Our five week, four nation tour began in the country of Nepal, continued through Singapore, Philippines and Taiwan. It involved teaching, preaching, medical outreach and through these efforts, a new church was planted.
Our four member team left Kathmandu, Nepal on March 18 for our flight to the mountain town of Lukla. Accompanying us were five Nepali believers full of God and ready to share the gospel. After a thrilling landing on the little airstrip, porters were hired and we started our way up the narrow trail that leads to the Everest Base camp. Our team members evangelized along the way, sharing the gospel in literature and word.
Dr Juan Soliven and the team set up temporary medical clinics in the mountain villages. This ministry opened the door for us to share the gospel with the Sherpa people of that region. After giving medical treatment to the people, other team members would pray for them and share the good news of Jesus Christ. Most all these people had never heard of the name of our wonderful Lord. What a joy it was to minister to them.
After a day of rest in Naamche Bazaar we continued our trek to Tengboche, the site of the highest Tibetan Buddhist monastery in the Everest area. This location was also the staging site for the first successful ascent of Mt. Everest fifty years ago. The Lord opened the door for us to set up a clinic in the monastery compound and give medical treatment to the monks. The team members also laid hands on the monks and prayed for them. They then shared the gospel through testimony and literature. To the knowledge of our Nepali team members, no one had ever taken the gospel to these monks before. We left Tengboche rejoicing for the great opportunity to share Christ's love with the people.
Our trip back down the mountain was very productive. On the night before our departure from Lukla, different people we met and ministered to in the mountains came together for the very first believers meeting in that area. A new church was born. We left funds for workers to return a few weeks later. The reports have just come back from these workers with news that the believers in Lukla are strong. Four have received the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. Workers plan to return soon and baptize them in water.
After leaving Nepal, the other three team members returned home and I joined Ginger in Singapore. What a wonderful time it was to preach in one of their great churches and to teach throughout the week in Rhema Singapore. The icing on the cake was the special time we were able to spend with our sweet grandgirls.
The following week, we shared in the Domata Bible School in Manila. I felt that the time was especially profitable because the majority of the students were pastors.
Ginger had never been in Taiwan. It was a special treat for her as we ministered in a church on the week-end and had a wonderful time with the great students.
We thank you for all your prayers and for the special support some of you sent for the ministry.
View pictures from this trip.
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