Dear Praying Friends,

When I went through a terrible crisis in 1992, Bishop Jack Dain (now with the Lord) shared this verse with me. Jack assured me that God was present in midst of the 'darkness' I was experiencing. It has comforted me often.

The Thick Darkness.
I sent my last newsletter on June 26, 2005. It had the jubilant news of the start of the Bachelor of Divinity (BD) programme in affiliation with the Serampore University. Tragedy struck a few days later on June 30. Four students rebelled. I advised reconciliation with the teacher-couple concerned—Mr. Bimol and Mrs. Nyimang Singh. The 'apology' the students produced was further accusation. Our teachers decided to leave. Since I could not run the BD classes alone, I terminated them. Surprisingly, the ringleaders were two pastors who objected to two hours of manual work per week, and the two hour Friday prayer meeting, which they called a 'waste of time'.

Where God Was.
On July 1, 2005 Bimol and Nyimang were packing to leave. Around four in the evening I asked them to pray and decide if they will stay to teach the one loyal student. On July 3, their answer was positive. The next day, BD classes resumed. Teaching the lone student was an experience! However, one thing became clear—for some strange reason God wants the BD course. Otherwise, all five students could have rebelled and ended the classes for good.

The 'remnant' had a companion for the second semester starting October 17; but he himself found Greek too difficult and quit in February, 2006. His friend did the same in April. We began the new academic year in May with four fresh students, all on full scholarships. Three came from Manipur, north-east India. These showed no progress in studies or character. When the vice-principal asked two to leave, the third joined them as well. So, this year too, the BD class has only one Nepali student. (On March 23, the Lord directed us to continue classes as long as there is even one student!)

General Body Meeting and a New Executive Board for ATEN.
On October 5, the general body meeting voted Rev. Balkrishna Sharma as the chairman again. Other colleagues are: Mrs. Sarita Thapa, vice-chairperson; Messrs. Ratnaman Maharjan, treasurer; Sashidhar Chapai, assistant treasurer; Seth Tamang, Ganesh Tamang, Manoj Shrestha, the UMN representative, and Mrs. Rashmira Maharjan—members. I serve as the executive secretary till 2008.

Tokyo Christian University.
Dr Akio Ito, a friend from my Oxford days, was instrumental in getting me invited to TCU. The Lord helped me with the four lectures and the six chapel messages I had to deliver (November 14-18).

Nationwide Prayer Event.
In October, Mirjam Bergh, a Norwegian mission secretary visiting ATEN, told me of a Tanzanian pastor, Emmauel Kopwe. He had gathered 15,000 Christians to pray continuously for 15 days for dismantling apartheid in South Africa. Could God bring peace to our bleeding country? The thought haunted me until I shared it with some pastors on October 25. That very day a committee of four to assist me for nationwide prayer (January 21-28, 2006) took shape. The meeting of ATEN’s executive board on November 8 gave me permission to use ATEN’s time and resources. Fifty-five pastors within Kathmandu showed interest in involving their churches for the week-long mass and chain prayer. Forty-nine among them spent January 3 praying at the ATEN office. Hundreds of churches throughout the country received prayer posters and schedules. For pastors without phones, we placed advertisements in English/Nepali in the local dailies. I took five days off from my annual leave to join Kathmandu churches involved in the prayer week.

God’s answer? The Maoists declared a ceasefire in April. In May, after loss of 21 lives, Nepal regained democracy.

The committee plans similar nationwide week of prayer during January 20-27, 2007—this time for lasting peace and democracy. Interested pastors in Kathmandu meet once a month (10 AM to 2 PM) at ATEN to pray for our country.


Theological Forum.
An initial meeting took place at ATEN on April 4. The participants then decided to have seminars once in two months. During the first on June 6, Manoj Pradhananga presented a paper on the 'Impact of Theological Education in Nepal.' On August 8, Mrs. Sareeta Thapa will speak on the challenges facing Nepali women Christians. ATEN thanks Rev Balkrishna Sharma for leading the forum.

Land Bought for a New Common Theological Library.
Thanks to gift from FirstFruit, the government registered Christian NGO, Jivan-Jyoti (Life-Light) Library, now owns land in Itahari (east Nepal). The leaders there will build (towards the blue-print) whatever the money remaining allows.

Personally.
Jivan has completed his two years at Hesston (Kansas), and is looking for a senior college. During 2005 Jivan earned an A in all but one subject. Roshani has finished BSc nursing, and is expecting a child in August. Ujwal? No news! Presently, Shanti thinks no post is higher than that of a grandmother. In midst of much 'thick darkness' for ATEN during 2005 and part of 2006, God has been here.

Sincerely,

Ramesh