Monday April 14 2014, Memorial Day, NEPAL
Or Nepali New Year's Day, 2071...
As we mentioned in a previous blog, many things seem to be early in Nepal. We'll, the Nepali Calendar is no exception. It is approximately 56 years and 8½ months ahead of the Gregorian calendar (A.D). No joke... Nepalese New Year falls in the middle of April. This year it coincides with April 14. Unlike Gregorian months, the lengths of Nepali months are not predetermined, and change from year to year, varying from 29 days to 32 days. Nepali calendar is a Bikram Sambat calendar and it is also called Nepali Patro, it is specially use in Nepal and India. Countries like Indonesia, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Malaysia also use Bikram Sambat calendar......
So what does it mean? It means that April 14, 2014 on our calendar is 2071 in Nepal. It's a Nepali holiday and many people are out in the streets, a little more colourful than usual.
Whatever the date, this is a very special day for us.
With just under 2000 publishers in Nepal, we wondered, "how many would be in attendance at the Memorial of Christ's death? The Sister above is one of many who have been busy handing out invitations.
Alex went out in the morning to distribute invitations. To get to the group she took a "micro" from this inauspicious bus stop.
The lane down to the Kingdom Hall.
This Sister is one of the local pioneers.
A Hindu temple near a KH.
A watcher.
This is our host at Bethel. Saroj with the daughter of a Bible student.
Neighbourhood kids
Our new friends at Bethel, Angeli and Saroj, all dressed up and heading for the Memorial.
And us, walking the dusty roads to the bus.
This is public transport, Kathmandu style. A mini-van called a "Micro". It's a step up from the 3 wheeler "Tempo" but still squeezey... We counted 25 including the driver.
The lane to the KH and our friends are all dressed up.
Angeli and Alex.
The family. Angeli and Saroj with Angeli's father, sister's study, sister and mother.
Mother and daughter from Minnesota USA who have moved here with their husbands to share in the harvest. Obviously getting into the spirit with those saris.
So many Japanese sisters too.
It may not look like it but these are American brothers...
The study came to the Memorial.
A young blind brother who used to go to the churches that lyingly promised him they could heal him. He now sees with spiritual eyes and looks forward to the paradise.
Alex, Lloyd, Alex, and Susanna
Just a few of the Sisters after the memorial.
And the brothers.
This congregation has about 75 publishers, but there were 190 in attendance.
It turns out this year there was 1000 more at the memorial than ever before.
6500+ came to share in this very special event. So glad that we could be here to experience it. No doubt you had a great Memorial too, wherever you are.
If your looking for a country that needs some help, Nepal might be just the place. The activity is booming and the Bible studies are waiting for you to come over.
Lloydnalex
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