There is a popular Nepali saying that is translated as ‘What to do?’. Our friends here say it when there is a situation that is out of their control so they don’t want to spend time worrying about it.
As I think of today’s update, I don’t want to say, “What to do?” but rather, “Where to start?!”
God is kinda super amazingly awesome. We have already witnessed the Book of Acts in living action here in Nepal. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever!
After we left the remote jungle area of Nepal, we drove to the town of one of our children’s homes. During the drive, we saw elephants, a random rhino, and a creature that none of us could identify (lol). The elephants and rhinos can be quite dangerous for people on motorcycles, so we were very thankful that we were in a truck (which we nicknamed affectionately, Beast – not the Revelation kind).
We arrived a few hours later and prepared for the next day where we would be meeting with our kids after holding a revival service with one of the pastors Hasten supports monthly.
The Service
Pastor Robert Presson of City Revival Ministries joined us for our January outreach in Nepal. He ministered at this particular service, and is always the case when Pastor Robert ministers, the presence of the Holy Spirit filled the room.
Many people were visibly touched by the Holy Spirit’s power. Pastor Robert preached about the power of the Holy Spirit, and then at the end, we prayed for the sick. I can’t recall the exact number of people who claimed to have been healed, but so far every service (except one that was many many more) around 5-10 people stood and testified that they felt physically different.
Near the end of the service, I felt a strong leading to rebuke certain attitudes of gossip and division inside the church. It was quite possibly the strongest I have ever spoken to a congregation.
The Kids
After the service, we went to the host home where five of our kids live. They are all girls and are very tightly bonded at this time. I’ll never forget the first time they came to our home. They seemed so scared. Now, they are all smiles. Praise the Lord.
Prayer over the Kids.
In the days leading up to this visit, the Spirit of the Lord had put in my heart that we were to pray and prophesy over these girls. I felt the Lord wanted to bless them each in a special way. So, we gathered in a circle and began to pray.
And, let me tell you, the Lord spoke so many prophetic encouraging words over our little ladies. One was encouraged in her joyful leadership, and another was advised in prayer to follow the evangelistic call on her life even though it may look different. We saw two of our girls working to save children, one very intense and serious, another almost playful and fun.
More encouraging than any of the individual things that we saw in the spirit, it was how I saw them together in the future. We sense by the spirit that they will all work together in service to other children and their heavenly father.
This was a very moving time.
The last thing we did was deliver the gifts to the pastors we support in this area, give the parents Christmas money for the children, and deliver the money to completely remodel the kitchen.
The Kitchen
The last thing I want to bring to your attention is the new kitchen we are giving our host family. Because of your giving, we can build a new three-room add-on to the host home. The current kitchen is disconnected and on a dirt floor in what we would call a shed.
The money we delivered will completely enable them to build a kitchen, a dining-type room for the kids, and another bedroom for the host parents (they all currently share three rooms).
The construction will be underway soon and we hope to visit and see the completed kitchen by April (God willing).
The host parents were in tears, thankful to God first and to every one of you who has prayed and given. They expressed such beautiful gratitude as they began to dream about what their new kitchen would look like. It is life-changing for this family!
Thank you for your prayers. Thank you for your giving. We are currently on a mission to increase our income drastically so we can start four new host homes this year. Any gift you give, and monthly donation, is a massive help!
God is so good. The fact that we get the privilege to serve such people and live such a revolutionary life is amazing.
And we couldn’t do it with you.
Truly.
All to Jesus,
Dustan
P.S. We are soon officially announcing that our 2024 vision is to start four new host homes in Nepal as well as hold dour (maybe five) international outreaches. To be a part, you can give here and be sure to choose 2024 Vision under the designation. Our goal is currently $120,000 on top of our current budget. God bless!
