Two years ago, I participated with a group of friends from Mosaic Boston Church in an exploratory/mission trip to the State of Nepal.  It was a very enriching & challenging season for the team, as we became students of a nation that was in desperate need spiritually, as well as politically, monetarily, and socially.  Ever since that first trip two years ago, my personal interest in the well being of its people has grown.  The people we encountered, including our host family, have stayed closed to my thoughts and prayers.

After that first trip, our research and work in Nepal had attracted others in wanting to partner with us.  Since then, the Nepal team has evolved to include members from Highrock Brookline and students from Boston Trinity Academy.  This year, my wife, Sofia Chu, and myself will be joining a newly formed team and be in Nepal from July 11^th to July 25^th, 2009. 

A brief biography of the State of Nepal

The State of Nepal is a Himalayan country that is bordered by Tibet, China to its north and by India to its South.  It is broken up into three different sections:  Mountain, Hill, and Terai Region.  The mountain region is where Mount Everest is located, resulting in Nepal being a hotspot for tourists and avid mountain climbers.

Though Nepal does not have Hinduism as its official religion, Hinduism composes 85–90 percent of the population, while Buddhism, Islam, and Kirant, are the rest of the minority faiths that can be found within the country.  Christianity has been growing in Nepal, but heavily oppressed or persecuted, despite the nation’s constitution that allows for freedom of religion.  According to International Christian Concern, there is an estimated 400,000 Christians, the majority of whom are heavily ostracized within their communities.

Nepal originally had a monarchy until 1990, when King Birenda instituted a parliamentary democracy, which allowed Nepalese people to begin electing government officials, such as Prime Minister.  Unfortunately, in 2002, King Gyanendra dissolved the government and took over command of the military.  A civil war broke out between those who were loyal to the king and those who were part of the Maoist factions that operated within the nation.  Eventually, due to mounting pressure from opposition groups, the king reinstated the democratic parliament.  The elected government immediately declared Nepal to be a secular nation and moved to constitutionally remove the king’s authority and control of the military.  In November 2006, the Maoist factions and the government signed a peace treaty, and in March 2007, the Maoists officially joined the interim government.  This interim government eventually moved to completely abolish the monarchy and declared Nepal to be a federal republic.  The Maoist factions, since 2008, have had a majority within the general assemblies of the government.

 Why are we going to Nepal?

Mike:  I have been waiting to return to this country ever since the first trip.  My heart has been touched by what I’ve experienced and want to be part of what God is doing in this country.  I intend to continue being a student and partner with its people.  I hope that as a student of this nation, those I encounter will hear and see the words and deeds of Christ through all of us.  My desire is to see God continuing to move and perform His miracles around and through us during those coming weeks.

Sofia:  Ever since Mike came back from Nepal in the summer of 2007, my desire has always been to join him in his love and excitement for this country. We were engaged only 6 months at the time he went, and my hope has always been to go as husband and wife one day.  Through the gracious hearts of my colleagues, program and education director of the Worcester Family Medicine Residency Program, I am able to join this year's team with a unique purpose of understanding the current health care model and health care needs of Nepal. I am also open to any opportunities that may arise to instruct local communities about safe, preventative health practices that they may in turn teach others.  Mainly, I want to share the love of Christ through the training that I have been blessed to receive to a people group that I have heard so much about but have yet to meet.  What is even more exciting is that our team will be comprised of a number of high school students from Boston Trinity Academy who will have a front row seat to seeing the work of God's hands!

What will we be doing in Nepal?

Our team will be collaborating with a secular non-profit relief organization called the HOPE Initiative.  Though their primary focus is in providing computer education training, they had also taken in 5 orphans from the streets of Kathmandu. The civil war in Nepal left many children without parents or guardians to take care of them.  Our team will be working closely with the orphanage workers and assisting them in caring for the children.

Other planned activities include possible health workshops conducted by Sofia in the village of Pokhara, teaching English and Math at a local government school in Kathmandu, and visiting local health care organizations and learn of the work that they have been involved in.  We will also continue to conduct surveys, interviews with survivors of the civil war, and making connections with other non-governmental organizations. 

How can you partner with our team?

The most needful thing I can ask of you is to please pray for our team.  For the majority of the team, this is our first overseas trip, and we are looking forward to serving the Nepali people.  We also know that apart from Him, we will never be effective or able to communicate the Gospel through our words and actions to the Nepalese.  That is the most important request I can ask of you as a partner.

Some possible things to pray for:

• Pray that we would be flexible and faithful to the Lord as a team.
• Pray for humble and gentle spirits to be within us, as we become students of this nation.
• Pray for meaningful and effective service to the Nepali people no matter our age or abilities.
• Pray for boldness and cultural sensitivity should opportunities arise to share the Gospel with the Nepalese.
• Pray for an intense time of spiritual growth and witnessing for Christ.
• Pray that whatever may happen there, God will be recognized as who He is & receive His rightful praise.

Secondly, I’d like to ask you to please prayerfully consider supporting us financially.  Our total expense for this trip that we need to raise is $4310, which is for air travel.  Any amount surpassing this goal will be used to support the work that HOPE Initiative is doing at their computer training centers and care for the orphans.

If you would like to make a financial contribution, please make a check out to Boston Trinity Academy and write in the memo statement - Nepal Trip – Mike Chu/Sofia Chu.

Contact us at MChu.Nepal@gmail.com for further details such as our mailing address.

 Thank you for taking the time to read this, and I do pray that you will consider how you may support and aid our team as we prepare to go out this July.  We would greatly appreciate your partnership with us on this exciting adventure to experience God’s work in cross-cultural ministry.  If you would like to provide us with prayer or financial support, please respond by June 30th.