The Constitutional crisis in Nepal provides backdrop for a project launch

(Photo courtesy of BFTW)
Bible Distribution Center

Nepal (MNN) ― A new crisis seems to be looming over Nepal's fragile peace process.

This week, the government and the judiciary locked horns in a question of another extension to the Constituent Assembly term.

The Supreme Court had given three options if the Constituent Assembly failed to draft a new Constitution before May 28, 2012: Take a referendum, conduct fresh polls to elect a new body to draft the constitution, or seek some other alternative.

Apparently fed up with the slow progress, the Courts reject petitions for another extension should a draft fail to emerge in May. In 2008, the legislative body was given two years to draft Nepal's new constitution, but despite four extensions, the task is no closer to completion than it was when the CA was given its mandate.

However, some of the penal codes were re-written, and Christians were alarmed at the wording of anti-conversion legislation that could seriously complicate outreach.

Against that backdrop, Bibles For the World is launching the New Year with a new project: Bibles For Nepal.

BFTW's Mawii Pudaite says despite the ongoing changes in the government and concerns about religious freedom, Christianity remains the fastest-growing religion in the country. "We believe that it is an important time to plant Gospel Seeds in Nepal that will bear much fruit in the years to come."

With a roughly 48% literacy rate, BFTW is directly targeting this demographic for Scripture distribution, evangelism and discipleship. She explains that what often happens is development in the community. "These efforts will also have an indirect-multiplying effect among the illiterate population, as local churches and new believers engage their communities with the Gospel."    

While the window remains open, the ministry is moving ahead with plans for 2012. "We have made contacts with the leaders of these various groups and churches in Nepal, and they enthusiastically are responding to working with us in the distribution and follow-up ministries."

The next step, Pudaite notes, is printing and distributing the resources. "Claiming Nepal for Christ and His Kingdom will take prayer and resources to provide the tools: Bibles, New Testaments, and Gospels to do the job of evangelism, discipleship and church planting." 

Dr. John Stotts was noted for saying, "The Bible is the best tool for evangelism." Change for Nepal can come from within. "Today I am asking you to join me in praying for the people and country of Nepal. Let us claim the nation of Nepal for Christ and His Kingdom."

The pace of the project is dependent on the funding they receive. They're also mobilizing prayer teams to pray for Nepal. Check our Featured Links if you want to explore more with Bibles For The World.

Newspaper evangelism makes inroads for hope in Nepal

Nepal (MNN) ― In Nepal, Christians are approximately four percent of the population. 

Recent upheaval in the country has been disruptive for ministries, especially in light of changed penal codes, and failed efforts to draft a new Constitution.

However, AMG Internationalhas found one way to present the hope of truth to people, in spite of what chaos might be wreaking havoc in Nepal: Newspaper evangelism.

This method is particularly effective in predominantly Muslim, Hindu, and Buddhist countries. A newspaper enters many homes where Christians might never be allowed to enter. By placing Gospel messages as paid advertisements in local newspapers around the world, the ministry can give the good news of the Gospel to hundreds of thousands of people who may have no other opportunity to learn about Christ.

In other countries, where such ads would not be allowed, AMG often places a more general message such as: "Would you like to know real peace?" or "Are you lonely? Let us tell you about a friend who will never leave you."

To those who respond to the ads, AMG's team sends a Bible and Bible correspondence courses. They also encourage respondents to begin attending church and to continue to study the Bible.

AMG's ad appeared in a magazine with a circulation of 45,000 copies. There were 775 responses over a seven-month period, and through the correspondence and follow up, 233 people made a profession of faith in Jesus Christ. More than half of those are now engaged in further Bible study.

People are the same everywhere. They all occasionally suffer from loneliness, anger, fear, and grief. In countries where the love of Christ is not known, these hurting people need a friend who will guide them to Christ and comfort them and give eternal hope. This is the goal of newspaper evangelism and the follow-up ministry.

No Missionary Had Ever Been There

An Old Language Brings Good News for Today

Gospel for Asia
For Immediate Release

This Gospel for Asia-supported missionary, also one of the Gurung people, ministers in the same area as Pastor Sirjan.

NEPAL (ANS) -- Gospel for Asia-supported pastor Sirjan Bhattarai recently found out the Lord’s heart behind what seemed to be a purposeless ministry. This is his account of what the Lord showed him.

Sirjan’s Story

My name is Sirjan Bhattarai. I am the pastor of a Gospel for Asia-supported church in Nepal, and I am also ministering in the surrounding unreached villages.

In addition to my pastoral work, God has given me the great privilege of producing the Gurung language radio broadcast for GFA Radio. Before handling the responsibility as a producer and broadcaster for the Gurung language, I thought it was a meaningless effort to broadcast this language, considering the current state of Nepal.

I thought, “The Nepali language is the common language that everyone can communicate through in Nepal. Broadcasting in Gurung is a waste of time and money.” But honoring God and being obedient to my leaders who asked me to broadcast in this language, I began to work on the program.

Unexpected Findings

On August 1, I went to preach the Gospel in a remote village along with four other pastors. The village does not have any modern facilities—no electricity, hospitals or paved roads. No missionary had been there before.

I thought it was a meaningless effort to broadcast this language.

The population of the village is 289, and 90 percent of the people are Gurungs.

We reached the village in the evening. At dawn, we began our ministry work. We divided into two groups to reach the most people. In the afternoon, my two friends came and told me there were some Gurungs who wanted to meet someone who could speak their language because they can only communicate in their own tongue.

I was really perplexed to hear this and went to meet them. I met a woman who was about 56 years old. When she saw me, she gathered 12 people together in her courtyard to listen to me. I began to speak in Gurung and tell them about Jesus Christ, His life and teachings. I spoke to them for 25 minutes and stopped to hear their reactions.

Wonderful Fruit

The woman told us something so wonderful. She told us that she had heard a GFA Radio program in the Gurung language. Once she was suffering from a headache. Her son was listening to the Gospel message on the radio. At the end of the message, the speaker told the listeners he was going to pray to God for their healing. After the prayer she had no headache.

When the woman and the other Gurung people came to know that I was the person who had delivered God’s message, they were very happy. Immediately, two women received the Lord Jesus Christ as their Savior. There is now a small Christian fellowship in this village.

I thanked our gracious Lord Jesus Christ for His wonderful work, and I also asked His forgiveness for my lack of faith in Him. I realized why God wanted to use me to speak in my own mother tongue. I pray the Lord will use me as an instrument for sharing the Word of God through the GFA Radio program.

Please pray for my ministry to be effective and fruitful.

Please pray for the people of this village, that the Lord will bring them into His Kingdom.

---

 Read some of the responses that come in from GFA Radio listeners.

---

Gospel for Asia is an evangelical mission organization based in Carrollton, Texas, involved in sharing the love of Jesus across South Asia.

---

** You may republish this story with proper attribution.

Bringing Love to AIDS Patients

Gospel for Asia
For Immediate Release

Visiting people in the hospital is one way Women’s Fellowship groups show Jesus’ love to their community.

SOUTH ASIA (ANS) -- Since 1988, when the first AIDS case appeared in Nepal, the disease has spread to an estimated 70,000 people*. With relatively little understanding of the disease, those suffering with AIDS face severe discrimination.

Although they can’t reach all 70,000 AIDS patients, one Gospel for

Asia Women’s Fellowship group in Nepal spent a day reaching out to those in their area. Their efforts filled an empty place in the hearts of these people valued by the Lord.

With permission from hospital staff, the Women’s Fellowship group visited each patient in a facility established specifically for treating AIDS. The women spent time with each person, listening to their stories and encouraging them with God’s love.

 They gave out New Testaments and Gospel tracts along with a gift of fresh fruit for them to enjoy.

The patients’ gratitude was heartfelt. The fact that someone cared enough to visit them meant a lot, and many were enthusiastic to learn more about the Lord.

The Women’s Fellowship members request prayer that the Lord will heal each person and help them to understand His love.

*UNAIDS and National Estimate, 2010

---

GFA-supported missionaries across India took an active part in helping their communities on World AIDS Awareness Day.

http://www.gfa.org/news/articles/world-aids-day-awareness-initiatives-educate-communities-show-love/

---

Gospel for Asia is an evangelical mission organization based in Carrollton, Texas, involved in sharing the love of Jesus across South Asia.

Death toll likely to rise from rural quake in Northern India

Mission Network News: "Death toll likely to rise from rural quake in Northern India"

India (MNN) ― Indian authorities have begun air-dropping relief supplies to survivors of a deadly earthquake in northeastern India and neighboring countries like Nepal, Tibet, Bangladesh and Bhutan. Read more...

Mission Network News

Mission Network News:

Team members still needed for blanket trips