Nepal is located in southeast Asia, between China and India. The rugged Himalayas cover northern Nepal with Mt. Everest being the highest point in the country. Eight-six percent of the Nepalese are Hindus, seven percent are Buddhist, three percent are Muslim, with the remaining percentage a mixture.

Until 2006, Nepal was the only official Hindu state (actually, a kingdom) in the world. However, vast political changes have swept Nepal recently, including the removal of the king, and attempts to reorganize a new government.  Maoist rebels have been invited into the restructuring of the country. Time will only reveal whether these changes will be helpful or destructive to the church and the children of Nepal.

A View from a Staff Visit

It was only 64 miles. Yet, it took us over six hours to get there. The van we rented lurched and bumped and jostled over the rutted roads. After the first few hours, it became painful to hang on.

We were driving into the Lesser Himalayas where we would meet with 16 Children of Promise scholarship students. They would hike an hour out from their village to the road where we'd meet them.

We rounded another bumpy curve and there they were. The mountains rose up behind them, framing them in a picture of incredible beauty.  They smiled shyly, clasping each others' hands. Their long green school uniforms made them look like a choir of sorts.

Support from Children of Promise allows them to attend school and to live at a hostel during the week. Staying at the hostel, which is run by the Church of God, saves them from walking three hours a day to school and back. Therefore, they only need to make the walk on weekends.

These students are part of a congregation pastored by a converted witch doctor. Their church is the first in this unreached area.

As we talked with the students, we asked what they wanted to do when they finished school. Over and over they said, "Preach," "Serve the Lord," "Be in ministry."

We rejoiced together as we realized what that meant. This remote area of the world would not go unreached for long. These young people would rise and take up the challenge.

What beautiful fruit as a result of being sponsored by Children of Promise. This kind of ministry is made possible with the loving support of sponsors just like you.

Some of the scholarship students meeting us on the road.	A view of the area on the way to meet the students.
All the scholarship students.	Three scholarship girls at the youth retreat.
A sponsored girl with her mother.	This young boy was recently sponsored.