Girls from Sophia's Home in Kathmandu praying before
going to school. - Methodist Missions Society picture.

'Help provide a home for church
and orphanage in Kathmandu'

By NORMAN WONG

I HAD to go and see it for myself. Every person I met who had been there had been deeply moved.


No, I am not talking about the beautiful rolling green hills and the magnificent snow-capped mountains of Nepal. I am referring to Sophia's Home in Kathmandu for 23 girls who are either orphans or from very deprived backgrounds. They were all genuinely happy. The home was filled with an atmosphere of love.


Nineteen-year-old Tan Wai Jia spent five weeks living among them. She was so moved by the experience that she spent about 10 hours a day for the next two months drawing and painting a beautiful children's book entitled "Kite Song".


She writes, "All children have dreams, but some have not the means to even start journeying towards them. Without sufficient food, shelter or education, their goals seem unreachable. We are all children because we all have dreams. Give these children a chance to dream."


She hopes this book will help raise funds for the Sophia's Home. Two generous publishers sponsored the cost of editing and printing the book.


I, too, left the Sophia's Home with a deep conviction that I should do something. I would like to invite all Methodists in Singapore to help provide a permanent home for our Sophia's Home which operates out of rented premises.


Wesley Methodist Church, Kathamndu, which is largely responsible for running that home, also operates out of rented premises.

Can you help provide a permanent home for Wesley Methodist Church, Kathmandu, and Sophia's Home?

So I put both ideas together - can The Methodist Church in Singapore help the small (60 people) congregation of Wesley Methodist Church, Kathamndu find a permanent home for the church and orphanage? They have already started their building fund. I would like us to help them.


Property in Kathmandu is quite expensive. I am praying for 100 Methodists who will each be prepared to give S$1,000 and another 1,000 Methodists who could each give S$100 specifically towards their building fund. All donations over S$100 will receive a complimentary copy of Wai Jia's book.


I have said it before and I will say it again: MMS - the Methodist Missions Society - represents the collective will of Methodists in Singapore (and their friends) to do missions together. Apart from you, MMS is nothing


A hundred years ago, Methodists from the US gave generously and sacrificially to help purchase land in Singapore and build several Methodist churches. I wonder whether we can do the same for Wesley Methodist Church in Kathmandu?

Thank you very much

My request in the September issue of Methodist Message for funds to help build the Caleb Bible Institute in Eastern Nepal has been met in full! Praise the Lord!
I would like to take this opportunity to wish all our supporters a blessed Christmas and a New Year filled with His Joy!

The Rev Dr Norman Wong is the Executive Director of the Methodist Missions Society and is contactable at tel: 6478-4800.