Pr Ko Lingkang

Mission Trip to Kathmandu B-P Church 4-7^th April

I thank God for the opportunity to travel together with Bro. Saravanan to Kathmandu, Nepal from the 4^th to 7^th April for a short mission trip. The main objective of this trip was to conduct a 3-day Adult Bible Seminar (ABS) for the church, and also to preach at their weekend worship services. As their only day off in a week is on Saturday, their main worship service is conducted then. However, in order to observe the Sabbath, they also have a worship service on Sunday morning, albeit with a smaller attendance as many of the members have to work or go to school on Sundays. It is also the first time that I have visited the church since Calvary Pandan BPC took over the support and oversight of the ministry from the protem committee in January 2018.

Much has changed in the city of Kathmandu since I last visited in December 2015. Back then, the city was still recovering from the huge earthquake that ravaged much of the capital earlier that year. Many of the buildings were left in ruins, and rubble was strewn all about. Also because of a diesel shortage that they were facing, coupled with an exceptionally cold winter, the roads were empty, many of the stores were shuttered, the whole city felt like it had been deserted. This time round, it was a much different sight. Many of the buildings had been rebuilt; the roads were congested, and once again there were people everywhere. Although the infrastructure of the city is still far from ideal, yet the improvements 3 years on are clearly evident.

Alongside the improvements in the city, there have also been positive improvements in the church as well. We thank God that the church has grown and matured in the past few years, not just in numbers but also in spirit. The people do seem more interested and enthusiastic about spiritual things, with an eagerness to learn and to grow in the knowledge of God’s Word. There are more that are stepping forward to serve as well, whether it is in the teaching of the Sunday school, assisting the team from Singapore that came to conduct the VBS, or in the setting up of the premises each week.

Since March this year, the church has started to worship at a new venue – at the hall of a hotel, Choice Hotel. Previously, they had been meeting at a room in Pr. Rajan’s small apartment. It was a cramped space that struggled to fit more than 25 people, all seated on the floor. With the shift to the new place, which is only about 5 mins walk away from where they used to meet, the church can worship in a more conducive environment. One member shared that he can now concentrate better as he does not get pins and needles in his legs from having to sit on the floor for so long anymore!

The Adult Bible Seminar was on the topic of Bible-Presbyterian Distinctives, focusing specifically on Biblical Separation. There were a total of six 1-hour sessions over three afternoons. On the first day, I focused on Bible-Presbyterian history, showing how the history of the BP movement, starting from America, to Singapore, and now to Nepal, all happened as a result of faithful men and women who were willing to make a stand for the Lord and separated from apostasy and compromise. They were obedient to the call of God to be a separated witness for Him, and to earnestly contend for the faith. I encouraged them to realize how though they were a relatively small and young church, yet they were heirs of a wonderful spiritual heritage, and that they can continue it by being a faithful witness there in the land of Nepal. On the second day, the focus was on understanding the Biblical theology of Separation. Going through various passages in both the Old and New Testament, we studied how separation is intrinsically tied to our identity as God’s chosen people, and that we ought to be holy unto the Lord in order to be an effective witness for Him. On the third day, we discussed the practical applications and implications of the doctrine of separation. We looked first at what it means to practice separation at both a personal and ecclesiastical level, and then looked at some of the dangers within Christendom that we need to be aware of and separate from. This was especially pertinent for them, as the influence of ‘isms’ such as Charismatism, Liberalism and Ecumenism are rife amongst the churches there. Pr. Rajan shared how there had been a number of invitations for him and the church to join up with an ecumenical Presbyterian alliance. There were also various requests to exchange pulpits with some other churches – all of which he had to turn down because of differing doctrines and compromises. I encouraged them to remain stedfast on the Word of God, and to know that despite their small numbers, the Lord can use them to be a witness for Him, but they would have to continue to be faithful. Through the three days, we had an average of about 40 participants, many of whom were interested and attentive, diligently taking down notes for their future reference.

One item of prayer and thanksgiving is for the health of Pr. Rajan. Just a day before we arrived, he had spent the night in the hospital because of a very high fever. After going through a series of tests and scans, the doctors gave just a general diagnosis of a viral fever. He was discharged the morning we arrived, but then was readmitted that same evening because the fever returned. He was once again discharged the next day and was able to translate all but one of the sessions over the next three days (with one lady taking over for Sunday morning service – I had to speak more slowly and simply in order for her to understand and translate effectively). Though we strongly encouraged him to rest more, yet he insisted in carrying on with the seminar because the people had already made time to attend it, and he did not want to disappoint them. God answered our prayers and strengthened him and enabled him to soldier through the three days that we were there. He shared that while he did feel tired in the evenings, he was mostly fine in the day. To us, he actually seemed quite ok, especially when he was translating – he always did so with passion and vigour! However, all that exertion took a toll on his body, and after we left last Sunday night, he was admitted to the hospital again on Monday (8^th April). As of the time of writing (11^th April), he is still warded for observation. As he does not have internet in the hospital, communication is scant, but he seems to be recovering well, and hopes to be discharged before the weekend.

Do continue to pray for Pr. Rajan, that the Lord will help him get the rest he needs to recover fully, and that he will be able to continue to serve the Lord there in Kathmandu BP Church. Do pray for the church as well, that they will be a faithful and effective witness for the Lord in the land of Nepal. Also remember the mission team from Calvary Pandan in prayer, as they prepare to for a trip this October to conduct a VBS for the children there.