Rabin in Nepal: our labour for the Lord is never in vain
Rabin in Nepal: Our labour for the Lord is never in vain
An Open Doors small group reflection
Topic: Perseverance
Bible: 1 Corinthians 15:58
Introduction
Serving God can be an uphill struggle. It can be exhausting and even demoralising. But this story from Nepal reminds us that ‘our labour is not in vain’. It features Open Doors partner Rabin Karki, whose work takes him into remote, mountainous regions. “I focus on the remote areas where people require biblical training that empowers their spiritual life,” he says. “This is my way of showing God’s love to people.”
Share this story
Rabin was exhausted. The journey to the village had been bad enough: six hours carrying heavy baggage, climbing steep hills to a place inaccessible by road or air. He had persevered, though, eventually reaching the small, remote church where he delivered persecution survival training to the grateful believers.
“The programme went well and everyone appreciated it,” he recalls. “One participant shared that, after attending the seminar, she learnt to forgive and pray for her persecutors. Hearing such testimonies encouraged me.”
But an hour into the return journey, the encouragement drained away.
“My legs started shaking,” he remembers. “I was completely weary and couldn’t walk any further. I missed my home, my family, and my comfortable bed. I was so tired that I could see a leech attached to my leg sucking blood, but I didn’t have enough energy to knock it away. It was a moment when I nearly gave up.”
It was then that Rabin felt the Lord speak to him. God reminded me, ‘Son, your labour will not go in vain. For every painful step you are taking, there will be a blessing after it.’ I was reminded of 1 Corinthians 15:58 – ‘Your labour in God is not in vain’. I felt God’s presence encourage me to move ahead despite difficulties.”
Background: Persecution in Nepal
Although Nepal was declared a secular state in 2015, in 2018 the government brought in an anti-conversion law. Anyone found proselytising faces a potential five-year prison sentence and a huge fine. Christians who had previously been able to share the gospel now need to be cautious, even inside church buildings.
Christians also face opposition, bullying and discrimination from family members and local communities. They can be expelled from their homes or communities and some have been violently assaulted.
“In Nepal, Christianity is regarded as a foreign religion,” says Rabin. “It is also known to be the low-caste religion. Christians are discriminated against and often socially boycotted.”
This is leading to an often violent and carefully orchestrated targeting of Christians and other religious minorities in many parts of India. Increasing numbers of states are implementing anti-conversion laws, which purport to prevent coerced conversion, but are often abused to harass and intimidate Christians with false accusations of bribing people to convert.
Reflect
- Rabin shares the feeling of wanting to give up. “Many times, I have had to walk on foot for several hours to reach a small church and to meet a group of persecuted Christians,” he said. “There are times I think, ‘Oh God, am I in the right place?’” Do you ever feel like this?
Read
- Read 1 Corinthians 15:58. Why do you think this verse came to Rabin’s mind?
Discuss
- Rabin says that many people are turning to Christ, despite the opposition. Many of these come from the ‘untouchable’ lower caste. What is it that attracts them to Jesus?
- Can you think of instances in the gospels where Jesus demonstrates the radical, taboo-busting love of God?
Watch and Pray
In rural Nepal, thousands of Christian converts like Shanti* suffer discrimination and even violence. When Shanti’s husband reacted angrily to her decision to start following Jesus, she found support from another believer and her witness has had a dramatic effecton her husband. Use this video to help you pray.
Further Prayer
Some more prayer points from Nepal
- “I would like to thank all the brothers and sisters who are praying for us and supporting us,” says Rabin. “Please pray for the Open Doors partners as we go to the field. Pray that God protects us and our families from all kinds of harm.”
- Pray for persecuted Christians in Nepal, that they might have the courage to keep sharing the good news of Jesus despite the restrictions. Pray also for new converts – that they would be able to stand strong in the faith.
Act
- Perhaps you feel as though you are trudging wearily through difficult terrain. Perhaps you, like Rabin, say “Am I in the right place?” Ask God for reassurance and comfort. Use the verse from 1 Corinthians to remind yourself every day: our labour for the Lord is never in vain.
