Dear Praying Friends,

The Bible has a verse for every occasion. Ecclesiastes 3:2 portrays ATEN's present situation. I deal with the latter part first because 'uprooting' has been our recent experience. Then, I move on to ATEN's opportunities for 'planting'.

A Time to Uproot.
My last newsletter on July 13, 2006 mentioned the severe challenges ATEN's Bachelor of Divinity (BD) programme was facing. After three dropped out, BD classes functioned as long as we had our only student. Not completing a particular assignment and refusing to submit a proposal for vacation practicals, he too failed. ATEN required more students for 2007. So, advertising the nationwide prayer and the BD programme, I visited churches (during 2006) as far as Dandeldhura in west Nepal and Biratnagar in the east. Six showed interest in joining. However, only one sent in his application. Since only one cannot form a class, ATEN's executive board on May 1, 2007, gave me the permission to discontinue BD unless three more applied by May 31. Thus, in our third year, ATEN's BD has ended. A management principle comforts me: 'It's better to fail after trying than not to try at all.' Why didn't BD succeed?
(1) Though locals from 1993 onwards requested ATEN to start a recognised post-graduate biblical degree course, very few supported the BD programme after it began. (2) Most want to send their candidates overseas. Students, after they do a BA or equivalent, have reasonable English; so these too want to go abroad. Though ATEN offered full scholarship, two lads preferred Korea and the Philippines; and are there now. As long as Bible colleges in other countries provide scholarships with free airfares, higher theological education in Nepal will struggle. (3) Some students resented the discipline and two-hours-per-week manual work. They wanted only study. Being a local, I got bullied. As the (former) principal, I take full responsibility for the fiasco; but also thank Serampore University and all supporters.

A Time to Plant.
Even without the BD, ATEN has other important ministries. (1) Help Towards a Recognised Theological Degree Course: Now, ATEN will assist Nepal Institute of Theology (NIT, formerly NBA) 'plant' a four year Bachelor of Theology (BTh) course. Ganesh Tamang, the principal, has begun correspondence with Serampore University. BTh is for students with 10+2 or two years beyond high school. Such should be more plentiful and less likely to go overseas. (2) Maintenance of the Central Theological Library: Annually about 1200 readers from various Bible colleges (though none can award a proper degree) make use of it. Durga Dahal serves as the librarian. Krishna and Raj Kumar help him. (3) Production of Theological Books in English/Nepali: At present, I've resumed work on Understanding Nepali Society, a text book (in English) for the BD course. However, administrative duties often clash against writing. ATEN staff requested me to complete it for possible resumption of BD after 10/15 years. (4) Writers' Scholarship: Christian writers having the talent, but not the time or the facilities, can live at ATEN for six months, and write a book either in Nepali or English. They get free food, board and pocket-money, but have to pay for travel. ATEN will keep two bound copies of their work. (5) The Annual Nationwide Prayer for Peace/Democracy: This takes place during the last week of January. Using ATEN-prepared booklets Churches will have prayer in their buildings from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM, and chain prayer in homes from 3:00 PM to 10:00 AM. (6) Monthly Prayer for Peace/Democracy: Christian leaders do this at ATEN, every second Sunday of the English month, 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM. (7) Higher Theological Training: ATEN will support NIT's Nima Ghising in Scotland for his PhD because his college and Interserve, UK, are also sponsoring him. Our priority is India. Mr Bimol Singh and Mrs Nyimang Singh, who served ATEN's BD course as the vice-principal and registrar, will go to Bangalore, India, for a PhD and MTh next year (2008), if they get seats. (8) The Annual Reconciliation Ministry: This is in partnership with the UMN. This brings forgiveness, healing to those afflicted by the conflict between the Maoists and the government, but also to others. Divya Khanal, a teacher/co-ordinator, takes full responsibility from ATEN's side. He and the committee conduct an annual nationwide seminar. The first took place in Butwal, May 15-17, 2007. When asked and available, I take classes, as I did in May.

Personally.
Jivan, our younger son, will soon start his fourth (final) year in Goshen College, Indiana, USA. From 2008, he'll have to rely on scholarships, on/off campus work for further studies, which he desires. Jivan has received a GPA (grade point average) of 3.67 out of 4.0, which is excellent. Since 2006, Shanti and I have a grandson born on India's Independence Day, August 15. Our elder son, his wife, and our grandson live in their flat close to their work. Our daughter-in-law is a lecturer at the UMN-founded nursing campus. Our son serves at a Christian-managed computer firm. Having rented out our biggest paddy-field to fish-farmers, Shanti has more time for reading and caring for my 86 year old father. We thank God for the health we enjoy…Now, following Ecclesiastes, I feel it's time to close.

Sincerely,

Ramesh

Links to old-news archive:

July 2006
June 2005
November 2004