Most of us have at some time experienced a feeling of anxiety at the perils of entering a new area. As missionaries, we enter new areas to obey the word of our Master who declares: “This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations” (Matthew 24:14). When this responsibility is resting on us, we realize that no corner of the world is to be left without a chance to receive the present truth.

In the east, one of the countries yet untouched by the Seventh Day Adventist Reform Movement message was Nepal. The light of the angel of Revelation 18 is to go to the remotest parts of the earth. As far as the living Truth is concerned, Nepal is in a very remote area of the east. Though the highest mountain peak of the world is in Nepal, spiritual darkness continues to cover the people of this country and keeps out the light. Hinduism is recognized as the state religion, and the spreading of other faiths is prohibited by law. Since the ancient past, Buddhism has also been simultaneously practiced by a sect of people here, but its development has been diminished by Hindu domination. The Hindus have temples for worship in each and every street of their towns. The people from other religions are not respected or treated well by the Hindu masses. My observation in this country made me come to the conclusion that even more than older people, the young people are very particular in basing their life on Hindu principles. They are very vigorous in their religious actions and reactions.

Except for an old Roman Catholic Church building in the capital city of Kathmandu, we found no other church building. Since Nepal became a democratic country in 1991, the Christians are entitled to practice their faith in the name of religious freedom, but they are not allowed to convert others nor to construct church buildings.

A few Christians are having their Sabbath services underground. A pastor who conducted a baptismal service in a remote village was arrested by the police when the young people of that area complained about his activities.

I myself was threatened by a group of young people when I was going for a walk one evening. Since they were speaking in the Nepali language, I could not understand more than half of what they said to me. They tried to force me not to utter any Bible verses in Nepali. As a long silence was my answer, they put a Tilak (a red mark) on my forehead and left me there. Though the Nepalis have been keeping Saturday as their holiday, they knew nothing about the holiness of this day. To them the last day of the week is just a work holiday. Sunday is a working day for them throughout this country.

In the midst of this situation, the Seventh Day Adventist Reform Movement’s message was carried to these people. The Lord blessed me with wisdom and energy which could be fully used here for His cause. There are forests everywhere. It is very dangerous for us to travel through these dense jungles. If anyone does, he may be robbed of his valuables or harmed by wild beasts. There are few good roads and few modes of transportation in this forest area. But in these forests I saw humble, simple and innocent souls who knew nothing about the truth. Since they are living in darkness, their souls are longing to have light. The living light shown to them is eagerly accepted.

I stayed in a corner of this jungle and prayed earnestly. This prayer was answered by the Saviour by speaking in a young man’s heart to accompany me to go around to meet the longing ones and translate the message carried to them in the Nepali language. From that day on we joined together and worked for our Master.

Satan tried to discourage us by causing an incident before we even began our work in the jungle. A tiger entered into the house of our neighbor and charged on the eleven people who were living there. They all were fighting with the beast for their life. Though they were able to chase the beast away, all were very badly wounded, most of them lost parts of their bodies. But even after witnessing this scene, we entered the jungle with prayer and the power of the Word.

We observed even in the forest many seats of Satan’s resting place, which are nothing but the worshiping places of idols. We visited many villages where we could find fertile soil in which we could plant the Living Tree. We recalled what our beloved prophetess declared: “The churches must arouse, and not sit down at ease, merely enjoying the sermons. Light is beaming all around them; let this light shine forth as a lamp that burneth. Let men enter the work, and let the money God has lent His stewards be invested. Those who can work for God’s cause should break loose from their home attachments, sell their farms, and give themselves either to home or foreign missions. You have no time to spend in contention over little matters. Go to work, and that which may now seem obscure, will become clear. There are fields close to your own doors and also in foreign lands, that are ripening for the harvest. The Lord calls for volunteers now. Go forth, workers for God, weeping, bearing precious seed; for doubtless you will return with rejoicing, bringing your sheaves with you. Your prayers and tears must accompany your labors, that the unholy traits of your own character may not mar the sacred work of God. Depend less upon what you can do, even through your best efforts, and more on what God can do for you in every effort for His name’s glory.” 1

This statement encouraged and comforted us in our efforts to yield, by God’s grace, what is soon to amount to a dozen good fruits. We opened the Word and gradually fed the people with the spiritual food their longing souls needed. This was received with joy and happiness. “Let us rejoice that work which God can approve has been done in foreign fields. Let us lift our voices in praise and thanksgiving for the results of the work abroad. And still our General, who never makes a mistake, says to us, ‘Advance; enter new territory; lift the standard in every land. “Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee” (Isaiah 60:1).’” 2

The Hindu brothers started to instigate the police to watch over our activities. But the Lord put an iron curtain between these police officers and His servants and kept His children undisturbed in their efforts. Then another incident was sent to try and discouraged us a little. Some Christian brothers from another denomination tried to show a film about the life of Jesus Christ to the village people. The people of that area immediately informed the police about this film. The police officers came and arrested ten of them and put them behind bars. Their machines and other equipment were confiscated by the officers. But we continued to do our work without any hindrance from anyone.

Under such conditions we have to remember the counsel of Paul to the Ephesians: “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; and your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints” (Ephesians 6:10-18).

Slowly we have been giving Bible studies to a small group of twelve persons longing for light. We are sure the Seventh Day Adventist Reform Movement’s message is now reaching the hearts of these humble souls that are high in the Himalayan Mountains. This small group will be ready for baptism within a few weeks of my writing this. God calls everyone of us and says, “Son, go work to day in my vineyard” (Matthew 21: 28). Our work is to prepare a people to stand in the great day of God.

“But while we trust in God, no one should be presumptuous; and that we may not take an unwise course, we should pray constantly. We should not rush into danger unless God sends us there; nor should we call our brethren cowards because they are cautious in their plans that they may not unnecessarily provoke the rulers and powers of the earth. What was the strength of those who in the past have suffered imprisonment and death for Christ’s sake? - It was union with God, union with the Holy Spirit, union with Christ. They had fellowship with God and with His Son, and the multitude that believed were of one mind and one soul. We may safely seek to be of one accord in doctrine and spirit, and if this were done, we would be in harmony with God’s will. If selfishness and pride and vanity and evil surmising were put away, we would become strong in God, and the door of our heart would be open for the entrance of Christ; the baptism of the Holy Ghost would fall upon us, and we should be filled with all the fullness of God.” 3

With the same trust, we are continuing our work in Nepal with the guidance of our Lord. Though we are not permitted to construct a building for worship, we as temples of God can carry the living truth to every corner of Nepal so that the people longing for light can receive it fully in order for them to obtain salvation. Nepal is divided thus: Kathmandu, Pokhra, and Surkhet Valleys. These valleys are filled with satanic influence, which is the shadow of death. But the Lord is encouraging us by His word: “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me” (Psalm 23:4).

We are thankful to the Lord that the message of reformation has reached this Himalayan range. The highest Truth has been echoing on the highest mountain peak of this world. May God bless our efforts and missionary zeal.