preach the Good News at Himalayan-CLC (HCLCN) congregations, teaching a course on the "The Grace of God and the Doctrine of Election" at the Himalayan Bible Institute (HBI), leading a study on "Worship" at the HCLCN Pastoral Conference, and meetings to discuss future plans and opportunities. We also had a Pre-Christmas celebration with the HCLCN pastors and HBI students as we considered God's message to the shepherds: "There is born to YOU this day, in the City of David, a SAVIOR, who is CHRIST the LORD!"
In addition to the work (that doesn't really seem like work...more like a privilege!), I always appreciate the blessing of spending time with my dear friends and co-workers, the Bhitrakoti family. The other special blessing is the opportunity to stand in awe of God's beautiful creation with incredible views of the tallest mountains in the world, the Himalayas! It just never gets old!
Praise the Lord for another safe and productive visit to Nepal and HCLCN!
I'm looking forward to being home in a few days and then traveling to Michigan to celebrate our Savior's birth with our grandkids (for the first time) as they use their beautiful voices to proclaim the Good News on Christmas Eve.
Prayers to the LORD for safe and uneventful travels are requested and much appreciated!
Oh...and Happy Birthday Mom!!!
Raju Making Announcements at the HBI
Raju Making Announcements at the HBI
Teaching the at Himalayan Bible Institute
Pastor Raju Welcoming the HCLCN Pastors and HBI Students to the Conference
Pastor JB Delivering the Opening Devotion
Teaching with Raju Translating at the Conference
Lunch wth Raju, Sanju, Rajan, and Anu at the HCLCN Conference
Raju and Sanju
Raju, Sanju, Jordan, and Joshua at Jordan's School Program
This was the first Thanksgiving I had spent at home in several years. I was only home for five days after returning from Liberia last week. Spending the day with Beth, her dad, our daughter Hannah, and Beth's brother Steve was nice. I'm glad I was able to be home this year.
Now, I'm heading off to spend a few weeks in Nepal before coming back just in time for Christmas.
Tomorrow (Tue., Dec. 3rd), I will fly to Kathmandu with layovers in Chicago and Istanbul. I am scheduled to arrive on Thursday morning. Raju has a packed agenda, including congregational visits, a week of teaching at the Himalayan Lutheran Bible Institute, and a regional pastoral conference for the Himalayan-CLC.
Because of the terrain, frequent landslides, and unusually heavy rains that lasted longer than the typical monsoon season this year, the road conditions in Nepal are worse than usual, and many places are closed to travel. Prayers for safe and uneventful travels to and from Nepal and while traveling in Nepal are requested and much appreciated.
