Thursday, October 07, 2004

Kelvin: My Nepal Experience

As some of you have heard me shared, my mission trip to Nepal this time round was truly awesome and amazing. Your prayers made the difference! I went expecting it to be something like my last trip there but God has other plans. Proverbs 19:21 says, "Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails." And the Lord directed us to places we would never even have thought of going!

During one of our outreaches, our team ran smack into the Maoists' territory - even the locals with us were unaware that it was their territory. It was about 5.30pm on 21 Sep and were detained for 18 hours but no harm fell upon us as the Lord was with us and amazingly, they also did not take anything from us. Praise God! Everyone in our team felt at peace. We spent the nite in an upper room in their hut, with a few of them sleeping among us. When we were there, God spoke to me that He loves the Maoists as much as He loves us.

When we got up the next morning, we requested for permission to sing some worship songs which they allowed us to. As we worshipped the spiritual atmosphere changed from that of uncertainty to that of peace and joy. One of them came to ask us about our songs. We witnessed to him and he was convicted to give his life to Jesus! (like Paul & Silas' experience in Acts 16?)

During our 18-hour stay there, we managed to build relationships with them. They shared with us about their love for their country and also showed us their grenades and stuffs. At about 1pm the next day, I asked the Lord how long more are they going to detain us. The Lord told me that it was not them who were holding us but it was Him who had brought us there and He will decide when we could leave - it would not be a minute earlier or a minute later. Immediately after God spoke, one of the Maoists came with news from their HQ that we were allowed to go. What a faithful God we serve! Before leaving, we said a prayer for them. They even gave us an "official farewell" by making us stand in a row and presenting us with a flower each.

God's presence was truly with us. There were many security checkpoints as we were returning to Kathmandu city on 23 Sep. We passed the last checkpoint at Tankot at 6.45pm. We discovered the next day that checkpoint was bombed by the Maoists at 7.45pm. The Lord's hand was truly upon the team! Hallelujah!

Back at our hotel the next day, the Lord prompted us to fast and pray and we had a 4-hour power-packed prayer and intercession time. There were many visions, confirmations and prophesies. The Lord's presence was so strong that everyone cried buckets of tears that day. We saw Jesus and His army of angels victoriously conquering two very important high places as we prayed - namely Mt Everest and Pasupatinah Temple. The Lord also laid upon our hearts a burden for this land and its people. He revealed to us that He will bring revival to this nation over the next 7 years and we claim that in the Name of Jesus.

Even as we walked the streets in Kathmandu, many were open to the gospel and readily put their trust in Jesus. Praise God for the many souls that were ushered into His kingdom!

Once again, thank you so much for upholding us in prayers! Jayamasihi (Victory to the Lord) & dhanyabad (thank you)!