OpEd in the Republica Newspaper, July 7, 2011 by Sradda Thapa
The recently published article Christianity, communism and constitution (July 5) by Achyut Wagle that provided a cyclical argument felt like a sharp slap against our faces. I do not mean our “Christian” faces, I mean the faces of Muslims, Buddhists, Atheists, Christians, Hindus, Communists, Secularists, Socialists, Federalists and so on that value freedom of choice and believe in democracy.
It is disappointing when someone older and hopefully wiser, an editor even, can be so vindictive and distasteful. It is demeaning to the youth in this country and those that seek to embrace (and not just tolerate) differences in beliefs and opinions when such writers pit one group of Nepalis against another.
First though, for all the accusations and attacks levied by the writer, they are not nearly as painful as the ones once orchestrated by the state. For that, I am thankful. In the late 1980s – when the police openly peered in through our windows, bugged our phones and took my father to the station multiple times. I recall waking up to find strange men all over our house – pastors (Bahun, Chhetris, Newars, Janjatis and Dalits – as categorized according to traditional Nepali people groups) who had been severely beaten for being Christians in remote Nepal.
Since so many sweeping remarks full of half-hearted arguments with no logical and physical proof from all angles were raised, one thousand words cannot sufficiently address each. However, as a Nepali-Christian I can perhaps contribute to the discussion by sharing personal thoughts and experiences related through two simple points.
One, freedom of choice and two, the democracy protected and enhanced when we can choose and respectfully converse.
I meet readers and friends today who tell me Nepal was always “tolerant” and when I tell them my story, they are surprised. No, I am not asking for your sympathy, I am asking you to consider the long way we have come in my short lifetime alone.
Though born into a Nepali-Christian family, I had to accept Jesus Christ as my personal savior - on my own - to actually be Christian. We are not automatically Christians, we must decide to be one by ourselves. We can only do this by accepting Christ as our savior. I was not a responsible member of the church until I did this and got baptized. I waited till I turned 25 to make the most important decision of my life – both in terms of my faith and the politics of the country.
We are not Christians because our parents were. We are not Hindus, even if the state says we are. We are Christians because we choose it for ourselves.
As someone who asked me about the author claiming Christians purchase Hindus’ souls I explained my baptism process; I had to declare to everyone present that I was not doing this out of coercion, for money or a job, that it was of my free will and that should the state return to its days of persecution where imprisonment and death were an option for becoming Christian, it was my personal decision.
For all the accusations that Christians bribe Hindus into the faith, it’s a Biblical truth that unless the change is inside you the outside does not count. Nowhere in the Bible does it say you have to go to heaven, so forced conversion isn’t an option for true Christians – those who are converting another or becoming converted.Furthermore, we are Nepali nonetheless. Being a member of a church does not make us less Nepali (or a communist, as the writer argued), just like being born into a Hindu family does not make someone a royalist (and thus, a truer Nepali patriot).
Henry David Thoreau profoundly claimed, “I think that we should be men first, and subjects afterwards. It is not desirable to cultivate a respect for the law, so much as for the right. The only obligation I have a right to assume, is to do at any time what I think right”. As the state is sometimes, and as world history proves to us time and again, often, wrong, we as citizens must do what is right.
At the height of the Pashupati-burial site controversy, a Hindu friend explained many Hindus’ fear of losing members of their community as the widespread belief is while Hindus can convert to Christianity, non-Hindus cannot convert to Hinduism. Since she is neither a pundit nor am I a Theologian, I hope the priests and pastors will forgive our naive conversation. But I hope all of you can see the joys of fruitful discussion that is based on curiosity and respect since argument that is not aggressive but inquisitive is something to be valued.
The fear and anxiety of losing Hindu comrades was something I was able to comprehend, but the reaction to those that chose to convert and those that converted I could not.
Constantly accusing Christians of the same old unfounded points is redundant. Everyone has fantastic tales of the fanatics that attempted to lure them to the Christian faith with money and jobs, but no one can name concrete individuals or organizations. Blaming the West is also ironic – the Post-Christian Europe of today is trying to revive the religion in their own communities as the state has left it far behind. Very few European agencies – diplomatic and development – ever carry crosses. For the overtly Christian INGOs functioning in the country, heavily invested in education and health, it is only the teachings of our Holy Bible and a right to pursue. How can we dismiss organizations like Lutheran World Federation and World Vision where plenty of the staff are non-Christians? The basic requirement to be a Christian, as often touted, is not the case.
If the fear is of a diminishing Hindu population, shouldn’t the objective be to share the merits of Hinduism rather than attack that of Christianity? Indeed, what would prove far more interesting and promote more understanding is conversation and dialog - the kind where you don’t blame all Christians for the act of one, and focus on the message rather than the deliverer. Something like presuming the author’s words are not representative of all Hindus and what Hinduism is.
If you think all Muslims are terrorists, all Hindus are extremists and all Christians are conniving then you absolutely must re-evaluate your values and biases. People are people, they are individuals who must be trusted and granted the right to choose for themselves. Informed and uncorroborated decision-making is only possible when debating is encouraged.
This is true for all, especially the uneducated, so-called low-caste, villagers the author suggested the constitution decide for. If the onerous task of making rational decisions and thereby struggling to survive is a daily task, we cannot undermine their capacity and ability to question, think and act.
The constitution must protect that right - to be conversing, informed and free. The constitution also must protect one’s right to profess what one believes in for the freedom of choice. In the freedom of speech, the constitution must protect the right of every citizen to share with their neighbor about their choice.
After all, for those of us that believe in democracy, elements like discourse, dialog and debate are a must. In democracy the freedoms of a citizen are to be protected and promoted. These freedoms are formed in rights, aspired to many constitutions as the right to speech, assembly, expression, press and religion.
If you are a Nepali against these rights, then perhaps dialog is not an option for you, otherwise let me listen to you explain your values, thoughts and faith, and allow me to do the same. To express your distaste or disagreement toward it is one thing, but criminalizing preaching and proselytizing as though Christians are asking to plant bombs when really it is about sharing something we value so dearly to those that we love equally, is undemocratic.
Not all Muslims rejoiced the eve of 9/11 just as not all Hindus celebrated Hindu extremists killing Christians in Orissa in 2008. I refuse to believe everyone of every religion is the same. There are more in this country than the author – from all walks of life and of all religions – that perhaps believe in freedom of choice and democracy and seek to provide that.
This probably is the fabric of social democracy that can keep us together as a nation; not an argument that communists and Christians plotted together to make Nepal a secular republic.
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
Friday, May 7, 2010
Institute of World Mission, Chiang Mai, Thailand
Over April, 2010 we joined 14 other families at the Institute of World Mission (IWM) at the Park Hotel, Chiang Mai, Thailand.
This is a workshop to prepare (or in some cases - refresh) families for work in a cross cultural environment. It is operated by a team from Andrews University, USA.
It was a very rewarding three weeks covering topics such as Third Culture Kids, culture shock, language, conflict resolution, IDE policies, serving in a mission environment, stress management, communication, learning more about ourselves with temperaments and self assessment, learning more about each of our countries and of course sharing stories and laughs together.
There were people from all over the world.
On our table there were Cherie and Elde (Phillipines (been in Afghanistan for four years) to Malawi in the medical field), Edith and Sohail (Pakistan to The Gambia in finance field) and us (Australia to Nepal with ADRA) It may not be obvious to all why we called our group the IED's...
Greg and Sue (USA to Thailand) and Eric and Francois (Switzerland in Bangladesh, Administration. Actually this couple had been serving overseas for 38 years! The record for serving before attending IWM!). Their table were called the 'Young Methusela's'.
Karl (USA to Thailand in education) was a great trumpet player and an excellent story teller. Karl telling a story at the banquet.
Ken and Gizelle (Canada to Guam in pharmacy field) were one of many excellent singers.
Leif and Patrizia (Finland to Lebanon in education administration) are presenting gifts to the facilitators L to R Enid, Cheryl and Wagner at the final agape dinner. Eric is sitting on the left.
Chanmin and Sukyoung (Korea to Lebanon in media production) were great fun, photographer and singer extraordinaire 
Marco and Virginia (Colombia but have been in Thailand for 5 years) are going to Pakistan in IT field.
Sima, Brankica and their daughter Ana (see teen group) from Serbia (Canada) are going to Georgia.
There were a couple of other ADRA families that we got to know as good friends.
Jair and Hanlie with Joshua and Isabella (South Africa to Thailand with ADRA, although they have been in Mozambique)
Michael and Angela with their daughters Lisa and Johanna (Germany to Mali, although have lived in Morocco before)
The girls had their own program with some lovely new friends (Moon and Lisa) and Miss Enid and Raene to help.
While we were in Chiang Mai it was Songkran, Thai New Year. It involves a country wide water fight for two of three days. The kids had to get involved.
Even the little kids had a program, with very dedicated group of ladies who looked after them.
There was also a teen group that had their program too. Here they are presenting an item at the talent night, with Vernita introducing them. Martha, Ana, Johanna and Amos.
At the talent night all the families had to do an item... what to do as Aussies? So we acted out "Give me a home among the gum trees" 
"Veranda out the front and an old rocking chair" - Mazz
Two guys from General Conference visited to help us out with policy issues and questions, Jose and Claude. Here they are with the Awoniyi family (Nigeria to Zimbabwe in education) and Karl... after the talent night banquet.
There was great food at the Park Hotel. Sunny Rafi had his 6th birthday there.
On the last Friday night we had an Agape Meal. Very Special memories, especially Cherie and Virginia singing Via Delorosa. Thank you both. 
The best memories were of friendships made, leesons learned and a new found passion for working in Nepal.
This is a workshop to prepare (or in some cases - refresh) families for work in a cross cultural environment. It is operated by a team from Andrews University, USA.It was a very rewarding three weeks covering topics such as Third Culture Kids, culture shock, language, conflict resolution, IDE policies, serving in a mission environment, stress management, communication, learning more about ourselves with temperaments and self assessment, learning more about each of our countries and of course sharing stories and laughs together.
There were people from all over the world.
On our table there were Cherie and Elde (Phillipines (been in Afghanistan for four years) to Malawi in the medical field), Edith and Sohail (Pakistan to The Gambia in finance field) and us (Australia to Nepal with ADRA) It may not be obvious to all why we called our group the IED's...
Greg and Sue (USA to Thailand) and Eric and Francois (Switzerland in Bangladesh, Administration. Actually this couple had been serving overseas for 38 years! The record for serving before attending IWM!). Their table were called the 'Young Methusela's'.
Karl (USA to Thailand in education) was a great trumpet player and an excellent story teller. Karl telling a story at the banquet.
Ken and Gizelle (Canada to Guam in pharmacy field) were one of many excellent singers.
Leif and Patrizia (Finland to Lebanon in education administration) are presenting gifts to the facilitators L to R Enid, Cheryl and Wagner at the final agape dinner. Eric is sitting on the left.
Chanmin and Sukyoung (Korea to Lebanon in media production) were great fun, photographer and singer extraordinaire 
Marco and Virginia (Colombia but have been in Thailand for 5 years) are going to Pakistan in IT field.
Sima, Brankica and their daughter Ana (see teen group) from Serbia (Canada) are going to Georgia.
There were a couple of other ADRA families that we got to know as good friends.
Jair and Hanlie with Joshua and Isabella (South Africa to Thailand with ADRA, although they have been in Mozambique)
Michael and Angela with their daughters Lisa and Johanna (Germany to Mali, although have lived in Morocco before)
The girls had their own program with some lovely new friends (Moon and Lisa) and Miss Enid and Raene to help.
While we were in Chiang Mai it was Songkran, Thai New Year. It involves a country wide water fight for two of three days. The kids had to get involved.
Even the little kids had a program, with very dedicated group of ladies who looked after them.
There was also a teen group that had their program too. Here they are presenting an item at the talent night, with Vernita introducing them. Martha, Ana, Johanna and Amos.
At the talent night all the families had to do an item... what to do as Aussies? So we acted out "Give me a home among the gum trees" 
"Veranda out the front and an old rocking chair" - Mazz
Two guys from General Conference visited to help us out with policy issues and questions, Jose and Claude. Here they are with the Awoniyi family (Nigeria to Zimbabwe in education) and Karl... after the talent night banquet.
There was great food at the Park Hotel. Sunny Rafi had his 6th birthday there.
On the last Friday night we had an Agape Meal. Very Special memories, especially Cherie and Virginia singing Via Delorosa. Thank you both. 
The best memories were of friendships made, leesons learned and a new found passion for working in Nepal.
Far West Nepal ADRA Trip
ADRA Nepal currently have a project funded by ECHO through UNFPA running Reproductive Health Camps in the Far west of Nepal. The mobile camps spend 5 days in remote areas and treat all types of conditions but the main function is to refer women who have Uterine Prolapse to Nepalgunj Medical Teaching College Hospital for surgery.
I went with a team from UNFPA and ECHO to do a monitoring trip to Bhajang.
The 'boys' on the trip...L-R: Myself, Dr Satya (UNFPA), Luc (ECHO), Ian (UNFPA), Dipendra (ADRA Project Manager) The girls are obviously laughing at us from behind the camera.
It took 2 and a half days to get there and then 2 and a half days back to Kathmandu.
The road actually goes over the far ridge of 'hills', you can see the line of the road where they have been building it up through a 'food for work' WFP program.
One of the mountains you can see out of the RHS of the plane if you are going west.
Not a real lot of threat of hijacking on these planes obviously.
Quality control is one of the things that is lacking in many areas of life in Nepal... here is the chair I had to use at the meal on the first night.
Do whatever you have to do to get inside... push or pull... up to you.
This is the village where we slept for two nights.
Some of the pictures taken of the scenery over the couple of days travelling to Bhajang.
The elevation difference from top to bottom was 1100m.
Nearly all of the houses have a slate roof. Notice the cactus in the pot on the roof... (? you ask) It is to keep the lightning away. Hard to prove them wrong I would say!
The mobile camps are often held at the local health post or a school.
They also do awareness campaigns with the young people.
These ladies have been referred to a hospital 3 days drive away for Uterine Prolapse surgery.
Street drama is a real hit. This one covered about 6 major topics and went for nearly 90 minutes... everyone was enthralled as it was in the local language.
Last group meeting for those chosen for UP surgery on this day. Discussing myths is a big one... No - they will not take your organs, No - you will not be drained of blood, No - the food is like you have here, No - buses are OK to ride in... many of these women will go out of the local area for the first time.
I went with a team from UNFPA and ECHO to do a monitoring trip to Bhajang.
The 'boys' on the trip...L-R: Myself, Dr Satya (UNFPA), Luc (ECHO), Ian (UNFPA), Dipendra (ADRA Project Manager) The girls are obviously laughing at us from behind the camera.It took 2 and a half days to get there and then 2 and a half days back to Kathmandu.
The road actually goes over the far ridge of 'hills', you can see the line of the road where they have been building it up through a 'food for work' WFP program.
One of the mountains you can see out of the RHS of the plane if you are going west.
Not a real lot of threat of hijacking on these planes obviously.Quality control is one of the things that is lacking in many areas of life in Nepal... here is the chair I had to use at the meal on the first night.
Do whatever you have to do to get inside... push or pull... up to you.
This is the village where we slept for two nights.Some of the pictures taken of the scenery over the couple of days travelling to Bhajang.
The elevation difference from top to bottom was 1100m.
Nearly all of the houses have a slate roof. Notice the cactus in the pot on the roof... (? you ask) It is to keep the lightning away. Hard to prove them wrong I would say!
The mobile camps are often held at the local health post or a school.
They also do awareness campaigns with the young people.
These ladies have been referred to a hospital 3 days drive away for Uterine Prolapse surgery.
Street drama is a real hit. This one covered about 6 major topics and went for nearly 90 minutes... everyone was enthralled as it was in the local language.
Last group meeting for those chosen for UP surgery on this day. Discussing myths is a big one... No - they will not take your organs, No - you will not be drained of blood, No - the food is like you have here, No - buses are OK to ride in... many of these women will go out of the local area for the first time.
Everest View Hotel
At the end of March a friend of ours, Michael Lillioja, invited us to join him on a helicopter trip to the Everest View Hotel at Namche Bazaar. He and his daughter Hannah, were going to fly up to Everest Base Camp while we remained at the Everest View Hotel and then join them for breakfast when they returned. (At Kalapathar, approximately17,000 ft, the helicopter cannot carry more than two passengers and the rotors need to keep turning!) This is Mike and Hannah leaving.
It snowed the night before and everything looked magical.
Mt Everest is on the left, the winds were said to be over 100km/h to get the snow blasting off the summit like that. (Lhotse is on the right)
It was the first time Tiarna and Jenaya had seen snow - yes, within sight of Mt Everest no less! Of course they had to make a small snow man... more of an "icelump man" I think.
The Hotel is at 3880m (two and a half kilometers above Kathmandu) and Jenaya was getting a little sick from the altitude and had to get back on the oxygen in the helicopter.
A great breakfast, then back to the office for lunch. 
Thanks, Mike and Hannah.
It snowed the night before and everything looked magical.
Mt Everest is on the left, the winds were said to be over 100km/h to get the snow blasting off the summit like that. (Lhotse is on the right)
It was the first time Tiarna and Jenaya had seen snow - yes, within sight of Mt Everest no less! Of course they had to make a small snow man... more of an "icelump man" I think.
The Hotel is at 3880m (two and a half kilometers above Kathmandu) and Jenaya was getting a little sick from the altitude and had to get back on the oxygen in the helicopter.
A great breakfast, then back to the office for lunch. 
Thanks, Mike and Hannah.
Special Memories
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