February 17, 2009

Today was a great day and very busy as I preached three times at the Pastor’s Conference here in the capital city if Kathmandu, Nepal.  The people here are so appreciative and kind and though we are separated by a different culture and language the love of Jesus binds us and we are brothers and sisters in Christ.  The worship of the Lord here of the people is so powerful.  They love to worship.  I wish Bro Terry Hurt could see the joy and intensity with which they worship; it is intense.  As we teach, the medial and dental teams are working very hard ministering to the physical needs of the people.  They stand in line with no complaining, just so appreciative.  Bob Ward is working so hard.  He has been pulling some teeth!  One lady’s tooth took 20 minutes to get it out!  I saw him pull 3 teeth one right after the other for this elderly lady, whew!  We go to lunch to the same restaurant each day and it is quite good.  We had the same lunch-- pizza and coke each day.  This afternoon I signed so many Bibles.  We are giving each person who came a signed Bible, about 300, and they also receive a nice book bag from AIM.  After dinner tonight I went across the street to call Ashley and waited 15 minutes to get an open line.  And when I went to call I realized I do not know my home phone number!  I use the cell phone and speed dial; the look of the girl’s face who worked there was funny; she smile and thought that was pretty strange I guess—here this American is and he does not even know his own phone number!  Pretty tired; I try to stay up till 9 so I can sleep till about 5.
 

February 18, 2009

A great day today!  We wrapped up the conference and the medical/dental clinic, and it was just a neat day.  I preached twice and heard some great preaching from my brothers from America.  John Ray, a layman from NC, shared his heart with the folks at the conference and it was really powerful.  John will travel to the western part of Nepal on Friday and go to places where there has never been an American.  He will travel with Finny and deliver goats and sewing machines.   Pastor Mark Harris did another great job of preaching and encouraging and challenging the folks.  After lunch, pizza and coke, we went back to the conference and Finny Matthews shared his testimony in ministry and also presented the gospel and some raised their hands indicating they prayed to receive Christ.  I preached one last time on “Building a Championship Church” from Acts 9:31, and then Finny spoke then we gave away the Bible and book bags and that was fun.  Jesus said it is more blessed to give than to receive!  What a blessing to give to these people and see the smiles on their faces as we gave them a copy of the Word of God!  We came back to the hotel and rested up before dinner at 7.  We will have a meeting and get the plans for tomorrow as we prepare to get on an airplane and sight see Mount Everest, the tallest mountain in the world at 29, 017 feet.  Eight of the ten highest mountains in the world are located here in Nepal in the Himalayan mountain range.  I miss my family but know I am where God wants me to be as I help fulfill the Great Commission.  I have a great church back home that allows and encourages me as I go.