Faith Journeys

Nabin’s Journey from Darkness to Light

I come from a Hindu family; I am the only believer in Christ. I experienced a spinal cord injury that left me partially paralyzed when I was 18 years old. My mom and I went through a tough time when both of my legs were fully paralyzed. It happened during the COVID-19, and the doctor’s responses were not very positive. I was hospitalized for three months following the surgery.

Our sickness drew negative comments from our relatives and society. While I was in a wheelchair, they began speculating that this family’s child was suffering due to sins committed in their past life. My mom would cry every day because of the gossips and bad comments she heard from her neighbors. It got so bad that I even considered committing suicide in desperation.

One day, a missionary visited our home. They listened to our story, prayed for us, and a few days later, more missionaries visited to share the gospel of Jesus Christ. As a child, I was aware of Jesus Christ, but I didn’t have a personal relationship with Him. Regular visits from my Christian friends and neighbor helped me develop trust and belief in Jesus. This support gave me hope and a fresh perspective on life as I started reading the Bible. I came across many accounts of people experiencing healing through their faith in Jesus Christ. I was deeply moved by the story of a woman who endured twelve years of hemorrhage. In due time I was convinced, and trusted my life to Jesus as my Lord and Savior. I knew in Jesus, anything is possible.

This story also taught me that Jesus is not only a healer, but also a savior who forgives sins. He is truly the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Jesus displayed His miracle and mercy to me in July, on a Saturday. I remember the time I went to church for the first time. The church was on the third floor. I couldn’t step on the stairs. Then Jesus reminded me of Philippians 4:13: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” This made me realize that He is my strength and I can do it. Trusting in Him, I was able to climb the stairs finally. I gained the ability to walk on my own in due time. The miracle was truly unforgettable and quite significant. I have dedicated my life to serving God and spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ to others who are like me. I am currently at the Reformed and Presbyterian Seminary, seeking to deepen my understanding of God, immerse myself in His Word, and prepare for future ministry. I am blessed to have faculty and friends who are considerate and helpful all the time.

~ Nabin

Ashika’s Path from Isolation to Inspiration

From a young age, I felt a sense of isolation, even amidst the presence of my family members and friends. This feeling of loneliness grew as I matured, and I found myself grappling with thoughts of despair and hopelessness, often contemplating suicide. Life seemed devoid of purpose, and I struggled to find solace in my surroundings.

Amidst the challenges, the year 2021 brought about a significant change as the world grappled with the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent lockdowns. During this period, my world was further shaken when my mother fell severely ill. Despite our efforts to seek medical assistance and adhere to traditional Nepali rituals for her recovery, her health continued to deteriorate, eventually leading to the decision to bring her back home.

It was during this trying time that a ray of hope penetrated our household in an unexpected manner – through the arrival of our village pastor’s wife, who shared the gospel of Jesus Christ. The message resonated deeply, offering a glimmer of hope in the midst of our despair. Witnessing the prayers and witnessing the positive change in my mother’s health post prayers, my heart began to shift towards Christianity. The transformative power of faith in Jesus Christ began to weave its way into our family, and in September 2021, we took the collective decision to embrace Christianity and started attending church.

The decision to follow Christ brought about both blessings and challenges. Soon after our conversion, spiritual battles emerged, manifesting in unsettling experiences like encounters with apparitions and eerie voices in the night. Despite these trials, our newfound faith provided a source of strength and resilience.

In the face of spiritual trials, encounters with the supernatural, and the unexpected loss of my mother in December 2021, our faith in Christ remained steadfast. Despite the hardships, I discovered a profound joy in Christ. This inspired me to pursue a path of deeper understanding and service, leading me to my decision to study theology. In August 2023, I joined the Reformed and Presbyterian Seminary with a commitment to prepare myself for a life dedicated to serving others in the name of Christ.

~ Ashika

Navigating Trials with Faith

Pushed by a Christian boyfriend to attend church, I embraced Christianity, facing family disapproval and ostracization from friends and relatives. The relationship ended after seven months, leaving me in a dark place where thoughts of self-harm clouded my mind, only to be spared by divine intervention.

Seeking solace, I turned to the Bible, finding hope in God’s words, particularly in Revelation 2:10. Eager to deepen my faith, I embarked on Bible training, initially facing discouragement from my pastor, but eventually finding a way to attend a short-term training in Kathmandu. Inspired by the teachings of reformers like Martin Luther and John Calvin, my passion for theology grew, leading me to aspire to study in a seminary.

Driven by determination, I worked tirelessly to save for Bible school but faced financial setbacks. Working at a shelter home, I saved diligently to pursue my studies. After rigorous preparations, I planned to attend Kerala Bible College, but fate directed me to Reformed and Presbyterian Seminary in Kathmandu, eventually accepting it as God’s plan.

Challenges persisted during my initial seminary year, compounded by financial struggles and lack of support. Divine intervention came through a benevolent teacher who provided financial assistance, paving the way for my continued studies. The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic brought further hurdles, shifting classes online and presenting connectivity and financial obstacles. Despite these trials, with God’s grace and the kindness of RPS teachers, I successfully completed my studies, grateful for the unwavering support that saw me through the challenges.

~ Sunita

A Journey of Faith and Ministry Preparation

Growing up in a Buddhist family, my journey took a profound turn when I embraced Christianity through water baptism in 2000, acknowledging Jesus Christ as my personal savior. Despite facing challenges and even some persecution post-conversion, witnessing my brother and father also finding their faith in Christ after prayers was a testament to the remarkable works of God in my family.

As I delved deeper into my faith, I found myself increasingly involved with fellow believers at church, an experience that nurtured my growth within the ministry. In 2006, I crossed paths with my husband, who shared a similar dedication to serving the Lord. His support and encouragement led me towards the path of theological studies, aimed at enriching my knowledge for better service to the community.

Navigating the decision to pursue theology without having completed high school was a daunting task, especially with the responsibility of raising our children while my husband worked abroad. However, divine intervention paved the way as supportive friends and even a non-believing sister provided invaluable assistance, offering guidance in various subjects free of charge. Witnessing these acts of kindness, I felt overwhelmed by God’s grace and guiding hand.

Upon completing my high school education, I seized the opportunity to join RPS, honoring a commitment made a decade prior. Embracing the challenges of learning and growth, my studies at RPS have been enlightening, revealing the vast expanse of knowledge yet to be discovered. Through RPS, I am equipped to become an authentic, knowledgeable leader, prepared for meaningful ministry and service.

~ Ruth