During my final days in Nepal, I was frequently reminded of our arrival in Nepal in 1979 when my eyes were drawn up for the first time to the breathtaking Kathmandu Valley mountains.

The mountains surrounding the valley and the giant Himalayan mountains to the north, when seen on clear days, became a constant reminder to me then, and for the years to come, of the truth of the words of Psalm 121:1-2.

  “I lift up my eyes to the hills – from where does my help come?

My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.”

Whether from our apartment in Besishahar or Kathmandu, we had spectacular views of the world’s highest peaks.  Because I had to physically look up to see them, they were a constant reminder that my Helper made those majestic mountains.

That psalm is full of what God does for us, ending with the words:

“The Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.”

I was very aware of God’s watching over me as I was bringing closure to so many relationships before my departure from Nepal:

Our Christian community, people in our daily lives, and my friends;

Helping “my library kids” become independent with their own library membership and giving them some of their very own books purchased with money given by a special friend who supported the importance of their reading;

Having a good week teaching a basic discipleship course in Nepali to the first year students at the Nepal Baptist Bible College.

After my coming to the US, there were many other concrete ways we saw that God was watching over us, particularly in the purchasing of our car, then driving to North Carolina to surprise our daughter, Jyoti, for her birthday.  And God continues to watch over us, as friends generously allow us to stay with them until we can move back into our own house.

But a journey isn’t only a trip. Life is a journey – a spiritual journey – and God created us to stay close to Him as we walk along our life-path. On our spiritual journey, even when we encounter the treacherous paths of uncertainty, we can walk without stumbling in the assurance of His never-ending watchfulness, knowing that God will watch over our coming and going.

The next step in our life’s journey appears to be down a road that has not yet been made clear to us. But, we walk with the assurance of this promise.

Wherever your life-path may be taking you, may you, too, be strengthened by the Creator who made the heavens higher than the Himalayan Mountains, knowing that God will watch over your coming and going.

Now is the time of year that American Baptist churches are receiving the World Mission Offering for the ministries of International Ministries. Your giving to that offering is one of the things that has made it possible for us to minister in Nepal. 

Thank you very much for your support of the World Mission Offering.