Nepal

Following devastating rains and landslides in Mugu district, Nepal, the Christian family of one front-line worker faced additional hardship because of their faith. After villagers’ houses and fields were destroyed by the landslides, they made temporary shelters from plastic tarps.

Bimala Thokar came to faith in Christ in 2021 through the witness of her daughter. The Buddhist people of their Nepalese village disapproved of Bimala and her family becoming Christians and sharing the gospel with others. Local Buddhist monks called the police to accuse Bimala of “evil practices” and illegally spreading the Christian religion.

Gita has believed in Jesus since she was 11, but her parents gave her in marriage to a Hindu man 20 years her senior. She is an active member of a local church despite her husband’s opposition. Twice he has destroyed the Bibles given to her by the church, and he has beaten her many times for attending church.

Sita is a 65-year-old woman and the only believer in her family. She was an active member of the church, but three years ago, her son married a woman who is aggressively opposed to Christianity.

A local church met on their leased property recently when an angry Hindu man interrupted, ordering the congregation to stop their Christian activities. He then dragged one of the elders out and hit him in the face with a fistful of mud.

Amar Mandal had been the only Christian in his village in Nepal. Even though his family opposes him and he faces rejection by the community, he is faithful and bold in his witness. “If I don’t share the gospel with my villagers, I will be always alone,” he said.

In July, Pastor Krishna Pariyar’s mother, who was also a believer, passed away in their home village. Because there is no local place for Christians to bury their dead, Pastor Krishna chose to bury his mother on his own land. However, Pastor Krishna’s Hindu neighbors opposed this and insisted that the body be cremated according to Hindu ritual.

After working as a security guard for 45 years, Krishna Prasad, now 65, returned to Nepal. His family, however, wouldn’t let him stay at their home; distraught, he tried to commit suicide. His younger son, who lived in another part of Nepal, took him in. After moving in with his son, he still felt no inner peace. Someone he met suggested that he go to church because Jesus could give him peace.

While living with her high-caste Hindu aunt and cousin, seventeen-year-old Shanti, a Christian, developed a passion for leading others into a deeper walk with Christ. She led youth groups and women’s groups and regularly visited believers at their homes.

After putting her trust in Jesus, Sumi received a New Testament. Her younger brother noticed it and told their Hindu father, who shouted at Sumi and threatened her with a knife. He told her to leave her Christian faith or leave his house.