Dear Friends and Family,
Thank you so much for your prayers as I traveled to India and Nepal a few weeks ago.
(I'm writing this in early November because of the time it takes to print, fold, stuff, seal, and send all the WMF letters). I had a wonderful time in both countries and hope I was able to be an encouragement to our staff and friends overseas.
I started my journey in Calcutta. Our staff there, Sarah and Kristin, have been in ministry with women in prostitution. These women live in Sonagachi, one of the largest red-light districts in Calcutta. A number of these women have been trafficked from Nepal and other parts of India. The women are often lured by the promise of a good job, abducted by acquaintances, or sold by family members. Sarah and Kristin visit the women several times a week and have offered some employment for those who want out of the sex trade. These ladies are making blankets, which are being sold in the US through Sari Bari (see reference article in the last issue of The Cry; our quarterly newsletter). These blankets are made from used saris, the traditional dress of an Indian woman. This sari is a symbol of womanhood and by reclaiming these used saris, it represents the restoration that God has for these women and for all of us.
I was able to visit these ladies as they sewed, had devotions together, learned reading and arithmetic and basic life skills. I was able to see Sarah wash the feet of the ladies (in a culture that more closely resembles the culture of Jesus' time on earth; where feet are considered unclean and even showing the bottom of the foot to someone represents an insult). It seemed that all the ladies cried, put their hands on Sarah's head, and prayed a prayer of blessing over her.
After spending time in Calcutta for five days, I traveled to Nepal. We have several North American staff in Nepal and several Nepali staff that are serving together in unity. When I was in Nepal a little over a year ago, there was a significant amount of discouragement and discord in that community. I am so happy to write that there has been a complete turnaround.
Our staff in Nepal serve in three primary areas of ministry: Karuna Ghar, a home for girls coming from backgrounds of abuse and neglect; Prem Ghar, a home for elderly women and Krippa Sadhan, a home for young men leaving the street and being healed of their addictions. It is such a joy to see the loving partnership in ministry between our US staff and our Nepali staff. They seem to be true yokefellows. Every time I travel to Nepal, I am blown away by our Nepali leaders: Gautam and Rekha Rai and Jyoti Bhattarai and their devotion to Jesus and to community.
The Holy Spirit is moving powerfully in Nepal. I was able to hear numerous reports of healings, miracles, authority in Jesus over the demonic realm, and people coming to know Jesus. I believe this stems from six things I saw during my visit: the growing and vibrant Nepali church, the increased commitment to prayer by our staff and by others for Nepal, the great faith exhibited and their expectation that the Spirit will move in power, the desire for discernment amidst a spiritually charged place, a desire for righteousness and obedience to Jesus even when its hard, and an honesty and vulnerability with one another.
Our North American staff in Nepal recently heard about a conference in Asia for missionaries. During that conference, a world map was hung, and missionaries were asked to put a pushpin next to the country they were praying for the most. Nepal was filled with pushpins. I believe that there is something happening in Nepal for Nepal and for the whole world.
I was overjoyed to meet the young men who have come off the streets and are encouraging each other to truly live. Many of them have been instantaneously freed of their addictions and there are others who still struggle but persevere amidst hardship. Many of them see the example of Pastor Ranjit, who had also been addicted to drugs and is now a gifted Nepali pastor, and want to become pastors themselves.
Thank you so much for your prayers while I was away. A number of you e-mailed me while I was traveling and I am deeply grateful for this thoughtfulness. Sarah was sick for the first few days of my visit but started to feel better towards the end. A number of you prayed specifically for her. Also, I did not feel the terrible oppression that I sometimes feel when visiting Calcutta or Nepal. I can only attribute this to your prayers as well.
During my visit to Nepal, I was able to have one-on-one time with each of our US staff. I was also warmly received by a number of the Nepali staff and able to share meals with them. Silas and Kimberly West, our Field Directors in Nepal, are leading and serving that community so well. I am thankful for each one in Nepal: Silas, Kimberly, Maggie, Brook, and Kara. In addition to listening to and encouraging our folks overseas, I was also able to go through a number of administrative details during my visits. Each time I visit, I am recharged for my service in administration.
I learned so much about the authority of God, the faith of the saints, the workings of community, and the power of the Holy Spirit. I want to take in everything I learned and have it shape my faith in Omaha. I hope that witnessing glimpses of the Kingdom here on earth will encourage you as it has encouraged me.
I don't anticipate many travels during the next year, as we bring our entire staff home for a retreat in July. However, as many of you know my support needs will increase once again in January. Please pray that God would continue to provide for my needs as I serve Word Made Flesh.
Love to you all,
Brent