LORD HERE I AM SEND ME! 

Tan Luan Kyee, Missionary 

The 2-week trip between July and August 2014 was my 14^th trip to the Himalayan region of Siliguri in West Bengal, India. From my non air-conditioned minivan taxi, I watched the congested traffic and the inevitable ear jarring honking of cars and the familiar scenes and sounds suddenly brought an exhilarating sense of home-coming to the place which had been home to me for a number of years in the past.

It was in 2012 that I had the privilege to work with Kikon Lotha, founder and director of Neighbours Mission Himalayas (NMH), a church planting ministry he started in 2010 by faith in obedience to God. Within a short period of time, the work to reach the unreached in suburban and remote villages has greatly multiplied in Siliguri, Indo-Bhutan, Indo-Nepal and South Bhutan.

On my last trip, we went to Shompok Village in Darjeeling where church planter, David Baraily is ministering. Our transport was a tough rugged 12-seater land cruiser. Leaving the crowded humid city behind, it was lovely to feel the cool refreshing air and be fascinated with the enchanting scenic view of changing landscapes as we travelled on the mountainous road. The further we go, the road becomes more narrow and winding but the 90-degree bends were skilfully manoeuvred by the driver as we continued ascending. The few small towns we passed by, are no more than two rows of small cubicle shops on both sides of the single narrow road with the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (Toy Train) passing through them. There was a brief stop for passengers to get off and time enough for a stretch before more passengers packed the seats and atop the vehicle. Passing a huge tea garden, the gravel road suddenly seemed deserted and became even narrower as we continued in the pitch dark quiet mountain. When we finally saw David outside the gate waiting to greet us, it was past 8pm. We were the last passengers to be dropped after six hours on the road. There were no street lights and with a torchlight, we made our way to David’s small two room house.

Prior to joining Neighbours Mission Himalayas (NMH) in 2013, David and his family lived in Kathmandu, Nepal for 7 years where he was a church planter. Then two years ago David heard of this village, Shompok which did not have a single Christian believer and David felt the Lord calling him to go there.  He was told that 2 years ago, some missionaries who went there encountered great resistance and hostility and were eventually chased off. God’s favour was upon David and when he came in 2012 to hold a Christmas celebration and medical camp, the villagers welcomed him and he won his first convert. There are now 15 baptised believers. David’s whole family are involved in ministry. His 14 years old son, Asish, goes to school in Sikkim but every weekend he walks one and a half hours home to help his father lead worship on Sundays and teaches Sunday school to about 35 children. He walks back to school on Mondays. 12 years old daughter Anuja loves to sing and worship and is a graceful dancer.

 

                                  

The next morning, David left early and we joined the rest of the family later to go church.  After about half-an-hour the steep descending path and the sweltering heat had all of us sweating profusely, I couldn’t resist asking how much farther to go and was told it would take one hour to reach. Church on that Sunday was under a temporary tarpaulin shed on a small plot of land belonging to Mr Bishal, the first believer in this village. On the edge of the land is a 10 feet long two room wooden hut, the slightly bigger 6 x 8 feet room is used as church where about 25 people cram in every Sunday. Smartly attired in his Nepali outfit, David and his son, Asish led us in lively worship. We were delighted to enjoy a variety of performances by Sunday school children dancing graceful Nepali dances in solo and groups. For the children, the highlight was receiving a goody pack each which we had brought for more than 80 of them. It was humbling to be asked to share the Word with them and I felt more encouraged by them. It must be past 2pm when we ended and, as if on cue, the intermittent rain turned into a downpour but the small crowd remained jovial and after many photos, all of us enjoyed a simple lunch together. The way back was more difficult as I had to pause for breath going uphill. I was hugely relieved when after about one and a half hours I emerged from the jungle path and was heading home.

 In the evening we were told there about an impending  3-day strike where all roads will be closed and we would have to travel back via Siikim, the neighbouring state. Next morning we were up at 4.30am for the first part of our journey . We drove for sometime and the road ended at the edge of the jungle. There we had to walk for about 40 minutes to reach the road on the other side to board the next vehicle. We walked and crossed a bamboo suspension bridge and out of nowhere suddenly there was a lone little church atop a hill and we stopped for rest before we continued on. There were at least 15 of us in the vehicle as we headed to the bus terminal to take another vehicle for the last leg of our journey. In all it took about 10 hours when the adventuresome journey ended as we reached Siliguri.

 It was a humbling experience meeting David and his family. I was deeply touched to see his selflessness, dedication, commitment and love for God and his people. You could see the joy he had in giving and serving God together as a family.

Matthew 5:14. 

 “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.”

Prayer Request

(1)    Financial support for David and his family. He is getting USD50 per month and half the amount goes to paying his house rent.

(2)    For God’s provision for land to build a church and a room for Sunday school. Flat land is scarce and costly.

(3)    For funds to support local workers so that more can be sent to reach the un-reached in rural areas.