Back in Time!
Hey guys! Karen and I just wanted to catch you up on a little something else that happened while we were in Nepal that we were not able to write about while there. When we landed in Nepal we were met at the airport by Nani Beti and a driver and a man named Bikash. He spoke very good English and was able to tell us where to go and what to do. He rode with us to the orphanage and even came in and had a “cold drink” (a soft drink of some type), as they like to call it with us. We were still unaware at this point who he was exactly but over he next several days he dropped by the orphanage often and we engaged in several conversations with him. During one conversation we learned that he and his wife ran a Christian Training Center called the Jabez school of Ministry. They take people from remote villages into their home for about 2 years and teach them how to read and write study the Bible. His wife teaches the women how to cook and to care for a family. After inquiring about this center he asked us if we would like to come for a visit and we excitedly agreed. So before leaving for the village on Friday, Bikash came to the orphanage and got us (by got us I mean walked over to show us how to get there) to take us to the training center. When we arrived there we met his wife and youngest daughter. They were very excited to see us and as is the custom in Nepal immediately wanted to fix us something to eat and drink! After talking with them for a few minutes and inquiring about the school, we gathered in the classroom where Bikash asked Karen and I to share something the Lord placed on our hearts with the students there. We both shared a few Bible verses and some words of encouragement for the students and Bikash translated for us. After our time of sharing Bikash opened up the floor and let a few of the students share their testimonies with us and the rest of the class. This was very encouraging to the two of us and although everything had to be translated for us it was great to see the work of the Lord in the older generation of Nepal. We had been surrounded with the work the Lord in doing with the kids and it was great for us to see that someone was also working to try and lead the older generations to Christ as well. Sharing with us was also great practice for the students. They remain in classes there from January to November of each year and then they go back to their home villages for 2 months to be with family and also to begin ministering to their villages. They are sent away from the school with assignments of sorts to help them evangelize their villages. Then they report back to the school in January for their 2nd 10 month stint of classroom studies followed by another 2 months in their villages at year end. After they complete this 2 year program Bikash and his family work with each student to send them out on mission for Christ. Some of them will return to their home villages as full time evangelizers and others will go off to new places and maybe even new countries as ambassadors for Christ. To close out our time with these amazing students Bikash had them pray for us and then asked us to pray for them. During this time we could feel the Holy Spirit’s presence in the room so strongly! I can’t begin to put it into words. After taking a few pictures and telling them goodbye Bikash began walking with us back to the orphanage. On the walk Karen and I continued to ask him questions as the Lord laid them on our hearts about what resources they needed and what ways that we could help them. One of the big things that he mentioned that they really needed was a computer. Bikash comes and uses Pastor Rinzi’s computer at the orphanage some times but it is very difficult because it is about a 20 minute walk away and that doesn’t allow the students to learn how to use a computer at all. I inquired about how much it would cost to purchase a computer there in Nepal and was told around $500.
Right then and there my heart began to pound. You see prior to leaving on my trip I had been given a check for exactly $500 to take with me to Nepal. The precious friends who gave it to me knew that my trip had already been paid for but said that they felt the Lord leading them to give me the money anyway. The Lord then began laying it on my heart that He had a special plan for the money and that I needed to keep my eyes open and be looking for the opportunity to use it in Nepal. This seemed to be it! It seemed so incredibly ordained from the Lord and I had to control myself not to jump at the opportunity and tell Bikash of the money. I wanted to spend some time in prayer about it and talking to Karen first and make sure that I was in the Lord’s will. I knew that I would see Bikash and his wife again on Sunday at church and could give them the money then if the Lord continued to lead me in that direction.
After returning to the orphanage Karen looked at me and said “You really liked that didn’t you?” I couldn’t help but smile in return and agree with her. I could just feel the Lord working in a powerful way and that excited me so much! After discussing things with her and spending time with the Lord I knew this is what I was supposed to do with the money. After church on Sunday we met and American missionary couple, the Hensleys, who now lives in Nepal full time and helps Bikash and Rinzi with their ministries. We were able to talk with them about giving Bikash the money for the computer and were able to make sure that they had a way to actually purchase a computer there. They assured us that they would actually help Bikash shop for and purchase a computer that fit his needs. WOW! How amazing is our God! He now had provided the money and the means to purchase the computer. What confirmation that we were truly using the money as the Lord intended. We then presented Bikash and his wife with the money for the computer and they were thankful beyond words.
I am happy to report that Karen and I received and email from Mrs. Hensley just this morning telling us that they have taken Bikash and purchased a new computer for the school and that they actually supplemented the money we donated and were able to also buy him a him a laser printer to use as well. Now the school has a way to teach the students about computers and also to be able to print any school materials that they need to. Praise God for His amazing provision and for His faithfulness with us!
Bikash and the Jabez school fully support the students during these two years, therefore, most of their funds go towards food and housing. If you would like to continue to help Bikash and his wife equip students to go and spread the gospel in Nepal they are in need of Bible Commentaries. Currently they only have 1 for all 11 students. Let us know if you would like to help us purchase commentaries for them or meet any of their other needs.
