Nepal: It got real folks

Our team finally arrived in Kathmandu, Nepal the 28th of April! 

We were welcomed by our translator/guide Ishak, his wife, Binu and three other girls from YWAM Kathmandu. After a CRAZY taxi ride, we arrived at the guesthouse where we stayed the next two days. We were so happy to have nice beds, ordinary western toilets, wifi, and lots of sleep before going up into the wilderness of the Himalayan mountains.

Tuesday we went to the temples in the city and to the market. We encountered several local people, and it was so clear that the people of Nepal are really in need of a loving and personal God. Man-made statues can never provide the same comfort and love that our living almighty God can, and we pray for more divine appointments so that we can share this wherever we go.

That night we also had a crazy worship/prayer session at the rooftop of our building. We got to see the beauty of Kathmandu and its surrounding mountains in the sunset. It was awesome to come together as a team, to keep our focus on Christ, and to declare His name to the nation of Nepal.

Today, Wednesday, we are taking a 14 hour bus ride to Nepalganj in western Nepal. We then get on another bus that will take us closer to the lower Dolpa region. From there we will start a three day trek up the mountains towards Juphal, meeting people and doing ministry in the villages as we go. Juphal will be our home for three days as we continue to reach out to the local people. After, we will continue up the mountains for another 3 days. We will then hike three days back to Juphal, catch a plane from Juphal back to our bus, and then take the 14 hour ride back to Kathmandu.

Ministry is still a bit unclear for us, but we are relying on the Spirit to lead and guide us as we go. We are ready for a wild experience, completely out of our comfort zone, because that’s how we learn how to rely on God right?

We will probably not have any wifi up in the mountains, so this is probably going to be the last blog post for the next two or three weeks!

Our major weapon on this journey will be prayer. Will you join us? Please pray for:

• Good health while trekking
• Open minds for whatever we will encounter
• Boldness
• Great faith to see God move
• Unity in our team

So stoked to see what He will do in and through all of us during this time!

Love, 

Team India/Nepal 2014!

Rooftop view of Kathmandu

Introducing Team India/Nepal

The February 2014 DTS Lecture Phase has come to a close on the Sunshine Coast. 

We have laughed, cried, worshipped, prayed, studied, read, built relationships, and had fun. In that, we have sought a deeper understanding of our Heavenly Father. Hoping to encounter Him so we may encounter ourselves, knowing that to see Him face to face is to be forever changed.

On April 27th, our team will venture first off to Nepal for a month, trekking through the mountains reaching unreached people and villages. We will then spend the next month in Visakhapathnam, a city on the east coast of India, doing various ministries in the area.

Back L/R: Philemon, Riley, Fredrik, Zach, Kyle 

Front L/R: Kathryn, Naomi, Moira, Line, Catie

Team Verse: Acts 1:8

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witness in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.

Meet the Team:

Philemon Shiess, Staff Leader

Age: 28

Home: Switzerland

Fun Facts:

·      Formerly a tank driver in the Swiss Army

·      Participated in Mister Teenager Switzerland and made it to the finals

Expectations:

·      To see God’s power save the unreached people through healing, miracles, and deliverance. To see Jesus receive the praise and worship He deserves and is worthy of.

Moira Kostamo, Staff Leader

Age: 19

Home: Vancouver, Canada

Fun Facts:

·      Finnish citizenship

·      Regularly sings herself to sleep

Expectations:

·      To see the Holy Spirit. To love Jesus. To know the Father. It’s such a privilege to spend time expanding God’s territory with these 9 wonderful folks

Fredrik Skjorli Ree

Age: 21

Home: Bergen, Norway

Fun Facts:

·      Took 20 years to learn to swallow pills

·      World class ballet dancer

Expectations:

·      To see the supernatural power of God touch everyone we meet. To encounter God through sharing his love and expanding His Kingdom and see people far from God come to the fullness in Christ.

Kyle Gauthier

Age: 21

Home: California, USA

Fun Facts:

·      Can speak French in German

·      When he jumps into the ocean, he doesn’t get wet. The water gets Kyle.

Expectations:

·      To show the people in India/Nepal the love and grace God has shown me.

Zach Jaszczak

Age: 24

Home: Hallock, MN, USA

Fun Facts:

·      Chicken pox almost killed me

    Once got a green crayon tip stuck in my nose

Expectations:

·      To encounter God and impact the world.

Riley Murphy

Age: 20

Home: Dana Point, CA, USA

Fun Facts:

·      World Class ping pong player

·      Pretends to be good at volleyball

Expectations:

·      To see God in his creation and let him blow the lid right off the little box that I have put him in.

Catie Howard

Age: 20

Home: Monte Vista, CO, USA

Fun Facts:

·      Love hunting and being surrounded by God’s creation

·      Enjoys country swing dancing

Expectations:

·      To encounter God in a new way. Glorify Him by sharing His unfathomable love. Make His name known.

Naomi Bil

Age: 20

Home: Vancouver, BC, Canada

Fun Facts:

·      Very adventurous

·      Studies criminal psychology

Expectations:

·      To see the Holy Spirit work in amazing ways and be a part of bringing His children in Nepal and India to Him.

Line Hverven

Age: Moss, Norway

Home: 20

Fun Facts:

·      Danced ballet for 16 years

·      Once had an arrow stuck in her face

Expectations:

·      Can’t wait to share God’s redeeming and unconditional love to people who have never heard the name of Jesus before. Through this I also want to encounter Him in a deeper way.

Kathryn Doupagne

Age: 19

Home: Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Fun Facts:

·      Likes learning languages

·      Looks like Taylor Swift

Expectations:

To see God’s power and glory in a very real and tangible way! To glorify Him in everything we do, and to share His relentless love.

We covet your support and prayer. Please pray for:

• God to be glorified
• Softening of hearts in India/Nepal
• Team Unity
• Dependence on the Spirit
• Focus on Christ
• Health, attitudes, and travel

We are stoked to join Christ in the Nations, and we hope that you will join us as well.

Be looking for updates in the coming weeks.

Cheers,

Team India/Nepal