Sonu's Story
Praise God for the men and women who increasingly come from Nepal to India Bible College & Seminary to prepare for evangelistic and church planting ministries.
Nepal is one of the world’s most receptive nations to the gospel. In recent years, a steady stream of Nepalese men and women have received ministry calls from God and made the 1,800-mile journey to Kerala to study the Bible and prepare for their calling. Almost all of them come from non-Christian backgrounds.
One of our recent students, who graduated last month, was Sonu Waiba Tamang who came from a very remote village in Nepal. She was born into a Buddhist household, but when Sonu was three years old, her mother died, and her father deserted the family. Until age 10, she had no idea what her parents looked like. She lived with her uncle and her family, praying to the stars and moon to give her mother back.
When she was 10 years old, her father suddenly re-appeared with a new wife who turned out to be a good mother. The family worshipped many Hindu gods, and her father followed Sathya Sai Baba, a guru who claimed to be the reincarnation of a deity.
About age 15, Sonu first heard of Jesus Christ through a friend and an uncle. One day, she attended the worship service. She prayed the same prayer she had prayed for years—to see her mother again—but this time, she prayed to Jesus. Unexpectedly and miraculously, Jesus answered her prayer! That night, in a dream, she saw her mother come and talk to her and her sister and give them hugs.
That experience changed her life. Sonu accepted Jesus Christ as her Savior. Later, her father also attended the service, and he repented and committed his life to Jesus. His life miraculously changed. Then her stepmother began to come to the church.
Many trials came to the family—financial crises, health issues, criticism from those who did not understand their new faith. But God used those crises to bring them to spiritual maturity. In 2015, Sonu’s father suddenly died, causing much confusion for the family.
That same year, God opened the way for Sonu to come to Kerala to work in a pastor’s home. Over the next seven months, she strongly sensed God’s call for ministry. The pastor with whom she worked recognized her call and helped steer her toward India Bible College & Seminary (IBC).
At IBC, she enrolled in the bachelor of theology course, graduating in 2019, and then she enrolled in the master of divinity program. She successfully completed the program in March 2021 and has returned to her native Nepal where she will work among illiterate children and oppressed women in her society.
Perhaps God is calling you to help one or more students or evangelists like Sonu. You can help by providing $60-120/month for each student. You can help support an evangelist by committing $100-250 a month (depending on location and family situation). We welcome partial support.
Pray God’s provision for each of our students and evangelists.
Pray about your own involvement in their lives and ministries in the New Year just ahead.
