Building For the Future

16Apr

As the winter season comes to a close, we want to share with you an update about the continued work of the Lord and how we are pressing on to take ground for God’s glory!

The holiday season brings wonderful opportunities to share the Gospel freely in regions that are otherwise closed off. This year we were able to coordinate 25 different locations throughout Asia where thousands of people gathered and heard about Jesus…many for the first time! There is a joy seeing people come to the church, hear the message of Christmas, gather for a meal, and begin to have their hearts molded by the truth. In countries where these gatherings are not possible throughout the year, it is an open door to share and shine the love of Jesus boldly with all of those who are invited and come. Please continue to pray that in the areas where seeds have been planted, that we would see much fruit and many lives transformed.

IN THE CLASSROOM & REACHING OUT

Spring semester is underway and we have classrooms full of students who are daily learning the Word of God and they are being equipped for the work of the ministry in unreached countries. There is a huge sacrifice to leave your village, set aside time to learn the Word of God and be apart from family for a season to be trained as a pastor or church leader. Most of our students that attend CBI Nepal are required to work in their fields to help provide food for their families and yet stepping away for the sake of the Lord is an investment that will yield a greater harvest in their lives and the lives of others!

One of the highlights of the semester is the student outreach trip where the students prepare skits, dance, dramas, messages and their testimonies for a week of ministering to the lost in villages and communities several hours outside the city. This gives them an opportunity to use all they are learning in the classroom to share one on one and in groups settings and reach out. Please pray as we have two outreach trips planned for April and June!

BUILDING FOR THE FUTURE

We always joke saying things like “this is our last building project” because building in a third world country is not for the faint of heart. There can be delays, shortage of materials, unforeseen circumstances, miscommunications, unreliable workers and the list could go on. Thankfully, we have learned a lot over the past 15 years to help minimize those issues but it seems there is always something new that comes up.

But, even though we joke, we know it won’t be the last especially when completing a building project means a church, school, or ministry is established and has an opportunity to flourish! With that being said we are thrilled this year to have two church building projects in the works in Nepal. Would you pray for CC Hetauda and CC Lapu as we work towards expanding their capacity and meeting locations for their growing fellowships. Laxman returned to his hometown after graduating from CBI Nepal and started a bible study in his living room, which became a small house church. As the fellowship continued to grow and families were added, the Lord provided funds to replace the tin roof with a permanent roof and add a second story sanctuary to accommodate more people. Raju is meeting in a small wooden shed and is need of a bigger space as well. Located high in the mountains, there are no other buildings available to meet in. As we began to pray, the Lord has made a way to start building a larger church sanctuary. Pray for Laxman as that project is currently underway and for Raju as he makes plans and we start this summer that these locations would continue to gather all those who desire to come and hear the Word being taught faithfully each week, verse by verse. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 says, “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

If you would like to donate for either one of these projects or contribute for furnishings that will be needed once the buildings are complete, reply to this email and we will send you additional details. We praise God for the funds already provided!

GROUNDED AND GETTING SURGERY

This winter with all of the chaos in the world that has closed airports, grounded air travel and made it difficult to fly, we have had to adjust plans. But, we see God’s purpose and hand in it all and we know it is only for a season as His plans are always better even when we don’t understand at the time.

For many years, Heather has had heart episodes where her heart beats irregularly. She has seen many doctors, been on medication, and her quality of life is now being impacted. The time has come where surgery is needed. Heather will be having heart surgery on April 27th and our prayer is that God would heal completely and that her heart would work perfectly moving forward. We covet your prayers on the day of the surgery and for the recovery days in the hospital that will follow as they monitor and make sure everything has gone according to the plan.

Thank you for your steadfast love, support and prayers!

Bond, Heather and Breanna Gaona