Bhutanese Refuges/Nepalese Brethren
SPOKANE ASSEMBLY
Bal Bahadar Karki (John) and Krishna Karki (Dina) with their two daughters, Usha Karki and Uma Karki are new residents of Spokane
WA. Three of them are remembering the Lord with the saints gathered at East Spokane Grange, Spokane Valley WA.
Our initial contact with them came through our local corresponding brethren, Steve Arnold and Chuck Porret. They were contacted by
the World Relief Organization, who were the sponsoring agency for the Nepalese refugees in Spokane WA.
This contact came as a result of John insisting they would only fellowship with those gathered to the Lord's Name alone. They had a
copy of our assembly address, with Steve and Chucks' phone number. Those who initially assisted the Karki's were very kind believers
who assisted in the initial settling, even though the Karki's would not be attending their meeting place.
John and Dina had been forced to leave Bhutan (their home country) approximately 18 years ago. When forced to leave they had a new
little daughter, Usha to take with them. The story of the political conflict that forced their leaving their homes in Bhutan is too lengthy for
this article, but suffice it to say they have lived in a refugee camp until being relocated to this country in November 2008.
The whole family has been in attendance at every meeting. As John is not a licensed driver, sister Jackie Porret (of the local gathering)
has been the main source of transportation for them in attending the meetings.
John and Dina were evangelized in 1991. In the next couple of years they came in contact with Ronney Fernandaz of India, and
apparently though this contact came to fellowship with those assemblies with whom we are linked. Brother and Sister Neil Short were
also instrumental in their growth. They have received help thru visits from Andrew Poots (Ireland) and Eckhard Bubenzer (Germany) as
well as by others with whom the writer of this article is not familiar.
Presently the whole family is enrolled in 'English as a Second Language', the girls at a local high school, with John and Dina at a
continuing education facility.
John is very capable in the use of computers, having had his own printing business in India. He has printed tracks for the Nepalese, as
well as printing and collating the Nepalese hymn book. He is looking for a job in the printing field, while waiting for some added
resources from Nepal prior to begin printing tracts from his apartment here in Spokane. Meanwhile, through the contact of another
brother, John just landed his first job in the US; assisting in the clean up of a construction site!!
They are quite busy obtaining various permits, filling required health related activities, and preparing for the arrival of John's two sisters,
John's brother and wife and their three children!! More information on the brother and his family will come at a later date. However,
the names of John's sisters are Meenuka Karki (23) and Duk Maya Karki (18).
WA. Three of them are remembering the Lord with the saints gathered at East Spokane Grange, Spokane Valley WA.
Our initial contact with them came through our local corresponding brethren, Steve Arnold and Chuck Porret. They were contacted by
the World Relief Organization, who were the sponsoring agency for the Nepalese refugees in Spokane WA.
This contact came as a result of John insisting they would only fellowship with those gathered to the Lord's Name alone. They had a
copy of our assembly address, with Steve and Chucks' phone number. Those who initially assisted the Karki's were very kind believers
who assisted in the initial settling, even though the Karki's would not be attending their meeting place.
John and Dina had been forced to leave Bhutan (their home country) approximately 18 years ago. When forced to leave they had a new
little daughter, Usha to take with them. The story of the political conflict that forced their leaving their homes in Bhutan is too lengthy for
this article, but suffice it to say they have lived in a refugee camp until being relocated to this country in November 2008.
The whole family has been in attendance at every meeting. As John is not a licensed driver, sister Jackie Porret (of the local gathering)
has been the main source of transportation for them in attending the meetings.
John and Dina were evangelized in 1991. In the next couple of years they came in contact with Ronney Fernandaz of India, and
apparently though this contact came to fellowship with those assemblies with whom we are linked. Brother and Sister Neil Short were
also instrumental in their growth. They have received help thru visits from Andrew Poots (Ireland) and Eckhard Bubenzer (Germany) as
well as by others with whom the writer of this article is not familiar.
Presently the whole family is enrolled in 'English as a Second Language', the girls at a local high school, with John and Dina at a
continuing education facility.
John is very capable in the use of computers, having had his own printing business in India. He has printed tracks for the Nepalese, as
well as printing and collating the Nepalese hymn book. He is looking for a job in the printing field, while waiting for some added
resources from Nepal prior to begin printing tracts from his apartment here in Spokane. Meanwhile, through the contact of another
brother, John just landed his first job in the US; assisting in the clean up of a construction site!!
They are quite busy obtaining various permits, filling required health related activities, and preparing for the arrival of John's two sisters,
John's brother and wife and their three children!! More information on the brother and his family will come at a later date. However,
the names of John's sisters are Meenuka Karki (23) and Duk Maya Karki (18).
| Thumbnail Sketch of our local Nepalese Brethren |
NORTHWEST BIBLE CONFERENCE
SHERMAN HILLS STEWARDSHIP MINISTRIES
| Uma, John, Usha and Dina Karki |
Meenuka and Duk Maya (Duka)
Karki arrived in Spokane
February 6, 2009 around 7:15
pm. Having traveling from
Katmandu, Napal for three days.
Meenuka Karki is 23
Duk Maya Karki is 19
Karki arrived in Spokane
February 6, 2009 around 7:15
pm. Having traveling from
Katmandu, Napal for three days.
Meenuka Karki is 23
Duk Maya Karki is 19
| Arrived February 6, 2009 |
| The Story of the Bhutanese Refugee Believers |
Bhutan is a small kingdom in the eastern Himalayan region,
situated between two big countries, China and India, with its
capital in Thimphu. The majority of its inhabitants are of the
Tibetan origin and they are followers of the Buddhism. These
Tibetan people, called Drukpa, occupy the northern territories of
Bhutan. Many years ago, however, some Nepalese Hindus
settled in the southern part of Bhutan. The people of Nepalese
origin are called Lhotsampas (Lhotsampas means “southern
settlers” in Bhutanese). These settlers spoke the Nepali language.
The history behind the Nepalese moving to
Bhutan is this:
A former religious leader and ruler in Bhutan legally moved some
Nepalese families into Bhutan during the late nineteenth century.
He organized settlements of these people into the uninhabited
areas of southern Bhutan in order to open up those areas for
cultivation. As time passed, the Nepalese population increased
and spread to larger parts of southern Bhutan and even to
northern areas. Many refugees today believe their ancestors
migrated to Bhutan from the eastern part of Nepal.
The Nepalese had been given permission to enter and settle in
Bhutan and were granted citizenship rights. Unfortunately, with
the development of education, social services, and economy,
many southern Bhutanese rose to occupy influential positions in
the Bhutanese bureaucracy. This indeed was considered a threat
to the political orders, i.e. Drukpa’s regime. This led the
Bhutanese rulers to pass a new citizenship act, which became
the basis for a massive expulsion of the southern Bhutanese.
After that, the government adopted various activities and policies
to expel these Nepalese. They took a census to prove the legal
residency, made people liable for fine or imprisonment if they did
anything against the northern customs, removed the Nepali
language from the schools and curriculum, and instituted a
policy of what is called “ethnic cleansing.” Due to such
government pressure, the southern Bhutanese organized public
demonstrations against these and other new policies, which took
place in all the southern districts in the late 1990s. Those who
took part in it were branded “antinational” by the government.
This resulted in the mass eviction, torture, and imprisonment.
Since then, more than 80,000 southern Bhutanese have had to
leave their country. When they fled, Nepal, a neighboring
country, gave refuge to them on a humanitarian basis. UNHCR
(United Nations High Commissioners for Refugees) became
responsible to provide food, shelter, and other basic
requirements. Other partner agencies such as CARITAS Nepal,
Lutheran World Federation (LWF), and World Food Programme
(WFP) were implemented to look after these refugees.
Many attempts were made to return these people to their country
during this long stay in the refugee camp. Many bilateral talks were
held between the governments of Nepal and Bhutan. But all attempts
were in vain. Subsequently, these refugees spent most of their lives
in the refugee camps—almost 18 years. Because the Bhutan
government was not prepared to take its people back to their
country, UNHCR instituted a proposal for a third-country
resettlement program. The United States became one of the core
group of countries for a durable solution of the Bhutanese refugee
problem in Nepal. The U.S. offered to accept 60,000 refugees to
resettle in here.
When they heard of this proposal, the refugees decided it would be
good to apply for the resettlement program. They knew they had no
future in the refugee camp. So the people applied, were approved,
and they (we) are here in this land today. And among them are the
Bhutanese refugee believer’s who have recently arrived, mostly in
the United States of America, and to some other European countries.
During the ’70s and ’80s, Nepali was used as official language in
the southern district of Bhutan. Even today there are some Nepalese
people living inside Bhutan. They still speak Nepali as a medium of
communication and abide by the social norms and value of the
Nepalese culture, though perhaps restricted by the government.
The Brethren Testimony
Another question has often been asked as to where and how the
work started in Bhutan? Or how these believers came into the
fellowship of the brethren or to those who gather unto the Lord’s
name alone according to Mathew 18:20? And so as to answer this
question, we would like to state briefly the account of the work in
Bhutan.
In the early 90’s some of these brethren were serving the Lord in a
denominational Christian fellowship. What they called this
fellowship in Indian sub continent is “El-sha-dai” or Bhakt Singh
fellowship. Brother Bhakt Singh was a faithful minister and
preacher in India. From among these brethren, some few brothers
got some literature concerning the scriptural principle to gather
together unto the name of the Lord. They then contacted the
brethren in the west and that in fact had provided the brethren in the
west to provide the literature, so sound in the scriptural principle to
the brethren in Indian sub continent through a valued servant of
God, brother Ronny Fernandes.
And through the kindness of the brethren in Europe, Canada and
North America, adequate books and bibles were sent and that is
how these brethren were introduced in this fellowship. But above
all, the brethren in Bhutan were very much privileged to get a
brother like Neil short, whose clear and profound teaching of the
scriptural truth of the Christ and Assembly has really rooted the
brethren in the truth. And all of their credits goes to brother Neil for
establishing the testimony in Bhutan and later in the refugee camps
in Nepal.
Our beloved brother and sister Neil and Edith Short visited
Bhutan for the first time in the month of December 1991.
During that time we had a two-day conference with a few
believers in a rented house at Jaigaon, West Bengal, in the
border town of Phuentsholing. In those days we were not fully
liberated from the bondage of denominationalism because
many of us were under the deep influence of the Bakht Singh
fellowship.
But some of us were not satisfied with his teachings.
Many brothers and sisters amongst us had a burning desire to
know the deeper truth of Assembly principles and were
earnestly praying to God to lead us in the path of Truth. We
Bhutanese brethren believe that our earnest prayers were
answered by God in sending brother Neil Short into our midst.
Brother Neil and sister Edith visited us every year, sometimes
even twice and thrice a year, according to the situation in the
Bhutanese assemblies. In every visit we held a three-day
conference. The truths of the Assembly and the House of God
were expounded wonderfully. The Scriptures were unfolded in
such a manner that no genuine soul was left unmoved by the
pure Word of God. Thus with many tears of gratitude we
thanked God for liberating us from the systems of men and
revealing the precious truth of the Scriptures, especially with
regard to the Assembly of God. Neil and Edith visited us 21
times during the 16 years of his sincere ministry in Bhutan. In
his close association with us we perceived that the heart and
soul of our dear brother was always with us. The spiritual care
which he rendered to us was genuine and honest, he had the
mouth to speak only of Christ and the Assembly. He always
used to makes comments like, “We are in the days of
breakdown, the declention is great, but we have the
responsibility to maintain the truth.” As in this phrase I dare
to add the saying of the great apostle Paul, “Besides those
things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily the
care of all the churches.” So was the care of the assemblies by
our brother Neil.
He had a great desire to visit the brethren in the interior
parts of Bhutan. But only once, on 3rd Nov. 2006, did he have
the opportunity to go there, as we could only obtain a passport/-
visa for him and Edith that one time. During that time they
visitedthe brethren in Bumthang (near the China border),
Trongsa (the historical birthplace of past kings), Wangdue,
Punakha (central districts), Thimphu (the capital city), and
lastly Paro.
The last ministry of brother Neil was in Paro Drugyel, in the
house of Maj. Pratiman Rai. We had an unforgettably wonderful
time there. The quotations from the Scriptures were from 2
Samuel 20:17-22 and 1Kings 10:4-9.
The message was especially full of Christ, full of instructions,
full of impressions for the honest and thirsty soul who seeks
after Christ. And it came from the throne of mighty grace as a
mighty flood destroying all the fleshly barriers of human
wisdom which cannot stand in the time of test. At the
conclusion of his message, he bade farewell to each of us,
saying he would convey our love and greetings to the believers
abroad and would be praying for us. None of us could control
ourselves and none could hold back tears. The meeting room
went silent for quite a moment; only the low sounds of
sobbings could be heard.
The next day, on 23rd Nov. 2006, at 9 AM, we took Neil and Edith
to Paro airport. We had a very hard time bidding them farewell. Oh!
That was our last goodbye to our brother; since then we never again
could see the loving face of our dear brother.
Suddenly on 21st Sept. 2007, the news came to us that
our brother was no more in this world. He had gone to be with
the Lord. This news was a heavy blow to every one of us in the
country. The news spread like wildfire in every part of Bhutan,
to every ear of every believer, and we wept much. We felt that
it was a dream. We could do nothing that day. But God comforted
us through His Word. Really a great man of God fell asleep that
day—till we hear the last Trumpet of God to meet the Lord in the
clouds, and so shall we ever be with the Lord together.
Indeed we have lost a great treasure in the Assembly of
God. Brother Neil Short possessed the following qualities:
A man of faith
A man of Scripture
A man of courage
A man of stability in the Word of God
A man of vision for another world.
The Bhutanese brethren are deeply convinced that Neil was sent by
God Himself to establish His testimony in this
idol-worshipping country. Now there are 22 assemblies in this land
of the Thunder Dragon, meeting together in the name of Lord Jesus
Christ, guided by the power of Holy Spirit and practicing the
assembly truths and principles from the living Word of God. Truly
Neil was a mighty man of God, having been given a teaching gift
from the Lord. Though he is no more in this world, we still feel he
is with us. The Bhutanese brethren will never forget him, just as Dr.
Livingstone was never forgotten by the Christians of Africa.
Finally we do remember our dear sister Edith, who is alone in
Canada. We also always remember her in our prayers. Without her
help Neil could not have done so much. Indeed she was a gift to him
from the Lord. Her noble service rendered to the Lord and to her
husband will be rewarded greatly. Wherever she may be, she is
always in the hearts of Bhutanese believers. May the Lord sustain
her in her old age according to Isaiah 46:4.
Som Bahadur Rai and Roopa *
Also, we would like to thank the Lord for our gracious brothers
from Europe. Andrew Poots from Northern Ireland, and Edwin
Cross and Simon Attwood from England, have also visited Bhutan
and Nepal, as well as a few others from Canada and Germany. May
the brethren continue to pray intelligently for the brethren in Bhutan,
and we pray some will visit them to encourage them in the Lord. –
Kharka Pariyar
* If anyone would like to make personal comments to brother
Som and sister Roopa, they may use the following e-mail
address: janurai@hotmail.com.
| Ministry by Neil Short in Bhutan |
MINISTRY by NEIL SHORT in BHUTAN
| A gracious brother, Som Bahadur Rai, amd his wife, Roopa. have written a history about brother Neil's ministry in Bhutan. |
| Special thanks to Richard and Ruth Spiering for allowing us to post this. This was in the May 2009 Assembly Communicator. |
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