Sixteen women, including the leaders, got together to learn how to teach illiterate women in their churches how to read.

A survey conducted by Gospel for Asia’s Women’s Fellowship in Nepal found that almost all the women in their fellowships and churches have a desire to read the Bible—but more than 60 percent don’t know how to read.

Women’s Fellowships help strengthen local church congregations by discipling the women, equipping them for evangelistic outreach in their communities and addressing other needs in their lives. And with a great burden to educate the illiterate women in the churches, the Women’s Fellowship in Nepal started adult literacy classes to train women to teach others how to read and write.

Thirteen teachers from eight different Gospel for Asia–supported churches attended the three-day training program.

Deepak Gurung, the leader of Bridge of Hope Nepal, taught the women. He began the class with the Bible verse, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me,” found in Philippians 4:13, to encourage the teachers.

The women gathered in groups to discuss the things they learned at the program.

“After the first session, each participant looked ready to do anything for Christ,” reported a GFA field correspondent.

The women learned how to teach, use textbooks and do crafts. They also learned games to accompany the lessons they teach. They participated in group discussions to expound on what they were taught and also partook in a talent show. The women wound down from their days by watching special films each evening.

“This was so informative and full of fun,” said a woman who attended the program. “I really enjoyed it.”

Sanjana Giri, wife of a GFA leader in Nepal, shared her personal experience teaching adult literacy classes, which brought much encouragement to the teachers. And Sevita Jung, the Women’s Fellowship leader of Nepal, further explained the present literacy rate of women in the church.

“Today we stand and see the future of the church in Nepal,” Sevita said. “We feel that we are standing in the misty morning of a bright day.”