हिमालको पे्मको परिश्रम
The Himalayan Backdrop of Kathmandu from the Summit of Champa Devi
The title of this edition of our insider newsletter appears in the devanagari script and is Nepali for Himalayan Labors of Love, not so much our love for the mountainous peoples and places of South Asia which is strong, but the love and hospitality manifested to us along our recent stint in Nepal and Ladakh by faithful Gentile brethren who know trial, tribulation, and persecution . . . and yet, like us, these possess a love for the Jewish people and have labored to help enable us to reach the lost sheep of the House of Israel who wander through their Himalayan backyards. Thus, it is a joy to once again report from the ends of the earth that we have testified first to the Jewish people and also to the Gentile nations, repentance toward God and faith in Jesus the Messiah (Acts 20:21).
Our recent 3-week journey to South Asia seemed much longer and involved a lot of travel: 10 flights in 21 days, a long 4-day drive over the Himalayas from Leh to Srinagar, and nowhere close to a Sunday's drive from Kathmandu out to Nepal's remote Ramechhap District, a jaunt that involved 40 kilometers at night on one of the worst and most dangerous dirt roads I have ever seen anywhere in my travels to more than fifty countries. Eric Trent, our new full-time missionary who will be living and working in South Asia next year with his wife, Mindy, traveled with me; and he definitely got his feet wet, South Asia style (and that included a bout of gut-wrenching sickness).
10 Flights in 21 Days, including this Approach to Kathmandu with a view of Mt. Everest (marked in yellow)
Praise God, in three short weeks, we were able to finally clean up a mess left in Leh by . . . well, I won't even go there . . . and get everything, including Hebrew Scriptures and Gospel tracts for the Israeli backpackers, safely and properly stored for the Trents' use next year. We were able to visit with persecuted believers in Kargil, visit and pray with a family of peace at the end of the road in a Muslim village within sight of the Pakistan border, and help Brother Gulzar get his jeep over the mountains before the closure of the Zoji La Pass. He'll need it this winter as he oversees hosting and training the scattered Ladakhi and Kargili believers he shepherds, this time down in Jammu where it is much warmer and much safer.
It was a long and arduous winter's drive from Leh, through Kargil and Dress, over the Zoji La, and down to Srinagar and Jammu.
The last two years, FPGM has supported this time of rest and training for the persecuted brethren over in Deradhun and have had the privilege of participating in the teachings. This year, we are again able to help cover the costs of bringing a group over the mountains and down to a hill station for a couple of months. Brother Gulzar chose Jammu this year because one can find a lot of Ladakhis there during the winter months, an opportunity, he affirms, for more evangelism. Fortunately, Jammu is a predominantly Hindu area, so the trainings and outreach will be far from the harassing talons of the Ladakh Buddhist Association and Kargil's bigwig Muslim imams. Please pray for this training, and thanks to those who give to support this ministry so that we can give to help support our persecuted brethren at the far corners of the globe.
Over in Nepal, we had good fellowship with Brother Bishnu and his local church. We had the privilege of distributing some Hebrew Scriptures to Israeli backpackers we found in Thamel; we completed valuable preparations for Eric and Mindy's work there in 2018; we were able to do some teachings concerning Israel and the Church; and we trained Brother Bishnu in how to host Israelis for shabbat meals. It was a whirlwind. There was also time to finalize and print 12,000 copies of our newly revised Hebrew & English Trekker Tracts. I am very happy with these, and they will prove useful next year in both South America and South Asia.
And finally, we made an arduous journey out to Ramechhap where we delivered Project Jagerna Nepali Gospel materials to a local believer who has shown himself faithful in distributing the printed Word of God all over those remote hills. Along the way, we had some very interesting witnessing opportunities, and Eric got a true taste of the Great Commission in Nepali villages.
Colportage Work in Nepal's Remote Ramechhap District
By God's grace, we returned home to our families on December 6th, and it will be a very quick turnaround for the Trents. On December 29th, they will be flying to Bariloche, Argentina for four months of intense training in hospitality and evangelism for Israeli backpackers. This will be in partnership with Shelter on the Lake and will afford abundant opportunity to get the Scriptures and the Gospel into the hands of Jewish people passing through one of their preferred stops on the typical post-IDF South American circuit. Lord willing, my family and I will interact with some of these same people next summer in Peru while the Trents are setting up shop on the post-IDF South Asian circuit.
Putting this family on the field in obedience to a call and apart from a man-centered process of "deputation" is a huge step of faith, and we would appreciate your fervent prayers and financial support. Believing that God never guides where He will not provide, we go and do not linger. All contributions to FPGM or Zerayim are tax-deductible and go directly toward the colportage and preaching of God's Word to the Jewish people FIRST, and also to the Gentile nations. Giving can easily be done online HERE.
I could write a small book about the experiences and encounters during our recent time in South Asia, but I thought I would let Eric and Brother Bishnu share some recap in their own words . . .
eric
Shalom! My time in Nepal and India with Jesse proved very fruitful in terms of colportage work. Free copies of God’s Word went out to some Israelis in Kathmandu, and plenty of Nepali Scriptures and Gospel materials went out to Gentiles at the end of the earth. We were also given opportunity to help and encourage believers who face struggles and persecutions on a regular basis. This journey was also good in that it helped me learn my way around the area of Kathmandu where, Lord willing, my wife and I will be stationed for Jewish colportage work next Fall. And, it helped me get accustomed to the environment and local culture. Mindy and I are both really excited about what the Lord has in store for us next year in South Asia. I praise God that I had the opportunity to accompany and learn from Jesse on this trip; it was very eventful trip, and I think a lot was accomplished in a very short amount of time. I would like to share a few highlights that were personally very special.
The evening after we arrived initially arrived in Nepal, we headed over to Thamel, the main tourist area in Kathmandu. Thamel is usually full of tourists from all over the world, and a lot of Israelis mingle in that area. We first encountered four Israeli young men. They were grateful to meet some Americans and a Nepali who were appreciative of Israel; and the Gospel was declared to all four of them. They also gladly received copies of the Hebrew Scriptures, Old & New Testaments, on USB flash drives. We invited them to a Shabbat meal we were planning at Bishnu's house for the next day. After taking down one of the guy’s numbers, we parted ways. The next afternoon, we ran into two of the guys again and learned that one from the group was bedridden and very sick. After expressing our sympathies for their friend and telling them he would be in our prayers, we were able to follow up with a Hebrew Gospel tract which they gladly accepted. It was a bummer to have to cancel that Shabbat meal, but I believe the Lord used the encounter nonetheless. Jesse was able to contact Ariel, the sick friend, and share how we had been praying for him. He seemed very appreciative.
We also met a young Israeli couple down in Thamel. Brother Bishnu was able to share his testimony with them and talked to them about his love for the God of Israel and his faith in Messiah. This Jewish young man and woman were so surprised that a Nepali man was speaking to them about his love for the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. They had just assumed that all Nepalis were either Hindu or Buddhist, but Bishnu, a died-in-the-wool Nepali Newari stood there speaking of how the God of Israel, the one true God, had changed his life and had drawn him away from worshipping the idols that are so prevalent in that region of the world. They listened intently, and were literally shocked when Bishnu showed them his Bible translated into the Nepali language! This was such a powerful testimony. They wanted to look at the Bible and see the Tanakh actually printed in the Nepali script. Later, they gladly took the Hebrew Scriptures on a flash drive as well as a couple of Hebrew Gospel tracts. This encounter was a perfect picture of what we want to see blossom here in Nepali--Nepali believers going out and reaching the lost sheep of the House of Israel with the Gospel. This would have such an impact on the Israeli tourists, to be loved and ministered to by local Nepalis who love Israel and follow her true Messiah!
This Israeli couple was amazed to see the Scriptures translated into the Nepali language. The young man is holding Brother Bishnu's Bible.
Our time in Ladakh was very busy, yet there were some good witnessing opportunities. I was amazed by how much Leh had changed since I was there back in 2015 with the inaugural Team Yeshua. We met and talked to a man from France who was traveling out-of-season. It was a good conversation and he gladly took a Gospel tract. We also encountered a Bangladeshi gentlemen, an itinerant photographer. He was atop Shanti Stupa overlooking the town and capturing a few pictures as Jesse and I practiced some martial arts. Though a Muslim, he willingly listened to our message and received a Gospel tract. Later, he wrote to Jesse: "The words we exchanged on top of the hill will be cherished for a long time." My friends, I have often seen that there is more openness to the Gospel where you don't expect opens when the Gospel is graciously laid out straightforward, no beating around the bush. This is clearly the example set by our Lord in His own hometown (Luke 4:16-30). Please pray for Mr. Hussein.
Sharing the Gospel with a Bangladeshi Muslim atop Shanti Stupa in Leh
Once business was completed in Leh, we began our long decent down to Srinagar with Brother Gulzar, our national partner. In Kargil, we fellowshipped with a few persecuted believers. One of them, who had recently spent some days in the local jail for his faith, opened up his home to us; and there, we had refuge. His home was simply one room with a few barebones commodities. I couldn’t help but think about how we in America could do with so much less. It was an encouraging and convicting blessing to see these brothers, who have so little and who face so much persecution, have such strong faith and close fellowship with one another.
Hospitality in the One-Room Residence of a Persecuted Brother
While we were stuck in Kargil due to a road closure, we ventured out to a small village called Hunderman within sight of the Pakistan border and the last high-altitude Indian army posts. There had been some fighting there years ago, and some of the villagers are still alive with stories about house-to-house battles. A man of peace lives there, a man open to the Gospel that Gulzar visited and shared with previously. We were able to visit with him and his family. They readily received Gospel material in the Urdu language and allowed us to pray over them and their humble abode. I told this man that I would come back and see him again. A seed has been planted in this dark place where a local church has never existed since the New Testament Church was born at Pentecost nearly 2,000 years ago. It was an honor to go water that seed, and Lord willing, to do so again next year. Please pray for Jaffir.
A Person of Peace in Hunderman, the Last India Outpost
There is desire taking root in Brother Bishnu’s church to go out and share the Gospel with the Israeli tourists. One Sunday in Kathmandu, Jesse taught the believers there about the importance of Jewish evangelism and God’s plan and purpose for the literal nation of Israel. After the service, some of the believers immediately wanted to go out and look for Israelis. We assembled a small team and headed out once again to Thamel for the evening. We found a few groups of Israeli backpackers and were able to share the Gospel and give out some Hebrew Scriptures. Most were grateful, but some refused, boasting in their atheism. The best response is to graciously inform concerning the blunt truth of the Tehilim, the Psalms--only a fool says there is no God. That night, the Nepali believers watched intently and learned the basics of sharing with Israeli tourists. It was an encouraging thing to see their eagerness and willingness to learn. This is the willing spirit that we desire to strengthen and invigorate, bolstering their boldness to share with the Israeli tourists and inviting the Jewish travelers to a weekly Shabbat meal where they can relax and experience genuine Nepali hospitality and hear of Yeshua, the one true Messiah!
Our Jewish Evangelism Team in Kathmandu
Next month My wife and I will be traveling to Argentina to work with believers down at The Shelter on the Lake. When we arrive there at the end of December, we will hit the ground running. Our time there will be during the heart of the Israeli tourist season, and there will be regular Jewish guests staying at The Shelter on a weekly basis. We will be learning about the Shabbat meals that Israelis enjoy and how to prepare and host them. And, more importantly, we will be trained in how to use this hospitality as a bridge to sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ with Jewish people on a weekly basis. We want to take what we will learn and ultimately reproduce it in South Asia: reaching Jewish travelers who come through Nepal and Ladakh, and helping to enable the local Gentile believers in these places to look beyond their own people in terms of the Great Commission. As described above, there is already a ready and willing spirit with some Nepali believers to reach out to the Israelis; and we want to strengthen this willingness and teach them the basics of Jewish evangelism. We are excited about this great opportunity that the Lord has opened to us and to be serving with the Zerayim Colportage Board. All we desire is to be faithful to Him and take the Gospel to the lost in the far remote places of the earth. Your continued prayer and support for us as we prepare to embark on this work are greatly appreciated.
“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.” (Romans 1:16).
Eric Trent, Colporter
bishnu
Greetings from the Himalaya!
"Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place. For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish: To the one we are the savour of death unto death; and to the other the savour of life unto life. And who is sufficient for these things?" (2 Corinthians 2:14-16)
Thank you very much for your prayers. The Lord gave Jesse, Eric, and I a short and unplanned trip to the remote Ramechhap District. There, we met with local believers and encouraged them in the Word. We also distributed God's Word among the heathen and preached to a couple of Sherpa tribal women about the Salvation that can only be found in Christ. We also supplied a thousand tracts to a brother laboring in the area of Surke. Thanks for always keeping us in your prayers. Some people listened to us, and some hated us. So the Word of God came to be true, "….we are the savour of death unto death; and to the other the savour of life unto life." It is an awesome privilege to carry a single savour from God which produces two different results: life and death!!
Distributing God's Word in Ramechhap
It was also good to preach the clear Gospel message in a marriage ceremony in our church. There were many unbelievers in attendance from both families. More than that, it was an awesome opportunity to share the Gospel to few Jewish travelers in Kathmandu. They could not believe that the Tanakh (OT) was in Nepali and that we read daily the Word of the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. I had to show them the hard copy, and one of them wanted to take a picture holding it. It was so good to give them the Hebrew Scriptures, Old & New Testaments, on a digital flash drive. Please pray for them and also for the peace of Jerusalem.
An Israeli Couple Holds the Nepali Scriptures in Amazement
We really appreciate your prayers and support. May God bless you abundantly in your family, ministry, life, and work.
Brother Bishnu
jesse
Every time I travel to Nepal, Brother Bishnu and his dear wife and children are so kind to host me in their home and feed me delicious meals. That is always a Himalayan labor of love and a reminder that pastors and Christian leaders are to be "given to hospitality" (I Timothy 3:2). It's sad that this is not so prevalent here in America.
Above, Bishnu referenced two Sherpa tribal women. I was there that day, and if I had opportunity right now to travel comfortably and well-fed with a bunch of preachers to some Western European nation, to join an American college campus preaching tour, to hit up some big festival or sporting event, to hold signs outside an abortion clinic, to address a huge crowd in some American mega-church, or to give testimony at some influential missions conference (and praise God for faithful laborers who do such things handling the Word of God faithfully), I would still choose, and that every single time, to be tired and hungry in a dirty little corner where the Christ of the Bible has not been named and to seize opportunity to declare the glorious Gospel to what seems the least of men bound and imprisoned in vain idolatry, YET willing to listen. I remain amazed at how the Divine Hand of Providence put these Sherpa women into our path after many mishaps and frustrations in a hidden corner of Nepal. We spoke long with them; the elderly woman kept appealing to her Buddhism; we declared Jesus; she grew frustrated and left the tea shop; she then came back and listened, something very few wicked whiteys will ever do. She asked questions. She heard the Gospel, from Creation to the Cross. All the while, a younger Sherpa woman stood nearby preparing a few plates of skimpy chowmein. She too LISTENED, even when the food was done and she was supposed to be leaving to go meet someone. There was no mockery, no anger, no drama—just ears that listened and heard. In the end, they received the printed Word of God and had much to think about as the sun made its descent behind the hills to the south. As for us, it took some hours along one of the worst and most dangerous roads I have ever traveled just to get back to the main road. We were weary and hungry, yet satisfied. Yes, I would choose this path any day. Why cast pearls before swine when so many who have yet to hear will actually listen? Please pray for the two women in the little tea shop in a place called Surke.
This Sherpa Tribal Woman hears the Gospel, a Divine Appointment
Back on Thanksgiving, I posted:
Happy Thanksgiving from a 30-degree room at 11,000 feet in Ladakh. The turkey and must be nice. Notwithstanding, we are blessed and joyful for the food and fellowship our brothers and sisters in Christ back home will enjoy today. And, we are grateful to have some Devan’s South Indian Malabar coffee seasoned by the monsoon winds along with a Cuban colodor sock filter.
Thanksgiving in Ladakh
Though 'twas sad to be away from family and friends on this special holiday, Eric and I did have an awesome and memorable Thanksgiving up in the cold desert behind the Himalaya. On a borrowed Enfield Bullet motorcycle, we tracked down some Nepali migrant workers we had preached to the day before and followed up by giving them Gospels of John in their own language. We then treated ourselves to a nice lunch at the Grand Dragon hotel and afterward buzzed up the Indus River Valley on the motorbike, freezing but fun. We crumbed a couple of Buddhist gompas and scattered a few seeds here and there. Eric witnessed to an Indian woman who works for Qatar Airways, and I gave a Hindi tract called “The Burning Hell” to an army officer. Toward evening, we slogged up SY16 peak, put the Word on the summit, and watched the alpenglow settle on the Stok Range. The day capped off with an incredible meal cooked for us by the landlords at our old Team Yeshua base up there. We enjoyed some nice fellowship in a warm room with a good kerosene stove. The walk back under a blanket of stars with wild dogs showing themselves all bark and no bite was likewise memorable. God's blessings are never what we expect but incredible blessings indeed.
Eric shares Christ with an Indian woman at a Buddhist shrine above Stok
Colportage Work Amongst the Nepali Migrants in Leh
Eric shared about Jaffir, a truly special encounter in our ministry to the Jewish people first, and also to the Gentile nations. I recall another encounter where the Lord intervened amidst delay and frustration. Along our long journey from Leh to Srinagar and then on to Jammu for Brother Gulzar, we were stopped at Dras, what they say is one of the overall coldest inhabited places on earth. It has to be one of the most depressing as well. The road was closed, and we were forced to stay overnight in a freezing and dumpy room. For dinner, we huddled in a one-room dhaba, the only place open in this Muslim village, with all the others who were stranded. Needless to say, all eyes in the place were on me and Eric. And the question of their minds was obvious--What in the world are these white men doing here in November? Anyway, some Nepali migrant workers came inside, and two men sat down next to us. Their faces were weathered, like thick leather, and it was obvious that they were from some remote mountain district far from Kathmandu. They were surprised to hear me speak to them in the Nepali language, and I learned that they were thinking about walking over the Zoji La Pass if the road did not open. They could not afford to go back to Leh and fly out. I had no Nepali Scriptures or tracts with me at the time; they were locked away out in the jeep. I thought I would see them again the next morning, so I did not fret. That night, these faces haunted me; I knew I must make sure to get the Scriptures into these hands. That is why we were stuck in Dras. The next morning, we overslept a bit. The road had opened before dawn, and almost everyone stranded there was gone. I despaired but paused to ask the Lord to somehow bring these men back into our paths. From a human perspective, this was a long shot. So, we drove over the frozen Zoji La, a very sketchy and icy road, and we eventually ended up way down on the other side in Sonamarg, where they are actually trees. Starving, we pulled over and chose one of a mess of roadside eateries for some hot tea and breakfast. We sat down and ordered some rice and mutton. I then looked up and saw those two Nepali men sitting at the table right beside us. What are the chances of that? By God's grace, I gave them the Nepali Scriptures and spoke of how the Messiah of the Bible changed my life and how God was good to open the road. They seemed grateful, and I know it was for these that we were stuck crossing the Himalayas in late November.
Stuck in Drass
We were sad to leave Brother Gulzar in Srinagar. He is doing a good and very difficult work. But, we didn't part ways before enjoying a fantastic Kashmiri meal together with plenty of meat and yakhni. And, you don't pass through Srinagar without a least an evening boat taxi amidst the houseboats and floating markets on Dal Lake. Lord willing, Eric and Mindy Trent will be targeting the Israelis and laboring with Brother Gulzar in Ladakh during the summer. In the Fall, they will follow the Israelis to Kathmandu.
Boat Taxi on Dal Lake in Srinagar
building a church
While in Kathmandu, I was real encouraged to see the progress that had been made on the little church building outside Ring Road that Bishnu and the brethren he shepherds have been slowly constructing as the Lord provides. Back in March, it was just a field with a small tin shack. Now, there is an actual building. Soon, we hope, the Berea Bible Church will be meeting here, and it is their hope that this edifice can be used to host Israelis on Friday nights for a Shabbat meal and a taste of authentic Nepali culture from the hands of Nepali believers in the Jewish Messiah. Eventually, Bishnu would like to add a second story that can be fashioned into an apartment for FPGM laborers and as a guest quarters for Israelis. This will also be a great place to store our Project Jagerna Scripture portions and the Hebrew Bibles. This is in a poor Hindu area, and it has been fun to see seeds of the Gospel sown as the building is going up. The night watchman is a young believer from Kapilbustu District that I met some years ago. He lives in Kathmandu now and attends the church. Interestingly, he is a martial arts instructor, and I did an Aikido demonstration for his group of village dojos in a grassy field far from Kathmandu once. Afterwards, I preached the Gospel, and God's Word was distributed. Now, he teaches karate to children from the neighborhood around the building project early each morning. Eric and I had the distinct privilege of doing an Aikido demonstration for this group on a terrace near the church property. It was a great opportunity to share the Gospel. I marvel at how the Lord, from time to time, brings people back into our paths. Pray that the Lord will provide for these believers to complete this building project. FPGM was able to carry over some funds this time to help it alone. Thanks again to those who support this work so we can support the brethren at the far corners of the globe.
reaching the israelis in goa, india
I recently received this encouraging report from an Indian brother and his wife who live near the popular beach areas of Goa in Southern India. This area is very popular with the Israelis during the cold winter months.
Hello Jesse. I am so grateful that you would take the time to write to us in Goa and encourage us greatly. I always am delighted to hear about your work in Ladakh, Nepal, South America and in the US--amongst the Jewish and Israelis. I remember two years ago how your ministry was instrumental to us to learn and get a vision to reach out to the Israelis in Goa. We have been preaching in Goa since August, 2014 but not until September 1, 2016 did we changed our focus to fully concentrate on Israelis travelling to India. It has been a life-changing experience of learning and enjoying a wonderful fellowship with Yeshua to do the same . . . We have been meeting Israelis that we have spoken to as far as two years back. Now, they are starring to contact us from Israel and tell us of their plans to visit India. Our goal is to raise up Israeli evangelists and Bible teachers to their own people. Our home is open to Jewish travelers to come spend a few days, cook shashuka/sabik/Turkish coffee, use the scoter/car, transport to Airport, or keep luggage that they don’t need in their travels, and to use our home as their home in India. When they come to our home, they know that we distribute the Hebrew New Testament and can come and fellowship around Yeshua. It is truly amazing when they recommend or bring someone to our house. It takes a long time to build their trust and friendship. Only Yeshua and can build this bridge of trust and friendship between Israel and India.
Please pray for Raj, Sara, and their work in Goa.
Brother Raj (far right) opens his home to Israeli travelers in Goa.
merry christmas from fpgm
May all of you have a wonderful Christmas with your families and friends!
I prepared these Advent devotionals for the families of a local church to use for four weeks during this Advent season. I challenge you to use these with your family at any time of the year as a tool for learning how to dig deeper into the Holy Scriptures.
Jesse stands with Bishnu and his family outside a Kathmandu supermarket. I never thought the day would come when one could find Christmas trees on display in a Hindu country.
In closing, I think of these forgotten yet timeless lyrics of an old Christmas carol written by Henry Longfellow:
And in despair I bowed my head:
“There is no peace on earth,” I said,
“For hate is strong, and mocks the song
Of peace on earth, good will to men.”
Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:
“God is not dead, nor does He sleep,
For Christ is here; His Spirit near
Brings peace on earth, good will to men.”
When men repent and turn from sin
The Prince of Peace then enters in,
And grace imparts within their hearts
His peace on earth, good will to men.
O souls amid earth’s busy strife,
The Word of God is light and life;
Oh, hear His voice, make Him your choice,
Hail peace on earth, good will to men.
Then happy, singing on your way,
Your world will change from night to day;
Your heart will feel the message real,
Of peace on earth, good will to men.
Truly, amidst this world's busy strife, the Word of God brings light and life, "to the Jew first and also to the Greek" (Romans 1:16). That's why we go and give testimony of Himalayan Labors of Love.
- Jesse Boyd, Colporter