As many of you already know, Nepal is a small, landlocked nation in South Asia with mainly an east/west axis. The Himalayan mountains are spread out across its north, bounded by neighboring India on its three remaining sides. Most who follow the news are aware of the atrocities of the pandemic that has battered India, where thousands of bodies lined the streets waiting to be burned as there were many shortages in firewood and space to house so many corpses in such a short span. Even famous politicians died in the hospitals’ parking lots in their vehicles awaiting admissions which would never come. Those lands bordering India have become Nepal’s hotspots. A larger population sits within its central basin known as the Kathmandu Valley, wherein lies Nepal’s capital, where the caseload is often more significant due to its population density.
During the pandemic, numerous (far too many) pastors have lost their lives as frontline workers required to see the deceased and assist grieving families while managing the necessary gov’t paperwork at the hospitals, placing them at significant risk. With numerous people dying daily along these borders, my former student and now colleague’s father chose to risk his life and travel to the far Eastern edge in Nepal along the Indian border to preach the gospel to the destitute and dying. I regret to inform you, he returned to the Valley only to succumb to the virus having spent seventeen days (most of it in the ICU on ventilation) in the local hospital.
While many begged him not to take the chance, he felt compelled to reach these “least ones” who were in such peril affording them with some hope of a better future in God’s kingdom to come. He returned and isolated himself in the church as was his practice to focus on ministry and discipleship while protecting his family but eventually passed, having many ups and downs during his treatment—amazingly able to avoid the black fungus which plague many such patients here–yet not able to survive his ordeal. He sacrificed his life for the gospel to reach modern-day “untouchables” and paid the ultimate price leaving behind a family and church in dismay ever wishing to meet his zeal with the appropriate response while noting the dangers involved. He was highly gifted in discipleship and had a devotion unmatched by many, so I am told. His status is legendary amid his peers.
Few were as renowned as him in the church communities here, but Nepal has lost so much of its church leadership in these trying times. Ratna Kaji Basu, at age 55, laid down his life for the sake of the call. I never got to meet him personally as he was always busy with his work and I mine. I was privileged to teach his son, and continue to help him as he works toward his MDiv. which he has just over a year remaining to complete. My student attempted to return to his studies last week but found it too challenging at this time so close to seeing his father depart on into the Glory that awaits us all. We do remain in prayers for the family and church during this time of release as well as Nepal’s community of faith. I will continue to work with his son in the years that lie ahead of us as God allows. He remains an integral part of the curriculum project on which I am currently working. I have met few who exemplify Christ as much as these fine folks. The Late Pastor Basu sacrificially offered up his own wealth and even health to exemplify ministry as service to those who were without even choosing to honor Christ in service at the expense of his family, church, and loved ones to honor his calling to the Lord to reach out to those who needed what they so desperately lacked and could not receive otherwise.
This man of God was vaccinated, but it reached him too late as he was already infected with the virus most likely before the vaccine could work adequately at its fullest strength. Some research has shown it can take up to six weeks for the vaccine he received to become full strength. His testimony remains a powerful reflection of the passion for the Lord’s work in these trying times where each one must discern the path to take when the call of God burns within our spirits to match the Lord’s zeal for his people who remain in such woe in this present darkness in need of his light and love to show them the way. We praise God for Brother Ratna’s desire to extend Christ, our hope and glory, in these desperate days in his reckless abandon to become poor and set aside having any sense of a “normal” life most would seek so that others could find everlasting life in Christ. We only ask for prayers to cover us as our plans are to raise up the next generation of leaders to take the place of those fallen in this cosmic war! Like our Lord’s embracing the cross for the greater good, so too, these pastors have exemplified sacrifice in reaching out to the unreachable at great personal cost! To see more of him, please check out this video of memories!
In addition, my visa will not allow me to teach in country, but as a result of the pandemic, I have been invited to teach online for a college in Malaysia. They have given me a couple of subjects for 2022 which I need to develop from the ground up post-Ph.D. I am excited for these continued opportunities. I have in-laws working in Malaysia and know of students studying there as well as working. The situation there has been quite disturbing due to the viral outbreak.
Since late July, I have struggled with my vision significantly and had to take a much-needed break from research and studies and most activities in general. Doctors think they have finally found a viable solution for my eye problems unrelated to my studies or screen time. They been attempting to treat it (so far unsuccessfully) for weeks. I await during the autumnal Hindu festivals to allow for the process to avail itself in hopes I can resume my work here as what may be required has to be shipped into Nepal. I have been focusing primarily on family time and had to cancel a planned trip Stateside due to the rise of the delta variant. Amid the monsoons and subsequent power outages, we have experienced infestations of various insects in our small apartment, and the sewage backed up into our apartment complex where we rent. We thank you for your continued prayers and support and hope to get to producing more content on the site here as well as our YT channel soon!
