The story of INF
15 Jun 12
INF's story: finally published
INF's story: finally published

INF has published 'Light dawns in Nepal: the story of the International Nepal Fellowship' by Tom Hale - 'a story about ordinary people used by God to do the impossible'.

Tom Hale is the award-winning author of several books. In the late 1990s he was asked by INF to write 'Light dawns in Nepal' as a way of marking the 50th anniversary in 2002 of INF's entry into Nepal. However, as a result of security concerns in Nepal in the months before that anniversary year, the INF leadership decided that Tom's book should not be published. In 2012 INF leaders have decided that the time is now right to publish.

Foreigners and Christians were barred from the Himalayan kingdom of Nepal for almost two hundred years. However on New Year's Day 1933 Pat O'Hanlon, a young British missionary doctor in India, was called by God when she read from the Old Testament book of Deuteronomy: 'The land you are to take possession of is a land of mountains and valleys...'

In 1936 Pat and her friend Hilda Steele began medical work among Nepali people living in the Indian town of Nautanwa on the border with Nepal. Together with Nepali Christians, Pat and Hilda formed the 'Nepali Evangelistic Band' [NEB].

In 1951 foreigners and Christians were finally allowed into Nepal, and in 1952 - after sixteen years of waiting, working and praying at the border, and with permission from Nepal's government - Pat, Hilda and NEB colleagues travelled for nine days by truck and on foot to the Nepali town of Pokhara where they established 'The Shining Hospital'. Nepali NEB members established Ram Ghat church in Pokhara - the first church in Nepal.

The NEB went on to establish the 'Green Pastures' hospital, serving people affected by leprosy. Later the NEB took on a new name - the International Nepal Fellowship [INF] - and INF extended its work in Nepal and beyond, serving poor communities in some of the most remote places on earth.

'Light dawns in Nepal' includes many historic photographs, and an endorsement from the well-known US Christian writer Philip Yancey who says: 'I heartily support INF and have great respect for Tom Hale'.

'Light dawns in Nepal' is available from your nearest INF office by mail order, price: US$15 / €12 / £9 / AU$15 / NZ$20 [including postage and packaging; please allow a maximum of 28 days for delivery].

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