Turning Somedays Into Suddenlies
Dear Partners and Friends,
Gem of Asia - Top of the World
I never would have dreamed I’d see the sights before my eyes. Kathmandu – just the word evokes exotic mystery. Ancient temples, chiming bells and incense create an unfamiliar backdrop for the clamor of humanity that fills the narrow streets. Technology collides with tradition as cell phones integrate the life that has existed for seeming centuries in this place. The women are gracefully draped in rich colors and bangles while the warm eyes of the old men contrast with the steely hardness of some who are younger. Life appears rough, yet the jumble of colors and flavors, noise and pungent spices make a comforting atmosphere which softens the harshness. They say that eyes are the windows of the soul. Nowhere have I seen such eyes as these people! They are liquid, like a calm lake that reflects every emotion. I read sorrow and disappointment, peace and joy, hope and discontent.
This nation of Nepal sits like a gem at the foot of the Hi-MA- layas, as the locals pronounce it. Bordering northern India and southern Tibet, it encompasses both people groups and is a spiritual launching pad into these deeply Hindu and Buddhist strongholds. I never dreamed I would be here, and my visit to this amazing place is nothing short of a “suddenly”.
When my student first mentioned her pastor friend ‘s invitation to visit his nation, it was an exciting “someday” proposition. As the months passed she continued to talk of it, and one day announced “I am going, would you like to come along?” With only two week’s notice, my plan was to tell her to “spy out the land” and I would surely visit someday. However, as we talked over lunch I became aware of an excitement in my spirit which I have learned to recognize as the Holy Spirit’s leading. I have also learned to respond to that prompting, and I knew I had to go. My someday was becoming a suddenly!
Fortunately Nepal is only a six hour flight from Manila. It was a good thing because our arrival to Kathmandu by air was only the starting point for the 8 to 12 hour rides spent on winding mountain roads. We went from whipping around curves at breakneck speed to stopping on a straight road every fifteen minutes for half an hour! Nepal has it’s own pace and there was no choice but to flow with it.
A Goldmine City on a Hill
Our destination was a mountain town with a group of churches gathered to receive us. For me it was love at first sight with this “city on a hill”. Flat roofed houses stacked on narrow cobblestone streets reminded me of Bible days. Brick buildings with ornate wood trim clustered above the expansive view of terraced rice fields and mountain ranges one behind the other as far as the eye could see. From the coffee beans drying on our roof to the pomegranates, cabbages and roses, my eyes were delighted at every turn! Sipping “chia” tea on the rooftop at dawn as the full moon set was a moment I will never forget. God’s rich blessings will overtake anyone who will yield their lives to His highways!
To me it was like discovering a gold mine – this God ordained adventure. The church in this nation is only fifty years old, and yet is rapidly becoming a voice of righteousness and a demonstration of Jesus. There is still persecution and resistance in places, but the only true God will not remain hidden as His blessings of healing and prosperity are a witness of His great love. The churches in Nepal I found to be very yielded to the Spirit of God and very pure in heart.
e shared the Word in several multi-church gatherings. We spoke of His Presence and His Spirit which He is pouring out upon all flesh in this day. We left resources from our school of ministry with them: teaching manuals, dvd and cd sets. They were so delighted to receive these materials and we promised to come back to share more and to bring others with us! How can we resist the call of “come over here and help us”?
The Cry of the Harvest
Our steps to this treasure mine had been ordered by God, who hears the cries of the harvest and is commissioning laborers who are listening. God has so many “suddenlies” to open for us in this day! Plans formed long ago with perfect faithfulness are now coming into fruition for those who will pray and obey. The pastor was sharing a story with me that illustrates this principle so well. He showed us the house he used to visit often as a small boy. The Norwegian missionary who lived in that house spent her entire life in this hilltop town. She was a midwife by trade, and as she helped the women deliver their babies, she would hold each child up to heaven and pray,
“Lord I dedicate this child to You. Use it’s life to bring glory to Your Name. Lord cause these people to come to know how much You love them”.
“I am one of those children”, the Pastor said.
James 5:4 the cries of the reapers have reached the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth.
On the Easter sunrise service we held the Lord spoke a word to me for this place. He was saying that a great move will happen in this “City on a Hill”. He spoke of a light shining out to reach many, a sending base and a training place. But the thing that so impressed me was His declaration that all this was taking place because somebody prayed.
“Somebody prayed for this place and I will not rest until that prayer is answered”, said the Lord. Do you know that we are the answer to somebody’s prayer? This is the day of supernatural connections as we watch “in the spirit”.
Isa 62:6-7 I have set watchmen on your walls, O Jerusalem; They shall never hold their peace day or night. You who make mention of the LORD, do not keep silent, 7 And give Him no rest till He establishes And till He makes Jerusalem a praise in the earth.
The Lord is waiting to establish His praise in all the earth! He is waiting for a sound of righteousness to rise from every nation! He is opening the bottles of prayers that still speak, and pouring out answers as people of the Spirit hear and obey.
Ps 56:8 You number my wanderings. Put my tears into Your bottle; Are they not in Your book?
You are the answer to somebody’s prayer! Our God is turning wishes into willingness and somedays into suddenlies. We will be able to reach as far as we can see in this day. I pray for you - eyes to see your somedays and a heart to diligently prepare for your suddenly!
Somedays become suddenlies because somebody prayed! Your prayers and partnership make these suddenlies possible for us. As we plan to make another trip before the end of the year, we are setting aside designated funds for that purpose. Please mark your offering: “Toni Haskell – Nepal”.
Matt 13:12; 16-17: 12 For whoever has, to him more will be given, and he will have abundance; but whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him.
16 But blessed are your eyes for they see, and your ears for they hear; 17 for assuredly, I say to you that many prophets and righteous men desired to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it.