A Nepali missionary came to the remote mountain village where Thomas lived. As he faithfully taught God's Word, Thomas and his family believed and grew steadily in their love for the Lord. The day came when the missionary had to leave. How could the people find another pastor? They were so far into the mountains, so poor and no one they knew had any education at all. Thomas walked with his parents for over a week to come to one of our children's homes. Though they loved him very much, they had brought him there to give him up for the Lord, just as Samuel's mother had brought him to the temple. They asked one of our children's homes to take their son and train him to be a pastor for their people. This home is for orphaned and abandoned children, but we received this child on that day and accepted the great privilege of educating him and discipling him as his parents asked. He is the only child we have who has Christian parents and the only one without a life tragedy which brought him to us. Each year, I ask the children questions for the update form to send to their sponsors. One question is, "What is your future aim?" (Or as we would word it, "What do you want to be when you grow up?") Most boys Thomas' age answer, "Truck driver!" or "doctor!" But Thomas held my eye contact and answered firmly in the presence of the other children, "I will be a pastor." He knows the sacrifice his parents have made for him and for the Lord. He loves Jesus very much. Will he hold to his decision? It will take time before we can know, but what a privilege it is to train a child with such strong faith and devotion to the Lord.

Michael and Sue Cook Executive Director and
Missionaries to Nepal and Bangladesh

We began our ministry making short term mission trips in 1991. We visited such countries as China, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, India and Nepal. We longed to see the lost come to the Lord and to be involved in the discipleship of new believers or with those at any point in their walk with the Lord. We taught Bible conferences for believers and held medical clinics to assist national evangelists in opening new areas.

It was difficult for us to see the short term results of most of our work in the early years, but we did find that assisting children's homes was incredibly fruitful. Orphaned and abandoned children were received into the homes and taught daily from the Word of God. From one trip to the next, we could see Hindu and Buddhist children that came to the Lord and grew strong in faith. It was an effective work, and we wanted to be part of it. Each time support for one of the homes increased, another child could be "saved" from starvation and abuse, and have a chance to be saved eternally.

Over the years, Nepal became our favorite place. Our hearts were drawn to the children's homes and our relationships with the children and their caregivers deepened.

In 1999, we sold our business to devote ourselves full time to our mission work. Godly Asian pastors and Believers became our mentors, and we saw our intimacy with God deepen, as we poured more of ourselves into serving Him and loving His people.

In May of 2003, we responded to the call of God, and to the request of three of our long time ministry partners to offer help, both physical and spiritual, to desperately needy children in Nepal. With God's help and guidance, we established a 501 (C) 3 organization and gave it the defining name: Allow The Children. We set up a child sponsorship program for the kids in the children's homes and for needy children who live with church families. The latter are orphans taken in by Christian families, children of widows, or other very needy children, under the disciple ship of trusted Nepali pastors. We visit all our children and their caregivers at least twice a year. This has enabled us to be an integral part of the evangelism, discipleship and growth process for more precious Nepalese children than we ever dreamed possible. We have countless opportunities to teach Bible to the children, their caregivers, fellow church members and leaders.

God is doing a great work in Nepal, and letting us be a part of it. We cannot adequately describe our joy in this work, nor our gratitude for those who have joined with us. Because the Lord has abundantly provided for all of our personal needs, all gifts that we receive go to the ministry. Thank you for being a partner with us!

Jesus said, "If you do it to the least of these, My brethren, you do it to Me."

Because of His Grace,
Mike and Sue Cook
Allow The Children Ministries