Well, the 14-hour flight from Seattle to Doha was smooth all the way. We are now resting and relaxing before the flight to Kathmandu, in about 7 hours. Thanks for the prayers!
Author: David Grisanti
A New Year
Happy New Year everyone! As I am planning the year for ministry abroad, there are a couple of things I can ask you to pray for. First, I will be going to Nepal once again, in March in order to conduct seminars for pastors. Of course, as last time when I went in October, more opportunities will open up while I am there. Then in May, Debbie and I, God willing, will travel to Uganda for the Pastors and Wives Retreat for East African nations. The retreat will be held the first week of May. We have participated in this event 3 times previously, in 2016, 2017, and in 2019. Last year, I kind of fumbled the visa application for Debbie and she was unable to attend, though I was there. This year it will be even better as our friends Dave and Inga-Lill Guzik will be also participating. So, we are looking forward to that event. There are a few other possible trips being considered as well for 2023.
Finally, after 2 years of putting it on hold, we will be once again hosting a trip to The Holy Land! It will be from November 25 through December 5. I will have all of the information up on this website this week. Please consider taking this trip of a lifetime!
Thanks for all of the prayers and support!
David
My Work in Nepal is Done Until Next Time
It is now 6 PM in Kathmandu, Nepal, and I will be leaving for the airport at 1 AM for the 3:30 AM flight to Doha, Qatar where I will connect to Seattle. On Monday and Tuesday I participated in the conference, teaching for an hour on Monday evening and then four sessions of one hour each on Tuesday. I felt good but was a bit tired when I got back to the hotel. The entire time here has really been great and I look forward to the time when I return, hopefully early in 2023.
I always go to India for the annual pastor’s conference at the end of February, every year from 2007-2020. But it may not happen again. The Indian government is making it difficult for foreigners to go to India in order to participate in religious activities. If a foreigner applies for a tourist visa, he cannot teach at a conference. If he applies for a conference visa, when it is stated that he is there for a Christian conference, he will most likely be denied. If he goes on a tourist visa and participates in a Christian conference, not only could he get in trouble, but it will be even worse for the Christian organization in India.
So, the leaders of HMU are thinking about what to do. It may be that the future conferences will be via Zoom. Please be praying about this. A few years ago, Compassion International had to leave India, as the pro-Hindu government did not want them “proselytizing” children
These are such disappointing developments but compels us to pray for the Christian work in India.
I thank you again for your prayers. Things went perfectly here. Now just pray me home safely.
David