Stories of Hope

Sunita

Sunita lives in Chitwan, Nepal, and is developing as an inspiring leader to the women in her church while attending school. Her father started the church she attends and is the pastor. Investing in the women in her community and fellowshipping with them is something that brings her great fulfillment. She is married with 2 children, and wants to use the tools she learned through the School of Renew to help aleve her family’s difficult financial situation.

Sunita was struggling with her relationships, and wanted to improve this through the school. She began to implement gratitude journaling in her life, which helped her appreciate those she was having difficulty with. Even with her doubts and not feeling respected as a young female leader, she is boldly teaching the knowledge she gained in the school and sharing it with her fellowship group. Along with the relational growth, she is finding creative ways to improve her finances by cutting down her spending. Some impressive contributions to this are starting to grow her own vegetables and saving her money wisely. She also hopes to open a beauty parlor out of her home, providing services like makeup and hair styling in the future. She has set a personal financial goal of saving 1,000 rupees monthly to be prepared for emergencies or unexpected expenses.

Sunita’s caring heart for her family and the women in her community is shown in her desire to provide and share with them. She will continue to navigate the different aspects of life with these new tools and encourage others to do the same. God is working through her leadership that motivates others, and is restoring her hope through daily gratitude.

Sudarshan

Sudarshan lives with his family in Bhaktupur, Nepal, as he navigates his future plans and is the worship pastor at his local church. A tragic accident halted the bus business that he and his family once ran. He has struggled with doubt about opening his own business, but is working to overcome his fears of failing.

Negative thoughts have often plagued Sudarshan since he was young, and he is using tools that Legacy Advance gave him to face these thoughts. By replacing lies with truth and practicing daily gratitude, he hopes to conquer his struggles and bring a positive outlook to his life. To intentionally care for others and achieve the personal goals he made during the School of Empower, he is learning to care for himself and the health of his mind.

He is forming a business plan that focuses on sustainability and his love for nature. Being outside in God’s creation has been a point of connection between Sudarshan and the Lord, and he wants to ensure that others can experience this joy as well. His business plan details a way to take the plastic waste in his area and turn it into plastic granules that can be recycled. His vision statement is, “Reviving the beauty of Nepal by recycling waste to create wealth.” As the plan evolves and Sudarshan researches start-up costs, he is continuously battling his doubts about his business and the success it could have. Reminding himself that the future has good things awaiting him and that he is God’s son helps him build confidence in his own abilities.

Rujen

Rujen is a 32 year old Builder living in Sundarijal, Nepal, with his parents and 7 siblings. Before covid affected much of Nepal, he worked as an office administrator, and now works with his sister to help run a small business. Entering the School of Renew, Rujen hoped to face the negative thoughts he continually experienced and the fears he held for the future. His thoughtful approach to the lessons allowed him to grow in numerous aspects of his life and build new healthy habits.

One of the significant goals Rujen was able to accomplish was forgiving a friend who had hurt him. After he was able to release the unforgiveness was holding, he experienced the peace and joy that God promises with forgiveness. Another difficult situation that Rujen faced was caring for a family member who had outbursts of anger and struggled with addiction. Rujen felt a deep responsibility to care for them, but was also struggling with his own turbulent thoughts. To recover from this difficult situation, the school helped him create a routine to take time each day to give his mind a break and engage in other activities he enjoys such as drawing, watching inspirational videos, or walking and praying.

The most important areas of life that Rujen wants to strengthen are spiritual, physical and financial. Throughout the school, he engaged in many intentional conversations with others. Many of these discussions reaffirmed the weight and importance of spiritual health. Tools learned in the school and his desire to know God better helped him to dive into the Bible and pray more often. Rujen said, “I always pray and share my thoughts and emotions to Christ first. I take quiet time to analyze. Give myself some time to heal.” Rujen took great strides in his life with the School of Renew and balanced his empathetic care for others with his personal goals.

Rebecca

Rebbeca is a 41 year old community leader and business owner living in Kathmandu with her husband and 2 children. She and her husband host and teach 25 children in their home. During Covid-19 they closed the school they had run for 23 years, due to financial problems, but they still found a way to help with schooling for children in their community by opening up their home to them. Her joyful and hard-working attitude is displayed in her active work with her church fellowship and the relationships she forms within her community.

Rebecca opened a mini-market to sell stationery supplies and snacks. Her vision for this shop is to provide a safe and fun place for children to learn and play. In Nepal, many of the children walk to and from school on their own regardless of age. She likes to host them and care for them as her shop is on the main road near the school. She sets her own business apart from other businesses in the area by forming meaningful relationships with her customers and creating a hospitable environment: “My business provides a friendly environment for the customers to enjoy.” She is using the knowledge she learned through the School of Empower to improve her business and to manage her finances. She is always thinking of others and hopes to provide more jobs in her community while finding financial independence for herself.

Rebecca became proficient in recording finances and budgeting, accomplishing her goals for the school. Her thoughtful and engaged heart towards her community along with her new skills has helped her business grow. She is working towards financial independence to provide for herself and her family. God is evident in Rebbeca’s life and business as she seeks to serve others and take care of her family.

Ranjita

Ranjita lives in Chitwan, Nepal, and works as a teacher while attending college. She and her younger brother were orphaned and grew up in a children’s home called Mercy Home (I might add something about our relationship to Mercy Home). Ranjita is now a staff member at the children’s home cooking, cleaning, and helping teach the children. She also teaches at a local preschool and is studying sociology at college. She stays involved at her church fellowship as a worship leader. She joined the School of Renew with hopes of facing her fear of financial difficulties and the future.

Being able to depend on herself, support her family, and help support orphans is the reason financial independence is so important to Ranjita. She hopes to start a small cafe in the future that sells momos, cake, and lassi drinks. Her vision is to eventually increase the size of the shop, expand locations, to create more employment, and to support pastors and orphans in need.

Ranjita said, “In Renew I, I learned I can evaluate my thoughts and control my emotions.” Even with her worries about finances, the school gave her tools to manage her doubts, through prayer and rejecting negative thoughts. She also grew relationally, learning to listen to others and express gratitude. God is working through Ranjita with her heart to care for others and renew her own mind in Christ each day. After the school, she feels enthusiasm and readiness to face her doubts and continue to move toward her future with hope.

Priscilla

Priscilla is a 27-year-old university student who lives with her family in Kavre, Nepal. Along with her university classes and studies, she works full-time for Cru, which is a campus ministry that shares the gospel at secular colleges throughout Nepal. With a heart that is pursuing the Lord, she has a goal to share the gospel with 250 people this year alone. She decided that having a specific goal would motivate her to be sharing the gospel consistently. Priscilla and her mother are the only believers in her family of 6.

The School of Renew has helped Priscilla face many of her struggles. She felt that she wasn’t always able to discern what was true in the past which led to her heart being hurt by some of her experiences in ministry. Learning tools through the school helped her to identify what is truth and what is a lie, which allowed her to overcome past hurts and protect her heart. She is continuing to grow in her confidence and is facing her feelings when she is discouraged or misunderstood by others. One of the goals she created for herself is to be strong in the Lord so that she can fulfill the needs of herself, her family, and other people.

As she practices the new skills she has learned, she is improving her habits and life. By meeting with a prayer group, working with a college ministry, and attending university, Priscilla is being used by the Lord to reach Nepal’s next generation of young adults, and is an example of how to continuously serve God and share his Word with others. God is working through Priscilla’s kindness and boldness to grow His kingdom in incredible ways.

Pratiksha

Pratiksha is a young, aspiring leader who completed the Legacy Advance School of Empower. She is 24 years old and has one year remaining in her business studies. Through leading worship at church, working with a children’s ministry, and creating fellowship with other girls in her church, she is an active contributor in her community and a wonderful example for other young ladies in Nepal. Her parents are missionaries, and she helps out often with their ministry. Providing for her parents and grandparents is something that she continuously works towards.

Pratiksha displayed consistency as a Builder in the School of Empower, while absorbing and applying the information she learned. Her business plan from Empower I and her comprehensive business plan from Empower II and IV varied greatly as her business goals shifted. She has now decided to launch a faith-based clothing brand to encourage young Christains. She believes it is a way to reach younger generations that want to feel bold in sharing the gospel and glorifying God in a Hindu society. Her brand (lets add the name when I get it) will sell high quality clothing and accessories. To launch her brand, she will start selling T-shirts. The “why” behind her business that keeps her motivated is her aspiration to provide funding for her parents’ ministry, and to pay for bills when she is out with her grandparents.

Along with her financial growth, Pratiksha was able to apply the school’s lessons to improve her emotional and spiritual health. She struggles with feeling self-doubt, however, she is overcoming these negative thoughts by believing that she is found in Christ and that working hard will allow her to complete her studies and achieve her financial goals through business. To connect with God more deeply, she began practicing a two minute time of silence to focus thoughts and intentions on the Lord. Her goal of becoming a strong leader is coming to fruition as she uses the many skills she has developed through the School of Empower to benefit and provide for her family and community!

Pastor Ishwar

In Bhaktapur, Nepal, Pastor Ishwar lives with his wife and two sons, along with the seven orphaned children they care for. He is the pastor for a local church and travels around Nepal to do ministry work. To be an example for his community, he wants to start a business and help teach those around him about better business practices.

Even with the ups and downs of the current Nepali economy, his own fears about having sufficient funds, and the complex political situation, Pastor Ishwar began to develop a business plan. Rejecting the fear of instability, he remembers the truth of God’s provision. He is strongly committed to using what he has learned to establish a sustainable business and grow his church. He wants to open a coffee shop in his area that will be a comfortable space for young people and professionals to meet and order high quality, affordable coffee. Pastor Ishwar said, “Our vision is to be the heart and soul of our community, where every visit feels like a warm embrace. We imagine a future where our coffee shop is not just a place to enjoy exceptional coffee but a cherished sanctuary that fosters connection, inspiration, and shared moments.”

Besides developing a business plan with Legacy Advance, Pastor Ishwar also desires to improve his leadership skills through the School of Empower. He’s looking to grow in his intentionality and communication. Providing physical help in terms of food and health care are community transformation projects he wants to implement more heavily into his life. Community outreach and banding people together are aspects of Pastor Ishwar’s character that were developed through the school as he strives to start his business and care for his church.

Manoj

Manoj is respected in his community for his participation and leadership in multiple community outreaches in the Kathmandu slums, where he, his parents, and two sisters still live to stay involved. He is ministering in his church, administering a school for children ages 3-9, teaching young, unemployed men in the slums how to use technology, tutoring, and providing purified water to the area. Manoj does his best to keep his own needs in mind as he is helping everyone else, “I want to buy land and build a home for my family. So, I am balancing my personal expenses and saving money for it. As we are in the slums, we dream of a better future, which motivates me to do the hard work.”

Three business attempts Manoj tried in the past weren’t sustainable, and The School of Empower helped him improve his planning and management skills for his future business. He wants to start a farming business selling Chinese corn and other vegetables in his area, as he can sell this variant of corn at a higher price than Nepali corn. He wants to market this corn as farm to kitchen, high-quality grain. People can come to the farm to pick their vegetables, or get them delivered to locations within the valley they live in. Manoj completed both School of Empower I and II, and developed a comprehensive business plan throughout the process. In his previous business attempts, he felt his lack of planning was an obstacle in creating a lasting business.

Now, he hopes to use planning skills that the School of Empower taught him for his business. He wants to approach his new business by surrendering it to the Lord and improving his spiritual life by focusing on prayer and meditating on the Bible. Starting his farming business and growing in his spiritual walk will allow him to support and build his ministry, community outreach, and provide for his family.

Kiran

In rural Tikapur, Nepal, 35 year old Builder, Kiran, lives with his family. He is a secondary level teacher and principal at a school, where he uses his Masters Degree in Curriculum Development to make the curriculum more practical and applicable. His goals created through the School of Empower reflect his hopes to improve his English skills and to learn how to start his own business. His mindset towards projects and business are consistently positive and built on a desire to help the community around him.
The business he wants to pursue is selling sports and baby goods to the community at shops in the market and school areas. Because of the location, affordability, and the quality of the products, it will benefit the children and families in his community. When discussing his vision, Kiran said, “I want to see happy children and healthy children in my school, community, and country.”

The School of Empower taught Kiran how to plan a business, manage his finances, and be a strong leader. The conversations with the other students in the school were encouraging and allowed him to improve his English skills. When he shares what he learned in the school with his students, he said they are very happy when they hear about his experiences. His future plans for a business and his current leadership roles benefitted from the new tools and knowledge he applied to his life. Kiran’s energy and positivity as he serves his community is an example of how God is working in his life. He was able to complete many of the goals he created and reached out to his community and students to encourage and assist them in brand new ways.

Jessica

Jessica is a young and intelligent Builder who lives in Sundarijal, Nepal, with her family. Along with her parents, grandparents, and uncles and aunts, her family provides education and boarding to 25 children. They are involved in their local church fellowship, run a mini market, and a small chicken farm. She enjoys sharing with her family about her deepening spiritual walk and the valuable skills she has developed through the School of Renew.
Jessica struggles with anxiety about her future, but is using new tools from the school to combat these negative thoughts. When lies make her feel uncertainty and confusion about her future, she reminds herself of God’s perfect timing and plan. “Moving forward with a poverty mindset can negatively impact how we view ourselves and others. So, it is important to Renew our Minds by practicing mindfulness and journaling to process our thoughts so that we can better every aspect of life” Jessica said. Along with healing her mindset about the future she is focused on improving her relationship with God and her physical health. One of the goals she completed through the school was memorizing a new bible verse weekly, and continuously praying for the people she knows. She also created a business plan where she would sell small homemade gifts like pencil pouches, key rings, and earrings, which helped her understand finances and leadership.
As Jessica prepares for nursing school, and considers plans for her future, it is clear to see the ways God is using her in her community. She wants to be a nurse as her primary profession but is looking to be well rounded and balanced in all areas of life. She implements the tools that she is learning into her life to continue to grow. Consistency in her Bible reading and prayer are an example of her faithfulness to God and her helpfulness to others.

Ashish

Ashish is a 26 year old Builder who lives with his parents and younger sister in Chitwan, Nepal. He works as a civil engineer at an Australian company in Nepal. When discussing his future, he mentioned his desire to generate enough income for his family’s needs, but acknowledges the difficulty. Day by day, he reminds himself that he is gaining valuable experience to do so and it gives him peace in spite of his worries. Taking the lead and facing the obstacles and challenges that come with forming a business is something Ashish is ready for with his newly built confidence.

The School of Empower helped Ashish create a comprehensive business plan for a consultation service and construction company. His vision is to provide affordable housing and to run multiple projects simultaneously. After solidifying the consultation side of the business, Ashish wants to include residential construction. He enjoys consulting and has two years of experience that he can use to build a customer base. Just as his mind was renewed through the School of Empower, Ashish wants to share this same hope to his customers by providing quality consulting and affordable housing.

Ashish continues to take the lead by repaying his family’s debt, and has made incredible progress. He worked overtime and used his bonuses to settle about half of his family’s debt, and he was even able to assist with his sister’s university fees. He is proud of his accomplishment, and relieved from the burden that debt placed on him. As a hard working leader and provider to his family, he is focused on continuing to improve his life both financially and relationally.

Legacy Advance is honored to work with such young and talented individuals who succeed despite being in incredibly difficult circumstances.

Elina

25 years old and living in Lalitpur, Nepal, Elina is a considerate and caring builder. She is recently married and works as an accountant. Elina has struggled with stomach and health related issues for much of her life, and the School of Renew is helping her to learn to Renew her Mind so that she doesn’t have to live with fear. In addition to Renewing her Mind, she is actively researching how to optimize her lifestyle to live with the condition. She shares the lessons she is learning with her husband, which he is enjoying and is strengthening their relationship.
In the midst of facing many health problems, Elina says she often feels afraid. When she feels anxious, it is easy for her to isolate and stop interacting with people. The School of Renew is teaching her to remind herself that God says, “So do not fear, for I am with you;” (Isaiah 41:10 NIV). That The Lord can help her to overcome lies and anxiety, by remembering gratitude, and focusing on the present moment that God has provided.
Elina continues to grow in her relationship with the Lord, by focusing her mind on restoration and healing. God is with her, as she reminds herself of His presence and shares what she is learning with those she is close with. She continues to complete course work even when she is struggling with her health, because she is seeking to deepen her relationship with the Lord in all aspects of her life.

Daniel

Daniel is a strong leader in Kathmandu, Nepal, with a heart for the slums in his area. He pastors a church in the slums, while his wife runs a preschool there. He meets with troubled youth and teaches children how to use technology. In his busy life of service, Daniel joined the School of Renew I & II to improve his spiritual, relational, and physical health. Because he had doubts about his leadership abilities and struggled with serious matters, he developed a goal to grow in these areas during the school.

As the pastor of a church, Daniel often feels the pressure to fix the lives and sins of the community he serves. Through the School of Renew he learned that he does not need to feel guilt about this, and implemented healthy ways to practice releasing this need. With his commitment to take care of his church members, Daniel said, “I am leading our church as a shepherd. Encouraging them, supporting them, and motivating them.” He feels the weight of being a leader, which often involves feelings of insecurity and doubt in himself. Relying on the Lord allows him to face these challenges and trust God as he shepherds his church. The School of Renew helped him to find new ways of responding to difficult situations and become more aware of ways he wants to improve as a leader.

Daniel’s mind is focused on balancing meeting the needs of his church and prioritizing his own spiritual growth. Open-handed and generous, he is always ready to give resources to those in need. He views giving as a part of the responsibilities of a Christian. The lifestyle of Daniel and his family are an indication of how God is working through his incredible generosity and empathy.

Amabika

From Kohalpur, Nepal, Ambika is a mother and community leader with aspirations to build income for her family and also improve her emotional well-being. Her husband works out of the country to support their family which is difficult, but Ambika feels a strong desire to assist in providing for her family and children’s education. One of the ways the School of Renew helped her grow was by giving her foundational financial knowledge to use in her daily life and start a business. She hopes to sell purified bottled water at an affordable price to her community.

She entered the school feeling that it was hard for her to control or recognize her emotions. Learning to sort her thoughts into truth and lies, helps her understand difficult emotions, and to realize the authority and power God gives her over negative thoughts. She has found new peace. Spiritually, Ambika was able to meet many of her goals. She is staying consistent in prayer and reading the Bible. She hopes that steadiness in these aspects of life will help her share the good news of God with her community. Ambika said, “Restored hope increases self-strength in life. It gets rid of fear. It brings spiritual awakening.”

Before the School of Renew, Ambika struggled to understand her emotions and ways to forgive, but she has now overcome the emotional poverty she was facing. Ambika is a thoughtful and kind builder who was able to make great improvement in financial and spiritual areas of her life. She continues to honor God with her commitment and desire to share the love of Christ with others.

ANDREAS MEHRGUTH
CEO, CO-FOUNDER

Andreas has served as CEO since Legacy Advance’s was launched in 2021. He has trained people in developing countries for two decades using simple tools for multiplying churches and mentoring local leaders in a model-assist-watch-launch approach. This approach also is effective in working with Legacy Advance Builders as they impact their own families and communities. Prior to working internationally, Andreas owned a custom cabinetry business for 22 years in Orange County, CA. Andreas is married to his wife, Terri, and has two adult sons, a daughter-in-law, and three grandchildren.

TERRI MEHRGUTH
VP, CO-FOUNDER

Terri provides leadership in resource and program development. With 15 years experience in the US and abroad in assisting people to renew their minds, she provides oversight for the Renew Program. For nearly 20 years, Terri has provided leadership in taking more than a thousand individuals and families internationally to serve the underserved and help them develop a vision for advancing their own legacy of service to marginalized people. Prior to working internationally, Terri worked in public relations, focusing on strategy and media relations in Los Angeles, CA, for some of the largest companies in the United States. She has been married to Andreas for 35 years, has two sons-Jordan, Garrett and his wife Mayra, and their three children.

JORDAN MEHRGUTH
COO, Co-Founder

Prior to Legacy Advance’s founding, Jordan was training and coaching Nepali aspiring leaders in finance and business principles. He is uniquely qualified to provide the structure and understanding of working in developing nations from serving cross-culturally in more than 20 countries, including opening a restaurant on a rural Philippine island. As COO, Jordan humbly applies a create-test-revise approach to implementing Legacy Advance programs as he and the leadership team appreciate the benefits of a bottom-up, practical, holistic approach to addressing generational poverty. Jordan lives in Southern California and co-founded Legacy Advance with his parents.

God has used Legacy Advance in many ways and here we bring you the results of all our hard work in these stories of hope.