Home - Plugging In - News - Some follow-up thoughts from Nepal trip Hi all,

Just been processing our recent trip to Nepal and wanted to share a few thoughts that have lingered with me. 

First several personal impacts:

1. Our God is great.  We tend to get so lost in our little pond here in Ontario that we forget the greatness and power of God.  We are just this tiny little blip on the world's surface and God is so present here, doing such wonderful things in our lives.  And yet I was reminded that literally on the other side of this globe God is so very present, doing such wonderful and miraculous work.  It took us so long to get to Nepal and it is so far away, yet God is as present and active there as here.  I knew all of this but the reality of it was driven deep into my heart, by God's grace, so that my view of God has again been expanded - thankfully!
   
   
2. We are blessed.  What a reminder this trip was to me of the abundance we have here in Canada.  We so often compare ourselves to each other and can easily get discouraged or even bitter or jealous because others have more and because we feel like we can't get ahead.  God granted me new insights into what a lavish existence we live in Canada.  I will likely forget this very soon but right now I continue to feel grateful for running, clean water, for organized streets, for a government which cares and is able to help and to lead, for schools for my children and for the medical facilities we have.  Folks compared to about 4-5 billion people in this world we are rich, rich, rich!  Makes me think of Paul's reminder in 1 Timothy 6:17-19, 'As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. 18 They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, 19 thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.'
   
   
3. Harvest is a huge blessing.  I mean to me personally and to my family.  To be a member in this church and to have my family growing and learning in this church is a monster blessing by God to us personally.  So many don't have the opportunity to be around the leaders we do, to be influenced by all of you and your service, giftedness and ministry, and to be under the worship and teaching we get to enjoy - well God reminded me again that this is one of His rich blessings in my life and in my family's life.  My children get taught well in children's and youth ministry.  I and my family get to be taught and led by the staff and elders we have, the flock leaders, small group leaders and all the volunteers in our church.  We get to participate in what I think are amazing worship services, led by a great worship team and every week we get to serve alongside all of you.  God showed me again what a monster blessing this is and such a privilege to me and my family - so THANKS!
   

Next a few church related impacts:

1. We are blessed to be a part of the Harvest Fellowship.  God graciously led us to transition our church in 2006 to become Harvest London - what a blessing this was and continues to be.  The Fellowship is very active in planting new churches and is always open to transition churches that ask and fit with our beliefs into Harvest churches.  This is having a huge impact for the kingdom around this globe.  We had the joy of serving alongside Kirk Vanmaanen who works for the Fellowship.  To see Kirk in action is to be blessed as he is such a man of God and so gifted and able to lead the international ministry of Harvest.  Please continue to pray for Kirk and for all the Fellowship staff and ministries as they are such a blessing to so many like us.  Love, love, love Harvest Fellowship!!
   
   
2. We are blessed to be able to partner with some brothers and sisters in Nepal.  God is clearly leading us to partner with Timothy and what will become Harvest Kathmandu and this is such a privilege.  We have much to learn from them and hopefully God will allow us to be a blessing to this growing church and their leadership.  Please be praying for Timothy and his leaders, family and church.  We will give you more info so you can pray more specifically but I am continually struck with the privilege God has given us to partner together to help in a small way advance the kingdom of Christ in Nepal.
   
   
3. Everyone to whom much was given, of him much will be required (Luke 12:48).  We at Harvest London are blessed with so much.  So many people, so many resources, so much teaching, so many open doors.  And I believe we will answer for our stewardship with all that God has given us.  So I pray, and I will seek to help lead us toward increasing, open handed stewardship of all that God has placed in our care.  God is at work, you all are serving and giving and praying and sharing which is such a blessing.  But we can do more and by God's grace I pray He continues to open our hearts, our hands, our wallets and our schedules to devote more to His kingdom.  To quote John the Baptist - He must increase but I must decrease (John 3:30).  I pray that each of us would embrace this cry - He MUST increase and I MUST - I MUST decrease.  Pray that God would use us to produce more fruit for His glory!    

Love you all and THANKS so much for your interest in this trip and especially for your prayers for us during the trip.  We really sensed being held up by the prayers of our church family.  God is at work - so let's continue to pray, to press on boldly and to expectantly watch for all that God will do.

Norm