Pioneer Work in Nepal and Thailand

"Let us rejoice that work which God can approve has been done in foreign fields. Let us lift our voices in praise and thanksgiving for the results of the work abroad. And still our General, who never makes a mistake, says to us, 'Advance; enter new territory; lift the standard in every land. 'Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee.'

"The time has come when through God's messengers the scroll is being unrolled to the world. The truth contained in the first, second, and third angels' messages must go to every nation, kindred, tongue, and people; it must lighten the darkness of every continent, and extend to the islands of the sea. There must be no delay in this work.

"Our watchword is to be, Onward, ever onward! Angels ofheaven will go before us to prepare the way. Our burden for the regions beyond can never be laid down till the whole earth is lightened with the glory of the Lord." -Gospel Workers, p. 470.

The country of Nepal lies between Tibet in the north and India in the east, south, and west. Its population of 23 million is made up of different races and ethnic groups who speak over 70 languages and dialects. It has one of the most breathtakingly beautiful mountain ranges in the world. Eight of the 14 highest summits in the world are located in the Himalayan region. The highest of these, Mount Everest, exceeds an altitude of 29,000 feet. From all over the world, adventuresome climbers come to this part of Asia and risk their lives to conquer this mountain. Nepal enjoys the distinction of being the only Hindu kingdom in the world. 90% of the population practices Hinduism and 5% practices Buddhism, with 2% practicing Christianity and 3% other faiths. The two main religions of Hinduism and Buddhism are somewhat strangely blended together. "To Western eyes Hinduism is a mass of contradictions. How else can one describe it when the sacred texts have a choice of different endings--none of which are considered wrong? There is no indisputable truth for Hindus, but many different aspects of the same truth. This maze of mythology, mysticism, and free-fl owing belief has evolved over thousands of years." Karen Farrington, The History of Religion, p. 62.

Everywhere in the capital city of Kathmandu there are smoke-filled temples, shrines, prayer wheels, paintings depicting multi-headed people, and strange and colorful gods. Thousands of these inanimate gods are worshipped and sacrifi ced to. The sincere worshippers of Nepal have a deep desire to have innerpeace and to appease the numerous gods. Sister Ellen G. White writes this about the heathen:

"Even among the heathen are those who have cherished the spirit of kindness; before the words of life had fallen upon their ears, they have befriended the missionaries, even ministering to them at the peril of their own lives. Among the heathen are those who worship God ignorantly, those to whom the light is never brought by human instrumentality, yet they will not perish. Though ignorant of the written law of God, they have heard His voice speaking to them in nature, and have done the things that the law required. Their works are evidence that the Holy Spirit has touched their hearts, and they are recognized as the children of God." -Desire ofAges, p. 638.

October 17 - 20, 2004, Brethren Joel Barnedo and Jerry Eaton, and our young friend Stephen Wales, and I traveled from the United States and Australia to Kathmandu with the goal of finding people who are searching for spiritual truth. The International Missionary Society does not yet exist in Nepal. Going to a place where there is no "Reform Church" was a real challenge of faith for us. Our hopes and prayers were that the Holy Spirit would guide and direct us to the honest in heart.

Upon our arrival at the airport, we had a most amazing and thrilling welcome. We were greeted cordially by a highcommanding police officer with his driver and bodyguard. After we were introduced, we were escorted

to a police vehicle that took us to the the commander's private residence. It was located in an upper-class part of the city with mostly large and expensive homes. I thank Brother Eaton for all the pre-arrangements that he had made which allowed us to stay comfortably fortwo weeks in a lovely home. It may be of interest to the reader to know that brother Eaton is related to this wonderful man—our host. Brother Eaton's blood brother Steve is married to the daughter of the police commander. Most of all, wepraise the Lord for the good accommodations and kindnesses shown to us by this Hindu policeman and his dear family. There are still wonderful people all over the world who are loving and hospitable.

During our stay in Nepal, we had many wonderful opportunities to witness for the truth. We reached out to all classes of people—Hindus, Buddhists, and even some Christians. Whatdidwe do tofi nd people for God's kingdom?

• Prayedindividuallyandcollectively
  for help from God;
• Visited peoplein their homes,
  businesses, and a hospital

(friendliness and loving kindness go a long way);

• Helped people with their personal
  problems;
• Distributed literature

(As a matter of fact, proselytizing is prohibited by law).

One day, we found ourselves hungry as we were walking the narrow, crowded, and noisy streets of Kathmandu, so we decided to have lunch in a small garden restaurant. There we met two young English-speaking waiters. As the food was served, we began to converse with the two waiters on the topic of religion. They seemed genuinely interested in Christianity and Brother Jerry

Eaton offered them our Bible correspondence course which they gladly accepted. Thus friendly conversation had opened the door to a discussion about our faith. "Cast thy bread upon the waters: for thou shalt fi nd it after many days." Ecclesiastes 11:1. May the Lord help these two young men in their quest for truth and salvation.

On another occasion, we visited a large Buddhist monastery in the hills above Kathmandu.300 student monks, ages11and older,residein Kopan Monastery. It was both educational and fascinating to hear and see the monks praying and chanting in the temple. It was a sight we will never forget. Later, a tour guide monk escorted us to the other attractions on the sacred Buddhist property. All in all, it was quite an eye-opener to see this works-oriented religion. At the end of the tour, our guide graciously offered us a meal in the dinning room. Now there was an opportunity for us to offer to send him a book about the God we serve. He did not know much about Christianity but seemed inclined to learn more about our faith. I am still waiting to learn if he has received and read the book I sent him.

We are all very grateful to a 17-year-old Hindu girl who helped us travel around the city and for her talent of interpreting for us westerners. Sometimes we met people who did not speak a word of English. It sure was a joy to communicate with the locals through a good and friendly interpreter. She even invited us twice to visit her home. Her kind mother was very hospitable and a good cook. We certainly ate well on this trip. Praise God for His great care for missionaries who travel far from home. In this Hindu home we had the opportunity to speak on religious themes.

Our young interpreter promised me she would be willing to translate a portion of The Great Controversy into Nepali— the national language. Perhaps through this labor, God's truth will find its way into her heart.

Through the providence of God, we met and studied twice with an independent Seventh-day Adventist man. We were invited to his home to speak about Jesus and to study the historical origin of the Reform Church. Being convicted by the Holy Spirit of the truth that we presented, he urged others to also get in contact with us. He was a bridge linking us to two dedicated Adventist ministers. These two men were able to fi nd us at the Hindu home where we were staying. On two separate occasions, I had the privilege to clearly presentto them the history of the Advent people. They seemed to receive well our presentations. After our return home, I received two e-mail messages from the two ministers. Iamquotingthem below:

DearSir,

Greetings to you in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ from Kathmandu, Nepal.

We are fine over here and hope the same is withyou asyou travel throughout the world to spread the Gospel message. Happy to know that God is leading His people and His words are being preached. Our prayers and good wishes are withyou asyou minister. Regarding the seminar, itis a good idea andIam interested and there are many Adventists who would like to attend, and a suitable time will be either March orApril ofnextyear. There is a warning from the higher authority not to associate with the Reform group andyou know I am working under them.

Regarding the seminar, it is a good idea and I am interested and there are many Adventists who would like to attend, and a suitable time will be either March orApril of next year. There is a warningfrom the higher authority not to associate with the Reform group andyou know Iam working under them. IfI have to attend I will do so and do my part actively, butIhave to leave myjob and I am willing butprayfor me and myfamily. We are willing to acceptyour call ifyoufeel thatIwill be useful to the Reform Movement. We will do HIS workfaithfully.

May God blessyou!
With regards,
Name
Kathmandu, Nepal
DearHenry,
Greetings in the name ofOurLord Jesus.
We are fine here and do hope the same is with you, too.

Yes, Sir, I got your e-mail and I am glad for that. Thank you so much. It is quite good news for us that you want to arrange some program as Bible study in Nepal. I also want that, but when do you think you will get the time and come to Nepal? Would you please let me know when you are returning from Germany? When your time will befixed then I will confirm the date and time. It will be a great blessing for us that we would come to know more about the truth. And also please send some more materials like books and audio cassettes through which we can preach in a better way. The books you have left are very good—-I liked them a lot. Only thing I must have them translated into Nepali. But for this we need time. In the future I will be trying to obtain translated materials. Please pray for me and my family because when they come to know that Iam preaching for Reform church they may reject my job also. The condition may be very bad.

I will write you a letter again soon. Please give my regards to BrotherJoel, I could not write him because I lost his address.

Your brother in Christ, Name

Please pray for these two young ministers and their families. They need all the support they can get. Lord willing, Brother Joel Barnedo and I plan to return to Nepal in the spring. We feel a seminar is absolutely necessary for the workers to be trained to carry the message of salvation to the heathen.

Dear Reader, please pray that the work of God will continue to grow and prosper in Nepal. Doors have been opened and interested souls are now reaching out for more food. "Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth...." John 16:13. (...)