September 12, 2005
Dear Friends,
We left Nepal after serving for ten years, saying “namaste”
to friends, neighbors, schoolmates, and co-workers whom we will
miss dearly. It was difficult to leave our home and work there,
yet we are confident that God has a plan for our future. We left
knowing that our Christian Nepali colleagues will continue to
serve and to act as instruments of peace in a country of political
turmoil. Over the years, a few of these individuals in particular
were major inspirations to us in our walk of faith. Mohan Sharma
is one who comes to mind—a man reaching out to the poor
and outcast in one of the areas ravaged by the Maoist insurgency.
We want to share a short story of how God’s hand is at work
in Nepal, through Nepali “missionaries” like Mohan.
Mina Kumari Kusmi was just a toddler when both her parents
died in a clash with the rebels. Relatives fostered her for
a while, but they were poor themselves, and the extra burden
was too much to bear. Where could they turn for help? Who would
take a poor “low-caste” Tharu girl?
The local government officials recommended the Welfare Association
for Children, Tikapur (WACT). Located in far western Nepal,
WACT is a Christian organization led by the Sharmas, a dedicated
couple who once worked with the United Mission Hospital in Tansen
in the 1970s. (As a young girl growing up there, I knew Mohan
and remember his wedding to Susanna). They opened their doors
to four-year-old Mina Kumari, and the New Life Orphanage Hostel
became her home. She attends Mahima Child Development Center,
WACT’s preschool. The Center provides basic education
and health care to orphans and children of poor families in
the region, including former bonded laborers and low-caste groups,
and assists them to enroll in the government school for class
one.
Mina Kumari is a thoughtful and intelligent little girl. She
has many friends at her home and school. She enjoys sports,
and loves to sing in the Sunday school. Her dream is to become
a nurse. When anyone asks her where her home is she thoughtfully
replies, “The New Life Orphanage Hostel.” By the
grace of God, and through the love of WACT, Mina Kumari has
been living a new life and has a bright future full of hope.
There are many such stories to share, and our hope is that even
though we will no longer be in Nepal, you will continue to pray
for and support the work of our dedicated Nepali Christian brothers
and sisters. People say that there is no hope in sight for Nepal,
but we cannot help but find hope when we see all that those like
Mohan are doing to bring peace, reconciliation, opportunity, and
love through their service in Christ’s name. Keep Nepal
in your prayers.
Andy and Ellen Collins, Christopher and Jonathan
The 2005 Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, p.
118
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