May 27, 2008 – 21:18 (+5:45 GMT) – Kathmandu, Nepal
After a day of grueling, grueling because we were forced to get up at 3:30am, travel Todd and I arrived in the capital of Nepal, the day before the government is officially to become a democracy. I don’ t know where to start. Despite the fact that neither the people, nor the building, nor the food is anything like Wisconsin, I feel like I’m home. The temperature is low 80s during the day and maybe mid to low 70s at the moment. Despite the fact that I can’t keep my eyes open I think I could sit outside enjoying the night air all night. On top of that everything is green and there is plenty of grass. The city of Kathmandu doesn’t look that different from the streets of Chennai with respect to the types of building, how close they are too each other, etc, but the thing that makes all the difference is how clean they keep their streets. As we were walking back to the hotel this evening I saw one pile of garbage and Raju’s brother informed that it would be gone by tomorrow morning. And then there are the mountains surrounding the city.
Raju and his family are the kindest people. They feed us a delicious meal of vegetables, rice, peanuts, yogurt, different types of chicken, potatoes (sliced thin salted and fried), fried cauliflower and other things. Pastor Raju’s Father was born into a Hindu family but one day picked up a pamphlet on the street that talked about a loving God. He had never heard about Jesus before but through the grace of God became convinced that He is the only way of salvation and has since become a minister. His Son Raju is now studying and working a full time job in health care management. Yet, manages to find the time to help his father as a youth minister, evangelizing out in the villages, keeping up a website www.nepalchristian.com, and translating biblical material into Nepali. Raju also has a younger brother Rajam, who is currently studying at school, helping his brother and father in the ministry and wishes to someday be a missionary. The whole family is very concerned about the lack of training of many Nepal pastors. And are very eager to start a Lutheran Bible School here in Kathmandu. They already have the necessary facilities.
Tomorrow we head out to visit some of the villages and pastors outside of Nepal. When I commented on how beautiful Kathmandu was Raju said I should wait till tomorrow. Everywhere you go in Nepal is of course driving through the mountains. Most importantly though I am excited about the doors that the Lord seems to be swinging open here. I haven’t known them for very long but Raju and His family seem dedicated and selfless in the work for the Lord. Pray that here also the Word of God may grow.