On October 20th, we left India and headed to Nepal where we have spent the past month. It was our first time returning to Kathmandu since the earthquake that hit this country earlier in the year killing 10,000 people and leaving 450,000 people homeless. There has been much provided in the way of relief supplies during the aftermath of the earthquake for both victims (blankets, tarps, food, hygiene kits, sheet metal for new roofs) and for the ministry campus (a new truck that picked us up, off road motorcycle for hard to reach villages, staff, computer lab, library, student dorm improvements). It was actually quite overwhelming to us, the abundant blessing that has been poured out upon this place in a relatively short amount of time in the wake of such a horrible tragedy. Quite frankly, we were in shocked seeing it all with our own eyes for the first few days. We reflected back on our humble beginnings less than two years ago when the Lord provided this place and we were clearing trash, cleaning toilets and sitting in the dark at night praying for provision to feed the students that God brought to this place to study His Word. We began giving thanks for the outpouring of support, generosity and prayer that made all of these things possible.
After it all sunk in and we resumed teaching the students,meeting with ministry leaders and began hosting visitors / teams on campus (from Pakistan, Italy, New Zealand, UK, CA, New Jersey, Maui) we were reminded why we are here and what this ministry is all about. It is about the PEOPLE!
- It is about the students that are growing in God’s Word that make this place special
- It is about the new believers that are coming weekly to CC Kathmandu to worship that make it worthwhile
- It is about the doctors, nurses, construction workers and relief teams that have come from every corner of the world to help
- It is about our staff that serves tirelessly here in Kathmandu and throughout Nepal to reach many with the Gospel
- It is about the pastors that come to teach and invest in the next generation
- It is about our partners that pray, support and generously give to this ministry and to our family
Heather with Shoba (student from CCBC Nepal) who lost her home in the earthquake personally making it all possible
- It is about God using His people to impact this nation and bring about lasting change
- Oh yeah….and we can’t forget that it is now about baby Breanna who is such a gift and joy in our lives and the one who is loved by SO MANY PEOPLE!
This past month, we were learning once again that during His ministry, Jesus wasn’t about the latest trends, being perceived as relevant, making sure he was liked or concerned about buying the best present …he was about PEOPLE! He was about loving people, praying for people, visiting sick people, allowing little people to come to Him, feeding people, and ultimately saving people.
As we enter a season where we can easily shift our focus to gifts, decorations, food and parties (and all those things are good as we personally look forward to them) may we remember it is about PEOPLE! It is about our brothers, sisters, cousins, parents, kids, aunts and uncles, it is about our neighbors, co-workers, friends, roommates and teammates, and it’s about orphans, widows, homeless, hopeless and precious people who are hurting around the world. It is about the greatest commandments as “Jesus said, “‘You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ Matthew 22:37-39. This remains true whether we live in Asia, Africa or in the USA where most will read this update from and our hope is that we may continue to work together to love God and love His people!
We are thankful that Jesus has surrounded us with you (our people)! Thank you for partnering with us and allowing us the opportunity to be your missionaries and love, serve, teach, invest and serve His people throughout Asia and Africa.
With Love From Nepal,
Bond, Heather and Breanna Gaona
p.s. This upcoming month we are focused on outreach to many remote villages in the mountain regions of Nepal. We have a medical and construction team that will be coming from all over the states to serve with us. Please keep us in prayer for the next several weeks as we seek to finish the year well before returning to So. CA for Christmas.
