“I have Learnt to see unfathomably further than the British people” (Rev Ps. Anil Subba)
This year's annual fellowship took place in Oxford, on Saturday, August 10, 2019. Over 600 Nepalese Christians from more than 23 churches, scattered from Folkestone to the South East, Rosedale to North, and Wales to West including a few once from Scotland and Ireland, gathered to worship the one and only true God with great pleasure and joy. Most of these Nepalese Christians were once the proud Gurkhas who served the UK as loyal, brave and courageous soldiers. Today, they are proud Christians who want to serve the UK, which was once the Christian country.
Elder Michael Limbu led the fellowship on the day, along with deaconess Deborah Angdembe who led the choir. A blessed time of praise and worship with churches from various regions was led by a choir formed by members of Aldershot, Feltham, and Bradford church, further promoting the message of unity of churches.
What really touched my heart and my soul that day, was the message shared by Rev Ps Anil Subba, who came here all the way from Darjeeling, Nepal. He started his preaching referencing the donkey that carried Jesus to Jerusalem. The very donkey was carrying a great blessing since it was the only day when the Israelites truly received their actual king they were long waiting for. Similarly, the pastor tells us not to deny that we are also that donkey chosen by Jesus and not only are we carrying the king of kings, but also, we are bringing boundless blessing in this country. He quotes “Whoever has Jesus, has life and whoever does not have Jesus, has no life.”
He mentioned that he had a profound interest to know what the UK and the people living there looked like. When he searched it on the map, it was just a small island causing him to wonder how it almost ruled the entire world once upon a time. Then, when he finally came to the UK, he first visited the British Museum, where he saw many ancient mummies and artefacts. He amuses if it had been the Nepalese people, we would have binned or burnt it long ago; but the British kept it safe, they chose to preserve it for coming generations to witness history. He states that the British thinks and see things differently: “They see far, far, many thousand years further in the future.” He admits that he had tried to think like them once but it had not been within the capacity of his mind.
Yet he proudly boasts “I have learnt to see further than the British in one thing through the Bible.” He cites John 3:16, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” He continues, “I have learnt to see eternally and infinitely beyond what a normal human being cannot see, and I have beaten the British on this.” Christians sees beyond this life and beyond death. They see the eternal life that is to come, which is in heaven with God. “Jesus says in John 11:25, “I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying.”
He encouraged all by saying, “You are the retired Gurkhas who have fought the battle in every corner and to the edges of the world and you were very famous for Khukuri. Now the time has come once again for you to be brave, courageous and famous for the Bible and fight every spiritual battle in every corner and to the edges of the world.”
Following the sermon, Pastor Kumar Rasaily gave a short word regarding the breaking of the bread and all of church came together to reflect and meditate upon the sacrifice of Christ by having communion. A special blessing was also shared by Elder Som Sunuwar who had just returned after spending 6 months planting a church in Nepal. It was a blessed fellowship and now we eagerly wait for next year's annual fellowship organised by the NCCUK (Nepalese Christian Churches UK).
A message of thanks is to be extended for all involved in participating in the event, from speaking and sharing, for attending the service, and to those who sacrificed much of their time to set up the location, and cook and clean during and after the service. Special thanks to Oxford church for hosting such a wonder event.
Blessings to all.
Content provided by Eld Silash Rai Military Jhunda.
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