Progress, indeed. . .

Tuesday morning, I had the most fortunate pleasure to attend the AG Nepali Bible college! My host teaches a class once a week and he has invited me to join him for the remaining weeks that I am here. It was a most humbling experience to meet the 14 second year students. They attend class with great humility and I pray with dreams to reach their nation for Christ. My host offered an encouraging comment to the students regarding persecution: "You are not here for yourselves. You are here for the people of Nepal." God is fanning the flame for the Great Commission and building an army for His Kingdom! There is a distinct and sweet smelling aroma of Christ in Nepal. Let it never be said that God does not operate in the far reaches of our perception!

Next spring will be the first graduation of the new 3 year degree program for Biblical Theology (BTH). In past years, it's been a 2 year program. There is much excitement and anticipation for this class. In total, the school has 75 students enrolled, most on scholarship, who make up 3 classes for the BTH program (2010, 2011, 2012) and 2 certificate programs. The college broke ground for the building in 2000, but it is still under construction. Things move slowly in Nepal and even slower when money is scarce. There is great hope to have the building completed by graduation next year as this will be an historical moment for the college. Estimates suggest they need an additional 50K. Please contact me if anyone is interested in making an offering. This is an AG facility. For the record, it's a beautiful building!! I didn't take any pictures but I will on my next visit. It's designed to house 100 Nepali students and 2 staff. The school recently hired their first full-time faculty member.
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We continue to prepare and coordinate for our trip next week! I continue to give thanks for God's grace. What love to provide the opportunity to converse with the unreached people group that I have been researching for the past 6 weeks! Book knowledge is about to meet reality! May the doors open wide for the Spirit to move!

Progress! Today was productive. Everything is falling into place in a most bizarre and efficient manner. Could this be God? ;o) Our host met with the leadership committee of our target slum community. Would you believe that there are 2 Christian believers on the leadership committee?? Did I mention this country is less than 1% Christian. The Kingdom is growing, ladies and gentlemen. Get ready to see God move and His love pour out! Not only has the community given us permission to assist, but they've also requested more. This is the beginning of a beautiful relationship--one that I'm humbled to be a part. So, what are we doing? Check this out:

• digging a deeper well
  
• installing new water pump
• building 2 platforms to hold 2000 ltr water container and 300 ltr purification system
• buidling 300 ltr purification system

What does this provide? A long term solution for clean drinking water for a community that has none. Our next endeavor is to clean and paint their school. Remember that this community consists of approx 1000-1200. They built a 2 room school building last year, but there are roughly 60 students. First step is to clean, next step is to build.

In many places, we must be very careful about attracting attention due to the color of our skin. We now have a permission to spend time in the community. Moreover, with believers on the leadership team, we are hopeful for increased opportunity to proclaim the Gospel! The day has been filled with good news. Far more than I could relay in the space of this blog. I fear it is already quite long!!

Let me leave you with one final thought: what if poverty were unnecessary?