News from the Nafzigers
Dear Friends & Supporters:
Warmest greetings to you from the “Top of the World”—where for the past two-full months we have experienced rain, mud, humidity and more rain. It is great weather for growing rice but, sometimes, a bit trying on human beings! Your thoughts and prayers have been very special to us during an extra-difficult past three months. Thank you, so much, for “being with us”!
Dear Friends & Supporters:
Warmest greetings to you from the “Top of the World”—where for the past two-full months we have experienced rain, mud, humidity and more rain. It is great weather for growing rice but, sometimes, a bit trying on human beings! Your thoughts and prayers have been very special to us during an extra-difficult past three months. Thank you, so much, for “being with us”!
Another Accident!
Most of you know that I live and work here on a “business visa” that I get as a shareholder in Wonder Products of Nepal. Less than one year after Bethsaba and I were involved in a bad accident; I received a telephone call the morning of July 17, 2005 informing me that our company truck had gone over a retaining wall and plunged 300 ft to the river below. The driver was killed instantly and our company employee, Ram Kaji, sustained spinal injuries (he will recover, but requires 1.5 months of complete bed rest). As our office manager Sunil and I returned from the accident scene that day, the poorly maintained taxi we had chartered for the journey plunged into a culvert. Sunil and I quickly rushed to a hospital emergency room for treatment—the same hospital where Ram Kaji was admitted earlier in the day. Needless to say, by bedtime, I felt like I had been through a washing machine “wringer!”
Church Membership
The day before the accident, on Saturday July 16, Bethsaba and I finally did something we had long-been considering: we formally joined the local church that we have attended here for well over the past decade. Why did we take so long? We really didn’t have a good excuse. I have a good friend here, a Catholic priest in his mid 70s named Father Cap Miller, who still gets asked the second-most common question in Nepal (following age): “Why aren’t you married?” Fr. Miller grins and replies, “Because I don’t like to rush into things.” I guess the same applies to Bethsaba and me!
A New Variety of Juice!
As I write this letter I am 200 kms (120 miles) west of the capital city, in the town of Pokhara. I came here about three weeks ago to set-up our new “Rasilo” juice factory and also to begin production of new “mango/pear” juice. During the past several weeks it hasn’t quite been “24/7” but, sometimes, it has been close. You in the West can hardly conceive of the colossal effort required to do ethical business in the East. Our company is extremely grateful to UK-based Operation Agri BMM for the generous financial grant they provided, allowing us begin this new product line.
Other “Happenings”
- 50 Plus Checking. Recently my USA bank account was converted to “50 plus.” I’m not sure what the benefits are, but it certainly stands as a reminder that time is passing! Some people look back upon their life with regrets. I don’t. One of the things that has made my years in Nepal special is faithful supporters, like you, who “stick with us”—despite the many mission fads that come and go. Thank you so much!
- Increased Responsibility. In early August our church board-chairman left Nepal on short-order. An emergency committee meeting was called at which time Bethsaba was appointed Acting Chairperson—unanimously. While that was a strong affirmation of our acceptance in the local congregation, it was also a major increase in Bethsaba’s responsibility. There is a proverb in Nepali which translates something like “To twist the tail of a ploughing ox” or, in simple words, to make an already-hard-working person work even harder. Know that Bethsaba is greatly appreciative of the prayers that you offer on her behalf.
Looking Ahead….
We are indebted of all of you who so generously contributed toward our church’s community out-reach clinic. Looking ahead, we are hoping to hold another one-day medical camp in one of Kathmandu’s ubiquitous carpet factories—probably during the fall holidays in October. Thank you, dear friends, for your prayers and financial generosity, which allow us to share love with all God’s children here on such a practical level.
For Sushma, Shova, Bethsaba & myself—
Dale
As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead. James 2:26
Dale & Bethsaba Nafziger are missionaries with the United Mission for Nepal. Dale serves as an electrical engineer. Bethsaba works for the health department of the United Mission to Nepal in midwifery and general nursing.