Erling Thu

The Kingdome of God advances in Nepal

When I visited Nepal for the first time in 1971 I was told that the total number of Christians in the Hindu Kingdom was only 500. During my last visit I was told that the number had increased to nearly 2 millions. The Kingdom of God is really advancing in this wonderful nation in the Himalyas.

Dilbahadur came to Norway as an asylum seeker. He found Christ in Oslo and became part of a house church where he was discipled. He didn't get permission to stay in Norway and returned to Nepal as a new believer. What he had learned he passed on to his family. They all received Christ as their Lord and Saviour. Now he leads a house church in his town and new families have come to know Christ through him.

In this way the Kingdom of God changes families who influence and change society for the better.

Baktha from Mugu in the Himalayas

I met Baktha in Kathmandu last october at a short term Bible School. He is a fine young man who has committed his life to Jesus Christ. He lives with his family in Mugu, remote village in the western part of Nepal in the Himalayan mountain range. He has to walk for nearly 7 days to get to the nearest road and transportation system.

Tahk Bahadur

A few years back we met Tahk at a gathering of covenant friends in Nepal. He always has an open face, a nice smile, and a bright outlook. He is a happy disciple of Jesus Christ. He is working hard to support his family and to bring the Good News of the Kingdom of God to new people. He lives in the Mackwanpur district of Nepal. We were so happy to see him again these days we spent in Kathmandu. Full of joy he told us that he had been able to bring the Good News to an unreached village about 20 miles from where he lives. He travels to this place partly by a cycle and partly by walking and climbing the mountains. Some parts he even had to carry his cycle on his shoulder as well. When he first visited the village he found that many of the villagers were sick. They were suffering from all kinds of sicknesses. As he was proclaiming the gospel of the Kingdome he prayed for sick people to be healed and the power of God at work. Many healings took place. One girl was partly paralyzed. She was barely able to move around with crutches. As Tahk Bahadur was preaching Jesus Christ, he told the girl that God wanted to heal her. She believed in Jesus and was completely healed. Now she is able to walk without crutches or sticks to support her. Many people have received Jesus Christ in this new village. This all happened the last month only so no one had been baptized in water yet. But the Holy Spirit is at work and soon people will be buried with Christ, he assured me. In the fellowship of covenant friends in his own village he has baptized 6 people since May.

The covenant community is expanding

We have had some wonderful days in the Pink City of Jaipur. We have met with many friends and have heard many fantastic testimonies. The covenant community is growing in numbers and expanding to new areas of the city. This vibrant community consists of more than 1000 people in more than 30 communities scattered around the city. Last year 8 new communities were birthed. 260 new believers were baptised in water and in the Holy Spirit.

Miracles in Mumbai

I have had a wonderful time with Sashikant from Mumbai. He is a young man that studied at the Covenant School. He came to Christ through some older students and has been used powerfully by God since he returned to Mumbai. In few years he has seen a covenant community of about 150 committed people emerge. Ten young men are working with him and they have a 200 believer to look after. Recently they started a new work in a place where many people have come to Christ.

Celebrating Chapchar Kut 2012

We arrived in Mizoram just a few days prior to the main festival of the Mizos, Chapchar Kut. It must have been the arrangement of God that we happened to be here for this great festival. We only came here to be with our friend Andrew and he introduced us to the festival. Actually, he just mentioned that we were fortunate to arrive at the time of the main festival, but since he was so enthusiastic about it, he triggered our curiosity and a desire to take part in the festival.

Harry runs

Last Sunday we met Harry at the Rotary Club. He reminded me of prophetic word that I brought him many years back. Now, it has all been fulfilled, he exclaimed with great joy! Then he took me back to the first time I met him. He was in a hospital after a serious accident on his motorbike. His young son died in the accident, but Harry survived. However he was seriously wounded with multiple bone fractures. I was taken to the hospital to pray for him.

Miracles in the covenant community

This morning we were taken to the Rotary Club to meet with the covenant community. It is always a great joy to meet our covenant friends. It is like being with our own family and brothers and sisters.

During our time together we heard so many stories of miracles taking place among the people in this covenant community. There is always great joy and lots of thanksgiving to God when people tell their story of what the Lord has done for them.

Sandarao

He has been part of the Blessing Colony from the very beginning. He was overflowing of thankfulness to the Lord for his goodness towards him and his family.

“I used When we met with the Yanadi community, Sandarao at the age of 75 came forward to tell his story. to live under a tree. I had no proper shelter, no proper clothes. I was catching crabs to make a living. That was the only thing i could do. But unfortunately I used the little money I was earning on alcohol. When I heard of the Blessing Colony project I was happy to be able to join with my relatives. During the time I have been here I have learned so many things. I am so thankful to God for this help.

Before we came here, we used to be dependent on others for everything. Now others are dependent on us and the work we do. I have increased my knowledge. I have acquired new skills. I have stopped drinking alcohol. I have stopped with all the bad things I used to do. I have been given a new life by God.

People used to look down on us. Now we meet respect. People used to insult us by saying all kinds of bad things to us. Now we receive honour. Now people call me by my proper name. I am living in peace and joy because of Jesus Christ and the help he has given us through you!

40 years anniversary

Solveig and I are on the way to India. We are sitting in the airport at Copenhagen waiting for our next flight. I fell in love with India during my first visit to this marvellous country in 1971. Solveig and I have been going together regularly to India since 1991. During this trip we will celebrate my 40 years anniversary and our common 20 years anniversary. During these years we have made many friends.