It Doesn't Take Much

During the 1990's I visited five times and ministered at the Mendies Haven Children's Home in Nepal. The home was founded by "Mummy" Elizabeth Mendies. Mummy was an awesome woman of God from Canada. She went on to be with Jesus this past fall at ninety years old. She took in children for over forty years and raised hundreds of children during that time. The home is still operating and you can visit the website at www.mendieshaven.org.

Twenty-two wonderful children were being raised at the home during our visits. The children had devotion time every morning and evening. We would join them during our visits and teach the children fun songs about Jesus. They loved the songs! We also taught Bible stories in our usual fun and relevant ways. It did not seem like much at the time, but it was fun and the children were loving.

This past Saturday I was able to get with two of the boys from the home, Rajaram and Krisna, in Washington D.C. They were brought to the States to visit supporters of the home, complete internships with Christian politicians and learn leadership skills to take back to Nepal. The boys were now young men at twenty-five and twenty-four years old. It was so awesome to be with them again and hear about their lives and the lives of the other children from the home. I was overjoyed to hear that twenty of the children were now serving the Lord. The other two they were not sure of as they had lost touch with them.

Rajaram and Krisna sang all the songs that we had taught them. I was amazed that they remembered them! They excitedly shared that the reason they were Christians and walking with Jesus today is because of our devotion times with them. They shared how many people visited but we were some of the only ones that spent the time sharing Jesus with them in ways kids like to learn.

I was overwhelmed with emotion. I told the boys that I was so happy to have a small part in where they were. They objected and said "No Ka Ka B (Uncle B, my title in Nepal), It is because of you and the teams that you brought that helped us follow Jesus!"

I continually pray for lasting fruit from our ministry. I look back and it really did not take much to impact twenty-two of most wonderful kids I ever met!

Just Be Ben

I love this quote from James Farrior when asked what were you thinking after Larry Fitzgerald scored the touchdown as the Cardinals took the lead? "All I was thinking was, "Just be Ben". James Farrior's hope was that if Ben Roethlisberger just did what he had done all year, if he just played his game, if he would just "Be Ben" the Steelers would win their sixth superbowl.

Only a born and raised "Younzer" who grew up with watching Franco Harris, Terry Bradshaw and Lynn Swann could relate this to Jesus, so here goes!

I believe we are in the fourth quarter in the reality of life. The game is almost over and it appears the other team is winning. My hope and my faith is that when all is said and done, we win!!! All I am thinking as the clock ticks down is "Just Be Jesus!"

The Shepherd

We were coming down the narrow trail in the Nepal mountains from elevations of twelve thousand feet. This was the fifth and last day of our trek. We were exhausted. My 17 year old daughter's feet were blistered terribly. We longed for a western meal. As tired as we were, the trip was worth it as we were able to distribute all of our Gospel literature and Bibles to unreached Nepalis who lived in villages high in the mountains.

For most of the trip down from the mountains, the trail was only wide enough for one person and a passing donkey as they carried supplies up and down the mountain. I was helping my daughter limp down the mountain as she anguished in pain. She moaned often but never complained. She had been attacked by a dog, chased by a water buffalo, and awakened at night by rats running across the rafters. She was a trooper but I was beginning to wonder how much more she could take.

The trail opened up to a green grassy area covered by a huge tree that gave much welcomed shade. We unloaded our backpacks and layed down in the midst of some feeding goats. Our Nepali friend and guide conversed with the young boy tending the goats. The young shepherd was fascinated with us and also concerned with the condition of my daughters feet. We were out of Gospel material and all of us Westerners were hoping that Ashok, our guide and friend, was sharing the Good News about Jesus with this young boy.

As they were sharing we noticed a small goat bent forward on it's front legs feeding on the grass. It ate as much grass as it could reach without moving its bent front legs. It seemed to want more but refused to move to get it.

Ashok finished his conversation and the young shepherd boy prepared to go on his way up the mountain trail. He strapped on his pouch and then moved toward the little goat. It was then that we realized that the little goat was crippled! It's front legs were permanently bent backward. The shepherd boy gently reached down and picked the goat up. He slung the little goat over his shoulder so the goat rode on the back of his neck being carred to the next place of rest and nourishment. Off they went up to higher elevations.

As we pushed our tired and sore bodies up to start again, my thoughts went immediately to the famous "Footprints" poem. None of us said anything but we knew the Lord spoke strength and encouragement to us through the little crippled goat. It gave us the strength and stamina to push on to finish the trek and go on to the comfort of the Mendies Haven Orphanage, where we were staying while on our mission to Nepal.

Perhaps you feel crippled by the pressures of life. Your soul's feet are blistered from the wonderings of the world. All mankind has been left crippled by the ravages of sin. Be encouraged today that there is a Good Shepherd who knows your pain. He is aware of your exhaustion and the pull to give up. If you let Him, He will carry you to your next place of refreshing and nourishment.

We were coming down the narrow trail in the Nepal mountains from elevations of twelve thousand feet. This was the fifth and last day of our trek. We were exhausted. My 16 year old daughter's feet were blistered terribly. We longed for a western meal. As tired as we were the trip was worth it as we were able to distribute all of our Gospel literature and bibles to unreached Nepalis who lived in the higher elevated villages.

For most of the trip down from the mountains the trail was only wide enough for one person and the a passing donkey as they carried supplies up and down the mountain. I was helping my daughter limp down the mountain as she anguished in pain. She moaned often but never complained. She had been attacked by a dog, chased by a water buffalo, and awakened at night by rats running across the rafters. She was a trooper but I was beginning to wonder how much more she could take.

The trail opened up to a green grassy area covered by a huge tree that gave welcome shade. We unloaded our backpacks and layed down in the midst of some feeding goats. Our Nepali friend and guide conversed with the young boy tending the goats. The young shepherd was fascinated with us and also concerned with the condition of my daughters feet. We were out of Gospel material and all of us westerners were hoping that Ashok, our guide and friend, was sharing the Good News about Jesus with this young boy.

As they were sharing we noticed a small goat bent forward on it's front legs feeding on the grass. It ate as much grass as it could reach without moving its bent front legs. It seemed to want more but refused to move to get it.

Ashok finished his conversation and the young shepherd boy prepared to go on his way up the mountain trail. He strapped on his pouch and then moved toward the little goat. It was then that we realized that the little goat was crippled! It's front legs were permanently bent backward. The shepherd boy gently reached down and picked the goat up. He slung the little goat over his should so the goat rode on the back of his neck. Off they went up to higher elevations.

As we pushed out tired and sore bodies up to start again, my thoughts went immediately to the famous "Footprints" poem. None of us said anything but we knew the Lord spoke strength and encouragement to us through the little crippled goat. It gave us the strength and stamina to push on to finish the trek and head to the comfort of the Mendies Haven Orphanage, where we were staying while on our mission to Nepal.

Perhaps you feel crippled by the pressures of life. Your soul's feet are blistered from the wonderings of the world. All mankind has been left crippled by the ravages of sin. Be encouraged today that there is a Good Shepherd who knows your pain. He is aware of your exhaustion and the pull to give up. If you let Him, He will carry you to your next place of refreshing.


"I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep. John 10:11-12