Preaching the good news and healing the sick
in New Zealand, Nepal and the world
Hungry Surkhet
This was my seventh trip to Nepal, and the fourth taking ministry teams. Every one has been so different, and this was no exception. The Lord had warned me before we left to expect persecution. I assumed that meant from extremists or officials, but in the event it came from a totally unexpected quarter. But there were great highlights too!
The first School of Healing in Surkhet, in the western hills, was one of the best we had ever held. Over 200 faith-filled enthusiasts gathered in a church on the edge of town, located in a broad valley, and reached by a three hour bus-ride twisting up through the jungle of Bardia National Park. Every time we ministered to each other, scores were healed, until the forest of hands of those testifying was as thick as the maturing wheat crops outside. They were so open and so hungry that my heart is drawn to return.
The Tikapur event had to be cancelled, so a last-minute School was arranged in the church of our tireless local organiser, Pr Kaluram, in Gulariya. Only slightly fewer, the hunger and anointing were no less evident, and the stream of miracles continued. The greatest thrill was to see the courage and faith of those who went out on the second day. They returned rejoicing ‘carrying sheaves’ of the stories of those healed, delivered in such a matter of fact manner that miracles truly seemed to normal life, just as they should be:
‘We went to this house, and there was an old man there who could not walk. After prayer he got up and walked around. His wife came and was so surprised to see him walking. Then we went to another house. There was a lady there who was very sick. We told the fever to go, and she got up totally healed. Then we went to another house...’ Some of those visited gave their lives to Jesus, while others promised to come to church. There were almost no closed doors, even from those of other religions. Surely this is harvest time in Nepal!
But very sadly we faced daily resistance from some pastors who have believed unfounded rumours that our main contact, Puran Rasaili, is involved with a cult. We have investigated the matter thoroughly, and know the rumours to be untrue. We tried in various ways to address this, but it has raised other issues that we have to trust the Lord to resolve. However, we have felt truly vindicated by the Lord’s clear hand on all that we have been doing.
The two first-time highlights were a Saturday (their Sunday) church service of about 300, where one of our team went to preach. The power of God was so present that people were being healed on the way to the meeting. During the ministry, half the congregation fell under the anointing of the Spirit, and many lives were changed! See Kerry’s Revival!
The other highlight was a Teachers’ Training, held for the first time, in Nepalgunj. The day was designed to teach pastors and leaders how to run Schools of Healing. Our vision is to train several hundred across Nepal, so that thousands of Schools of Healing can be held in churches and villages that we could never reach. This will make a major impact on the effectiveness of the church, and also restore one of her main purposes, to ‘destroy the works of the evil one.’ Over 65 came, and 27 committed to take up this new initiative. We will not be organising or supporting them in any way except to provide the many thousands of Healing Manuals free of charge. But that in itself will be a major step of faith for us!
Once again our team were wonderful, courageously battling through bouts of various illnesses (we learned to pray for each other all the time!), with each bringing vital gifts.
On our return in October/November, we will be ministering in Kathmandu, and possibly Dharan in the east, while we are also considering returning to Jiri and Surkhet. To cover so much ground we may need to split the team, and so we could take more people. Please do consider coming – these trips don’t just change to lives of the wonderful Nepali people, they change ours too.
Light in the Darkness - March 2011
Surkhet is the centre of the Midwest, friendly, and hungry for the gospel. Most were healed at our School!
The pastor’s daughter was healed of a wrenched knee when we prayed for her during lunch. She immediately burst into giggles, and her huge smile was testimony enough!
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Little Kalpana was thrown into the fire by her drunk father. Her mother grabbed her, but her burns were extensive. Our agent Puran took the family into their home, and arranged emergency surgery. She is now recovering well at Puran’s home, but further grafts will be needed, unless she is healed first.
