Nepal 2018_Day 4_Monday
Morning Sharing by Pastor Lee
Brenda Lee
Second day we were at Chitwan orphanage which is run by a Korean pastor Lee and his wife for over 20 years. There were about 500 kids in the orphanage but recently received pressure from the government to close down. Kids were involuntarily sent back to their families that had difficulties keeping them. When we were there, about 150 kids had already been sent back home. The government was making it difficult for the pastor to continue keeping the orphanage. There was 24/7 surveillance from government officials on the grounds.
Early in the morning Pastor Lee and his wife were busy in the kitchen preparing breakfast for our team of 33 people. Through their actions I could see they were radiating Jesus’ Agape love. Even though they were faced with difficulties, the big and happy smiles on their faces were contagious. They reflected Jesus’ model to the people around him, the Servant King.
After a big breakfast, Pastor Lee shared some testimonies of the kids’ stories. One story was the miracle of Rebecca who was born early and underweight with poor medical resources and has now grown up to be a healthy, happy 14-year old girl. God could change something that was impossible into possible. He is a mighty God.
After the testimony pastor Lee prayed for every one of us and anointed us with the Holy Spirit, and this was for the preparation of the evening session and the days after.
‘How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him.’ 10:38 Acts
We were equipped and filled with the Holy Spirit before we went out to serve God. We were not doing God’s work with our own efforts. We were fuelled with His power and only an instrument of God, through which He will reflect His glory and power.
Souk Lien Looi
Getting to know what was happening in the orphanage was not easy for every one of us. We had the longest prayer time among our team members last night. I went to bed feeling more relieved after submitting all my mixed feelings to God as I know God loves prayers and He always has the perfect plan with perfect timing.
‘We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you.’ 2 Chronicles 20:12
We sat in a circle after breakfast and Pastor Lee started to share a number of stories throughout the journey of his missionary. We all knew the missionary parents have had their visa renewals denied. Yet, Pastor Lee and his wife never want to give up on the children. Our visit and arrival were such a big encouragement for them, especially to those children who are still here in the orphanage. It reminded me of one verse from the Bible.
‘But as for me, I watch in hope for Lord, I wait for God my Savior, my God will hear me.’ Micah 7:7
What does it take to maintain hope in harsh times? It’s watching. Waiting. Praying. Remembering. God hears our cries even when our circumstances are overwhelming.
Herman Poon
It was the second day at the orphanage, after the breakfast Pastor Lee had a small sharing session with us about the detailed testimonies of his beloved kids, which we were all touched by his dedication to Christ and most importantly the unshaken faith in Christ even in these difficult days against the persecution. Pastor Lee then prayed for all of us and anointed us with the holy spirit, it was mainly a preparation for a gathering with the orphans later that night. During that ministry time, another team member had a vision for me and comforting words from God for me, it was powerful and sort of heavy. It tore down the walls of mine and that allows God to shape me throughout the trip.
Medical Clinic
Souk Lien Looi
After the sharing was over, Pastor Lee encouraged and prayed for every one of us. It now came to our final dental and medical clinic.
Edwina as a qualified doctor assigned me and Brenda Lee to assist her in running the medical clinic since yesterday. Chitwan is famous for their wildlife and clay lands, which are very good for growing rice, wheat and vegetables. It is also famous for floriculture, mushroom cultivation and bee keeping. Most people who came in are working in agriculture. They are very friendly yet very limited in expressing themselves even though we had our translator assist to get a proper medical history from them. What made me a little upset is observing most of them with skin fungal infections and multiple body aches due to long term incorrect posture. Oral or local anesthetic was given just to use as short term for pain relief. I knew our limitations but God always encourages us to step out in faith to reach out to others and show our care and love.
Brenda Lee
After the anointing, local people were already lining up for the medical, dental and eye clinic. Medical resources are very limited in Nepal, poor people have to get a loan to seek medical advice, so they will delay seeking medical treatment until it is very serious.
‘When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick.’ 14:14 Matthew
There were a lot people who came to the clinic, most of which did not speak English and most of the translators were kids from the orphanage. The orphanage does not just provide basic needs but also good education. The Korean couple who have no support from the government gave these orphans not just a shelter, but a life full of hope and love.
A new law was passed a few months ago; people can report anyone who helps them convert to be a Christian and they would end up with a prison sentence. We can either ask permission to pray for them or did it silently. I saw a 15 year-old girl who had a history of self-harm; God touched my heart when praying for her. It was not what I could do with just a short time of consultation, there was no follow-up, no other resources, but only our mighty God who could do great things.
‘For I know that through your prayers and God’s provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance.’ 1:19 Philippians
Lunch
Herman Poon
After the anointing, I part ways with the team as I was invited to prepare lunch with Jonny and Ji-won from the OMMA team. To be completely honest I was still in shock after the prayer earlier that morning but both Johnny and Ji-won has provided comforting words. Being the youngest in the team and it was a blessing for me to serve, especially with my gifts as I work in the kitchen part time back home. Pastor Lee and his wife didn’t know what we would like to cook and they just prepared loads of pasta and tomato sauce, it was actually quite challenging as none of us have tried to cook so much pasta all at once. It was a great opportunity for me to serve the team and I believed the meal was properly cooked and the team had a blessed lunch.
Children Ministry
Brenda Chin
We started our session by introducing some kids worship songs for the children to sing and dance along. The hall is filled with laughter especially when the children saw some of us did the dance move wrongly. It was silly but so much fun seeing all of them warmed up so quickly. We don’t even have to worry about the language barriers. Two of the members from OMMA team – Aunty Aileen and Aunty Jessie, did a really good job in leading the session.
We then spilt into two different teams for the activities - Balloon twisting and Love pocket paper craft making. The children were super excited especially when the activities were introduced to them. Yuk did the balloon twisting with the boys and Isabella did the paper crafts with the girls. All of them had a good time getting busy with balloons and craft making. The love pocket paper crafts required longer time to complete, and the boys who were already done with their balloons started to move around the hall while the girls were still doing the crafts. So, I decided to take the boys outdoor for some games. We played the game ‘Duck Duck Goose’, and the boys loved it. They keep the game going and going, so much energy! The genuine smile on their face, their laughter, their cheers, so precious! The air is filled with joy. The girls too, are so proud of the crafts they made, holding those in their hands like something so precious to them.
Seeing how much the children enjoyed the afternoon session, actually brushed off the worries we had about what to do for kids ministry earlier, considering we might being ‘watched’ by somebody. Keep it simple is the key! We do our best and God will do the rest. Again, God reminded us it’s not about how much we could speak about His love to the children but about how they could feel the love of God through us.
Evening Service
Brenda Lee
There is evening service every day at the main hall; boys and girls were sitting separately and orderly on the floor. After worship our team were asked to walk in the front and received blessings from them. They all raised up their hands and prayed for us. Going for a mission trip, we might think we bring blessings to the people we are serving, but in return we received blessings from them as well.
‘Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.’ 1 Thessalonians 5:11
Then we were given anointing oil to pray for the kids. While praying many kids were touched by the Holy Spirit and fell onto the floor. The Holy Spirit was so powerful and filled the atmosphere, the kids were so open and let the Holy Spirit minister to them. Many kids have traumatic histories; many of them were abandoned by their families and had emotional issues.
‘God, who knows the heart, showed that he accepted them by giving the Holy Spirit to them, just as he did to us.’ Acts 15:8
Souk Lien Looi
After dinner, we were gathered at the main hall to have our evening service and in confidence. Only the youths were invited due to restrictions by the local government preventing any large gatherings. My heart was filled with heaviness and wished that we could have more time to spend with those children as we are leaving early tomorrow.
The most touching moment was when our team was asked to line up in front to receive blessings from them. The children raised up their hands and prayed for us sincerely from their hearts. I truly feel blissful and my tears could not be held back any longer.
When the service almost came to the end, Pastor encouraged the children to be prayed for by the BLi team. What amazed me the most is seeing all of them very hungry for love and care, their hearts open and welcoming the Holy Spirit to fill them.
Brenda Lee
After the service, the guests lined up at the exit and we gave a big hug to every kid. It was my first time hugging over 300 kids at one go. The smile, the warmth and the joy on the kids’ faces touched my heart. They are being loved and nurtured; the fountain of love came out from a devoted Christian Korean couple who receive abundantly and endlessly from our Father God.
‘We love because he first loved us.’ 1 John 4:19
Souk Lien Looi
Last but not least, we hugged every single hungry soul in the room before they left to bed. When the service was over, some of the youth insisted in walking us back to our building. It was just a short walk yet we appreciated every single second just to encourage them how much we really care and pray patiently as God listens faithfully.