Nepal 2011

Posted May 27, 2011

Dearest Friends,

WONDERFUL NEWS

I am so happy to tell you that our Nepali driver Dev asked Jesus Christ to be his Savior! God faithfully answered our prayers for this young man. Because he is from a Hindu family, I was very concerned about his decision to talk with his parents before he followed Jesus. Often in a Hindu family, they will disown their son or daughter who becomes a Christian. I really wanted Dev to face this potential problem with faith. On his way home from taking us to the airport, he decided not to wait, and trusted Jesus. I am very grateful for all of you who faithfully prayed for this young man. Please continue to hold him, his wife, and little baby boy in your prayers. Ask the Father to call his wife quickly to faith and give them both a deep hunger for His Word.

WHAT GOD DID IN NEPAL

I received a wonderful email from Pastor Tika Ram Baral after I returned home from Nepal. I knew that God was blessing our time with the children, but I never imagined how many children we actually talked to about Jesus! He informed me that we shared with more than 14,000 children. This is incredible!

He also wrote Sam and me a very sweet thank you note. I want to share with you some of his words. If you prayed for this trip or contributed financially to this trip, these thanks belong to you as well.

"I have no words to say thank you for coming to Nepal and sharing the Gospel with the children of Nepal. Do you know that you have shared the story of Jesus to more than 14000 children of Nepal! It's amazing. My joys will know no bounds in heaven. I want to assure you of our daily prayers for you and your ministry. It gives me pleasure to inform you that Dev, our driver accepted Jesus Christ on the same day you left Nepal! Praise God! I look forward to helping him grow in the Lord. We really had wonderful time together. I look forward to meeting you and working with you again."

THE MIDDLE EAST

I received great news from one of our teams in the Middle East. Pastor Shadi wrote to tell me that they had just used the puppets and equipment we left with them to do an Easter outreach at their church. He wrote, "Over 100 children and 20 parents attended. Many prayed when the invitation was given. Praise God!" Please continue to pray for this team as they minister in an area where more than 99% of the population is Muslim. Ask God to give them great wisdom and joy.

BALLOON FESTIVAL

When I am home, I do many shows in different kinds of venues across the United States. Three days after I returned from Nepal, we had a very special puppet show at a balloon festival in Menlo, Georgia. We were surrounded by rides of every description, including a large Ferris wheel. There were many booths selling a variety of foods and crafts. You would not expect to see a large crowd gather to watch a puppet show when they had so many other choices. I was amazed at all of the parents and children who came and sat on the ground to listen to the Gospel. The organizers of the festival were so happy with our program and the response of those who watched that they offered to delay the band that was to follow us in order to give us another opportunity to share. This is incredible!

We were given this wonderful opportunity by friends at a local PCA church who wanted to do an outreach in their community. Is there any place near you where you could imagine us doing an outreach for children? If so, please respond to this email! I still have a few openings for this summer.

PERU

In June, I will travel with a team to work in the Andes with the Quechua Indian children. We're going to work in a new location in Peru, in the town of Huancayo. There is a Christian center there and the people are anxious to have good tools to work with their children. It will be our honor to partner with our friends at Runa Simi who have organized all of our previous trips to Peru. Please begin to pray for this time of ministry. If you wish to participate financially in this ministry to the Quechua Indian children, there is an easy way to do so through our website (http://theagapepuppets.org/donations.htm).

In Jesus,

Linda

Posted May 10, 2011

Dearest Friends,

Please. Note that I am typing this on my phone. Please forgive any mistakes.

Truth and Lies

Increasing, we are working in areas that our enemy has held with terrible lies for too much of recorded history. Hinduism is called" the world's oldest living religion" This is an ironic description since it is a faith that leads to death not life.Buddhism predates the birth of Christ and teaches its followers to do no evil. How is such a goal possible unless your heart is changed?

It is said that"Buddhism and Yoga are sister traditions that evolved in the same spiritual culture of ancient India".Presently, Sam and I are in Delhi waiting over 8 hours for a flight to Frankfurt,Germany. The reality is that you can not get to or from Kathmandu fast.

In this airport,an enormous wall running the length of one part of the airport is devted to a display of mundras. These are expressive hand gestures that are a big part of yoga. It is claimed here by yogi enthusiasts that they aid in spiritual and mental well being.Eight foot tall hands are mounted on the wall with a statement explaining their meaning.

One is described as" a sign of blessing or greeting that denotes protection. Or reassurance" . They say that this is a promise that you are safe. The sign advices,"Be fearless. I am here to shield you from all harm.". Truly, only God the Father and theLord Jesus. Christ can make and fulfill such a promise. Our enemy takes truth and twists it.

So many belive these lies. Nepal is full of people from the west who reject true light and seek a false enlightenment. Now, perhaps you can better understand the darkness that blights peoples lives in Nepal.

Children grow up worshipping creation and not the Creator. Many Hi.dus plant a sacred bush in a pot in their front yard. I have been told that many will not even have a drink of water in the morning until they worship this bush.

Buddhists spin brass prayer wheels in the belief that it will speed their prayers. Where?...to the feet of a dead man. Our Savior lives and pleads for us before the Father.

Sam and I have had the great joy of telling children" the way,the truth,and the life" that is Jesus Christ. Please pray for the precious children of Nepal to be delivered from darkness into God's wonderful Light!

IN Jesus, Linda, for the Nepal Team

Posted May 10, 2011

Dearest Friends,

This morning Dev told me that he wanted to follow Jesus. Praise God! However, there is a problem. First, he feels that he must go and see his parents, out of respect. There are Hindu and traditionally in this country that means that will probably disown him. I want him to face this trial in faith as a son of the one true God. He is riding home to Chitwan with our pastor friend TikRam. Please pray that he will not delay. Ask the Father to help him see that today is the day for his salvation. Pray him home, into his heavenly Father's arms.

In Jesus,

Linda for the team

Posted May 9, 2011

Dearest Friends,

This email was due to be sent yesterday, not today Monday.

Mother's Day

Today in America it is Mother's Day, but once again I am far from home. God gave me the sweetest day! Though I could not be with my sons and their wives, I enjoyed Sam's company. I love him like a son.

If I was at home, I would enjoy sweet cards, flowers, and a lovely meal. God was very kind to me and gave me all of these things in Nepal. Sam gave me a lovely card and children at one school showered us with little bouquets of flowers. I even had red flowers for my hair. A Korean orphanage director invited us to his home where his wife prepared a feast. How amazing!

All of these things may seem small, but they gave my heart both comfort and joy. Some days I long for my husband and ache to have time with my family, but God's blessings are so sweet.

We shared Jesus with over 1400 children today at 3 schools. Who gets such a privilege! Sunday is just one of 6 school days, not a day of worship. Many of the students begin class at 6 AM to beat the heat and are done by 10. Our day started very early and gave us great joy! I had a terrific Mother's Day!

The Landless People

We climbed into the Chirri Mountains and went to a school for very poor children. They are a group called the landless people as they build small shacks on land they do not own. The children welcomed us with flowers and placed 2 large brass urns at the doorway of the principal's office. This is a traditional Hindu welcome for important guests. We are not important but were honored to bring them the news of the one true God. A sea of children with dirty faces, torn clothes and deep black eyes stared at me. Hold these precious ones before the throne! They were so happy to hear the stories of Jesus. Pray that they will put their trust in Him!

Big Trees and Hard Times

Under the shade of many big trees, we did another show for hundreds of children. None of the teachers were happy to have us there and managed the children in such a way as to make our time with them difficult. This was a private Hindu school and I honestly don't know why they allowed us to come except that God alone opened the door. Still, we told them clearly about God's plan for them. Most of these children had not ever heard the Gospel. Pray!

On The Roof

The children listened wonderfully well even though many were in the sun. Our greatest delight at this program was a whole group of people that climbed up on the roof of a nearby home so that they could see. How sweet!

Side of the Road

After we finished our day, we stopped beside the road at a little place to eat. I will never be able to describe it to those of you who live in the west. Suffice it say, that as I stepped over bits of animal fur and was greeted by smells that are never at places to eat, I realized that we were not there for the food. God had another plan.

Sure enough, a crowd of children and adults quickly gathered. Being from Ireland and America, people could easily tell that we were visitors. Providentially, I had Sam's clubs, balloons, and other ministry tools in my purse. Okay, my purse is the size of a carry on piece of luggage, but weighs more.

We had a precious time sharing about creation, salvation, and hope while we waited for our food. Our table was under a tree which was full of crows. They were doing what crows do, so a little boy climbed up in the tree and scared them away. He stayed there during our entire meal.

I don't remember much about the food, but I remembert he looks on the ladies and boys faces when I told them that they are a treasure to the one true God.

Home

We will start our journey home on Monday by travelling to Kathmandu. On Tuesday, we take the first of 3 flights that will bring us to the US on May 11th. Hold us in your prayers!

In Jesus,

Linda for the team

Posted May 7, 2011

Dearest Friends,

Every day we are so blessed, so challenged, so motivated to try harder. We stand in the dark and pray for God to make us light to these precious children. We beg the Father to make us good teachers for our Nepali friends who will assume responsibility for this ministry very soon. Please enjoy the following list of blessings. Rejoice in what the Lord has done and is doing in Nepal.

Blessings

1. Today, we were blessed to hear many children calling on Jesus loudly and with enthusiasm. This is always my favorite sound!
2. Today, one of the men who is helping us boldly used one of the tools we brought, a rope trick, to share with the children at a show. He is a quiet man and leaned hard on God his Father to have the confidence to do this. I smiled the entire time he shared.
3. Every day, the driver's friend Arpan comes with us. He has become a faithful helper. Pray for his salvation!
4. I received a special gift today from our driver Dev. He has so little, but he wanted to thank me. He bought me a beautiful white scarf with many colored stripes in it. I treasure this gift. Pray for his salvation!
5. Each day, I see children thrilled by Sam's testimony and his juggling. He is a joy to watch.
6. I am blessed to look into the eyes of so many children and tell them about the Father's love.
7. Today I saw many elephants. They are amazing! The other day I saw a mongoose run across the road, but I haven't seen a rhino yet.
8. Rice paddies are so green and beautiful. The Himalayas in the distance are amazing. God's creation is a constant blessing.
9. Red is the favourite color of ladies in Nepal. When I look down the street and see all the ladies, it looks like a sea of red flowers.
10. Digan, Subhas and Poskar are 3 little boys who came to a puppet show. They asked Jesus to be their Savior. Pray for them!

Please pray for our last days in Nepal! Ask the Father to give us strength to finish our race with joy. We start our journey home on Tuesday the 10th and will arrive home on the 11th. We still have many things to finish teaching, You still have much to pray about!

In Jesus,

Linda for the team

Posted May 6, 2011

Dearest Friends,

Three Shows

Today was especially hot. Sometimes we had shade and sometimes we did not, but all day were blessed. Two of our shows were at Hindu public schools and one was at a Korean run orphanage. We are finding that people are very open to the stories of Jesus. We are very clear in presenting God's great rescue plan, but most are eager to listen. Over a thousand children listened to the Gospel today. Please pray for all of them to reject their false gods and trust in the one true God. The Father knows their names. Each is precious to Him!

Life Is Hard...Life Is Different

I want you to see what we see. Life is hard for the people of Nepal. This is one of the poorest countries in the world. Most people make less that 70 Rupees a day which is about a dollar. The average life expectancy is 56.

Many people do not have adequate medical care. Though the polio vaccine is available many children do not receive it. If a person is in a rural hilly area his friends may carry him for days to see a doctor. Malnutrition is a big problem. Some children simply do not grow up.

Nepal has great water resources, but people struggle to have access to good water. Simple things like bathing are a challenge for many in some cities. We crossed a large river yesterday named Narayani. It is actually 9 rivers that come together. Fifty years ago, India bought the water rights to this river. They still have it for another 50 years. All power here is hydroelectric, but they cannot use this river's water. The government promises that soon they will only be without power 11 hours a day. They do not believe that this will happen.

Most people walk. It costs 30 rupees for one person to ride in a rickshaw and so most people walk or ride bicycles. Some have scooters and few their own car or truck. Diesel is 5 dollars a gallon and gas is more expensive. If you want to travel 20 miles; it could take you 4 hours. The roads are very bad or non-existent in some parts of the country.

Many people ride on buses. They sit on the top or ride on the bumpers. They pack the inside until people are hanging out of the windows. Some ride in carts and there are elephant rides for the tourists. Even amidst all these problems Nepal is blessed.

The land is rich. Corn really does grow here taller than an elephant's ear. They grow lots of rice as it's the staple for their diet. I have found the people of Nepal to be very creative in solving problems related to their daily lives.

Some of the jobs that I see many people doing every day, amaze me. I see people carrying loads on their backs or balanced on bicycles that are impressive. Though the people have very little, they are warm and friendly. The children are always happy to see us.

Life is very hard but there is also a strong sense of community. As always, there are lessons you can learn in poverty that riches cannot teach you. These dear people desperately need the truth of Jesus Christ. Their greatest need despite all these problems that I have described is still the cross. Please pray for us as we finish our last days in Nepal.

In Jesus,

Linda for the team

Posted May 5, 2011

Dearest Friends,

You Will Love This

I have been asking you to pray for shade for the children and for us. God answered your prayers in the sweetest way. We set up our stage under a giant tree that sheltered us and the children with its shade. The funny part is that the tree was being worshipped as a god. It was decorated with flowers and paint. Today, the one true God redeemed the pretender and used His creation for His purposes.

The children and the teachers loved the program. Again, the teachers gathered to talk with me. They asked what I thought was the most important teaching for us to give the children.This was an awesome question that lead sweetly to a great discussion about Jesus. All of these ladies were wearing temple marks on their foreheads, but today God began to open their hearts to the truth. God is so good!

Dev, Arpan, and Dipendra

Dev is our driver. He is 19 years old,Hindu, and married with a little boy. He was so excited about what he heard about Jesus that he brought his friend Arpan to hear what he had heard. We gave them both New Testaments and Dev was so interested in what he was reading that he could not stop reading. So, he shared his new book with another friend, Dipendra. Today, he joined our group to see what Dev and Arpan were so excited about. This is great! Soon, we will need a bus.

Over lunch, we had a wonderful conversation with all 3 young men. I told them that they were here by the one true God's plan. Tik drew the cliff illustration that I had taught him to explain the Gospel. They asked great questions. Please pray for Dev, Arpan, and Dipendra to ask Jesus to be their Savior.

It is not an easy thing for a Hindu to follow Jesus. When our friend Tik trusted in Jesus, his father disowned him. For 4 years, he was not welcome in their home or alive in their eyes. You must pray with us for these young men.

Two Shows

Our last 2 shows today were at public Hindu schools, just like in the morning. This is amazing! These schools are huge and everyone comes. Ask the Father to hold open these doors.

The Teachers and The Children

At every program, we are blessed to tell so many children about Jesus. Hundreds of children crowd into such small spaces. Our first program yesterday was very special because we had an especially sweet time with 400 children, but their teachers were also open to the Gospel.

Often, the teachers smile at me until I mention Jesus, and then they make the most awful faces. These ladies were different. They never made faces at me.

After we finished, Tik Ram and I had a long and wonderful conversation with them. They asked all kinds of questions. As usual, they wanted to know about my husband. I never tire of telling people about the great love story that the Lord gave us, that Hcan give them. I always think that Mike is in heaven sharing my joy as I talk about God's kindness to us. It was so sweet to tell these dear ladies about Jesus Christ. As I was sharing, I thought about how all of this life is about the life that is to come.

I told the ladies that I did not understand why Mike died as he did, but that I trusted God to always care for both of us. The Father was clearly speaking to the ladies and they thanked me several times for sharing my life with them. All were Hindu so please pray that they will trust in Jesus. From our conversations, I could see that they understood how Jesus could meet their needs and answer their questions. Please also pray for the children to trust in Jesus.

Orphans, Bible Students, Training and Sam

We finished our time yesterday doing a program for a large orphanage. So many found a father as God became their Father.

A Bible college had their students attend our program. We spent 2 hours beginning to train these young people who will become members of our new puppet ministry team in Nepal. We had so much fun!

All these things gave me great joy, but my greatest delight yesterday and today was watching Sam Shaw. The children loved his juggling and the adults were equally blessed by his teaching. It was the most fun seeing the Lord bless so many through this fine man. Please pray for Sam on this trip and continue to pray for he and his wife as they serve in Ireland.

In Jesus,

Linda for the team

Posted May 3, 2011

Dearest Friends,

Trees

I was so thankful to the Lord this morning as we set up in the shade of a grove of trees at a Hindu school. I was thanking God that both the children and us could be in the shade. Then, I noticed the children were all praying. Hundreds of children bowed their heads calling on the goddess of knowledge asking her to bless their school day.

Quickly, I was reminded of how important it is for us to be here in Nepal. This morning over 800 children and their teachers heard about the one true God and His Son Jesus Christ. More, they enjoyed the program. God was kind to us and it is our responsibility to show them His kindness. Today, a couple of little boys ran behind the stage to steal a look at the puppets. Their teacher stopped them and slapped them hard across their faces. I rebuked the teacher and chased after the little boys. When I reached them, they looked terrified. I think that they thought that I was going to hit them. My heart broke.

I comforted them and made sure they could see the puppets well. Sam and the team were singing while all of this was happening. I told all the children today about how Jesus changes us. I hope that they will remember the difference in the way the Christians treated them. Pray for these boys to trust in Jesus. Pray for us to pay attention to the children and truly see them as the Father sees them. Ask God to make us bright lights. Rejoice that several Hindu teachers came and thanked us for what they had heard. Keep praying!

Darkness

It is so spiritually dark here. People are bound by the most terrible lies. They call on Buddha to calm them, to fill them with peace. Today, I bought a drum from a lovely couple who worship a monkey god. His image covered the wall of their shop. At one point today, we waited under the shade of a big tree. It was wrapped with lots of string as decoration by some who worshiped it. Many wear temple marks on their foreheads. As we searched for gas today, we passed several temples.

Shortages

You know that Nepal often goes without power. Most people can only depend on electricity for a few hours a day. However, they are also short on gas. We went to 5 gas stations today trying to get some gas for a friend's motorbike. The friend organized today's puppet shows. We stopped to pray and we found a shop that was not a gas station. The man filled an empty water bottle from his supplies in a back room. Our driver will have to go out into the rural areas tonight to find gas for our pickup truck.

Please pray that we can find the gas that we need so that we can reach the children. This afternoon, we travelled a good distance and told over 300 Hindu children about Jesus Christ.

You should have seen their smiles! I am very grateful for God's provision. Please keep praying.

In Jesus,

Linda for the team

Posted May 2, 2011

Dearest Friends,

The Caste System

People in Nepal are born into a certain group and with that birth right there are certain expectations and limitations. Your birth can determine your success in life, whether or not you get a good education or can try for good jobs. You divide everyone you meet into these categories. You think of yourself as more or less valued depending on if you are a higher or lower caste. It is an evil system that the Lord Jesus Christ and His teachings condemn.

Today, a little boy of about 11 came to see me after the show. He asked me what caste I was in. Immediately, I knew that he was in a higher caste because no one with a lower rating would ever ask.

This is what I said to him, "I am from America and we do not have the caste system there. However, it doesn't matter. I don't believe in it." Immediately I had a crowd.

My translator, Tik Ram and I explained to the children how God values every life, how He sees all of us as having great value. I told the children how Jesus died for all, not just a special few. I explained what Jesus does for us and how His gifts are freely offered to all.

I concluded by telling the children that always I want to see people with God's eyes. Please pray for this arrogant little boy who is sadly not so different from you and me. Please pray that the Father's love will consume us and change us as we tell hundreds and hundreds of children each day about the one true God and His Son Jesus Christ. Many are hearing for the first time, but will be faithfully told about Jesus again and again by a large group of Christians that are working with us.

The Cost

Everything has a price. People who say otherwise are people that I do not perceive as wise or truthful. There is a cost to working in Nepal that is far beyond the price of tickets, the visas, or the equipment that we will give them.

It is hot here and often our shows are in full sun, but then there is seldom enough shade for any or all of the children. Our friends are doing a terrific job in ministry and in caring for us, but some problems cannot be solved without the comforts that electricity offers. The power is mostly off here.

At night, we rest in a lovely quiet place and God restores us. They have a generator so we are able to charge the PA and be very comfortable. I am often reminded that His strength is sufficient for each day. By the time we finish, I have nothing left, but then I don't need anything else.

Many children are learning about Jesus Christ for the first time. Sam and I are also learning, as this trip teaches us to lean more on our Father. We are in the best hands and full of joy. Today, so many little ones prayed out loud with us asking Jesus to be their Savior. Our friends are very excited about the ministry and are eager to learn. This joy is worth whatever price our sweet Lord asks. Rejoice and continue to pray for the children of Nepal. Pray for those who will accept these tools and begin their own adventure sharing Jesus with the children.

In Jesus,

Linda for the team

Posted May 1, 2011

Dearest Friends,

A Street Show

There is something very special about doing a puppet show in a grassy field beside a dirt road. So many children crowded close to the stage and just as many adults joined the crowd. Most were not believers. They were equally divided between Buddhists and Hindus, what an amazing opportunity the Father gave us! It is so precious to be light in the dark.

I had a special opportunity to talk with a group of mothers and grandmothers after the program. I shared my story of faith as a wife, mother and grandmother. God was kind. The ladies really listened and one said that she wished she could speak English so that she could really talk to me. I began to tell them about heaven, its wonders and how if they trusted Jesus, we would all be together in heaven. Then, I told them that in heaven, we could all understand each other. I eagerly look forward to that day. Pray with me that these ladies and children will trust in Jesus.

The Drum

We are doing many programs at orphanages. Many of the Pastors that we work with run an orphanage out of their home in addition to pastoring a church. Today the children from one orphanage sang for us in their language and in English. Both songs were praises to God.

A little boy named Raj Kumal played a traditional drum. It is about 18 inches tall and oblong in shape. He sat on the ground, crossed his legs, and used a strap to hold the drum in place. Raj drummed and everyone else sang. It was a beautiful gift!

My Favorite Show

Each day, we are very busy and very blessed. Each opportunity is special, but the second of three programs today really stood out in our hearts, Tik Ram and I both agreed that we felt a sweet outpouring of Gods Holy Spirit as we told the story of Joseph. We finished and heard so many children calling on Jesus. Praise God!

Prayer Needs

Please pray for us as we travel to a rural area tomorrow. Ask the Lord to call the children that we will meet to Faith. Please continue to pray for Sam and I and the young men from Nepal that are our partners in this work. It is very hot here and there are lots of mosquitos. I think I am the flavour of the month.

Mostly, there is just so much need. We see and meet so many hurting, broken people. Please ask the Father to make all of us bright lights for the Kingdom.

In Jesus,

Linda for the team

Posted April 30, 2011

Dearest Friends,

THE TAMONG PEOPLE

We spent the best day in a rural area among the Tamong people. They are mostly Buddhists, desperately poor and eager to hear about Jesus. They live in small homes and those that are Buddhists fly flags in their yards. The children have dark hair and big brown eyes. I smile at them and they seem to think it a gift. Mostly, their clothes are dirty or torn. It doesn't matter. They filled the church with their singing. As they called on Jesus, they filled our hearts with joy.

Nepal is blessed with an abundance of water, but for the wells to not run dry and be clean, they need to be dug deep. This is a big problem for these dear people and perhaps a ministry opportunity for you.

They are mostly farmers. We are surrounded by rice and corn fields. Rice is the staple food with a soup poured over it. The land is rich and there are plenty of cucumbers, radishes and watermelons.

The Buddhists here subscribe to the belief "eat, drink, and be merry, for tomorrow we die". Alcoholism is a big problem. Few have cars. The roads are mostly dirt and full of bicycles. Some people use rickshaws for transport. It is a beautiful place, quiet and peaceful. In the distance, you can see the Himalayas.

Forests and Jungles

This area is famous for its big forests and jungle areas. People come to see rhinoceros, tigers, monkeys and elephants. The discovery channel even did a feature on this place. Many adventures are possible. For his honeymoon, my Pastor friend Tik Ram took his wife on an elephant ride.

Road Tax

Prema's Story

As I heard her story I found myself asking...What does it cost me to follow Jesus? Think about what does it cost you to follow Jesus? These people are willing to risk everything for the joy of knowing Jesus.

Dev and Arpan

Dev is our new driver and Arpan is his friend. Both young men are Hindus. However, the one true God is calling them to faith. Yesterday, Dev used his phone to make pictures and videos of our work. He was so excited about what he had heard that he went home and told his friend Arpan. It is like being in a Bible story.

Today, Arpan also came with us. In addition to the programs that we did, we spent 2 wonderful hours together with my friend Tik Ram translating for us. They asked many questions about Jesus. They wanted to know if they followed Jesus, what would He require of them. Dev seemed to think that he could not continue as a driver, but would have to become a Pastor. He likes driving and was relieved to know that God could use him as a driver.

Tik Ram gave each of them a New Testament and showed them where to begin reading. Please pray for these young men to come to faith. I told them today that the one true God who made the world had chosen them to hear about Him. Pray!

In Jesus,

Linda for the team

Posted April 30, 2011

Dearest Friends,

800 Children

I was amazed today as I watched an ocean of children standing in the full sun to watch our program. At night it drops to the 70's and during the day, the temperature climbs over 100. This show was at noon and the children were so hot. My heart was challenged by the spiritual hunger I saw in their eyes. Would you and I stand in such heat to hear about Jesus? Please pray that we will let nothing keep us from feeding the spiritual hunger in their eyes.

We shared today at 2 schools, and though we could not pray with them, we told them how to ask Jesus to be their Savior. Please pray that God will touch these children with His Spirit. Sam and I want to see many children from Nepal in heaven.

Training

We spent the afternoon training at a small church, trying to give them ideas that the Nepali Christians could use in their Sunday Schools. No one has resources, so the ideas needed to be using things they had. This was a sweet challenge.

The power was out so the little room was very warm. They never complained. I marvel at how focused they were on the children's need to hear about Jesus. Three of these times are scheduled with different churches. Please hold these brothers and sisters in your prayers. They work in extremely hard, hot places with precious few resources. Already, I have heard people express that they get few visitors. Please pray about taking a trip to this place. The needs in Nepal are great.

Momos

Today, we ate momos. They are balls of dough stuffed with meat and rice flavoured with onions and curry powder. You can get chicken, mutton, but these were buffalo. I am not in Georgia anymore.

Prayer Requests

Sunday is on Saturday here. Please pray for the time that we will spend at a church tomorrow. Hold these precious children in your prayers.

In Jesus,

Linda for the team

Posted April 28, 2011

Dearest Friends,

We are safe in Catmandu, Nepal. We passed through customs with no problems, even though we had 13 pieces of luggage. This is a major miracle. This time our driver is Buhdist and we have a brass Buhdist prayer wheel which sping on the dash. From the air port is about a 4 hour drive to where we will work in Chitwan. Many people here have been praying for this work and we ask you to join them! We've had many opportunities to talk about Jesus as we travel. God is gracious.

Posted April 28, 2011

Dearest Friends,

It is Friday morning here and today we begin our work with the children. It took us 3 days to get here. We had 3 airplane flights followed by many hours in the car. I confess to you that i aarived. Very ill, wiith hugely swollen feet and nausea. However,already I see that whatever small inconviences we have, theyare nothing against the great privilege that the Lord is giving us. You can expect typing problems as I am doing this on my phone. Here,they often have no power for 18 hours a day. The people hereare very dear and it is an honor to work with them. We are in the south, in Chitwan. It is very warm. Pray for all the children that we will meet. I am so excited to tell them about Jesus!

In Jesus, Linda.