Nepal is a land of breathtaking beauty, home to the snow-capped Himalayas and the majestic Mount Everest, the highest peak in the world. But to me, Nepal is a land where the fertile soil of the gospel is bearing abundant fruit. By God’s grace, churches have been established throughout the country. Even in the face of hardship, many brothers and sisters are passionately walking the path of the gospel, longing for the glory of heaven.
In the cities of Nepal, we find the main churches, while in the mountainous regions and small villages, smaller branch churches are more common. Reaching these branch churches from the main ones can take anywhere from a few hours to several days. As we travel across mountains and hills to meet the members of these churches, the sound of our footsteps in the stillness reminds us that God is walking with us.
Not long ago, I visited a branch church about three hours away. A fellow member had warned me that the roads would be rough, so I prayed for a safe journey before setting out on a motorcycle. The roads, which were under construction, were so dusty that we could barely see ahead. Whenever a vehicle passed by, a huge cloud of dust would engulf us. The bumpy, unpaved paths and the constant ups and downs over hills shook us so much that my back began to ache. Even though we drove carefully, the unfamiliar and rugged terrain caused us to fall several times. The biting cold of the highlands pierced through our clothes, making the journey even more difficult.
By the time we arrived at the branch church, far later than planned, we were covered in dust from head to toe. But the moment we saw the bright smiles of the members welcoming us, all our fatigue vanished. I was deeply moved by the member who leads the church and their fervent love for the gospel. The small church space was packed with items needed for the church, leaving barely any room to sleep. Living conditions must have been tough, but the member was genuinely joyful and thankful to God for being able to work in unity for the gospel. I was humbled to learn that they regularly hike three to seven hours into the highlands to teach the Word and lead worship for brothers and sisters living in remote areas. Reflecting on their dedication made me examine my own faith. Surely God is pleased with this devotion and has blessed their church abundantly. It was a powerful reminder not to grumble over our own difficult circumstances.
While talking with a member who accompanied me on this visit, one of their reflections about the path of the gospel that Father walked left a deep impression on me:
“It’s easy to walk a well-paved road, but carving the first path is much harder.”
Our Heavenly Father came to this once barren spiritual land to bring life to His children, walking the path of the gospel Himself. It must have been a lonely and difficult road, as no one had gone before Him—yet He never turned back. Through hardship and pain, He opened the way of life and made the road of the gospel smooth and passable.
Now, members of Zion around the world are walking that path with joy. In Nepal, many assistant overseers are climbing mountain trails today, singing the New Songs as they search for even one more soul. I pray for blessings and peace for all of them. As for me, I too will press forward toward heaven with unwavering heart. Even if great clouds of dust-like troubles try to overwhelm me, I will remember Father and Mother, who walked this path first, and I will not stop walking.