The month of December is always a busy one for pastors, and South Asia Lutheran Mission team members were likewise busy with an important project, with a fixed deadline. After leaders from a Lutheran Nepalese congregation in Saint Louis reached out to us, we offered to provide them with illustrated Small Catechisms as gifts for Christmas. The children, however, who speak and read in English, would need Small Catechisms in English.

Thanks be to God we were able to finish the work just in time, and we had 350 books (120 in English, 230 in Nepali) delivered to two congregations – one in Saint Louis, and one in Brentwood, Pittsburgh.

Special thanks goes to Dr. Kristina Phillips, who worked hard on the cover and interior designs, until everything was beautifully and professionally finished! The illustrations by Abinash Tamang were commissioned by SALM in 2022.

These Small Catechisms are also available for anyone to purchase on Amazon.com and other bookstores globally. Find the Small Catechism in English with Nepalese illustrations by searching for “Small Catechism Nepalese“, and in Nepali with Nepalese illustrations by searching for “Small Catechism in Nepali.” Editions have also been produced for those who want the text alone without the illustrations, in print in English and in Nepali, and in ebook format.

It is such a great joy to have had the privilege to make this Christmas gift a reality. Of course this gift is not only for Christmas; these little books contain the faith that is to be cherished for a lifetime. In addition, the books remain a valuable resource for the future. This year two further printings (2000 books) are being planned in Nepal, for the benefit of overseas partners.

Thank you to all of you who also make this work possible, through your support for South Asia Lutheran Mission!

---