In light of the recent Nepal Earthquake, Lim Shimron speaks to John Siwakoti of the Nepali Ministry at St Mary’s Cathedral to find out how the larger church body has been weeping with them.

It was a blisteringly hot Sunday afternoon, as I drove around the block for the fourth time looking for the shoplot in which the Nepali congregation meets. Yvonne, whom I finally called for directions, greeted me with a broad smile as I walked up to the unassuming entrance.

As I walked up the stairs, the sound of traditional drums and cheerful voices reverberated down the stairwell like the choir of some grand cathedral. I was here to speak with John Siwakoti, pastor of St Mary’s Cathedral’s Nepali congregation. Yvonne, his wife, led me to the back of the small hall to wait. The congregation had just finished saying the Benediction, and were greeting one another. At the heart of the throng was John, happily chatting with his wards.

Introducing the Nepali Ministry
John led me into his study where over a generous lunch of rice and curry, we talked about his life and the people he pastored. The Nepali ministry isn’t a new ministry, having existed even before John joined St Mary’s around 2010. It started off with many Nepali university students, but eventually the workers began to make up the majority of the 50 strong congregation. John also spoke of how eager these brothers and sisters were to meet as God’s people, some even travelling in from Malacca.

Suffering Together
“How has the recent earthquake affected your congregation?” I asked John. His countenancengrew a little overcast, yet he spoke with a silent dignity as he talked about how some membersnhad lost family homes and even livestock in the earthquake. The crease on his brow lightened a little as he told me that none of his congregation had family members who had died. As Saturday is traditionally church day in Nepal, it seems that many had escaped because they were at church.

“But God has so composed the body, …that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honoured, all rejoice together.” (1 Corinthians 12:24-26)

This passage could not have been more real as John recounted to me the many ways the rest of the Cathedral had come together to share in this time of suffering. Some had written cards to the Nepali congregation, while others had dropped by to visit. To these Nepali brothers and sisters who were so far from home, these gestures helped them feel that they really were part of St Mary’s family.

As John told me about how the Cathedral has also funded the reconstruction of several houses belonging to members of the Nepali congregation, I felt something welling up inside of me – I was actually witnessing individuals separated by language, culture, socioeconomic status, and geography caring for each other with no other uniting factor save their adoption through the blood of Christ.

Hope in Suffering
Being a little curious, I asked John how his congregation was dealing with the tragedy. It wasn’t a surprise when he told me that they were grieving for their losses, but then he told me about the sermon he had preached the week after the tragedy.

Preaching from Romans 8, John reminded his congregation that they could consider their present suffering to be incomparable to the glory that would be revealed in them (Rom 8:18), and that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose, and this purpose is their conformity to Christ (Rom 8:28-30). This, said John, has become their hope.

How Can We Help?
Not wanting to see the good work that has been started amongst the congregations cease, I asked John about how the larger Cathedral of St Mary’s could better support the Nepali Ministry. John asked if we could pray for him as he strives to understand the Scriptures better, and to be faithful in his teaching of the Scripture. He is also undertaking the task of translating much of the available training material from English into Nepali, and asks that we pray that he be granted strength to carry out this herculean task. His wife, Yvonne is also learning Nepali so that she can assist him in pastoring the Nepali women. John also spoke of how they have been providing financial aid for some of their congregation out of their own pockets.

Please pray for the leaders of this congregation, as they devote their time and efforts to disciple their brothers and sisters, and grow together with them in Christ.

Here are photos of the visit to the Nepali congregation at their Puchong outreach centre, and also of the combined community lunch in June between the morning English and Nepali congregation in the Multi-Purpose Hall.