They said it was a road but I didn’t believe them. I just hung on tight as the little car bounced and rocked along the tight turns of the mountain path. Then, as we came over the rise I saw it. After more than two years I was back in my mountain village high up in the Himalayas. It was here that we began our sheep project in this little village of Muslims more than 4 years ago. I had kept in touch with our “man of peace” and had consistent updates but it felt so good to have my boots back on the ground and see all of my old friends again.
That evening we sat on the floor in the home of one of the shepherds drinking chai and chatting with some of the men. I began asking them about the sheep. “Do they only recognize your voice and no one else?” They nodded yes emphatically. They began to tell me how many herds of sheep will gather in the mountain meadows but when it is time to go the sheep will separate and only follow the voice of their personal shepherd. “In fact,” they said, “we can recognize every one of our sheep by face. We personally know every sheep.”
“If the sheep are in danger will you fight to defend them?” I asked. They all began to laugh and look at one of the shepherds. He raised his hand full of scars. He had actually fought a snow leopard who had tried to take one of his sheep. Armed only with a knife the man fought the leopard and rescued the sheep. That night we had the most wonderful time as I used their stories to tell of Jesus who is our Good Shepherd. How His sheep know His voice. How He knows each one personally and how He actually did lay His life down for his sheep.
The next morning my friend came to me and said he had arranged for me to visit several homes of the shepherds and pray for them and their families. (I am still amazed that this Muslim man takes me all over to pray for people in the name of Jesus!) We sat on the floor Indian style sipping our chai and I asked my friend if I could tell a story before we prayed. There were three shepherds and some family members in the room. I began to tell my testimony while my friend translated. I was able to share my miracle story and tell them all about Jesus. I believe it was the first time in history that the gospel of Christ had been proclaimed in this village.
As I ended, the presence of God filled the room, and I could not help but notice the tears in my friend’s eyes as he jumped up and rushed out of the room to wipe them in private. In fact, during the next two days there were several times my friend would cry as I spoke with him about the love of the Father and the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross. Please pray that Jesus would make Himself fully known to my Muslim friend. During covid he lost his business and had to sell his sheep and horse to make ends meet. When I go back in October, we will be able to help him purchase thirty sheep and expand our sheep project. It is so wonderful to demonstrate God’s love in a tangible way by doing this. It makes a huge difference in the life of my friend. Next trip I will be attending a wedding in my little village. Please pray that God will give me many opportunities to share stories about Jesus and His great love for them.