We flew to Nepal on April 30, after two weeks of praying and checking the news daily. The political situation was incredibly peaceful, in total contrast to one week earlier -- more about that later. Nepal is the home of Mount Everest, the highest point on planet Earth. But for me the high point of the trip was not Mount Everest -- in fact we did not get to see it because it was too cloudy. (This is a borrowed photo!) My high point was worshiping in a church in Jorpati, Kathmandu with a congregation of mostly young people who were singing praises to God in their own language. Their pastor, one of our graduates, turned to us with tears in his eyes and said, "They are your grandchildren!" 
We heard that phrase over and over, as our former students introduced us to their students, their members, their friends, and said to us, "I've been teaching them what you taught me! I did with them what you did with me!"
We visited 16 of our alumni (ten of them are pictured with us here). We visited their homes and we ate with them. We worshipped in their churches and we ate with them.
We attended their Bible School graduation. We went to schools and organizations where they work. And we ate with them.
We listened to their stories. Did I mention that we ate with them? Nepalis express their love by feeding you! Only my Ukrainian mother-in-law can outdo them in this regard!
The night before we left, several of them complained, "You didn't stay long enough! You didn't meet enough of our people! We wanted you to eat with us again!"
We laughed because we knew that no matter how long we stayed, they would still say that. They were really enjoying the encouragement and the fellowship and the fun of sharing with us what God was doing through them. And we loved every moment too. We are eager to go back!
The political situation was more peaceful than it has been in years. Our CCC director in Nepal welcomed us with the words, "You have come to a new Nepal!" This week, for the first time in centuries, although it is still filled with Hindu temples, Nepal is not a Hindu kingdom anymore. It has been declared a secular state and all religions are considered equal. This is an awesome step forward in a country where many of our brothers and sisters have spent time in jail just for being believers! The Christians are very excited about that. We need to continue to pray as they frame a new constitution. It will not be an easy task.
Do you remember my blog a few months ago about Madan, the young Nepali guy who became a believer in Manila? He sent a gift with us to Nepal for his sister, which I had to deliver to her. (That was his intention, because he wanted me to have a reason to meet her.) She was delighted, and although our time together was short, it went really well. She started calling me "Didi" which is Nepali for "elder sister" and we exchanged email addresses. Since then we have chatted several times and are becoming on-line friends. Please pray that God will use our relationship to help draw her closer to Himself. Her name is Santoshi. She is still a very devout Hindu. Madan plans to go home soon, and he will share the Gospel in depth when he visits her. I am just helping to prepare the soil before the seeds are planted!
