The stranger

“For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’”Matthew‬ ‭25‬:‭35‬-‭36‬ ‭NIV‬‬

These are things we missionaries have opportunity to do. If we have eyes to see we see the ones who God is wanting to minister to. I live with two Nepali women who I gave a home to, however, I am not the hero, they are. I taught them to use their faith to be able to pay more than 5,000R (a little over $50Au) a month for a home. At first they were fearful but now they are fine. They have showed me what it is like to minister in Nepal. They reach out, go out and give out continually. They love on me and care for me like a mother.

Recently their desire for a bicycle caught my attention. I shared their desire with a friend and she happened to have an old bike for them to try. I organised a helmet and security chain and the smiles, the giggles and joy is enormous. These women are in their 30’s but are loving a bike they never had with such exhuberance. I offered to buy a bike but was told, “wait we might get one for free, some missionaries are going home and have one they don’t need”.

Upstairs are two little boys and downstairs a girl who love to come and play games with us. Fortunately I have a friend who brought many card games from Australia and left them with me. The boys also play in the street with an old soccer ball that is torn and useless. Today I plan to buy them a new one. The little girl has a difficult home life and my heart goes out to her. Our door is open to these little ones.

I have not found the ones in prison yet but I’m sure God knows where they are and He will arrange it all for us. At my Interdenomentarional church we minister to refugees. I have thee I care for. We knock on doors, provide schooling assistance, medical assistance, I’ve help start a business for a tailor and his wife, a job for another and looking to help a third. Refugees face the harshest treatment here in Nepal. They cannot legally work, and if they overstay their visas, which they all do, they accrue a debt to the Nepali government which they can never repay.

Having the Lord’s heart of compassion is where you start. Praying and obeying keeps you in the flow of what He wants you to do with that love. Not loving your life or the things of this world is a must!

May I honour my gracious God wi Th the life He has given me! Amen!