IMPACT Magazine | 2023 Issue 2

e d I tor I al

Recently, God has blessed us with some exciting new partnerships in Nepal. From mission in the mountains to children’s work in the cities, we are excited to partner with those reaching Nepalis, Tibetans and others in this breathtakingly beautiful nation. This magazine highlights those initiatives alongside snippets of news from the Middle East, Central Asia and more!

You’ll also find updates from our Easter Appeal and recent short-term trips towards the back. In all these things, we give thanks to God for His ongoing provision. ■

Momentum in the Mountains

Serving Christ in the shadow of the Himalayas.

Alex Director

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A Fool for Christ?

Sharing hope in the midst of hostility.

Sadhu man, Pashupatinath Temple, Kathmandu

In Hindu tradition, the Sadhu are holy men who have renounced the worldly life, leaving behind all possessions and relying on the generosity of others.

mome tum IN tHe mouNtaINs

Serving Christ in the shadow of the Himalayas.

Few places on earth offer such dramatic geography as Nepal. The Himalayan mountains provide one of earth’s most aweinspiring natural wonders. Capturing the imagination of hundreds of thousands each year, Nepal draws adventurers from all over the world with many keen to conquer the heights of these mountains. Yet, as majestic as these mountains are and as powerful as their testimony might be regarding the One who set them in place, millions living in the shadow of the Himalayas have no knowledge of their Creator.

Of Nepal’s 30 million citizens, 89% are considered unreached. The majority of the country’s inhabitants are Hindu, reflecting the close cultural and geographical ties with neighbouring India. With Tibet also nearby, it is of little surprise that a significant Buddhist minority also exists. In the capital, Kathmandu, enormous Buddhist stupas such as the famous Monkey Temple tower over the city. Indeed, the Buddha was born a prince in the southern plains of the nation. For those ministering in Nepal, recent years have seen new challenges. Heavy restrictions throughout the pandemic limited outreach possibilities, whilst new legislation which specifically prohibits evangelism has ended a period where the gospel could be shared freely in public. Not long ago, we would have felt at liberty to disclose the names and faces of the evangelists with whom we partner. Sadly, this is no longer the case and so in the following articles, names have been changed to protect identities.

Despite these challenges and the vast numbers who remain unreached, gospel progress has certainly been seen. Many have followed the leading of the Lord to serve here over the years and by the grace of God, small church fellowships have sprung up over much of the nation. Evangelists are seeing the Lord transform people’s lives through the saving power of the gospel as they work carefully and discreetly for the Kingdom.

Praise God for all those who serve Him in this increasingly hostile environment, and for raising up new workers for the harvest here. Our great hope for Nepal is that every individual who gazes upon the majestic Himalayas would know that the God who formed these mountains has, even more incredibly, made it possible to receive salvation in Christ Jesus! ■

Of Nepal’s 30 million citizens, 89% are considered unreached. 89 %

a F ool F or CH r I st ?

Sharing hope in the midst of hostility.

There was a lot of ground to cover today, so it had been yet another early start. As Batsal drove along the mountain road, he stole as many glimpses as he could at the beautiful sunrise illuminating his rear-view mirror. The skies were clear and Batsal hoped today would not be the day that the heavy rains came. While his small 4x4 was currently winding around the mountain passes, soon he would be on rougher terrain where mud slides and running water would make travel difficult. He was well used to the challenges of travel across these mountains. Praying once again for a safe journey, he recalled how the Lord had been faithful time and time again. Just a few days prior, Batsal had passed the area where he grew up. As a child from a Hindu family, Batsal’s prayers were once directed towards gods such as Vishnu and Shiva. His family were farmers who looked regularly for the blessing of the gods for good harvests and protection from blight. Batsal had

Nepal

This is not an image of Batsal, his identity has been hidden for security.

Batsal visits areas where Christ’s name has never been proclaimed and has seen many churches planted across the nation.

been fortunate to receive an education, spending his days in school and his free time working with his father, often out in the paddy fields until past midnight.

So much had changed since Batsal was a child. Looking back now, he could see how God was working behind the scenes to bring him to faith. Not every child was fortunate enough to attend school, and even fewer shared his opportunity for further study at college. It was here that he heard the gospel from a fellow student. Batsal not only trusted in Christ, but that student would become his wife! He began to learn from God’s Word and would join others involved in evangelism in Kathmandu. On his first day, armed with a box of New Testaments, Batsal remembered people being so eager for a copy that they would reach into the box before he could hand one to them!

Rather than pursue a career, Batsal committed his life to proclaiming the gospel. He was involved in all sorts of outreach, including street preaching and the distribution of God’s Word and other Christian literature. In one year alone, 120,000 copies of John’s gospel were given away! Stalls offering these resources would be set up at major Hindu festivals with thousands hearing the gospel. Batsal will only discover how many came to faith when he is in glory.

As he continued to drive along the mountain road, Batsal reflected sadly on how such opportunities no longer exist. Where he once experienced only occasional opposition to his evangelistic efforts, Batsal now had to be more careful. New legislation made it illegal to encourage conversion to Christianity, with punishments including fines or up to five years in prison. The days of preaching on the streets of Kathmandu with a

megaphone are long gone.

This certainly did not stop Batsal’s efforts, however. His focus had already spread beyond the capital, and he began making regular journeys across the length and breadth of the nation, through the Himalayan mountains and along the southern plains. As this continues, Batsal is still seeing people respond to the gospel in faith. Sometimes travelling alone, sometimes with others, Batsal visits areas where Christ’s name has never been proclaimed and has seen many churches planted across the nation.

There have been many challenges to the work. While Batsal has recruited and trained others to join him, some fell away in pursuit of earthly things. Prayer is needed for the Lord to raise up more workers who are ‘fools for Christ’.

Batsal holds regular teaching conferences for pastors and evangelists, providing encouragement and correcting limited or heretical understandings of Scripture among the untrained. Today’s journey will bring him to a church in a region with very few believers. His hope is to instill in them the same fire for mission that has sustained his decades of outreach. How wonderful it would be for the Lord to move mightily, raising up many more like Batsal to reach the Hindu and Buddhist people of Nepal! ■

How to pray

■ Pray for Batsal as he continues to witness for Christ in Nepal.

■ Pray for safety and for much fruit as the gospel is proclaimed.

■ Pray for many more Nepali believers to commit their lives to reaching the lost.

HIgHs aNd lows

Overcoming adversity in the hills and the valleys.

Kirtipur means ‘city of glory’, and the views from this municipality in the Kathmandu Valley are quite magnificent. Situated just outside the capital city, this area is populated primarily by Nepalis and the Newar people group, who created the area’s predominantly Hindu heritage. However, in these foothills of the

Himalayas, Utsang longs to see this become a city which celebrates not the glory of Hindu gods or Himalayan mountains, but of the Lord who holds them all in His hand.

Utsang was born into a Brahmin family, the son of a Hindu priest. His conversion as a young man had caused a stir and led to him being cut off

UTSANg COUld ONly CliNg TO The PrOmiSe iN JOShUA 1:9, ThAT he ShOUld Be STrONg ANd KeeP hiS COUrAge SiNCe The lOrd iS wiTh him AlwAyS.

would witness to university students and disciple them, spurring them on to good works and fruitful lives in the Lord’s service. However, new laws introduced in 2017 brought such ministry to a crashing halt, and the focus shifted to more relational, community-based outreach work.

The church which Utsang helps to lead has rooted itself in the community, seeking to be a blessing to the local area. A pre-school began in the church building, offering children from the poorest families the opportunity to attend. At just £7 per month, the service was provided for a fraction of the usual cost and yet many families struggled to pay the bills. In every instance, their debts were forgiven.

There have been challenges along the way. Last year, a funeral service was held in the church one weekend and for the entire week which followed the children were afraid to attend the preschool. They were deeply concerned about the presence of evil spirits in the building.

for the work to take place as long as it is not in their back yard.

mouNtaIN mIssIoN

By God’s grace, Utsang had already been exploring the possibility of establishing a pre-school in the mountainous Salyan district. Here, two young men whom he discipled as university students have returned home to begin a church planting ministry in this remote and previously unreached area. They receive regular training from Utsang and his church family, who travel to the region several times a year. Forgoing the comforts of the city, they sleep on church floors and eat the mountain food unquestioningly, teaching from morning until night. The Lord has greatly blessed the work in this area, with around 400 people coming to faith and five churches being planted to date.

from his inheritance. He received a scholarship to study theology in the UK then swiftly returned to his home country, eager to utilise the gift he had been given.

kIrtIpur kIds

When Utsang first returned, there was freedom to proclaim the gospel. He

Fast forward a few months, and it was not the children raising concerns but the local authorities. False accusations were made against Utsang claiming that he and the team had forced people to be baptised into the Christian faith. As a result, their license to run the pre-school was revoked just months after we had provided new toys and workbenches for the children. Utsang could only cling to the promise in Joshua 1:9, that he should be strong and keep his courage since the Lord is with him always.

The authorities suggested that the team shift their focus to vocational training to empower local women, and so they are prayerfully seeking God’s direction in that regard. It was also suggested that their pre-school license could be transferred to another district, with the authorities seemingly happy

Even back in 2022, Utsang was making plans to engage the community in Salyan through a preschool, and now that looks the most fruitful avenue for this ministry which rests so heavily on his heart. It seems that the Lord has been directing events all along, taking the evil actions of men and using them for good. Truly, the Lord is with us always. ■

How to pray

■ Give thanks for the witness of Utsang and the church in Kirtipur.

■ Pray that the Lord would direct them in reaching their local community.

■ Praise God for winning hundreds of souls in Salyan district.

■ Pray that a pre-school might be established soon, enabling the church to serve and witness to the local community.

■ Pray that an even greater harvest would be reaped here in the months and years to come.

a lo N e F urrow

One couple’s bold witness among Tibetan refugees.

Aden assured them that he had no reason to fear because the Spirit residing in him was more powerful than any who lived within their dead.

Aden was awakened by the sound of the large, barrelshaped temple drum being beaten with a heavy mallet. This familiar sound signalled the call to prayer in this sleepy Tibetan refugee camp, nestled below the famous Fish Tail Peak in Nepal’s Annapurna mountains. Since becoming a Christian, it had taken some time for the percussive noise to no longer irritate him! In the early days, he stuck his head under the covers, remembering the days of his childhood when he left the house half asleep to sit in the cold temple and recite the words of the Buddha. He now woke to the drum with anticipation instead, eager to spend time with God and in His Word. When the first gong sounded, he got out of bed, made himself a strong bowl of butter tea and quietly made his way through to the little lounge. Here, he would read and meditate on the Scriptures before the sun came up.

It was easier to do this now that he and his family had their own home. His mother, a devout Buddhist, had made life incredibly difficult for him and his young wife Amrita when they had shared her home. She had been strongly opposed to their newfound faith in Christ. As he passed through the small entrance way, he glanced again at the picture high on the wall, of the exiled Dalai Lama holding the Bible which Aden’s Christian friends had had inscribed and presented to him. The picture never ceased to remind him that God uses us, even in our weakness and vulnerability. Each time one of his neighbours looked on the picture they would ask, “Does the Dalai Lama read your Bible?” What wonderful opportunities that picture gave him!

Aden and Amrita’s witness to this small community of refugees had been hard wrought. When family and friends first heard of their Christian beliefs, they shunned them. The couple were left with no standing in the community and were ostracised. In the years which followed, they had worked hard to get back to where they were now, becoming leaders of their community. They served on

committees for education, the pharmacy and the health centre among others, with Aden also involved in decision making for refugee communities in other parts of Nepal. God had shown them favour and just like Daniel, when they were obedient to the laws of God, He began to move. The Lord had softened the hearts of the authorities towards them, opening eyes to see that this couple were honest, hardworking, wise, and discerning.

Aden’s witness began when he offered to wash the dead. This was a task of which most Tibetans were deeply afraid, fearing that any evil spirits lurking in the body of the deceased might take up residence within them. Aden assured them that he had no reason to fear because the Spirit residing in him was more powerful than any who lived within their dead. Now he was able to invite fellow refugees into his home to share food and friendship, showing them The Jesus Film and reading from God’s Word. So far, none had come to faith. However, a few were interested and increasingly willing to talk, especially outside the camp where they could not be overheard. From time to time, Aden would arrange for a small group of young men from the camp to go hiking. He had so much opportunity to share freely with each of them while they walked, and he felt sure that these times would soon bear fruit.

That said, Aden saw his main task as being to teach and encourage the small churches within the exiled Tibetan communities across both Nepal and India. Travel was often an issue for him because of the mountainous terrain, but now he had received a motorcycle and anticipated that much more would be achieved as a result. Meanwhile, the gospel messages which he and his wife recorded each week were being broadcast to thousands of Tibetans across several countries. God was good and was enlarging Aden’s tent, creating new opportunities for service all the time. ■

*AsiaLink began supporting Aden and Amrita in 2022 and recently provided a motorbike to assist their ministry.

aN adveNturous spIrIt

Are you at a stage in your life when you’ve almost given up hope of fruitfulness and fulfilment in your Christian experience? let’s take encouragement from Caleb, and giving ourselves wholeheartedly to god, trust him for fruitful days ahead.

The Himalayas dominate the north of Nepal with Everest, the highest point on earth, towering majestically at 8849m. It continues to draw mountaineers and adventurers from all over the world in the hope of a clear weather window to reach the summit. For many, it is the fulfilment of a lifelong dream following years of saving and preparation.

In Joshua 14:12, we read of Caleb who laid claim to the mountainous region of Hebron after many years of anticipation and delay. 45 years earlier, he had been part of an advance party sent by Moses to scout out the land of Canaan. God had given this land to His people, but they failed to enter on that occasion because it seemed they had lost faith in God, leaving them paralysed at the thought of facing big giants and fortified cities. Ignoring Caleb’s advice, the children of Israel turned back and a period of 40 years of aimless wanderings followed.

In the hardships and barrenness of those wilderness years, it would have been quite easy for Caleb to become frustrated and embittered. It would have been tempting to criticise the others for their lack of faith, saying things like, “If only you had listened to Joshua and me, we wouldn’t be in this mess!”

When we read of Caleb 45 years later, he has not contracted the grumpy old man syndrome. In fact, the opposite is true. Now aged 85, he has an adventurous, youthful spirit that has him heading for the mountains! It can be easy for us to lose this adventurous faith when difficulties and setbacks arise. When we experience periods of uncertainty and aimlessness, it can be easy to lose our way. How we respond to wrongs and injustices done against us can cripple us and greatly hinder our walk with God.

Now, all those years later, the Israelites have entered the land and the territory is being allocated to the various tribes. Have you ever wondered why Caleb was so eager to lay claim to Hebron as his inheritance? Numbers 13:22-23 gives us a clue. He had experienced something back then on that scouting trip that sustained him all those years. In that region is the Valley of Eshcol where they had seen such amazing fruitfulness. A specimen bunch of grapes was carried back by the spies that was so heavy it had to be carried by two men.

Are you at a stage in your life when you’ve almost given up hope of fruitfulness and fulfilment in your Christian experience? Perhaps the difficult and painful experiences have taken their toll and filled you with many questions. Let’s take encouragement from Caleb, this octogenarian hillclimber and, giving ourselves wholeheartedly to God, trust Him for fruitful days ahead. ■

m eet t H e tH aru

There are approximately 1.7 million Tharu people in Nepal living mostly in the southern plains of the nation. Nearly 97% of this people group do not know Christ, and the vast majority have never heard the gospel.

Living in distinctive homes made of plastered mud and cow dung, the Tharu live a simple life reliant on agriculture and fishing for sustenance.

Traditionally, the Tharu are animistic, worshipping the spirits they believe are within certain animals such as monkeys, snakes and cows. Today, these beliefs are intermingled with Hinduism. Every Tharu home contains a household god who is offered blood sacrifices of a chicken and a pigeon, as well as milk and silk cloth. Some families also appease the god with the blood of a male trained to lead household rituals. This takes place in a ceremony where he makes superficial cuts on his forehead, arms, throat, legs, and chest.

Outreach among the Tharu has been difficult over the years. While known as a gentle people, gospel progress was limited by the lack of Christian materials in the Tharu people’s heart language. Our partners in Nepal were able to translate copies of John’s gospel just a few years ago, and these were the first portions of Scripture the Tharu had ever received in their heart language. ■

97 %

Nearly 97% of this people group do not know Christ, and the vast majority have never heard the gospel.

How to pray

■ Pray for opportunities for our partners to share Christ with the Tharu people.

■ Pray for those leading the small Tharu churches, that they would be encouraged in their ministry and persistent in their outreach efforts.

■ Pray for more Scripture to be translated and distributed among the Tharu people.

B IB le sCH ool Buses strategy F or t H e ‘ sta N s ’

With the conflict in Syria seemingly far from at an end, many find themselves displaced in nearby countries. Having left jobs, homes and possessions behind, this is a time of grief and struggle for many.

Through a new partnership in Jordan, we are supporting a programme which seeks to bring hope in this difficult time. Refugees are being transported by the busload to take part in weekly Bible study classes where they discuss the topic of salvation by grace and through faith in Jesus. With 12 study groups currently active, the team ask us to pray that many would be saved!

In addition to this, a social media ministry with over 250,000 followers is reaching many Muslims across the Arab world. Youssef lives in Iraq and came across the site while seeking the truth about God. He asked questions about Jesus and the Christian faith, and after receiving a kind and loving welcome he said “I feel safe with you”. In the following days, the message of salvation was explained and Youssef came to Christ, going on to join online Bible classes.

Please pray that the Bible study classes and online outreach would bear increasing fruit as this partnership grows!■

Our new partnership with UDG seeks to reach Central Asia with the gospel. With each nation varying in terms of politics, religious sentiment and cultural norms, it is important to consider them individually. Whilst Muslim traditions in Kyrgyzstan are often fairly nominal, an increasingly liberal approach to religious freedom in Uzbekistan has caused an upsurge in fundamentalism among the people.

As students at UDG are educated in business, social work and intercultural studies, they also receive a solid foundation in theology and practical ministry. Over half of these students come from a Muslim background and risk disownment or worse if their faith and vocation are found out. Nevertheless, networks of UDG alumni are growing across the region. Social projects are reaching drug addicts in Uzbekistan whilst graduates from Tajikistan are founding import businesses as a platform for relational ministry there.

Our desire is to expand the possibilities for graduates to return home and make an impact for the gospel among their own people. Please pray that the teaching, mentoring and practical training provided at UDG would lead to great fruit for the gospel among the nations of Central Asia!■

your support F or k H

In South-East Asia, we continue to support the translation, printing and delivery of Sunday School resources in the Khmu language. The team running this project also train church leaders for effective children’s ministry.

A workbook recently produced helps children work through 60 lessons on the Old Testament. Children watch a video and complete activities along the way. The workbook also contains Bible verses and questions which help them apply the lessons to their lives – all in their heart language! Resources like these are readily available in the West, yet for Khmu children in South-East Asia there are few materials available.

Your support has enabled 3000 copies to be printed and children in several provinces have already benefited from them. Art supplies such as colouring pencils have also been provided to help the children engage with and enjoy the workbooks.

Praise God for the production and safe distribution of this new resource in South-East Asia! Please pray that as the children use it and learn from God’s Word, they would rejoice in the gospel and devote their lives to Christ even at a young age. ■

Our partner evangelist Peter* recently connected with the Khosa people in Pakistan, a frontier people group who have had little or no Christian contact in the past. The Khosa are very closed to outsiders, traditionally keeping to themselves among the mountainous regions of the country. This makes evangelism among them particularly difficult.

However, the Khosa people began moving out of the mountains to take up agriculture and have become easier to engage. Peter’s first contact among the Khosa people was Ihsan*. Peter was able to share the gospel and by the grace of God, Ihsan came to faith, turning from Islam and trusting in Christ alone as His Lord and Saviour. When Ihsan’s wife discovered this, she threatened to cause a stir in the community. Peter met with her and began to defend the Christian faith, explaining the claims of the gospel. Gradually, she has become more accepting but has not yet come to faith herself.

Please pray that the Lord would open her eyes to the false claims of Islam and the truth of the gospel. Pray also that Peter would make more connections among the Khosa and plant a church soon. ■

*Names changed for security

mu k I ds a kH osa Co N vert!

Through the building of a new outreach training centre complete with residential facilities, ordinary people such as farmers, nurses and teachers will have the opportunity to learn how they can explain the gospel in their day-to-day contexts.

At the time of writing, we have 44% of the funds necessary to begin construction and gifts can still be given to this vital project. Please pray with us for ongoing provision, for the safe construction of the centre, and for much fruit for the Kingdom! ■

News From asIa

Ira N C lamps dow N o N protests

For months, women have been defying the nation’s compulsory dress code by removing items such as hijabs. The authorities have installed cameras in public places to help identify and penalise those protesting in this way.

I N do N es I a N yout H C aptured B y C o N servat I ves Islamic conservatism has been on the rise for several years through the Hijrah movement, whose attempts to appeal to young people are bearing fruit. Boy bands singing about Muhammed and celebrity Instagram preachers have also driven interest.

d

e

C l ININ g BI rt H rate IN Nort H k orea

Classroom sizes are becoming notably smaller as a result of a declining birth-rate, partly caused by increasing numbers of women becoming the main breadwinner of the family. Most North Korean men work in government-assigned jobs with paltry salaries.

C HIN ese yout H CH oose l IF estyle over pay

Students in China typically seek well-paid, secure jobs. But three years of zero Covid has caused a shift with many preferring unskilled roles in retail or factories. Receiving less pay is considered a worthwhile sacrifice against the rigorous demands of China’s huge corporations.

Thank you to everyone who has supported our Ground Breakers Appeal so far! We are continuing to raise funds to help provide accessible training in Pakistan.

teams a N d travellers

Thank you to all the volunteers who have served with us across the continent of Asia so far this year!

Nowruz o utrea CH

In March, a small AsiaLink group joined a team of street evangelists reaching Iranian tourists during Nowruz (Persian New Year).

The team reported a wonderful openness to the gospel, with many Iranians coming to faith after hearing the gospel for the first time!

t ea CHIN g IN H I malayas

Vincent and Jackie Tracey from Blackpool Tabernacle Church travelled to serve alongside our partners in the Himalayas. Over several days, Vincent had the opportunity to minister to pastors and evangelists on the theme of leadership whilst Jackie ran a special track for women.

o perat I o N m o N soo N

Just before Easter, a team of 13 travelled to South-East Asia to carry God’s Word into nations with restricted access. The team also spent time with several of AsiaLink’s partners and were greatly encouraged by what God is doing in the region.

N e X t up...

o perat I o N m o N soo N

s ummer 2023

y ou N g adults Applications closed.

o perat I o N m o N soo N

21 oC t – 4 Nov 2023: a ll age Applications now open.

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moNgolIa

Introduce children to this amazing land, discover the needs of the people and find out how local believers are sharing the gospel! Designed for use at home, each pack includes a map of Mongolia, a sticker sheet and links to four short videos on YouTube.

Packs are available free of charge. Order individually or in quantities online, or by contacting either of our offices.

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