Nepal 2018_Day 9_Saturday

Sharon Chan

Here came the final day of our missionary trip in Nepal. Our team reunited in Rofecca Church in Banepa in the morning, with 2 members having already left to fly back to the UK the day before. Like the previous Saturday, the team split into groups and got sent to different churches. We came together to worship and pray before setting off.

‘I will praise you, Lord, with all my heart; before the “gods” I will sing your praise.
I will bow down toward your holy temple and will praise your name for your unfailing love and your faithfulness, for you have so exalted your solemn decree that it surpasses your fame.’ Psalm 138:1-2

Throughout the 9 days in Nepal, not only did we share joy and blessings to the people and churches of this place through our service and fellowship, but we as individuals also experienced spiritual transformation and breakthroughs on various levels. Our faith was strengthened through witnessing and experiencing the love, power and faithfulness of God in multiple ways. God had been speaking to each and every one of us during this trip, and to me in a very specific way during the worship that morning. I was praying to God to further open my eyes to see things He would like to reveal in my life. Hurtful relationships and the people related, bitter memories from the past… one after another appeared so vividly in front of my eyes. My eyes were instantly flooded with tears. My heart wrenched in a way I have not experienced for a very long time. I desperately shouted to God ‘Why? Why is this pain not leaving me?’. But I shortly came to realise – there will always be pain and disappointment in life, they are inevitable, but God is always here carrying us when walking through dark valleys. He is taking care of everything and all we have to do is to fully rely on Him. He knows what is needed to shape us into the vessel He is looking for. I could feel God holding me, embracing me there and then.

‘I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.’ John 15:1-2

The team gathered around to pray for me before sending me off to Kathmandu with some other members of the Australian team. Back in Kathmandu we joined the service in one of the churches, with Pastor John sharing the message on stage. I was inspired by how passionate the Nepalis worshipped, dancing and singing so genuinely and whole-heartedly. It appeared to me that they were using every part of their bodies just to bring one message – God, we shall worship You in all possible ways as You are worthy of our praise! No burdens of shame, only joy! We then prayed for the people in the church and anointed them with oil. Seeing their desire for a deeper encounter with God, how they would run to the stage looking forward to being prayed for made me reflect on my own spiritual life – have I ever had such hunger for God’s words and eagerness in seeking Him?

Following the church service, we were invited to have lunch with the pastor. I have always been amazed by how generous the locals were in treating us with so much home-cooked food! After that we had some free time to walk around Thamel in Kathmandu, providing us with an opportunity to try more local food and to choose souvenirs for friends and family. Walking through streets and alleys, it was so evident, from the handicrafts, statues, masks and paintings being sold, that Nepal is so deeply influenced by Hinduism and Buddhism. Despite the relaxing time we were having, my heart was somewhat burdened and distressed. This probably resembled the feelings of Paul when he saw a city full of idols in Athens (Acts 17:16). All these things reminded me of the importance of praying for Nepal, there are more people that need to know the true God and His deliverance!

Though we have all returned to our own countries, let us continue to remember this place, these people and their needs in our prayers.

Bye (for now), Nepal! It is not easy to say goodbye, but we believe if God is willing, we will meet again in His timing! :)