ServLife International, Inc.

Super Bowl and Human Trafficking

Rachel — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 17:40:34 +0000

This weekend tens of thousands of people will gather in Indianapolis to watch the big game, celebrate and party. These crowds will bring with them a specific clientele. For these individuals, the tent parties will not be enough. The strip clubs will not be enough. And money will likely not be an object as they satisfy their urges and curiosities. This problem includes but goes beyond prostitution. It includes slavery. Women and children that are forced into a slavery of rape.

The U.S. Department of State estimates between 14,500 and 18,000 people — many of them women and children — are trafficked into the U.S. each year. Trafficking is defined by The Federal Trafficking Victim Protection Act as recruiting, harboring, moving or obtaining a person by force, fraud or coercion for the purposes of involuntary servitude, debt bondage or sexual exploitation.

It is estimated that human traffickers generate $32 billion each year, and much is generated by large events such as the Super Bowl.

Indianapolis is growing increasingly aware of this and has been preparing for next weekend. We are learning what to look for. Sex trafficking can look like residential brothels, hostess clubs, escort services, brothels disguised as massage parlors, strip clubs, and also street prostitution. So our police are prepared, cab drivers and hotel workers and other service industry professionals have been trained, and social workers and nonprofit groups are ready.

ServLife is partnering with Steps of Justice for an Anti-Human Trafficking 24-Hour Prayer and Worship Event this Friday and Saturday. ServLife’s Director of Operations, Adam Nevins, will be co-leading a two hour block Friday night starting at 11:00 pm. Join us and RSVP on Facebook here.

Read more about ServLife’s efforts to combat human trafficking here.

“The LORD executes righteousness and judgment for all who are oppressed.”
Psalm 103:6

January Newsletter: Making a world of difference

Rachel — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 18:33:32 +0000

Making a world of difference. . .

Okay, I’ll admit it. I am something of a football fan. I’m not exactly a raving fan

but I do enjoy the game if not all the hype that so often goes with it. This, of

course, is the season that is especially good to fans of the game what with the

college bowl games and now the NFL playoffs. All that leads up to the

Super Bowl which, by the way, will be held here in Indianapolis next month

but that is another story.

I’m sure you’ve noticed that players and coaches alike have a jargon peculiar

to their sport. And because sports play such a significant role in American

life we often end up borrowing terms from the world of sports for our own

wider use. Now everyone can “hit a home run, ” “score!” or make a

“slam dunk!” but sometimes, unfortunately, we also “strikeout.’”

One expression of the sports vernacular that I’ve heard recently is an

exceptional athlete referred to as a “difference-maker.” A

“difference-maker” is a special player that is able to change the course

of a game by virtue of a combination of innate ability and the

development of that ability to high level. This takes an uncommon

commitment on the part of the individual. Difference-makers are

what separate championship level teams from the rest of the pack.

Okay, so here is where I borrow some of the jargon to say that the donors

of ServLife, those that pray for us and give to the causes that we advocate

for and serve; you are our “difference-makers!” All that we do to serve

orphans and children-at-risk, all that we do to train and support church

planters in the remote corners of the earth, all that we do to help create

and support means of sustainable income for the poor – all of it depends

on you– and us -working together to make a difference in this world of need.

Making a world of difference is our vision and our hope at ServLife. For

those of you that are already on our team, we are glad to be in it with

you. For those who have yet to get in the game, we are looking for

more difference-makers to get involved. Won’t you consider one

or more of the possibilities below?

We also want to make you aware of a new member to our staff. We are

pleased to announce that we have hired Adam Nevins as our new

Director of Operations. Adam has been a part of our community for a

long time, and brings diverse experience from the business, church

and nonprofit realms.

Having founded a nonprofit and an active volunteer with many more,

Adam has a passion for seeing Jesus minister to the spiritual and physical

needs of humanity through the Body of Christ. His eight years as a worship

pastor fueled his understanding of true worship and justice, as well as

cultivating a pastoral heart.

Adam and his wife Christin have been married for 12 years and are blessed

with three children: Carolyn, Emily and David. They have had the joy o

f adopting from India, attend Common Ground Christian Church, and have

raised their family in an inner-city Indianapolis neighborhood for the last 8 years.

Adam concluded his work as a Project Manager at a local multimedia firm last December and joined our staff at the beginning of this year. Welcome, Adam!

Thanks for all you do,

Jeff

You can make a difference

in this world of need . . .

+ Pray with us and for us.

Join those who pray for ServLife and all we do.

+ Give to train and send a church planter to the frontiers of the gospel.

Make a one-time gift or give on a monthly basis.

+ Make a difference in the life of a child . . . give . . .hope.

Become a ServLife child sponsor

+ Serve the poor through micro-lending.

Give to the ServLife Hope Fund.

Thank you for letting us share what is happening

in the world through ServLife . . .

together with you!

ServLife International, Inc. is a non-profit organization planting communities of the Kingdom and restoring hope to children-at-risk and the global poor.

ServLife International, Inc. P.O. Box 20596 Indianapolis, IN 46220 USA

In everything give thanks.. NOV/DEC 2011

Rachel — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 19:43:54 +0000

NOV/DEC 2011

In everything give thanks . . .

I returned just last week from nearly a month in Asia in time to enjoy the Thanksgiving holiday with my family. The largest share of that time was spent with the

Jeff Romack

ServLife staff and ministries in Nepal and India. And I want to tell you, we have much for which we are giving thanks.

+ Our 5th Annual ServLife Himalayan Development Conference in Kathmandu, Nepal brought together 53 of our church planters who are serving in the remote villages of that nation to bring the good news of God’s Kingdom and to form communities of the Kingdom.

+ An onsite visit to ServLife’s Daya Girl’s Home in far-western Nepal as well as visits to more than 10 schools in which ServLife is sponsoring the children of the poor for education.

+ Visits to both the ServLife Children’s Home and Peace Loving Home for children in Kathmandu. It’s great to see how the kids here are flourishing.

+ Our 8th Annual ServLife Empowering Society Conference in Raxaul, India. For the first time this conference was held in the new ServLife facility. What a great blessing this facility is both to the children and our staff and those being trained for service. We had some valuable time together discussing how to build sustainability into all we do.

For all that’s being done to plant communities of God’s Kingdom and to serve children-at-risk and the poor we give thanks. But I would be remiss if I did not also direct our thanks to all of you, the friends and donors of ServLife. Your partnership with us makes it all possible and for that we are giving thanks!

Take a few minutes to look at an array of photos from our time together in Nepal and India as well as a couple of brief video clips with fresh footage from the conferences and ServLife workers. Enjoy!

Each year, in Kathmandu (Nepal) and again in Raxaul (India), we call together all our workers on the field to celebrate all that God has done, is now doing and what He will do in the coming year. . .

The latest training school graduates in Nepal. Pastor Michael Meissner at the conference.

Lazarus Thulung in Kathmandu Lazarus, Albert. Udaya, Jeff Pastor Ian Stevenson in Raxaul

Did you know that ServLife has trained and now supports each month more than 130 indigenous church planters serving in India and Nepal?

Check out these video clips of our recent conferences in Nepal and India and meet one of our ServLife workers.

Lazarus Thulung & Albert Das at ServLife Himalayan Development Conference 2011

Ian Stevenson and Albert Das at ServLife conference in Raxaul, India, November 2011

Pastor Rajkumar Das sharing at the ServLife worker’s conference in Raxaul, Nov 2011

Thanks to everyone who gave so generously to make ServLife’s annual conferences in Nepal and India a reality this year.

Children’s Home in Kathmandu It’s dinner time in Raxaul! Daya Girl’s Home in far-western Nepal

Thanks to all who give making it possible to live and share the gospel with the unreached in India and Nepal.

Thank you for letting us share what is happening

in the world through ServLife . . .

together with you!

building + global + community + YOU!

+ Pray with us . . . join the ServLife Prayer Team.

+ Give to support our church planters on the frontiers of the gospel.

A one-time gift or on a monthly basis.

+ Surprise a child with hope . . . become a ServLife child sponsor.

+ Serve the poor via micro-lending . . . give to the Hope Fund.

ServLife International, Inc. is a non-profit organization planting communities of the Kingdom and restoring hope to children-at-risk and the global poor.

ServLife International, Inc. P.O. Box 20596 Indianapolis, IN 46220 USA

got fire? september 2011 newsletter

Rachel — Tue, 06 Sep 2011 18:38:01 +0000

got fire?

Just yesterday a friend sent me a link to a recent article in the online edition of the Wall Street Journal. I don’t often read the WSJ but when I saw the title of that article,

Jeff Romack

“How Missionaries Lost their Chariots of Fire,” I knew I had to read it. You can check it out here, How Missionaries . . ., if you like.

While I don’t agree with all that was said in that article, the author gets it right in the end when he writes that God’s mission involves both serving those in need and sharing the gospel but it is sharing the gospel that distinguishes our loving service to meet human need from the humanitarian aid given by many organizations. As the author points out, “Both are motivated by the desire to help others, but Christians are spurred by that Jesus thing.”

At ServLife we are very much motivated by the “Jesus thing” and not ashamed of it. That Jesus gave his life for us and for the sake of the whole world is what makes us tick. ServLife is committed to planting communities of the Kingdom and to bringing hope to children-at-risk and the global poor. We are serving life by sharing the gospel and responding to human need. This is what lights our fire. How about you; got fire? Why not light your flame at ours?

Speaking of sharing the fire, did you know that Servlife has trained and now supports each month more than 120 indigenous church planters serving in India and Nepal?

One of the great new realities of the Christian movement is that the church is now a global reality. Linked to that, mission can no longer be characterized as the activity of western Christians going East (or South) to share the gospel. The church exists for God’s mission in the world and, these days, mission happens from everywhere to everywhere!

Nepali Church

The ServLife church planters illustrate this point.

While the Christian movement is a global reality to be celebrated there is another piece of that reality of which we must not lose sight. There are yet many peoples in many places where the gospel is not. ServLife is doing its part to address that situation. Our efforts to plant “communities of the Kingdom” are being done on the very frontiers of mission, the growing edge of Christian faith in the world. The indigenous church planters we support go to the hard places where the church has not yet taken root and where there are few, if any, believers. We are not laboring to plant a church just down the road from one of another kind. We are pioneers.

Go! . . . and make disciples.

In pioneering situations, by definition, the material resources needed to evangelize in those places must come from outside those communities. In time, when a church has been planted, the local Christians will give of their own resources to reach out to their own. At the outset; however, workers and resources to support them must be sent from outside. This is where we need your help.

Today, we have workers in 10 of Nepal’s 14 zones (states) and across seven (7) states in north India. We need your help to keep these men at work on the frontiers of mission and to train and send more.

Will you give dollars to support those who are giving their lives

to share the gospel with the unreached in India and Nepal?

Each year, in Kathmandu (Nepal) and again in Raxaul (India), we call together all our workers on the field to celebrate all that God has done, is now doing and what He will do in the coming year. . .

These Leader’s & Church Planter’s Conferences are a big highlight for the people that have been doing the difficult work of sowing and reaping all year long. Here they receive a little bit of teaching and a great deal of encouragement. It’s not easy being on the frontiers of faith without others close at hand to offer support but that is often the situation they must endure. By the close of our time together everyone is ready to go back to the harvest fields with renewed strength and vision.

Previous year’s conference in Raxaul

To call together our church planters from across India and Nepal takes financial resources for travel and food that our workers (124 of them!) do not have and for which we must all stand together in faith trusting God to provide. That provision comes when God’s people step up to contribute what they have to give to the cause of taking the gospel to the frontiers.

This year our conferences will be held November 8-12 (Nepal) and November 17-20 (India). Our budget is $14,000. At this point, our balance on hand is $zero. Can you help?

To give safely and securely now go here: 2011 Leader’s & Church Planter’s Conference

We are asking all of our friends to simply pray and ask if they are to give to this need. And, by the way, you’re welcome to join us for this time, too!

Thank you for letting us share what is happening

in the world through ServLife . . .

together with you!

help fan our flame into fire . . .

+ Pray with us . . . join the ServLife Prayer Team.

+ Give to support our church planters on the frontiers of the gospel.

A one-time gift or on a monthly basis.

+ Help make our Worker’s Conferences in India and Nepal possible. Give here.

+ Surprise a child with hope . . . become a ServLife child sponsor.

+ Serve the poor via micro-lending . . . give to the Hope Fund.

Dental Checkup at the Nepal Childrens Home

Rachel — Thu, 18 Aug 2011 14:37:57 +0000

We are glad to inform you that this year we finished dental checkups for all of our seventeen children. Salome, Som and Bikash did not go for the check up, because they are alright.

We took the public bus for our means of transportation which is much cheaper and it was convenient too.

We fixed Merina’s front teeth with 40% off the total price.

We regular use Himalayan Dental Hospital every year, we are also very grateful towards this hospital because it serves us with a good price. This time we were so lucky because the hospital had a volunteer team from the UK, they helped us to pay 50% of our total bill. This time the total cost was 46 thousand but we paid only NRs.23,500/- only this price also calculated of Merina’s fixed teeth. After the hospital dental checkup the children enjoyed eating momos as breakfast.

In the evening we celebrated Shalom’s 14^th Happy Birthday.

June 2011 Newsletter

Rachel — Thu, 30 Jun 2011 18:36:17 +0000

^“As cold waters to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country.”

(Proverbs 25:25)

Everlasting Service (Kathmandu) In the nation of Nepal ServLife has given birth to two organizations through which we now primarily work. The first is Ananta Sewa Nepal or, as we call it, AS Nepal. Ananta sewa is a Nepali term meaning, literally, “everlasting service.“ What an appropriate name for those who aspire to love and save orphaned children and the children of the extremely poor who would otherwise be without opportunity for education.

Som is our newest child in Kathmandu

This month at the ServLife Children’s Home in Kathmandu we welcomed Som Bahadur Ale to our growing family. What a joy he has been. Som, who will turn 5 years old next month, comes from a very poor family in western Nepal. Som’s father died some time ago. His mother, who is unable to read and write, was left to raise and provide for three children on her own. A Christian neighbor saw this Hindu family was struggling. Although the neighbor is himself blind, he took action to guide Som to our children’s home in Kathmandu. Som is now in lower kindergarten, making new friends and finding his place in the family.

Graduation Day X2 (Raxaul) Albert Das, founder and director of ServLIfe Empowering Society in India presided over the June 29 graduation ceremony of eleven young men who have completed their training at the Servlife Leadership Training Institute in Raxaul. The training institute is preparing young people for service in north India and southern Nepal as servants of

Pastor Philip now with the LORD

the gospel and church planters. This new group will join 73 previous graduates now at work in the harvest field.

Albert has also reported some much more difficult news. Church planter and pastor, Philip Mirgan, was promoted to glory on May 25, 2011. Philip was pastoring our church in Malkangiri in Orissa state. He was also a graduate of our training center in the 2005-06 batch. Philip leaves his church and family; a wife and three children. Please pray for them and for the new leadership in Malkangiri.

Beautiful Feet (Kathmandu) Lazarus Thulung is the director of ServLife Himalayan Development. Himalayan Development is the second of our two organizations working in Nepal. Its mission is to train and send disciples into the remote villages of Nepal to share the

Lazarus – serving on the HimGlo Exec Team

good news that God has taken action in and through Jesus Christ to reconcile all things to himself and to form communities of those who choose to follow Jesus. What a joy it is to see people as they begin to understand what God has done and is now doing to make the world right including them! What joy to report that seven new believers were recently baptized in Thingan village.

One of those, Mr. Ranjit Ghale, was a former antagonist of the church in that village; however, both he and his family have turned to Christ and the change has been remarkable. This former opponent of the gospel has now become one of the leading advocates of the gospel among his own people.

We are also happy to report that Lazarus has been chosen to serve on the executive committee of the Himalayan Global Summit 2011 which is this year’s gathering of a movement of Himalayan Christians devoted to mobilizing their own people for mission wherever they are found in the world. How lovely on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news … to the Himalayan peoples! (Isaiah 52:7) The Himalayan Global website: http://hgs2011.com/.

Closer to Home (Acworth, GA) Join us in welcoming home from Nepal Mark and Jenn Storm and their two children, Solomon and Sophia. The Storm family

Storms depart Himalayas for US

has completed a fruitful season of service with ServLife that stretches back to 2006 and included assignments in both Thailand and Nepal. The Storms were the key leaders in our being able to get the Hope Fund off and running in Nepal. What can’t be over-looked was the great encouragement they brought to their Nepali brothers and sisters. They are already being missed. Thanks to Westgate Church in San Jose, CA and to all of you who have been of special support to the Storms and their mission with ServLife. May they find great joy and satisfaction as they move ahead in this next phase of their calling.

Rachel and Jeremy

Closer Still (Indianapolis, IN) Rachel McKnight who serves as ServLife’s sponsorship coordinator and doubles as an assistant to our executive director has announced her engagement to Jeremy Moss. Rachel and Jeremy are planning for a November wedding. Congratulations to Rachel and Jeremy!

Our first print newsletter of 2011 will soon be in the mail to you. There you’ll find much more good news of what is happening in the world through ServLife,

together with you!

AS Nepal Prayer Guide

Rachel — Thu, 30 Jun 2011 18:26:26 +0000

ANANTA SEWA NEPAL

CHILDREN HOME

LALITPUR, NEPAL

DAILY PRAYER GUIDE 2011 06

July 01 Friday : Thank to God for all the happenings of the month of June. Prayer for safety of this month July and Lords blessings upon our family.

July 02 Saturday: Thanks and praises to God that Salome passed her exams with good percentage. Today she will be appearing her entrance in ST.XAVIER and ST.MARY’S. Pray that she gets a good school for further education.

July 03 Sun: Tapendra Kunwar is getting scholarship from Servlife for studies but recently has broken his hand while working in field. Prayer is needed for his recovery

July 04 Mon: Jhuma chaudhary is a child who is being sponsored by SERVLIFE. Both her parents are blind and she is not so well with her health. Pray that God will enlighten her life.

July 05 Tue: Our prayer is a must for Shibu Chaudhary who recently lost his father and his mother is having hard time with Labor work that she is doing to lean her family. Pray for Shibu, his family’s situation and his studies.

July 06 Wed: Our helping girl Rekha has been working and has been helpful as well as has turned into a Christian. Pray for her faith and her family who can’t feed themselves and for all such families here in Nepal.

July 07 Thu: Bal Bdr Barabijay is awfully sick and has been taken to India for treatment that may last long. He needs our prayer to get well soon. He also is one of the children getting support from SERVLIFE.

July 08 Fri: Prayer is a must for children of DAYA girls home for their health and improvement in studies. Also pray for Paul and his wife Sonam who are serving in between these children.

July 09 Sat: Praise God that our children have been getting well and doing well in their studies. Prayers are required for them to get better grades in this coming 1^st term exam.

July 10 Sat: There are many people who have been praying for our family and ServLife. Pray for all those who are and have been praying for us for God to be with them and their work.

July 11 Sun: Pray for Ekta church that we have been attending and Udaya Bhatta has been serving as a Pastor. Pray for the believers of this church and needs of this church. Pray that God will guide this church.

July 12 Mon: : Praise the Lord that Church and believers here in Nepal are increasing. Pray that they develop in faith as we can make a great difference here in Nepal.

July 13 Tue: Pray for Jeff Romack and Other beloved staff of ServLife International Their family and also their responsibilities in Servlife International.

July 14 Wed: We have praying since a long time for a land and building for ServLife children Home Kathmandu so that we can stay freely and enjoy a society without being treated with rude attitude.

July 15 Thu: Thanks to God and praise him that we are nearly getting completed in our Renew process. There might be some difficult task left so we need your prayers for that. Pray to God to help in this task and to speak to the Lawyer to carry our work smoothly and without hesitating.

Jul 16 Fri: Thank God for giving us our needs and providing our children with a home to live. There are families we and the Children have left behind. Pray for those Families for god to take care about them.

July 17 Sat: Our children are being taught by teachers at school and at church. Pray for the Teachers so that they will be able to give good impression and ask the Children to track the good way of this world.

Jun 18 Sun: Children that are being sponsored such as Ramesh Daguara, Rueel Chaudhary, Santosh Sapkota and Simon Dagaura are suffering from different kind of illness for a long time. We have to pray for them so that they gain strength and good health.

July 19 Mon: There are many kids here in Nepal who are orphaned, malnourished, homeless, starving and treated badly. Prayer for them is a very need so that everyone comes under care.

July 20 Tue: Pray for Bhakti and Udaya as they continue in doing this work as well as for their spiritual growth. Remember all the children who are getting support from ASNepal. Pray for their studies and families.

Jun 21 Wed: Pray for the scholar shipped children of far west Nepal so that they can enjoy good study environment as well as good health by coming over all the sickness.

July 22 Thu: : Remember all those who are supporting us and praying for us and spiritual growth of Ekta Church.

July 23 Fri: Pray for Paul and Sonam as they look after Daya Girls Home. Pray about all the orphan Girls and their studies and work and thanks for the encouraging prayers they have been doing for us.

July 24 Sat: God has been with our family through all the hard and good times and we thank God for that. Please pray that God continuous his blessings and supports for each and everyone.

July 25 Sun: Pray for Joel Vestal and his family as well as thank God for having him with us for 7 years and now his work in America. Lastly, to all those who have been friendly to ASNepal.

July 26 Mon: Pray for good health of our children and pray for the children who are being provided with scholarship from ServLife & for their health and studies.

July 27 Tue: Praise the lord for he has been providing us with all the necessities and requirements. Pray that he continues to be with us and guide us in his path.

July 28 thu: Especially Pray for Mat and Brooke who are always supporting Ekta Church Ministry to grow, now pray them wherever they are and Gods guidance in their lives and work.

July 29 Fri: Praise the lord for the ministry of ServLife and his hand in this work. Pray to Lord that he blesses this organization.

July 30 Sat: Thanks to God for a more month that he has provided us. Pray that God will be with us all the days of the coming month August.

Meet Som Bahadur Ale

Rachel — Tue, 14 Jun 2011 15:49:33 +0000

Name: Som Bahadur Ale

Birthdate: July 19, 2006

Description:

Som belongs to poor Hindu family. His father died when he was young. He has one brother and one sister, both older than Som. As Som’s family was poor and both of parents illiterate, it was very difficult for Som’s mother to feed and provide for other essential needs after the death of his father. They were desperately searching for help. One of their neighbors is a Christian. Though he himself is blind he wanted to help Som’s family by searching for a refuge for at least one child. He came to know of ServLife’s children’s ministry and brought Som to us. Som is now the latest member of our home here in Kathmandu.

Som is an enthusiastic and happy child. He shows great interest in learning. He is also quiet and well disciplined. He loves to take part in sports and shows good sportsmanship. After arriving here his health has improved a lot. He has learned rhymes and songs quiet fast. He eagerly listens to bible stories at the time of devotion.

Som is studying in Lower Kindergarten. He is too young to know what he wants to do in the future but he has already shown promise of good things ahead.

For just $30 a month you could sponsor Som. It doesn’t take much to change the life of a child, even one you have never meet. ServLife currently has about 300 children sponsored. Help us reach our goal of sponsoring 1000 children by 2013 through the ServLife 1000 project. Contact us if you are interested in helping us make a difference in a child’s life.

Sponsorship is more than just a monetary donation every month. We encourage our sponsors to write to their children twice a year. This is a great way to get the whole family involved with changing a life. The children love to get letters from their sponsors and kids love to hear about other children around the world. So let your children each write their own letters too! You can request to sponsor a child that is around your own children’s age. This way as your own child grows up they can learn about and write to a child that is their own age. Contact us today to get things started. We look forward to hearing from you!

Sponsor a Child Today

Child Sponsorship

Rachel — Mon, 06 Jun 2011 17:05:55 +0000

Live the gospel . . .

“When we were on the outside without hope and home, Jesus brought us into his family (Eph. 2:12-13, 19). What Jesus did for us is the Gospel.

Today there are millions of orphans in the world without hope and home. When we give orphans hope, when we bring orphans into our families, we reenact the Gospel . . .

Orphan care is Gospel reenactment.” (Dan Cruver; Together for Adoption, 10/23/09)

Play your part . . .

Love mercy, do justice. . .

Sponsoring an orphaned child or a child-at-risk through ServLife is a powerful and effective step ahead in doing justice now. Your sponsorship will ensure that children in the some of the most difficult circumstances will get an education, a home, healthy food and clothing, and opportunity to experience the love of Christ. With over 210 children now being served, we continue to extend the borders of our care for at-risk children but we need your help. Play your part!

Sponsor a child . . .

Will you take action now and sponsor a child? We currently have sixty (60) children in Nepal and India needing your help. For $30/month you can sponsor one child and directly empower a new generation for God’s purposes. Put your compassion into action. Love mercy. Live the gospel!

Read the Child Sponsorship Program FAQ pages.

Contact us for more information on sponsorship or to begin sponsoring a child today!

ServLife International is a non-profit organization planting communities of the Kingdom and restoring hope to children-at-risk and the global poor.

ServLife International, Inc. P.O. Box 20596 Indianapolis, IN 46220 USA

May 2011 Message from ServLife

Rachel — Fri, 20 May 2011 16:46:56 +0000

MAY 2011

Surprised by hope . . .

Jeff Romack

Grace & peace to you,

That wonderful greeting, used in a number of the Apostle Paul’s letters to fledgling churches, captures in a minimum of words the character of our standing in Christ Jesus; grace and peace. It’s a place of God’s loving favor upon us in total contrast to our just desserts. And, it’s a place of peace in a world in which peace is mostly a distant dream. Grace and peace; this is our prayer and our hope for you in this new season.

Previously at ServLife . . . a couple of months back when I first wrote to you in my new role as Executive Director, I mentioned that I would soon be travelling to visit our people and work in both India and Nepal. That visit is now in the books. I arrived back to the U.S. a week ago after nearly a month of living on the road and out of a suitcase. It’s good to be home; when do I get to go again!

This trip was essential both for the ServLife staff in India and Nepal and for me. Truth be told, last year was a tumultuous time for everyone connected with the mission. The time I was able to spend with our staff provided an opportunity for all of us to listen to one another’s story and to feel one another’s pain and confusion over all that has transpired. The good news is that we all found a way through that pain and confusion to emerge together on the other side in a place of new relationship and renewed commitment to our calling to the least, the last and the lost. It’s no exaggeration to say that we were all surprised . . . by hope for what God will yet do through us.

I want to give you just a few of the highlights of that time which will also serve as something of an update on what is now going on in ServLife.

A new beginning in Raxaul, India . . . after arriving in Kathmandu I quickly caught a domestic flight to Simara located in what is known as the Tarai of southern Nepal. There I was met by Albert Das of ServLife India. From that tiny airport we made the 1-1/2 hour

Albert Das, ServLife India

drive to the Nepal-India border. It’s really quite a scene with nearly every form of transportation imaginable; pedestrians, bicycles, rickshaws, pedal rickshaws, horse carts, ox carts, motorbikes, cars, buses, trucks and more, all vying for the same limited space on the dusty highway. Picture that!

Raxaul lies just over the border in India. It is, literally, the end of the line in India. On the other hand, you might say it’s the beginning. It is, in fact, the beginning point of

New Home in Raxaul

ServLife’s ministry in India. Raxaul is home to the Das family and ServLife Empowering Society and its children’s home (30 children), the ServLife Mission School ( 20 more kids), and the church planter training program (72 workers deployed across India, Nepal and Bangladesh).

These days Albert is most excited that work is nearing completion on the first of three purpose built buildings which will accommodate all those ministries. ServLife India is still needing funds in the amount of $8,000 to complete the work on the interior of that first building. After that Albert and family and the children and schools will move from rented facilities to the new property while work continues on the other buildings.

Going to Kathmandu . . . following the time in Raxaul I backtracked to Kathmandu. While I’ve spent the last 30 years living and working in Asia this was my first time in Nepal. Not sure why it took so long. I’ve loved everywhere I’ve ever lived during that time but the entire time I was in Kathmandu I had a feeling that if I’d landed in Nepal earlier in my journey I might have remained there for the long haul. Whatever, I’m just glad we’re involved in this nation at a time when the gospel is making such an impact.

In Nepal ServLife is primarily working through two local initiatives. The first, Himalayan Development (HD), is led by Lazarus Thulung. HD is focused on the training and sending of church planters into the remote and far-flung villages of Nepal. At the present time we

Jeff and Lazarus Thulung

have 41 workers on the ground and 43 churches. That group will be bolstered by another 12 workers later this year following their training. We’ve got the gospel, humble leadership, a well-conceived plan and committed workers. Already fruit is being born. We are also planning to move ahead with the Hope Fund project. This micro-lending initiative to alleviate poverty is being done in villages where we are already at work planting the church. In a perfect world the Hope Fund would be in every village where we are working. Actually, in a perfect world the Hope Fund would not be needed but we are quite a ways from perfect so we are striving to help more families in real need. Our only limitation is available funds. Perhaps you would like to help?

The final piece of our picture, AS Nepal, is devoted to the care of orphans and other

Udaya and Bhakti Bhatta

children-at-risk. At the present time we have three children’s homes caring for 32 children. I had an opportunity to listen to many of their stories during my visit. All are heartbreaking and many almost unbelievable. The scripture makes it no secret of God’s determined care for the orphans and most vulnerable among us. We are privileged to be serving these children in Jesus’ name. What joy to see lives changed and surprised by hope! In addition to these we are also sponsoring 123 children of the poor for education that they otherwise would never be able too afford. Still more hope!

The last word . . . I remarked to someone just yesterday that this trip was the most hopeful thing I’ve experienced in mission in many years. Thanks for the opportunity to share it with you. And now the opportunity is yours to join us in nothing less than changing our piece of the world in Jesus’name and for his Kingdom.

Together in hope,

Jeff

Here’s where to start . . .

+ Pray with us . . . join the ServLife Prayer Team.

+ Serve the poor . . .give to the Hope Fund.

+ Surprise a child with hope . . . become a ServLife child sponsor.

+ Be a part of a new beginning . . . help us complete Albert’s project

ServLife International, Inc. is a non-profit organization planting communities of the Kingdom and restoring hope to children-at-risk and the global poor.

ServLife International, Inc. P.O. Box 20596 Indianapolis, IN 46220 USA

Easter 2011

Rachel — Mon, 25 Apr 2011 13:31:56 +0000

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead . . .

1 Peter 1:3

Easter 2011

This Beautiful but Broken World

If you’re awake and paying the slightest bit of attention you will have noticed that we live in a beautiful but very broken world. A few examples come immediately to mind. This reality was suddenly and forcefully confirmed to us by the devastating earthquake and tsunami that recently struck northern Japan. An entire nation shaken and now reeling; one moment life is beautiful, the next moment it’s very broken. The full extent of the loss suffered will not be known for a very long time.

Then just yesterday, I received word that the wife of a longtime friend and colleague had passed away. This was not sudden. Hers was a four year battle with cancer. Still, you are never quite prepared to receive that message. A lovely, gifted woman taken in mid-life. She is now at rest. He is left with four children at home. Words fail. Prayer turns to groaning

Today, I write from a nation in southeast Asia where freedom of religion is guaranteed to all citizens; however, things are not what they seem to be. Freedom to gather together with other like-minded people is not part of the deal. Churches must register with the government and those that do must clear their teaching with the authorities. Those that do not register are in a vulnerable position, at the mercy of the powers that be. Some leaders end up spending time behind bars. Lives are disrupted. All citizens, in this nation that pays lip service to religious freedom, must carry ID papers on which their religious allegiance must be declared. Any response other than “none” makes it very difficult for one to get into a preferred school or a decent job. You can forget about working in government service altogether. Yet the church continues to grow in spite of all such efforts to control it. A broken system yet beauty finds a way to emerge.

Paul wrote in his letter to the Christians in Rome that all creation is groaning as it awaits redemption from its bondage. This is a remarkable reminder that God’s saving work through Jesus Christ goes beyond the rescue of individual men and women as vital as that piece of redemption certainly is. God’s intention is not to take a relative few from this broken world to be with him forever but to actually make this broken world and its people right once again. Now that’s redemption! In fact, the global dimension of God’s promised action is so radical that the Bible calls it “new creation.” This “new creation” was launched at Jesus’ resurrection and it will come to its promised fulfillment when he returns to reign over all he’s created and redeemed. This is the biblical hope and it’s very good news, indeed. This beautiful but broken world will be made right!

This Holy Week we celebrate that God has already taken action in Jesus Christ to achieve all his purposes for us and for all creation. Nevertheless, like Paul, we now find ourselves in the time between Jesus’ resurrection victory and all things made new. It’s a strange time, a time of vulnerability, groaning and yet hope. What to do?

“God,” Paul writes, “was reconciling the world to himself in Jesus Christ (2 Cor. 5:19).” Now he’s committed the good news of this reconciliation to us. God has already done what only God could do to bring about his new creation. Now it is left for us to do what we must do; to make complete the sufferings of Christ by loving this broken world and its hurting peoples in Jesus’ name. This is how we understand our calling at ServLife.

At ServLife we seek to love and serve in word and deed in some of the most challenging places and among the most vulnerable people. We do so in grateful celebration for what God has already done and in hopeful anticipation of all that he has promised to do. As you contemplate God’s saving love this Easter season will you also consider joining with us in partnership and participation that together we might bring God’s kind of change to this beautiful but broken world?

He is risen!

Jeff Romack

Executive Director

For the sake of those now hosting me in this nation I will leave my present location a mystery. I’ll be here for several more days and then in Singapore before moving on at the end of this month to be with our people and projects in Nepal and India. Next month I’ll give a report on what is happening there.

ServLife International is a non-profit organization planting communities of the Kingdom and restoring hope to children-at-risk and the global poor.

Here are some ways to partner with ServLife:

1)Join our prayer team! You will receive monthly emails with ways you can pray for ServLife.

2)Sponsor a child or indigenous pastor. We’ll get you connected.

3)Volunteer at ServLife. There’s lots to be done!

4)Donate to our ongoing work in Nepal and India headed up by Albert, Lazarus, or Udaya.

ServLife International, Inc. P.O. Box 20596 Indianapolis, IN 46220 USA

A message from Jeff Romack Executive Director

Rachel — Wed, 23 Mar 2011 19:50:11 +0000

May integrity and uprightness protect me, because my hope, LORD, is in you.

-Psalm 25.21

Dear ServLife Family & Friends,

As I begin to write the first of what I hope and plan to be a regular monthly message to you, my mind is flooded with many thoughts and feelings. I hope to be able to sort through some of those in this message and in the process allow you to get to know me a bit better as well as my thinking about this ‘thing’ called ServLife, the point at which our lives now touch.

I first came to know ServLife about four years ago after meeting its founder, Joel Vestal. My interest was immediately piqued. This was partly because I have lived and breathed God’s mission for more than 30 years, in various expressions, mostly in Southeast Asia. More than that, I was attracted to the vision and values of ServLife and the way those twins were being put into action by some really dedicated men and women in various parts of Asia and Africa. It didn’t take me long to recognize that there is a lot to like about ServLife. Here is a key piece of God’s mission being worked out by and for a new generation.

Now, through what I only dimly understand as the mysterious working of God’s Spirit, in the midst of some difficult circumstances, I find myself at the helm of a ministry that had caught my attention some years before. What to do; weep or rejoice? Actually, I’ve been doing a lot of both. Rejoicing at an opportunity to participate, along with all of you, in God’s redemption project to make his beautiful but broken world right again. And then, at the same time, crying out to God in prayer, for healing in individual lives, for myself on the upward side of a steep learning curve and for grace among all you who have been partners in this work, some for many years.

What can I say of my first few weeks on the job? So far, so good. God is at work. I’m encouraged almost daily with signs that he is with us. That’s what matters most. But there is much work yet to be done if we are to meet our commitments in 2011 to those we love and serve in India, Nepal and beyond . Our partners in need are our first concern. We are committed to doing what it takes to serve them well. In terms of our administration we are running a tight ship. Nothing is being wasted. Our hope is in God; may our integrity and uprightness protect us.

the vision thing . . .

With the recent change in leadership comes the inevitable question, “What is your vision for ServLife?” That is a question that can’t be avoided. And, why should it? Without a vision our lives are wasted. Without a mission we lose our way. If vision is birthed by God’s Spirit it will also impart to us courage to do that from which we might otherwise shrink back.

ServLife, from the very outset, has been present among the peoples of some of the most marginalized and oppressed regions of the world, places where the church is still small, lacking numbers and resources of its own to address serious issues of human need, both spiritual and material. This is key to understanding what we are about. We will not do for others what they could otherwise be doing for themselves. Rather, we are, with your help, seeking to live out what it means to love our neighbors in this globalized world. We intend to continue our work among such people and in such places of acute need with a special focus . . .

+ To rescue and care for children-at-risk.

+ To end hunger and bring hope through micro-enterprise initiatives.

+ To train and release leaders to bring the whole gospel of the Kingdom to the whole person with the intention of planting local Christian communities.

It might be obvious but it still must be said that when we can do all these things in proximity and relationship to one another a remarkable synergy for God’s kind of change occurs in the lives of individuals, families and communities. This is a true sign of the Kingdom. This is our vision and it will be the first criteria by which we evaluate all potential opportunities to pioneer in new places and among new peoples.

Go! . . .

I will be on the road for most of April and the first ten days of May; first in Vietnam, later Singapore and finally in Nepal and India. I am especially looking forward to visiting the ServLife staff and ministries in Kathmandu and Raxaul. And I look forward to sharing with you a report of my observations when I write to you again in April.

Until then please do keep us in prayer and please consider how you can best express your continued support of this work in God’s harvest field.

Grace & peace to you,

Jeff Romack

Executive Director

By the way, do take a look at “The Vision that Guides Us” and “The Values that Direct Us.” It’s good stuff. You can find it at http://www.servlife.org/wp/index.php/about-servlife/values-vision/

ServLife International, Inc. P.O. Box 20596 Indianapolis, IN 46220 USA

ServLife’s New Executive Director

Rachel — Wed, 09 Mar 2011 19:11:28 +0000

Dear ServLife Family,

Thank you so much for your steadfast prayers and continued generosity for the ministries and people whom we serve. Many of you have called or written with words of encouragement and genuine concern in the days following our last communication. The Indianapolis office staff and the Board of Directors have worked diligently to ensure the integrity of ServLife moving forward. And we write today with good news about the faithfulness of our God and the beautiful ways that he uses his people.

After a careful financial review, we are pleased to report that all projects were fully funded according to budget in 2010. We can also report that as a result of your continued generosity, we are, early in this year, on track to meet our budget in 2011.

We are also pleased to announce that as of March 1, Jeffrey P. Romack was appointed the new Executive Director of ServLife International. Jeff has served on the Board of Directors for the past 8 months and his wisdom has been invaluable in that role. We are confident that he will bring both stability and growth to ServLife as he serves in this new capacity.

For those of you who don’t know him, Jeff has been involved in various aspects of cross-cultural mission, including church planting, leadership training and community development since 1981. He and his wife, Donna, spent twenty years living, working and raising three children in the Micronesian islands of the Pacific, the mountains of Northern Luzon, Philippines, the urban high-rises of Singapore and the organized chaos of Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

Jeff has served as Indochina (Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam) and Philippines Regional Director for YWAM and as a member of the Global Leadership Team. For the past several years he has divided his time between southeast Asia and the U.S. where he has been involved in planting a missional church among post-modern young adults in the Broad Ripple area of Indianapolis. Jeff has a passion for helping people to understand the radical good news of God’s grace and peace and to move them into action as God’s people for the sake of a broken world.

Jeff is a graduate of Purdue University, Asian Theological Seminary and the School of World Mission at Fuller Theological Seminary. Donna is the Director of Elementary Education at The Orchard School in Indianapolis. All three of their children and three grandchildren live in the Indy area. You will hear more from Jeff in the coming days as he shares his vision for the future of ServLife and the people it serves.

In closing, let us say that as a board, we have been heartened by God’s steadfast concern and care for the day-to-day operations of ServLife. He has met us in the details of our service in surprising and delightful ways. God has shown again and again that this work and these people are his!

With peace,

Rich Klopp, President of the Board

Ramona Rice, Secretary

Jeff Romack, Executive Director

Store Update

Rachel — Sat, 19 Feb 2011 16:31:06 +0000

Check out the ServLife Store. We have recently updated some of the products and wanted to bring that to your attention. The main change is in the Donated Art section.

Artists in the area donate art to ServLife, we then sell the art and use the profit to help fund ServLife.

*If you are an artist and would like to donate some of your work to ServLife please contact our office at 3317-544-0484.

Meet Mamata Kumari Bhat

Rachel — Wed, 19 Jan 2011 17:26:31 +0000

Mamata belongs to a Hindu family in far western Nepal. Both her mother and father are from uneducated parents, so they want to be able to send Mamata to school so she will have a better future then they did. However, they are unable to afford school fees on the 700 Rupees (about $10 USD) a month they make.

You can Help!

All it takes is $30 a month to sponsor a child like Mamata. That $30 goes to help pay the school fees of the child as well as other necessities. We encourage anyone who sponsors a child to not only provide the $30 a month but to also correspond with the child they sponsor. This includes writing to them at least twice a year, and providing a little extra around their birthday to help get a gift for the child. Along with a letter you may send in small gifts such as stickers, hard candy, and pencils or crayons. We also require that you pray for your child. Some of the children have a relationship with Christ, but some like Mamata grow up in a non Christian home. We not only try and provide for the child fiscally but want to bring greater change in there life, the most important change that can be made, a relationship with Christ. The prays you lift up can help make this possible. Mathew 19:14 says “
Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”" Help us make a way for children to find there way to our Lord Jesus Christ. If you are interested in sponsoring Mamata or a child like her please contact us and we will get back to you write away on starting to change the life of a child.

Make a Donation to ServLife

Contact ServLife to Become a Child Sponsor

Meet Prakash BK

Rachel — Tue, 11 Jan 2011 16:48:02 +0000

Prakash BK was born on May 16, 2001 into a Christian family in far western Nepal. He has one brother and four sisters. His father works in India as a watchman and only makes 2000 Rupees (about $27 USD) a month, which is not enough to feed his family for the year. Prakash’s father is of a very low caste and his family has been discriminated against for centuries. They were never able to own land or go to school. Prakash’s favorite color is red, his favorite sport is football, and his favorite animal is a cow.

For just $30 a month you could sponsor Prakash. It doesn’t take much to change the life of a child, even one you have never meet. ServLife currently has about 300 children sponsored. Help us reach our goal of sponsoring 1000 children by 2013 through the ServLife 1000 project. Contact us if you are interested in helping us make a difference in a child’s life.

Sponsor a Child Today

A Story from Julie Part 2

Rachel — Thu, 06 Jan 2011 14:25:34 +0000

With all that has been going on in our lives since returning from Nepal, I haven’t had the time to finish unpacking from our trip yet. So Saturday I was putting away the things in my backpack that I carried around for those two weeks in Nepal, and I started to get so sad.

I want to go back! I miss all the people. I miss the power of God I felt among those believers as we worshiped together in different languages. I miss the power of God I felt working through me as I sought to bring His love to the Nepali people. I miss Nepal!

If my husband would come home today and say, “Honey, I think God is calling us to live among the people of Nepal.” I would say, “O.k.,” and start packing. That’s how much I loved it. Now, before you get worried that we are moving to Nepal, don’t. Michael hasn’t said anything of the sort, and I don’t expect him to do so. I’m just saying…that’s how much I loved it.

When I stopped to get a sandwich the other day, there was an Indian-looking family in the restaurant. I’m learning, though, that many of these people are actually from Nepal. I smiled and said, “Excuse me,” as I walked by, then got outside and thought, “I should have said, ‘Namastay!’” (which is the Nepali greeting–their version of “hi”). Boy do I regret missed opportunities like that. Next time I’ll be ready.

I promised to share with you the rest of our first full day in Nepal, so here’s the rest of the story….

After lunch, Udaya Bhatta spoke to the church-planters about the ServLife Children’s Home in Kathmandu which he and his wife Bhakti have been running since 2003. Then Mark Storm shared with them about ServLife’s Hope Fund–micro-business loans for the poor–and how it can be an outreach tool for them in their villages.

Finally came the moment for which Sasha and I had been waiting: we got to go to the Children’s Home! Mark took Om Maya, Asha, Sasha and myself to the Children’s Home while Michael and Gil stayed to teach and interview the church-planters. We were so ready to meet those children! They were very shy at first. The school-age children were in the middle of studying for exams, so we met them as they came in from school or came down from the study room. Shortly after we arrived, however, most of them were there to greet us.

Udaya and his wife Bhakti introduced each child to us, telling us if they were a full-orphan or half-orphan, a little of the story of how they came to the home, where they were from and if they had a sibling at the home. Then the child would greet us (”Jay mahsee!”), tell us their name and which class they read in (i.e which grade). It was so precious!

One little guy named Bikash, who was three years old, had only been with them for 15 days (he is front-and-center in this photo). He was wide-eyed and very nervous about these white-faced foreigners–something he had never seen before. He just sat and stared at us, not sure what to do. The next day he really warmed up to us, especially to Michael.

After introducing themselves, the children stood up and sang “Welcome to the Family.” Our hearts totally melted at this. They sang it again the next day for Michael–here’s the precious video he took of them. “Welcome to the Family”

Since the kids were taking exams the next day, they had to head back up to their study room and hit the books (that’s the room in which the video was taken of them singing). So we visited with Udaya and Bhakti some more, and Udaya gave us a tour of the home. It was agreed that what was most needed of us while here was to paint the family room for them, so that became our plan for the next day. Can’t wait to show you those photos in my next blog.

Next we headed back to get Michael and Gil, then we were off to meet Abraham’s parents and family for Asha’s 1-year-old birthday party! That was such a fun evening! The electricity was out (as it frequently is in Nepal), so we were by candlelight and couldn’t really see faces very well. But we were warmly greeted by Abraham’s brother-in-law to his home and by all the family gathered to celebrate with us. Moments like these are what made this so much more than just a mission trip. This is when we felt like we were part of a family on the other side of the world. We were so blessed to experience real life and family like this!

We enjoyed a delicious Nepali dinner of rice and lentils with chicken (same as we had for lunch). Then we sang to Asha (as she slept) and blew out her candles on her cake for her. This was the first time the Tamang’s relatives in Nepal had met Asha, and they were so excited to be part of her birthday celebration. Abraham’s family is just as lively as he is (we now see where he gets his hilarious sense of humor), and we thoroughly enjoyed visiting with various family members. Their pastor even showed up while we were there!

About half-way through the evening, the lights suddenly came on. Hooray’s and applause filled the house, and we could finally see all their faces. There must have been nearly 30 people in that home! Abraham’s brother-in-law also uses his home as an orphanage for 8 orphans, so we met those precious children, too. I had fun taking videos of Abraham’s parents telling him “hi” and sending their greetings to Alpha and Omega (Abraham and Om Maya’s other two daughters). Sasha was about ready to take his sweet mom home with her, the two of them hit it off so well (even though they couldn’t understand a word the other was saying)!

A story from Julie Part 1

Rachel — Wed, 05 Jan 2011 14:05:42 +0000

It is hard to know how to even begin to describe all of this to you. Words cannot explain the overwhelming emotion that hit me as I watched Michael speak to those 40 church-planters on the other side of the world. I see pictures in magazines, read stories in books and watch videos and photos on websites of this kind of mission work, but to actually witness it in person was rather surreal. I don’t mind saying I was one proud wife to watch my husband encouraging and equipping these men who are taking the Gospel all over their pagan country! I really had to work to hold back the tears of joy in front of all those people!

Let me back up to the beginning of the day, though. For me it began with my quiet time with the Lord at 5 am, then I began to get ready at 6 am…and quickly discovered I could NOT bring myself to take a freezing cold shower (hot water is a luxury in Nepal). Oh well–day 3 of not washing my hair.

We got dressed and had breakfast at a great little internet cafe called Higher Grounds (begun by American missionaries several years ago, and mostly frequented by ex-patriots). We all had delicious American-style breakfasts (waffles, pancakes, eggs and sausage, etc.)…with coffee! That was funny because Gil, Michael and I had weaned ourselves off of coffee the week before we left since we didn’t think we would have many opportunities to drink it in Nepal. Wouldn’t you know we ended up having it every single day. God has a great sense of humor! We also found out how easy it is to call people on the internet and actually spoke with family that morning. What a small, globally-connected world we live in these days!

Lazarus met us that morning for breakfast so that Michael could ask him some questions to get a better feel for where these pastors are in their level of education and knowledge of the Scriptures, and what they most needed to hear (hoping, of course, that the five sessions he had already prepared would be appropriate…and of course they were). Is was so great to meet Lazarus after all these months of preparing to partner with him on our trip. What a ministry and testimony he has! I can hardly wait to share with you how his grandfather came to faith as one of the very first Christians in Nepal, and subsequently how Lazarus ended up in the ministry after trying so hard to avoid it.

After breakfast we headed to the Church-Planter’s Conference. It was on the top floor of a four-story building where Lazarus’ church meets for worship, study and fellowship. The building is owned by Christians…and it was very different to walk up so many flights of stairs with no railing and no WALL on the inside of the stairs. These were very rough, hand-laid concrete stairs, and I could hardly believe my eyes when I saw children running up and down them later on. I would have panicked that my kids might fall from one flight to the other, but these children are obviously very used to these kinds of stairs. The rest of the building was occupied by some Christian businesses and a few family residences. Very different from what we’re used to in America. We could have literally walked right into one of these residences, everyone is so open and trusting. The reason for this, though, is that there is very little crime here–which is pretty amazing for a city that reminded me a lot of New York City with its hustle and bustle.

Shortly after we arrived, the pastors began coming in and finding their seats. I was getting so excited! All we had been looking forward to was about to begin! The conference had actually begun the day before, while we were still traveling.

Lazarus and Joel Vestal had been their speakers that day, but now it was pretty much all Michael from here on out. Lazarus welcomed us and brought Michael up to introduce our team.

(By the way, Om Maya and Asha stayed with some family the previous night since little Asha was so sick, so they were not around for the beginning of the day). Michael had each of us come forward and share a few words of greeting and explain what each of us do in our church back home. As in many countries, the people of Nepal take off their shoes when entering someone’s home. Well, here we kept them on in the building; but we were to remove them before stepping up to the altar area to speak. I got some fun photos of Michael up there in his socks.

Here is the video clip of Michael first speaking to the church-planters. Greetings from America

That was so amazing to witness! I want to share with you also the introduction to one of Michael’s sessions. As I wrote in my journal, I felt like I was watching Paul in action. To see Michael teaching these pastors, many of whom were fairly new converts within the past few years, was absolutely amazing to me. Knowing that these men would then take what they learned and the encouragement they received to go shepherd their flocks and plant new churches throughout this Hindu-dominated country was an overwhelming thought to me.

Michael teaching the church-planters — theme: 2 Timothy 4:6-8 (please forgive me…I’m not much of a videographer!)

Then we had a delicious (”mito” in Nepali) lunch with Lazarus. The pastors went

up on the roof to eat together while we went into a special room with Lazarus and the meal served for us as the guests of honor. We later went up on the roof to see what was up there, and it was fun to look out over the city from up high. We watched as women cooked and washed laundry top of their roofs, observed the traffic and people–and animals–moving about the streets, and got a great aerial view of Kathmandu.

Oh…and during lunch-break, Sasha and I also got our introduction to our first true Nepali toilet. Here goes the adventure!

Meet Shanti Tamatta

Rachel — Tue, 04 Jan 2011 14:52:28 +0000

Shanti is one of the new member of our recently opened Daya Girls Home. Shanti belonged to a poor family. Her parents had responsibilities of earning sufficient money for her family, but she is unfortunate because she has lost both of her parents. Her father died before she was born, and her mother passed away when Shanti was three months old. She is in our Daya Girls Home because a pastor found her when he was visiting the village to preach the Gospel. She is the youngest one in Daya Girls Home.

It takes just $30 a month to help change the life of Shanti and many others who have suffered similar fates as her. To help change the life of a child become a sponsor through ServLife. All that is required from you is a monthly donation of $30, prayer for the child that you sponsor, and correspondence with the child through letters twice a year. Other optional things are giving an extra donation for your child’s birthday so that a small gift may be purchased and small gifts to be sent with your letters like stickers, crayons, and pencils. It doesn’t take much to make such a difference. Your sponsorship will provide a child like Shanti with the ability to go to school and get an education, one which would not be possible without your support. A loving home for which she will get the food and shelter required to grow up healthy and happy.

To become a sponsor contact us and let us know you would like to become a sponsor today.

A Volunteer’s Testimony

Rachel — Tue, 14 Dec 2010 14:42:11 +0000

When considering going on this trip to India, my thought was this: If there is a group of people, beside my family, that I would like to give my best time, efforts, prayer, and resources, I think it would be those leading people to Christ and shepherding them in the hardest parts of the globe. I was not disappointed after 1 day of interacting with the people at ServLife India. The best way to tell the story is that from the moment our plane touched down in Delhi, I could feel some of the oppressive elements you experience in India from environment to culture shock to viewing the plight of many of the people. A long, dusty drive and I was beat and feeling the challenge.

We were awakened at 5:00AM by the children singing in the orphanage above us, and it was such a sweet sound of thankfulness to God that I could not help but weep openly. That was followed by a very clear leading of the Lord to speak on being empowered by God’s Holy Spirit to do things we cannot do on our own. Later that morning, we got our first opportunity to interview some of the pastors, to hear their stories, testimonies, and prayer requests, and to pray for them and their families. My heart was the most alive it has been in the past 5 years. After talking personally with the pastors, preaching/teaching was sweeter…I felt more connected with them, and, I think, they with me. We had an extended and moving prayer time that night after the message and it was great to see what God was doing. That was one day with ServLife India.

One other experience that was powerful was seeing the new land for the guesthouse, school, orphanage, and church. Though the only finished product is the wall surrounding the property, in this new beautiful place, I could envision children thriving and being loved. I could see people worshiping. I could see the space to play and enjoy nature divergent from city life. The guesthouse, which is almost finished and will be the first finished building on the property, is equally inspiring to see.

I loved watching these people worship God with such fervor and zeal. It is the response of grateful hearts to the Lord. It was the response of those who have lived in darkness and now live in the light. It was the response of second chances for children, many of whom had been forsaken and cast-off. Their faces were the light of God shining most brightly in a spiritually dark place. I loved their beaming, redeemed faces most of all.

Thanks to ServLife for allowing us to share in this experience.

India Leaders Conference Update: Nov 12-18, 2010

Rachel — Sun, 14 Nov 2010 10:16:20 +0000

ServLife’s 7th Annual Conference is underway in north India with 60 ServLife indigenous mission workers who have come from 6 states in India. A team from north Houston have come to help in the teaching, Chris Criswell & Vernon Henenway, along with Joel Vestal are at the conference. The days are filled with testimonies, prayer time, Bible teaching, singing performances, corporate worship, eating together, and fellowship. The stories that these workers are sharing are a true example of God’s grace and power.

Thank you for your prayers and support for. Click here to give to help meet the total expenses of the conference.

Joel Vestal reflects, “It is such a deep joy to see these men year after year and their faith encouraging and speaking to me in so many ways. Please pray for the work of ServLife in India.” Continue to pray for the rest of the conference.

ServLife’s New Daya Girls Home in Kailali, Nepal Hosts Inauguration on November 9

Rachel — Sat, 13 Nov 2010 15:15:21 +0000

With the Himalaya mountains in view in western Nepal there is a town called Kalali. It is a small town of less than 50,000 people. A few months ago, ServLife’s home for girls, Daya Girls Home, was started in 2010. On November 9, 2010 an official inauguration was held with over 200 in attendance from the community. Local political leaders and church leaders were there for the two hour program. Currently, there are 7 girls now in the home with the hope to grow the home to 10 girls.

The home is located in a strategic area of western Nepal where the trafficking of young girls is prominent from the mountain villages to India. Please pray for this new ministry.

Click here to give towards the Daya Girls Home in Kalali, Nepal and/or ServLife’s work among children in Nepal.

Meet Dibye Chaudhary

Rachel — Tue, 19 Oct 2010 19:12:59 +0000

Dibye’s father works as a laborer making $4,000 Nepal Rupees, about $50 USD, per year which is barely enough to pay rent and purchase food. Dibye’s father is uneducated, but wants to give his children the chance to go to school and earn an education.

Sponsoring a child through ServLife is an effective way to see God’s love made known in some of the darkest corners of the globe.

ServLife’s approach is one that is driven by relationship. We believe that out of a result of a relationship with God through Christ, we should be compelled to serve and give of our means to those in the world that are marginalized and oppressed.

We currently have 325 children in our program 25 of those need sponsors today. If you are interesting in partnering with ServLife to change the life of a child please contact us. In the email specify weather you would like to sponsor a girl or a boy. Sponsoring a child costs $30 a month, but the cost is only one part of the relationship you can build with the child. We also ask that you pray for your child on a regular basis and we have made it possible for you and your child to send letters to each other twice a year. Once you contact us, making us aware of your interest in sponsoring a child, we will send you a packet containing: a magnet with your child’s information, frequently asked questions about the sponsorship program, the sponsorship form, letter writing guidelines, and a ServLife 1000 brochure.

Sponsor a Child Today!

View video of our First ServLife Leaders Conference in 2004: 6th Conference is in Nov 2010

Rachel — Sat, 09 Oct 2010 18:24:47 +0000

Since 2004, ServLife indigenous staff who have been trained in our one year training have gathered. Please watch this video to be encouraged and help us reach our goal of $17,500 for the 2010 conferences. We are encouraged that this is our 6th year to do these annual conference as 10 American volunteers will be going ot help teach and encourage.

Please Give to this Conference

Meet ServLife Mission Worker Bhakta Sijali Serving in Nepal

Rachel — Fri, 08 Oct 2010 16:45:50 +0000

Meet Bhakta Bahadur Sijali. Bhakta serves in the Dhankuta District, Eastern Region. Bhakta has a wife and two children: a daughter, Nabina, who is 11 years old and a son, Akesh, who is 9. They are all healthy and his children are in school. Bhakta’s major prayer requests are: 1) That those who have accepted Christ will grow in their faith, 2) That those who haven’t heard the gospel will become open to it. 22 people came to Christ through his ministry after he returned from his ServLife Training. You can read about two of their testimonies below.

Indira Budhathoki was born in a Brahmin Hindu family. He was suffering from terrible headache. She has gone to the different hospitals in the cities. After three months of treatment she was return home without any improvement. Her family members were very sad with her situation. I used to go to the village by door to door. I visited this family and shared the Gospel. I gave an invitation to come to my home (Because fellowship was started in my house) for prayer. Next week, she came to my house. She started to come to the small fellowship regularly, Week after week, she received her healing. She received Christ as her Savior and Lord.

Hom Bahadur Shrestha was born in a Newari Hindu family. Their family members were suffering from different kinds of disease. Hom himself was sick and suffering from evil spirits. I preach the Gospel to this family. While Hom was listened the Gospel, he opened his heart to receive Christ as His Lord and Savior. And his whole family came to Christ. I was able to sent Hom in ServLife training center for one month training. This training helped him to be strong in his faith.

Make a donation to support our indigenous missionary staff

A Practical Way to Help us Serve over 1,000 Children who are the poorest of the poor in the World who are a part of ServLife

Rachel — Fri, 08 Oct 2010 03:22:27 +0000

That is right! 1,000 children are connected and could be considered “ServLife kids” The list includes children who are sponsored, children of indigenous staff, children of reginal leaders, children who attend the ServLife school in India. We need your help and get your family involved or your small group!

A great way to get involved with these children is to help us collect and send supplies to our Indianapolis office and allow volunteers to carry with them. For the rest of 2010, we have over 25 volunteers going from around the country. Some of the things that are in most need are:

Protein powder (Can be for adults as small quantities are used to put in glasses of milk)
Children’s vitamins,
Children’s cold/ cough med’s
Children’s fever reducer / pain medicine
Toothpaste
Anti-bacterial creme
bandaids

Helping us provide these items to the children is a wonderful way for you to help support ServLife but more importantly share the love of God.

We are asking that you will send $1 per pound of the items you send us to help cover expenses of excess baggage fees or possible overweight charges. If you or people in your group would like to get an update and photos of the items you donate, please include your address and email address.

Please bring or mail items to the ServLife Offices:

ServLife International, Inc. 2511 E 46th , E-2 Indianapolis, IN 46205

Follow us on Twitter

Rachel — Tue, 28 Sep 2010 13:58:27 +0000

Follow ServLife on twitter and help spread the news! Follow this link here

http://twitter.com/ServLife

Organize a “ServLife-Peace Night (Luke 10:6-7)” in your Home or Church to Raise Awareness and Money for our Mission

Rachel — Tue, 28 Sep 2010 00:56:07 +0000

We are seeking to leverage ServLife friends and supporters and ask for your help to broaden our donor base and raise funds. Do you support and believe in the mission of ServLife? Have you given a donation? We are trying to organize 10 “ServLife-Peace Nights around the country either in a home or church.

Luke’s gospel quotes Jesus giving instructions to his disciples for their ministries. He says when someone offers peace to stay in that house and do not go from house to house. (read Luke 10:6-7) Many have taken this text to apply to ministry within the arena of church planting, personal evangelism, fundraising, student ministry or ministries kinds. I believe it can be true about the ministry or raising awareness and funds for God’s work.

The event is simple:

You decide what day and time in the evening the event should start (suggested time is after dinner)
It can be as formal or casual as you would like
ServLife can help provide small snacks and coffee to allow for people to visit for 20 minutes upon arrival
You invite a network of your friends who potentially have the same capacity to give to ServLife that you do. The goal would a group of 5 -10 people and who would not know about ServLife (or more)
Joel Vestal will come and speak to the group for a short 10-15 minutes, introducing people to ServLife (history, values and future) through multi media (Key donors have donated frequent flyer miles to use
5-10 minutes of questions (optional)
The host (that is you) will then make an appeal to their guests that they invited and sharing (if they are comfortable) “I give X amount to this organization / support this organization and I am asking you to match this gift / give generously tonight” OR “I support this mission would you help our family raise $X amount tonight for them

Please call our office at 317.544.0484 or Contact us via email

ServLife can provide literature and other resources if available.

Vision – Renewal Trip to Nepal & India: November 6 – 17, 2010

Rachel — Sat, 25 Sep 2010 03:01:46 +0000

A Vision Renewal Trip is a trip that combines both service projects with rest and renewal time. Participants will have a numerous selection of service projects and opportunities to experience the land of India and Nepal, attend a leadership conference of indigenous staff, minister to orphans, and some hands on projects as well. There will be a few days at the end for rest and renewal and spiritual formation sessions of prayer, worship, and teaching.

Group: Maximum of 15 people (small groups maybe formed during the stay) Minimum age is 18 unless a parent is with child
Cost: $$3,000
Contact our office by phone: 317.544.0484 for more information or an application
Deadline to register is October 17

Seeking 15 Churches or Groups to Raise through Organizing Yard Sales for Persecuted Church in South Asia

Rachel — Wed, 22 Sep 2010 03:39:50 +0000

Imagine this: Your pastor is kidnapped and burried in the ground for 3 days with only his head above the ground. He is told he must stop being a pastor and stop preaching about Jesus Christ. He is given no water or food and beaten for 3 straight days. This is what happened just recently to a ServLife indiegenous mission worker in India. We must help these mission workers! read more

We are seeking 15 churches or groups to organize and promote a yard sale in the months of October and November. ServLife has 125 indigenous staff throughout Nepal and India who are working to share God’s love and establish a church. In recent years, increased persecution and injustice has occured amont the church in the region and to ServLife staff.

ServLife has organized several yard sales working with local churches. One Saturday, $1,000 to $3,000 can be raised. It is a great group project and way to put your faith in action. Please contact us and let us help you organize a successful sale and a way to involve your church in building global community and serving our brothers and sisters in the world. Click here to make a donation towards these workers

For each church or group that participates, we will list your name on our web site and present a small gift of thanks for your efforts. Allow your compassion be put into action!