Dal Bhat

There seem to be as many recipes for dal baht as there are people who make it. That being said, this staple is served at Abba House Children's Home at least daily.

Plain Rice (Bhat) 2 cups rice (Basmati or Long grain preferred) 4 cups (1 lt) water 1 tsp butter (optional) Lentils (Dal) 1½ cups lentil (any kind) 4 to 5 cups of water (depends preference of your consistency of liquid) ½ tsp turmeric 1 tsp garlic, minced 6 tbsp clarified butter (ghee) 3/4 cup sliced onions 2 chillies (dried red chilies preferred) (depends on your preference) Salt to taste OPTIONAL ¼ tsp (pinch) asafetida ¼ tsp (pinch) jimbu 1 tbsp fresh ginger paste

Rice: 1 Wash rice and soak for 5 minutes. 2 Wash rice and soak for 5 minutes. 3 Boil the rice over medium heat for about 10 -15 minutes. Stir once thoroughly. Add butter to make rice give it taste as well as make it soft and fluffy. 4 Turn the heat to low and cook, covered, for 5 more minutes until done   Lentils: 5 Wash lentils and soak lentil for 10 minutes. 6 Remove anything that float on the surface after it and drain extra water. 7 Add drained lentils in fresh water and bring to a boil again. Add all spices. 8 Reduce the heat and simmer, covered, for 20 to 30 minutes until lentils are soft and the consistency is similar to that of porridge. 9 In a small pan heat the remaining of butter and fry the onions, chilies and garlic. 10 Stir into the lentils few minutes before you stop boiling. Serve with rice. (Source: food-nepal.com)

Jamie Oliver would be proud

Nepal has enacted a ban on cell phone usage by students in its state-run schools, as well requiring parents to supply homemade meals for their children rather than offering packaged convenience foods. For details, read here.


An excerpt:

As per the new decision junk foods such as readymade noodles and snacks are not allowed into the school for health reason, according to officials.

DoE has reasoned that uncontrolled use of cell phones in schools has affected students'' performance and consumption of junk food can adversely affect children''s health.

In a country where food shortages cripple nearly a tenth of the population, this move can either be seen as genius foresight on behalf of the government, or burdensome to parents struggling to put any food at all into their children's bellies.

Water

Lack of access to clean water kills tens of thousands of people in Nepal each year. In 2008 alone, 10,500 children under the age of five died from water-borne diseases.

Disparity

According to the US Census, the average median income in the United States in 2009 was $50,221 (US).


That same year in Nepal, UNICEF says, it was $440 (US).

Summer newsletter

Christian burial in Nepal

A quick video highlighting one of the many challenges Christians in Nepal have recently faced--the question of where to bury the dead. Government restrictions and a climate that favors Hindu traditions have combined to restrict the practice of burial.

After a 40-day peaceful protest by Christians, the Nepali Ministry of Cultural Affairs became involved, and has asked for land to be granted for burial.

June newsletter

Blessings to you, our dear family and friends, 

It’s with a bit of trepidation that I write this month’s newsletter. You see, at this moment, 24 children living at the Abba House Children’s Home in Nepal are counting on The Global Missionary to take care of them. 

I don’t just mean with an occasional visit or a gift here or there. I mean their every need: food, clothing, school tuition, school supplies and more. You name it, we need to provide it. 

How did this happen? For months, we have been sharing fundraising responsibilities with another Christian nonprofit called ABWE with the understanding that at some point, as their missionaries in Nepal follow God’s call to other parts of the country, we would step up and take over full responsibility at Abba House. 

Well, that time has come. And if these children are counting on us to care for them, then  we’re counting on you to make it happen.  

Here’s how you can help: We’re looking for individuals, families and churches to consider making a monthly contribution (any amount!) so that we can cover about $1,600US in monthly needs. 

We’re also looking for people who are willing to make one-time occasional gifts to cover additional expenses such as doctors visits, dental exams, new glasses, books, games, balls, even house and vehicle repairs when needed. 

We know that many of you are already stretched thin, especially during these difficult times, but these children didn’t ask to be living at Abba House. Each of them is there due to incredibly difficult circumstances that I pray none of us will ever experience. 

Still, if you could spend the day with them, you’d never know that such tragedy had played a part in their lives. The smiles, the love, the willingness to help, but most of all the joy of Christ in their hearts is evident each day of their lives. 

If there’s one way to reach Nepal’s unsaved, it’s through these children and more just like them. Already, many of the older children have said that what they want to do as adults is serve Christ as pastors, missionaries, husbands, mothers and more. 

To make this transition easier, ABWE has contacted its Abba House donors, asking them to switch their donations to The Global Missionary. We pray many, if not all, of them will. ABWE also has generously donated an Abba House rainy day fund for our use in the meantime. But that money won’t last forever. 

What do you get as a donor to Abba House? Satisfaction that these children and others to come after them are being cared for with the love of Christ as all children deserve. 

These children have a future. God created them for wonderful work in His name, and we have the chance to help that come to fruition. 

I know many of you personally, and those that I don’t, I trust that you are always willing to follow when God calls. Would you ask Him if you’re to be a part of this ministry? Will you help us?

If you are called to help support the children’s home, be sure to write “Abba House” on the memo line, or include a note with your check. But rest assured that much of The Global Missionary’s general fund also supports our work in Nepal, including Abba House.

If you have questions, or want more information about Abba House, call me. I can be reached at globalmissionary@gmail.com. I’d love to tell you more about these beautiful children. 

Many blessings to you all, and God bless you for your prayers and past support. 

Christopher
TGM President