Are You a Christian?!

September 23, 2009
Today we went to one of the local shops to pick up some odds and ends. While there are many closer shops, Chloe and I walk further than necessary because this store says “In God We Trust” on the overhead sign as you walk in. And Chloe said that they sometimes play Christian music in there.

Well, we did our shopping, and walked up to the checkout counter. The man behind it is very friendly, and as we are the ONLY white people in this entire area (this is not even a remotely touristy area, so anyone around here lives here, which makes us stand out!) he recognizes us each time we come in. Well, as we went to checkout, he asked “Are you Christians?” Chloe and I froze, not sure if there were police right around the door, or if the Maoists were nearby waiting to prounce on us. It’s legal for locals to become Christians now, but there’s still a lot of tension with radicals wanting to return Nepal to a Hindu kingdom.

So, we briefly considered the fact that we might get in trouble for answering this question, but then we both responded, “Yes, yes we are Christians.” With a bright smile (and definitely enough joy to qualm our concerns!), he responded “So are we!” With a breath of relief, we laughed and said nice to meet you!

While the chances of anything happening to us are slim to none, there is a very real reality that Christians are actively persecuted here. A few months ago a church in Kathmandu was bombed by radical Hindu’s during their church service, killing 4 and injuring many others. As the church in Kathmandu is really one body (there aren’t petty divisions over denominations; they believe in the same Jesus, what else is there?!), the entire local church in Kathmandu pitched in to help this hurting sister church. In a society where close to 99% of the people are NOT Christians, you can imagine this man’s joy (and ours!!!) when we said, yes, we are one in Christ Jesus with you! I can’t really describe that feeling, knowing that you’ve met a stranger who is your brother and instant friend out of the millions of people who are Hindus and Buddhists and who knows what else here! It’s pretty awesome :).

So, we walked home, and when we got here, I asked Chloe, “How did he know we were Christians?! Do we have some sort of aura about us? All we bought was paper and juice!” And she laughed and said “Look at your t-shirt and mine!” So I did, and I realized we’re not all that discreet; her shirt says something like finish the race strong with a picture of a Bible, Cross, and a reference to Acts; mine says “This is the day that the LORD has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it!” with a picture of 3 crosses above it and “Christian Business Leaders” below it. Not to mention the fact I have on a cross necklace (thanks to Liesl!). I bet that the A&M Christian Business Leader’s would’ve never expected one of their t-shirts to unite believers in a Hindu nation! Pretty cool, right? So, never underestimate the power of the Holy Spirit in the body; He’ll use whatever He wants to bring God’s children together!