SARA finds the LORD opening new doors, through Development initiatives.
Hey there,

At the end of November, SARA took a team to Central Nepal, to the people living in Chitwan and Hetauda. Nestled in the lowlands, these communities benefitted from the kind of discipling that not only models, but trains others in responding to community needs. And God is multiplying the impact, and spreading the reputation of Jesus, and his followers – they exist for the good of their communities, and their nation! It is creating curiosity about who Jesus is, and what it means to follow him.
 
'But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. '
 
After three days of teaching, testimony, and training with around forty people, SARA reported “they were so encouraged”. But the discipleship in living for Jesus which they’ve caught has not just been for the gift of salvation and their own security in receiving eternal life; it is a discipleship on mission to others. And so the group worked together to distribute Covid-19 Relief, directly benefitting over 200 people in over 50 households. With the blessings they’ve received in Jesus, they share with and care for others.

We used to call this a “ministry of presence”: demonstrating the good news we proclaim in Jesus Christ. 
 
One of SARA's leaders went on to report, “I ran into two of my old disciples”. It was a surprise and a gift. He listened to their stories. Each one reported that they had started small community churches and each had between thirty five and forty people who’d begun following Jesus. There are reports of new believers, of baptisms, and of seeking how they might extend the blessing of Jesus to others.
For one of the congregations, the responsiveness to community needs is as simple as picking up trash along the river in their neighbourhood. For others, it is responding to health care needs. This is why they started SARA Children’s Homes, to provide for the basic needs of vulnerable children and youth, and invest in them. It is also why they started other businesses, (retail, transportation), that keep meeting needs within the community.
 
The vision is always to preach the redemption of Christ, and see people restored to God, but then, together, to keep sharing those blessings with others, which demonstrates the good news.
 
REFLECTION
Take a moment today to ponder the importance of demonstrating the good news in your community?

Read 1 Peter 3:15-16 again. How are your actions creating curiosity for the hope you have within you?

Talk to the Lord, and ask him to use your life as leaven in the dough.

 
EXPLORE PARTNERSHIP
In 2021, we are in process of developing a Virtual Exploratory Trip with SARA. If you are interested in exploring partnership with SARA, or learning more about what God is doing in Nepal, get in touch with us.
 
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From the archives: Tej’s story,
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