Orality Journal Volume 3, Number 1, 2014 | Page 59

Partnership Training for Oral Cultures 57 Partnership Training for Oral Cultures by Joe Handley Joe Handley graduated Azusa Pacific University and then began working at the University’s Office of World Missions. After working on his masters, the Lord called he and his wife to Rolling Hills Covenant Church in 1998, where Joe served as the Global Outreach Pastor. In June of 2008, Joe answered the call of God to become the new president of Asian Access. [email protected] I t’s often helpful to tell the end of a story first. Pastor Nariram Luhar, a leader in western Nepal, shares: When I returned home from Tree of Life training, I took a burden for my village, Brahmdev, which is located in a remote area of Nepal. With prayer, I did a survey of what I could do for my village. God showed me one very significant thing. In the rainy region there are many seasonal rivers from the mountain. On these seasonal rivers good wood was floating to India every year. The wood goes by our village and the village has no benefit. I felt strongly I have to do something about this problem. I started visiting people in our village, especially those in high positions. I shared the problem and they said it was a good thought. “So what do you want to do?” they asked. I replied, “We can cut the good wood to sell in the village and to market people in Nepal. We will get money, and at the same time we can protect the jungle.” We formed a business called Brahmdev ban Shanraksha Samiti (BBSS). We agreed that 20% of the money we received would go to the government and the rest of the money we would use in the village for development work by the grace of God. Within six months we were able to build a good road in the market. As a result of the success of BBSS the board came to me and said, “Brother, you did good job! It was great idea you had, so we will give you free wood to build your church building.” The organization now provides 30-40 people with jobs with the BBSS so a lot of people are getting a benefit. At the same time BBSS is distributing help for toilets and cooking gas for the village poor people. From this work God has given me honor and respect among the