Home sweet home

Praise the Lord, the team returned home after a long and difficult journey!  They were tired but happy to be home where they can eat and drink anything that's offered to them without having to worry about what it's going to be like.  They are grateful for those who read the blog and prayed for them during the trip.  Thank you for being a part of their travels in this way!

Children's homes

The night train ride was very difficult for the team, because they had undesirable travelling companions -- cockroaches!  This made for a nearly sleepless night, but it also gave them the opportunity to witness to a fellow-traveler.  God can use any means He desires!

Though they had had little sleep, the Lord gave them strength to minister to the children in two homes and even gave them joy in the process.  Thanks to people's generous gifts, Pastor Pavel was able to go buy scooters for the two homes, which brought unspeakable joy to the workers and children, as this will be a tremendous help for them!  The team did hand crafts and played games with the children, and they were also able to do some repairs to the buildings.  Those who had been to India before were pleasantly surprised to see that the children had been waiting for them and were glad to see them again.

Thank you for praying for the team during their last day of ministry and as they travel home!

Delhi

The team arrived safely in India and were shocked by many contrasts in a short period of time. They had experienced the beauty of nature in the mountains of Nepal and now found themselves in the filth of the city in India. They enjoyed fellowship and worship together with local believers, and then went out into the dirt and filth of the world to minister to widows in the city. They saw people worshiping the true and living God and then saw others worshiping false gods. They saw the masses of people and the insane traffic and the local pastor who calmly maneuvered his vehicle through the traffic and sang praises to God while doing it!

Another pastors' seminar was held in Delhi. They talked about the calling and preparing of leaders, about their spiritual growth, relationships with church members in difficult situations, prayer life, and communication between ministers. At the end of the seminar, the team again had the opportunity to buy several bicycles and give them to local pastors who minister in the slums. This has become a great tradition and blessing for the pastors as they seek to minister spiritually and physically to the needy people of their country.

The team visited several widows, gave them a gift of food, and prayed for them. They saw how they lived in a 2x2 meter room with up to nine people! They also visited the slums and saw how people live literally in a dump and yet are happy with what they have in life!

From Delhi, the team rode north on a train to visit children's homes there. Praise the Lord for the opportunity to witness to a fellow traveler along the way. We continue to pray for God to work through them as they have made themselves available to Him for this trip and await further news of their adventures.

Last days in Nepal

During their last days in Nepal, the team was able to visit the orphanage again and then visit a crematorium. This experience is impossible to convey in words. It is like going into hell to see the death and destruction of the human bodies, the smoke and smells, the filth, and then people washing in the same water the bodies are washed in and the ashes are thrown into. It is a repulsive experience and one that is very difficult on the emotions.

Praise the Lord, the next day Pastor Pavel had the opportunity to meet with Nepalese pastors in a seminary to encourage them in the ministry. The team understood the great need these men have for prayer support.

And then the team had the opportunity to go up into the mountains, enjoy the beauty of God's creation, and be refreshed after the previous very difficult day. Praise the Lord for times of refreshing in the presence of the Lord! They enjoyed ministering to the believers there in a House of Prayer 2000 meters above sea level, worshiping the Lord, and fellowshipping together with the brothers and sisters.

On their last morning in Nepal, the team got up at 5AM, and together with the local workers, climbed 105 steps, and then worked their way up even higher to a hilltop where they could overlook the capitol city, spend personal time with the Lord, then share thoughts together and take Communion. They prayed for the people and the spread of the Gospel in Nepal and again enjoyed the beauty of God's creation away from the noise and dirt of the city.

Pastors' Conference

The team has continued with their busy schedule the last several days. Pastor Pavel led a three-day pastors' conference, and Kristina shared some words about the fact that worship is a way of life, not just music. There are very few resources available in the Nepalese language, and these pastors are in need of and greatly appreciate the encouragement in the Word. They can listen for hours, almost without interruption to the teaching and encouragement. We have so much that sometimes we don't even value or appreciate the resources we have at our finger tips. These men may only have the Bible in their own language and yet want to serve and change their country through the preaching of the Word.

The team again visited a children's home and taught the children a new song. The team is amazed at the poor conditions in which people live there, and yet they see the joy on the children's faces and how they care for each other's needs. They are learning the importance of praying for the missionaries who serve there all the time and for the children, that they would grow to know and love the Lord and live for Him.

The main symbol of Nepal

We were going home after worship programs when we stopped to observe the main symbol of Nepal – the Boudanath Stupa. (Translator's note: you can find more information about this online, if you are interested.)

Hundreds of people walk around this building spinning praying wheels. We were brought face to face with another reality, another world. A world of blind worship and countless prayers in honor of Buddha. One woman was walking along the stupa and stopped to prostrate herself every 2 meters to show her humbleness in front of the divine beings. Then she got up, took several steps and fell down again. My heart was in despair watching this flow of people like a river going not to the light but to the darkness because of their religious beliefs. I recalled the words of Christ, “You are the light of the world,” and, “Let your light shine before men.”

First days in Nepal

A team of four people (Pastor Pavel, Kristina, Vova, and Natasha) flew from Moscow on Thursday evening, November 29th, for their trip to India and Nepal.  Upon their safe arrival in Nepal, they were warmly met by the missionaries serving there.

They went to a church service in Kathmandu on Saturday morning where they shared in worshiping the Lord together with the believers there.  Vova, Kristina, and Natasha went with over 70 children of various ages to a Sunday School class, and Pastor Pavel preached in the main service.

Over lunch at the local pastor's house, he told them how he had come to know the Lord and how his relatives rejected him because of his faith.  Now he and his wife have three children of their own and are caring for 59 children in an orphanage.

They visited another church that evening where they had supper with the church family around a fire in the courtyard, as it is chilly in the evenings there now.  Then they joined in the service, which lasted till after dark.

Saturday is a day off, and the day God's children meet for worship in Nepal.  Sunday is a regular work day, so the team went to an orphanage that day.  The children there are well cared for and taught the Word of God.  The team and children split into two groups and had separate programs for the boys and girls.  There were games and songs, and the children listened to the story of Daniel and learned about living faithfully for God.  These children are the future of Nepal, and as they grow in God's love, they will have the opportunity to be a great influence on spiritual awakening in their country.

After lunch, the team met with over 80 young people for fellowship.  Their topic of discussion was purity and holiness in life, and how to live a life pleasing to God.  Praise the Lord that there are Christian young people in Nepal with a passion to live for God!  This means there is a future for this country.