There were two groups of Gurkhas soldier along side the British Army in Burma:
(i) Those in the regular British India Army including both Gurkhas Rifle Regiment and the newly formed Burma Rifle
(ii) Those recruited into the Burma Military Police from late 1880s. Gurkhas were not only brought as soldiers but also as potters for the early British expedition. During the British rule, these Gurkhas were free to travel as they wish to and from to India and to their native land Nepal, wave after migrated into Burma. Migration was crippled due to Second World War. According to the closest data we could assume that Gurkhas entered in Burma about 1885-86.
THE NEPALIS SETTLEMENT IN MYANMAR TODAY
Most of Nepalis settled in the following places:
(i) Shan State: Lashio, Taunggyi, Kalaw, Loilem, Namsam, Namtu
(ii) Kachin State: Myitkyina, Bamaw, Mogoung, Waimaw
(iii) Mandalay Division: Pyin Oo Lwin (May Myo), Mogoke
(iv) Sagaing Division: Kalay, Tamu, Mawliak
(v) Chin State: Falam, Haka, Tedim
(vi) Kaya State: Loikaw
(vii) Kayin State: Tandawng
(viii) Yangon Division: Yangon
STATEMENT OF GURKHA (NEPALI) CHRISTIAN IN MYANMAR
Nepalese, who are known as Gurkhas in Myanmar, came along with the British Army and settled in the places where the pastures are green and the land fertile in Myanmar. They are still living peacefully in the same areas today. Their present population according to the statistic shows approximately 600,000 (Six HundredThousands). Most of them are Hindu, Buddhist and Atheist.
MYANMAR GURKHA CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP
Myanmar Gurkha (Nepali) Christian Fellowship (M.G.C.F)In the year 1993, Dr. Cindy Perry of International Nepali Fellowship came to Myanmar to do research among the Nepali. During her visit in Myanmar, she met some Nepali Christians. In 1996, she came again with Nepali team from Nepal and appointment was made to conduct an all Myanmar Nepali Christian conference in Pyin Oo Lwin in March 1997. Therefore, the first Nepali Christian Conference was convened in Pyin Oo Lwin from 15th to 24th March 1997. In this conference, Myanmar Gurkha (Nepali) Christian Fellowship (M.G.C.F) was formed on the 21st March 1997.
Many of Nepali villages are seen close to the Christian villages, but they remain strangers to the Gospel though some evangelist reached them, they could not preach the Good News properly and adequately. During in the early 1890s, American Baptist Mission launched admission for the Nepali in Myanmar, but it was not very successful. No response came from Nepali so the American Baptist Mission had to close their chapter in 1955.At present Nepali Mission in Myanmar is going on in the following location: Myitkyina,Mogok, Pyin Oo Lwin, Taunggyi and Yangon.
(a) Myitkyina Nepali
MissionThe Myitkyina Nepali Baptist Mission was formed under Myitkyina Zonal Kachin Baptist Association about 1988. On the April 2nd, 2000 the Myitkyina zonal Baptist Association ceded the church as a local church. There are 26 Nepali Families in this church. At present Peter Sodemba, Subana Khalin Rai and Santi Bahadur lead the church. Also Hari Bahadur leads Nepali A.G Church.
(b) Mogok Nepali Mission
George Bahadur carried on evangelistic work from the 1970s for about 15 years in the Mogok area. Gradually becoming very frustrated in his lonely work, he left in the mid 1980s.About at that time another Nepali young man Hari Bahadur decided to enter to His Ministry. In 1993 there were scattered Nepali Christians among local Kachin Baptist, Pentecostal Roman Catholic churches. After Hari Bahadur transferred to Myitkyina, D. B Limbu leads nepali Church in Mogok.
(c) Pyin Oo Lwin Nepali Mission
Rev. Dee Zee Daung, pastor of Kachin Church of Christ, started outreach among the Nepali villages of Pyin Oo Lwin during the early 1980s. After he was transferred to Myitkyina in 1990, another young Kachin Church of Christ worker placed in Moekyupyit village, and the Nepali Fellowship there officially come under the Church of Christ. In 1993, February the St. Matthew Kachin Baptist church decided to make mission to the Nepali people but there was none to lead the mission. At that time Mr. Yesudas and his wife were enthusiastic to share the love of God and His Salvation among Nepali People. They decided to serve God and resigned from government work. In October 1993, they had arrived Pyin Oo Lwin and they are still working there by ministering and leading the church. Now there are 16family households with more than 80 people have accepted God and became Christian and believers of Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour. At present Rev. Yesudas Sodemba, Deborah Maya, Pari Ratna and Pastor Thomas are finding ways and means to make the mission a success.
(d) Yangon Nepali Mission
B.P Rai a founder of the Nepali Baptist Mission in Yangon, has operated since its inception. He and three other Nepali pensioners who became Christian formed a small Nepali Christian Fellowship at his home in 1978. This became the seedbed for evangelistic tours among Nepali communities all over Myanmar during the following years. At present Benot Rai is leading the Nepali Baptist Mission in Yangon.
(e) Taunggyi Nepali Mission
Taunggyi Nepali Mission is very recent new mission field of Nepali mission in Myanmar. Taunggyi is located at the Southern Shan State, there are many Nepalis there. In May 2006, Mr. Prem Subba and his wife had arrived Taunggyi and began to serve the Lord among the Nepali by ministering Taunggyi Nepali Christian Mission Fellowship. Now there are 5 Nepali Christian families.
PURPOSES OF MYANMAR GURKHA CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP
The Purpose of (M.G.C.F)All the Nepali churches in Myanmar are:1. To be oneness in Christ2. To make fellowship effectively3. To serve the Lord together4. To spread the Good News among the Nepali in Myanmar5. To promote Christian leaders
FUTURE PLANS
The Future Plan of (M.G.C.F)1. To plant Nepali churches in the difference parts of Myanmar2. To raise fund for MGCF3. To held conference and meet with the Nepali leaders of local and other countries at least once a year4. To send students to Bible colleges for future leaders
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M.G.C.F COMMITTEE
D. B LIMBU (MOGOK)
REV. YESUDAS SODEMBA (PYIN OO LWIN)
PARI RATNA (PYIN OO LWIN)
KAWLU GURUNG (TAUNGGYI)
DEBORAH MAYA (PYIN OO LWIN)
SUBANA KHALIN RAI (MYITKYINA)
THOMAS SODEMBA (PYIN OO LWIN)
1. PETER RAJDHAN SODEMBA (MYITKYINA)
2. GOBIN RAI (MYITKYINA)
3. S. PREM SUBBA (TAUNGGYI)
4. SONA LIMBU (MOGOK)
5. DHAN BAHADUR GURUNG (PYIN OO LWIN)
The total number of Nepali Christians are still very few, probably less than 500 scattered all over Myanmar and evangelism is still in its pioneer stages. Therefore, we would like to request you to participate and do partnership together to progress our mission. We also need your kind assistant, support and prayers for our mission and for the shake of God. May God bless you. Yours Faithfully in Christ,