In late 2013 our small group attended a ServLife open house and afterwards decided to sponsor a child. Since then I’ve been intrigued with God’s work ServLife performs in Nepal and India…supporting planting churches, providing care for orphans and micro financing families so they can be self-sufficient. For me Romans 12: 9-13 is at the heart of the matter: “Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. Love each other with genuine affection and take delight in honoring each other. Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically. Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble and keep on praying. When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality.”

In Kathmandu, Nepal and Raxaul, India I observed these verses in action. Children disadvantaged at birth, left behind with no family to care for them or poverty so severe the parents could not provide, living joyously in the Lord. These children are loved by their caretakers and are gaining an education so they can break through social and economic barriers most of us would not survive. They love each other as family—eating, playing, working and going to school together. They love the Lord with a passion that challenged me as I considered my own praise and worship. All they see is joy and are so happy for how they’ve been blessed.   Many of the children, while cared for so well, really don’t have a lot. They have minimal clothes and belongings. What they have, they share freely. They work hard and rejoice hard.

While in Kathmandu we saw first hand new pastors in training, strong in faith, praising God when they have so little and being joyful for what they have. I observed prayer unlike any I’ve seen or heard before. Joyful praises lifted on high with magnificent voices growing louder and louder as they pray from a soft murmur then to a crescendo. Heartfelt praise, trusting in the Lord and giving their all for our Savior. These men and women of all ages are going into the villages of remote Nepal to serve God and to help bring hope and salvation to the poorest of poor. They are going willfully, lovingly and faithfully to bring Jesus to their country.

Our mission is far from done…. The opportunity is so large it boggles the mind. How many children needlessly are forced into slavery or sex trade? How many non-believers can feel the hope and deep love of God? How many families could become self-sufficient and afford to feed and educate their children?

I’ve been touched for life by the people I met. I want to be there for them not just with my wallet, but really be there for them: To visit them as often as I can, to share the opportunity with anyone who will listen and to carry them in my heart and prayers every day.