Nepal mission inspires family
WHAT started out as a mission trip to Nepal for a Toowoomba pastor turned into a family affair when a friend decided to pay for his wife and two children to join him.
Michael Lockwood is a pastor at Redeemer Evangelical Lutheran Church and has a PhD in theology.
After developing a desire to teach the leaders of fledging churches throughout south-east Asia, he got in contact with Asia Focus Australia.
It is a Lutheran based, evangelical organisation that aims to be a source of inspiration of contemporary Christianity overseas, Asia in particular.
Mr Lockwood is attending the Asia Focus Nepal Mission Trip in October, with financial aid from Creative Word Fellowship.
A kind woman from the family’s church congregation thought it would be worthwhile for his wife Naomi Lockwood and their two children Jadon and Asher to attend as well.
She paid for them to take part in the mission trip and Mrs Lockwood wants to make the most of the incredible opportunity.
Mrs Lockwood said she wanted to do what she could for the community while she was in Nepal.
“Many people in Nepal live on very little but are very happy,” she said.
“Unfortunately the recent earthquakes and flooding has left a lot of these people with nothing to fall back on.
“While they still might have their income, it does not factor in the cost of replacing everything they have lost.
“It will be an experience for my sons because although we educate them about the poor, being so young they won’t truly grasp the concept of it until they see it.”
Mrs Lockwood started a GoFundMe page to raise money so they can buy and distribute clothing to the needy in Nepal.
“There will be no middle man and everything donated will go to Nepalese people,” she said.
“Depending on how much we raise we may even be able to buy building materials as well.”
Mr Lockwood said it would be an incredible experience, made even better by working together with his family as a team to help the less fortunate.
To donate visit gofundme.com/nepal-buyand-distribute-clothes.