Latest Updates – Page 12 – Welcome to Ministry Training International

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

A “Sunday Service” on Saturday!

Pastor Satis translating for me.

In Nepal, the day for church meetings is Saturday. Their Saturday is our Sunday, when most people have a day off. So, I was picked up at around 10 AM and transported to Harvest Church, about a 20 minute ride from the hotel. They meet in a small building on the same property as the home for Pastor Satis. I watched as they were preparing for the worship service, and I was glad to see that all of the musicians on the worship team are young people. They had keyboards, guitar, bass guitar, and drums. Once the service began, there was probably a half hour or more of praise and singing. Each of the young musicians is talented on their particular instrument. I was impressed, and I could tell that they put in a great deal of rehearsal time. I was eventually invited up to preach and I think it went well. Following the service, many came up to me and greeted me, some requesting prayer. Then a light lunch of fruit, yogurt, and Mo Mos, a dumpling dish, was brought to me and a few others. I then spent a good half hour interacting with the music team as they came and sat across the small table from me. They all speak English very well and were an absolute delight to converse with. They range in age from 19-21. Eventually, Pastor Satis and a few others piled into a small van with me to transport me to the hotel, as they went on to do some shopping. It was a wonderful morning and I am thankful for the opportunity. Thank you all for the prayers.

Today, Sunday, I will meet again with Pastor Saroj as we finish our conversation regarding next year’s training seminars. The remainder of the day I will be preparing for the 2 days of teaching at the HMU Nepal Pastor’s conference, Monday and Tuesday.

In the photos below are shots of church yesterday. The music team is 2 photos, one of the boys and one of the girls. There is also a photo of me with Pastor Satis and his family.

Thanks again for all of the prayers. I feel great and I love what I’m doing.

Off and Running

On Wednesday I met with a Pastor Saroj and his assistant. I met him a few years ago in Kathmandu. He had found this website and wanted to work with me in pastoral training, as that is what he does in Nepal. So we spent an hour or so planning future ministry together for the next time I come to Nepal.

The next day, I was picked up and driven to a resort in the hills outside of Kathmandu in order to teach at a retreat for Pastors and their wives, mostly associated with Calvary Chapel of Kathmandu. There were 16 couples in attendance. Getting the taxi and fighting traffic all the way meant that I arrived at 9:55 AM, and began my first session at 10! I spoke to the couples for an hour. Then immediately following, I taught the men only, again for an hour. Both sessions went well in spite of getting very little sleep the night before due to jet lag. After lunch, I helped facilitate a man’s discussion group outside. It was truly one of the best men’s discussion groups I have ever been a part of at a conference. It was insightful, robust, and all of the 16 men participated. It was followed by a time of teaching by a pastor from Uganda. I was scheduled to then be on a panel for Q&A but my driver arrived and it was time to leave. Because of the evening traffic it took over 2 hours to get to the hotel. But it was a wonderful day with the couples.

Below are photos of the meeting with Pastor Saroj and his assistant and then a photo of the outdoors men’s discussion group.