Missionary Profile

Bhim-lal was born and raised in a Buddhist family. He used to sleep with a Bible under his pillow to ward off the evil spirits. Through a series of trials Bhim-lal found Christ. This resulted in intense persecution for his entire family. Now Bhim-lal and his wife Kalpana have a strategy to reach the many people groups in Nepal with the Good News of Jesus. His team is equipped with community development skills to bring transformation to the impoverished communities they serve. Key programs include oversight of 35+ missionaries, 2×5-month residential discipleship/community development programs, support for widows and anti-trafficking efforts, economic empowerment, and care for orphans and vulnerable children. Springvale and Bhim-lal Tamang are working together to reach the Thami people group through the mission he runs called Good Friends of Nepal. There are under 30,000 Thami people and almost no Christians among them. We are supporting the work and training of Thami Christians to reach their own people. Our ultimate goal is that the Thami People will be removed from the list of unreached people groups because they have a significant number of vibrant and growing communities of faith. The organization Bhim-lal leads is called Good Friends of Nepal. Nepal has a population of approximately 31 million and is one of the poorest nations outside of Africa. Since the 2015 Nepal earthquake, it has become increasingly difficult for organizations in Nepal to carry out development work and many Christian charities face scrutiny. Nepal is a former Hindu kingdom, and Hinduism permeates every aspect of life. Of the 380 people groups in Nepal, 93% are unreached. Since 2017 it has been against the law to lead people to Christ. Good Friends of Nepal (GFN) serves people in remote, mountainous regions where there is no gospel witness. Despite persecution in the country, the gospel is advancing through this ministry. One missionary shared, “I am a simple person. I don’t know why God chose me, but when I pray, people are healed, and when I witness, people give their lives to Jesus.” Since 2005 the GFN network has grown from 45 to 245+ churches. Staff show the love of Christ by serving the physical needs of vulnerable people, namely by protecting girls who are at risk of being trafficked and also widows who are shunned. The GFN staff are equipped at the training centre and effectively bless communities in Nepal with the development skills they acquire. – Bhim-lal and Kalpana are Partners International missionaries.