Once famous among tourists for its historical buildings and temples with artistic woodcrafts, Kathmandu has now become a refuge for poor people from all over Nepal.

Both banks of Baghmati River are occupied by huts. People who live there struggle day and night to earn their living and their children get very little care.

Our attention was grabbed by these children. So we decided to organize some camps for these children and we have grabbed three opportunities so far.

First of all, we had an opportunity to hold a children's camp for them at Godavari Botanical Garden in May. Altogether 102 children joined the camp. Two staff and eight other volunteers were there to help the children learn new songs, play games and listen to a Bible story. About 70% of the children were from non-Christian background. Mr. Dhruba Nepal told them the story of the Prodigal Son. The children willingly surrendered their lives to their heavenly Father.

A boy, Madhu , said about the camp, "The camp was very good. Now I like to go to church." Another boy, Binod, said, "I have been to a church one time with my uncle. Now I like to go again."

The second opportunity came when we organized a two day Vacation Bible School (VBS) at Nakkhu, in August. Sixty-six children from the surrounding slum areas attended the camp. About fifty of them were from non-Christian families. The children were excited to learn whatever they could.

Sharing her experience, 15 year old Shanti said, "I came to know that Jesus is my Savior and he hears our prayer. I came to know that I needed to ask forgiveness and Jesus forgives my sin. I prayed for Jesus to forgive my sins." Another girl of 14, Keran  said, "Now I knew that I can be close to Jesus through regular Bible reading and prayer."

The local pastor, Bir Bahadur Tamang, was very excited to help the children learn from the Bible. When asked about the reason for his interest to work among children, he said, "I share the good news of God to adults but they hardly give any heed but when I invite children to come to church they happily come and listen from the Word of God. They are the  good soil and receive the gospel wholeheartedly. Not only that, I have seen these children grow and produce spiritual fruits. Many of the children from non-Christian families have now become Sunday School teachers in my church."

The third opportunity came in September when About eighty children attended a camp at Manohara, half of them were from non-Christian families. There were twenty four teachers to help the children learn from the Bible and nine volunteers to prepare food. Mr. Samir Tamang helped the children learn about Jesus through arts and paper crafts. Rev. M.J. Joseph and Mr. Dhruba Nepal shared the good news with the children and challenged them to commit their lives to Jesus.

A ten year old girl, Manita shared her experience, "We are six in our family but no one goes to church. My friend invited me to join this camp, so I came. Here I learned and understood many things about Jesus." When asked if she would come to church next Saturday, she replied, "I will ask my mother for permission to go to church. If she allows me, I will certainly join."

(by Dhruba Nepal, a Nepalese Missionary Partner)

Praying for the Children of Kathmandu We have planned three Vacation Bible School (VBS) camps in the last quarter of 2010, one from 12-14 October at Lamjung, another from 2-4 November at Surkhet and the third from 10-12 November at Sarlahi.  We expect 200 children in each of the first two VBS and 500 children at Sarlahi. We also expect about 100 teachers and another 100 volunteers in these camps. Please pray for the participants.