When He Got Up and Walked: Witnessing Divine Healing in Remote Nepal
Finding God in the Himalayas: A Journey Through Nepal's Villages and Faith
When we think about spiritual journeys, many of us imagine quiet retreats or well-established places of worship. However, sometimes the most profound spiritual experiences happen in unexpected places – like remote villages in Nepal, where language barriers and cultural differences create both challenges and opportunities for deeper connection with God and others. This podcast episode with Lisa Way and Reverend Chris Kramer shares an incredible story of mission work, faith, and divine healing in the heart of Nepal.
The journey began with Youth With A Mission (YWAM) training in Nashville, Tennessee, before heading to Kathmandu – a bustling city that presents an immediate culture shock upon arrival. From navigating tiny tuk-tuks with all their belongings to adapting to a diet consisting primarily of rice and lentils, the missionary team faced numerous practical challenges. However, these physical discomforts paled in comparison to the spiritual richness they encountered during their three-month stay. After spending time in Kathmandu, the team embarked on a harrowing 24-hour bus ride to reach Tikapur, a remote village in western Nepal where they would spend over a month ministering to locals.
One of the most powerful aspects of the mission experience was overcoming language barriers. With an entirely different alphabet and vocabulary, communication relied heavily on translators. This limitation actually deepened the team's reliance on God, especially during worship experiences where words became secondary to spiritual connection. Singing Christian songs in Nepalese created profound moments of worship where "the Lord was just with us in such an amazing way" – moments so powerful that they didn't want them to end. Children in the villages would greet them with "Jamesy!", the Christian greeting equivalent to "God bless," creating immediate bonds despite the language differences.
The most extraordinary moment of the journey came when the team met an elderly man who had been unable to walk for years due to a back injury, forcing him to drag himself across the floor or rely on others to move him. When he heard about the Christian visitors, he desperately requested prayer. In that moment of ministry, they realized they didn't need to understand all the details of his condition – they simply invited the Holy Spirit and asked for healing. What happened next was nothing short of miraculous: the man stood up and walked out of his house. This powerful testimony wasn't about the team's abilities but about God's response to genuine faith – reminiscent of the biblical account where the woman was healed by touching Jesus' garment.
The challenges of mission work were significant – from illness caused by unfamiliar foods to financial struggles and moments of homesickness where the entire team questioned whether they should return home early. Yet witnessing God at work, especially through the children who would excitedly greet them on the paths, continually renewed their sense of purpose and commitment. Even in places like Pokhara, where they encountered the sad reality of street children being exploited for money, their faith remained the anchor that sustained them through difficult circumstances.
This journey through Nepal serves as a powerful reminder that God works in profound ways when we step outside our comfort zones. Whether in remote Himalayan villages or in our everyday lives, divine encounters await those willing to be available to both God and others. The experience teaches us that sometimes, the most significant spiritual growth happens not in comfort but in the challenging places where we have nothing to rely on but our faith.
Listen to the full episode here.