Mission Trip: Hetauda & Damauli

Rajendra and I traveled to Hetauda for a youth conference where we were invited as guest speakers to talk about “Friendship – Disciple” on November 2. The ride took us about 2.5 hours, navigating the winding tracks from Kathmandu on my semi-dirt bike. Upon our arrival, the local pastor who had invited us hosted us for the night. Our conversation with him that night took a personal turn as he opened up about the heartaches and challenges of ministry in his area. It became an unexpected but meaningful moment for us to minister to him simply by listening and offering encouragement.

The next morning, we were warmly welcomed at the church by a group of young men and women waiting for the conference to begin. They served us hot tea and snacks, setting a gracious tone for the day. Although the event started an hour later than planned, it didn’t dampen the energy. I was scheduled to speak during the second session, which lasted about 55 minutes.

After the conference, our next destination was Soti Pipal in Damauli, west Nepal. Along the way, we decided to rest overnight at Bandipur, a historic Newar settlement known for its charm. The following day’s ride to Soti Pipal was nothing short of an adventure. The roads were newly dug, and the recent monsoon floods had washed away parts of them. It wasn’t easy navigating the steep mountain tracks on a motorbike with two people.

When we finally arrived, we met a Christian brother who had started a small house fellowship in the area. His family welcomed us warmly and shared a meal. After spending time with them, listening to their struggles, and learning about the challenges they faced, we encouraged them to remain steadfast in their faith despite the hardships.

We decided to return to Kathmandu the same day. Although I was physically and mentally exhausted after riding for two days straight, we pushed on. The journey back proved even more challenging. Parts of the highway were completely destroyed by floods and landslides, turning stretches of the road into makeshift potato fields. What should have been a six-hour ride stretched far longer.

About 2.5 hours from Kathmandu, we met with an accident. Heavy trucks were approaching from both directions on the slippery, uneven road. While trying to avoid a trench, my bike slipped. It was my first significant accident, and I got injured. A young truck driver came to our aid, helping us move the bike and asking if we needed further assistance. I was incredibly grateful for his kindness.

On any other day, this accident could have been far worse. The smooth roads and speeding trucks could have made it fatal. But by God’s grace, we were spared. While my full-face helmet protected me from serious head injuries, my right arm sustained a deep cut, and I bruised my knees and legs. I could barely move my arm and feared I might have dislocated my shoulder.

After a brief rest, I decided to ride on, knowing the pain would worsen if we waited until the next day. We finally reached home at 10:30 p.m., utterly exhausted but grateful to be alive.

A Journey of Adventure and Faith: Arriving in Nepal

We arrived in Nepal safely after a long and tiring journey of total 28 hours. We still are jet-lagged but filled with excitement for the new chapter ahead. Accompanied by the joy of seeing our kids enjoying their time with relatives and savoring new foods, Nepal quickly began to feel like a place of adventure and promise for them.

It is a rainy season here in Nepal. Days are mostly wet and humid. A “gazillions” of mosquitos swarm around us like a hungry lion behind a gazelle. It is one of the challenges for us at times to dissuade kids from wearing pants and full-sleeve shirts on humid days. Nonetheless, the cool breeze and beautiful scenery after the rain offer solace, reminding us that we are indeed in a land of contrasts. Amidst the changing weather, we found comfort in the thought that God has brought us here for a purpose.

House Hunting in a Land of Contrasts

In our quest for a home, we place our trust in God’s providence and the guidance of the Holy Spirit. We know that wherever we land, it will be part of God’s plan for us. This faith eased our minds and gave us the courage to embrace this new chapter with open hearts. We are starting our search for a place to call home tomorrow. Nepal’s vibrant culture and diverse people will, definitely, intrigue our children. The bustling streets, filled with vibrant colors and the aroma of delicious cuisine, make each day an exploration of new experiences. Our house-hunting journey will be as diverse as the country itself, taking us to various neighborhoods, each with its unique charm and allure.

Faith in Action: Guided by the Holy Spirit

With each interaction I had with people in our neighborhood, I saw the immense potential to touch lives and make a difference. We believe the universal language of love and compassion transcends all barriers. In our case, we are grateful that we do not have language barriers and cultural differences which could present real challenges to someone outside the culture. We pray daily for the opportunity to share the Good News with those we meet, trusting that God would open doors for meaningful connections.

An Unfolding Adventure

Our journey in Nepal continues to be an unfolding adventure, filled with excitement, challenges, and faith. As we navigate through house hunting, humid weather, and the blessings of new experiences, we rest in the knowledge that God’s plan is more significant than our own. With every step guided by the Holy Spirit, we strive to impact lives, one encounter at a time, with the transformative power of the Gospel.

Meet and Greet the Maharjans

We are returning to Nepal on August 1, and we couldn’t be more excited. We will be reaching out to the community in my hometown, Khokana, with the hope, love, and grace of Jesus Christ. It’s an honor to be able to serve others in this way, and we are so grateful for the opportunity.

Last week, we had a wonderful Meet and Greet the Maharjans event at both Encounter Kentwood and Fulton Heights locations. It was a great opportunity for our community to come together and learn more about our missions in Nepal. We had pictures from Kathmandu on display, and we even offered Nepali-style spice tea bag gifts to anyone interested in learning more. People showed a lot of interest in our work, and many signed up for our newsletter. Some even donated at our table, which was a wonderful surprise. We are so grateful for the support we’ve received from our community.

At Encounter – Kentwood, we had the opportunity to meet some of our dear friends and ministry partners who have been supporting our vision for Nepal. We were thrilled to share with them all the new developments and missions from my (Satya) recent trips to Nepal. It was a time of learning for us as we received some very practical and missional questions from them that we had never thought about before. One of the highlights of this meeting was the chance to connect with our ministry partners over some spicy tea. It was wonderful to sit and chat about the stories of what God is doing in our lives and in the community where we have planted a church. Our friends showed their commitment and belief in our vision for Nepal, which was humbling and encouraging for us. We were reminded that we are not alone in this journey and that God has placed us in a community of like-minded individuals who are passionate about spreading the love of Christ to those who have yet to hear it. Overall, the encounter was a great success, and we left feeling energized and inspired to continue the work we are doing in Nepal. We are grateful for our friends who have supported us every step of the way and for the opportunity to share our vision and mission with them.

Thank you to everyone who came out to support us at our Meet and Greet events. We hope that you will continue to follow our journey and keep us in your thoughts and prayers as we work to make a difference in Nepal. Together, we can make a positive impact on the world.

Church Plant 2023

Satya’s recent trip to Nepal was short. It was about a month long stay; however, he was able to get work done more in this trip than the previous one. He partnered with Rajendra who came to Christ through his ministry to him and his family in the early 2000s. After successfully planting a church in Khokana where he was born and raised, he got back to the States in April 11th, knowing that the ministry is in good and faithful hands. Hostility toward the gospel is present, but he believes that warm gestures of love toward our neighbors will help us harbor a good relationship with them. That will surely open the door for us to witness them with the Good News of Jesus Christ.

Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law. – Romans 13:8

Encounter Commissioning

It was a big day for us, as we were commissioned for the Nepal ministry in Encounter Kentwood location. We had a table stationed in the lobby for the “Meeting with the Maharjans” event followed by the conclusion of Sunday worship service. Interested ones came to our table to learn more about your vision and mission for Nepal. Some shared their email addresses and phone numbers to stay connected with us and learn more about what we do in Nepal.

Nepal Exploratory Trip 2022

Satya spent 9-weeks in his mission exploratory trip in Nepal in 2022. The goal of that trip was to reconnect with ministry partners, pastor friends, former indigenous missionary colleagues, and family members. He met with some of the Christian young professionals who have insatiate hunger to learn from the Word of God. Reformed and Presbyterian Seminary invited to share from the scripture in their chapel. He was able to identify the possible sites for launching a church plant ministry. He also made some connections with other leaders outside the Kathmandu valley and conduct a workshop in Christian worship.