Hello Friends -
On Sunday I will be joining 4 other men going to Nepal. This is a very strategic country for us to reach with the gospel. It is a very small country embedded between India and China. Of the 30 million people who live in Nepal, 26.5 million are still considered unreached with the gospel!!
They are about 80% Hindu and 10% Buddhist. Less than 1% consider themselves to be Christian.
Our overall strategy for Nepal is to utilize our national network of partners to target specific villages with the Treasure in the native language (largely Nepali) - Much of the population consists of oral learners so the Treasure is a critical tool for reaching people with the Good News! We also are identifying appropriate compassion/humanitarian projects that will compliment our Bible distributions. Finally we look for opportunities to invest in the overall leadership development of the church leaders. Having strong pastors and evangelists is critical to the expansion of the gospel in Nepal!!
Here is the summary of our upcoming trip. Please keep us in your prayers!
We will arrive June 7 into Kathmandu. The first 3 days we will be visiting villages in the Kathmandu Valley where we have been doing Treasure distributions. We will meet ministry leaders, learn more about their culture, build relationships and do ministry together. On June 8 we will participate in an all day leadership training for about 50 key Nepali leaders who are instrumental in our long term strategy.
Beginning on June 10 we will travel into the Himalayas visiting villages, distributing some of the 300 Treasures we are bringing and spending quality time with our core Nepali partners.
Thanks for your partnership in helping us reach Nepal with the gospel!!!
Tweet
Day 01: Ghandruk
ReplyDeleteEarly morning drive from Pokhara to Nayapul (1 1/2 hour drive). Upon arrival, trek down to the river for 10 minutes and cross the suspension bridge. Climb up to the main village located on the ridge. Follow the trail along the Modi River for about 20 minutes to arrive at Birethanti. Take the right hand trail and a gradual ascent will take you through a field of paddy in summer and mustard in the winter to arrive at upper Birethanti village. Walk further through more terraced fields and bamboo groves on a gentle ascent along a hillside to arrive at a riverbed. Take the trail leading into the forest. The forest provides shade and an ideal place for the porters to prepare lunch, as water is readily available from a stream.
Trek through the forest and follow the trail along the hillside and after about 20 minutes to arrive at the settlement of Shauli Bazaar, which is located along the banks of the Modi River. The trail from here continues to climb steadily for about 2 hours and 20 minutes until we arrive at Ghandruk. Ghandruk is the largest Gurung village in Nepal where many male members of the local community have served in the Gurkha Special Forces Army. The brave and chivalrous Gurkhas have earned themselves the reputation as the most loyal and indomitable soldiers in the world! The afternoon is free for rest or optional activities such as a visit to the Annapurna Conservation Museum. In the evening the local Gurung women will perform cultural songs and dances. Guests are welcome to join in and a small contribution to the dancing group may be expected.
Overnight at the lodge in Ghandruk
Day 02: Banthati
The trail descends from this Village Square and shopping area and then ascends through forests and open landscape to arrive at a small village. Continue to climb steadily amidst chirping birds on treetops to arrive at Banthanti, located near a river. It is a densely forested area and chances of seeing a wealth of bio-diversity is possible, and best in the spring.
Overnight at Banthanti
Day 03: Ghorepani
After breakfast trek to Ghorepani. There is a further climb to arrive at our lunch spot at Deorali (3180 m), which is the highest point of the trek. For better views, we continue through a dense forest for about 20 minutes to arrive at a clearing with a few teahouses and an open field above the village for lunch. After lunch, continue through the forest for roughly about 1 1/2 hours through rhododendron forests along the ridgeline. Here there are views of the Annapurna South and the Ghorepani village below. Descend for 30 minutes to approach the main gate to Ghorepani. Along the route to our lodge pass through this densely populated village community of Magars.
Overnight at the lodge in Ghorepani
Day 04: Tirkedhunga
Pre-dawn wake up in order to reach Poon Hill to view a magnificent sunrise over the Annapurna Range. We’ll return back to Ghorepani for breakfast. After breakfast the trek starts with a descent which gradually intensifies as we descend steeply to the river. Continue along the trail of gurgling streams and forests till our arrival at the Magar settlement of Ulleri for lunch. After lunch, descend on stone steps through the narrow lanes all the way down to the bridge on the Bhurgundi Khola. The descent could take about 2 hours. After crossing the bridge, a short climb brings us to Tirkhedhunga.
Overnight at the lodge in Tirkhedhunga
Day 05: Pokhara
After breakfast, descend gently down to the banks of the Bhurgundi River and follow the trail to arrive at Birethanti for lunch. Birethanti is located on the confluence of the Bhurgundi and Modi Khola and is a booming village lined with rows of teahouses. After Lunch we cross a suspension bridge and walk 30 minutes to arrive at Nayapul. Bid farewell to the trekking staff and porters and board the waiting vehicles for the 1 1/2 hour drive back to Pokhara.
It's hard to achieve a visa for Vietnam nowadays. So, I only go visit the www.greenvisa.io/ visa service whenever I actually desire a visa for my travels to Vietnam. That they are amazing!
ReplyDelete