A Laymen Ministries Update
The country of Nepal has gone through one crisis after the other over the last two years. Maoist insurgent groups have caused untold deaths and instability. Then nearly the whole Royal family was killed last year while attending a dinner at their royal palace. American military personnel have recently arrived in Nepal to give support and counsel to the new leadership, and to help control the Maoists. Increased instability means decreased tourism—the number one source of income for this little country located along the famous Himalaya mountains, and the home of Mount Everest.

Nepal is also considered the only Hindu kingdom in the whole world. Proselytizing is expressly forbidden. Therefore, the work of spreading the Gospel there is very difficult. Last year Laymen Ministries missionary family "A" headed up the first-ever Health Expo in this country. The attendance was fantastic! The opening night’s speaker was Dr. Keshar Jung Rayamajhi, chairman of the (former) King’s Counsel. Because of his position, the major media was there to cover the event—national TV and newspaper reporters.

The closing night speaker was Dr. M. R. Panday, the (former) King of Nepal’s personal physician. It was on closing night that Dr. Panday and Jeff Reich were introduced, and the invitation was given to the special reception with the King and Queen.

Since the troublesome days that followed, the "A" family has returned to the States and is taking a sabbatical for one year. Nevertheless, the work in Nepal moves forward. "K" and his family (in title photo) have spent the last year on staff here at the main offices of Laymen Ministries, translating materials and preparing audio recordings. Steps to Christ is now finished recording, and we are mastering these for audio CD and cassette tapes to be distributed across Nepal. Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing and Christ’s Object Lessons are ready for printing. We need funding for these projects. We have other plans which, for safety reasons, we cannot share with you at this point.

The "K's" will be returning to Nepal to work this August. While they were with us, their little family grew to four, with the birth of their son James this spring.

Many of you have also supported the health training work of Sandra Horner. She successfully concluded a Lifestyle Educator training course in Northern India for Nepali and Nepali speaking Indian students last year. Northern India has proved to be a safer location, while it is still Nepali in culture and language, and the students can easily travel between the school rented for this program, and their home villages for practical work. Sandra is planning to return to Northern India again this fall for another training school. Sandra’s mother, Terri Horner, will be going to assist, as well. Mrs. Horner has a great deal of experience in mission work in Africa, and has most recently been working at Uchee Pines Institute. You may recall from our last magazine issue that she had a “working vacation” to Nepal last year, and helped Sandra teach classes for a time during her visit. She was well received by the students, and her help will be greatly appreciated in this work. It will help ease the heavy burden Sandra has had to take during the last several months.

Please pray for the people of Nepal and for the safety and effectiveness of our workers there, as we strive to work within the doors God has opened for spreading His Word. Thank you so much for your support.
Proselytizing is expressly forbidden. Therefore, the work of spreading the Gospel there is very difficult.

Sandra Horner (above, kneeling) recently completed a training course for lifestyle educators. Her graduates are now implementing their knowledge in villages and towns across Nepal and Northern India.