"We thank The Lord for Mildred's faithful life and service."
Asbjorn and Mia Voreland
"I took over from Mil in Pokhara, but also saw her off from Liverpool on the boat. It is sad for us but there is rejoicing in heaven."
Rose Barker
"Mil was my companion when I first went to Nepal in 1966, and of course 3 weeks on the boat meant we got to know each other quite well."
Patricia Frazer
"We thank the Lord for Mil and are glad to have worked with her in Nepal. She was so warm and full of life, so much fun to be with, such a real person. For her to live was Christ."
Gunnar and Eva Grönbech Jensen
"It was always great fun being with Mil. You never knew what would happen next !! I worked with her in Jumla. Her love and compassion for the Lord and the Nepalis was a always a wonderful example. Such happy memories."
Pennie Woodcraft
"I had a cuppa with Mil on a visit to Newport. I recall the unhurried chat. There was no sense of her being busy, though I know she was. A good listener and wise counsellor."
Iris McBride
"In the film Chariots of Fire, Harold Abrahams is desperate to win the 100 metres at the Paris Olympics . He engages a coach, Sam Mussabini, who after watching Abrahams run says 'Mr Abrahams I can give you 2 yards'. Such was the impact of Mil upon my life as a young Christian in 1972 .....spiritually she gave me 2 yards! Mil had an anointing in Christ that at the time I didn't possess. Mil shared something of her spiritual journey that in turn changed my life. I praise God for her."
John Putnam
"I remember Mil fondly, as she and Jean stayed with us, before I went to Nepal. When my late Beryl and I arrived in Pokhara it was Mil, on her motorbike who met us at the airport. We soon realised we were not both going on the back when she ushered us into a taxi, telling the driver to follow her. She looked after us well during our stay on the compound, making us feel at home quickly."
Frank Belcher
"I've known Mil ever since I arrived in Nepal in 1970. She was always the same and always - even up to the last time I saw her, a couple of months ago, had something to share about walking closely with the Lord."
Val Inchley
"Dear Mildred, Thank you for looking after me during the period 1982-3 when I was based at Shining Hospital compound. It was truly a rich ministry and the fellowship was greatly blessed. May you rest from your many labours."
Klaus Marx (Visiting as a guest)
"When Mil called you 'my dear' it made you feel loved! We have known Mil since 1998 and she is a precious friend and spiritual mentor. I have kept many of her letters which are full of wisdom and encouragement. She is truly one of the old school!"
Fiona Smith
"We remember Mil's heart for people and love for the Lord! She made us feel welcome during the time we came new to Pokhara."
Mieke & Willem van Dis
Celebrating Mil's life
Mil served with INF in Nepal in a variety of roles from 1960 to 1987. In her early years in Nepal she worked as a nurse-midwife in the Shining Hospital in Pokhara. She also worked in village clinics, and spent time caring for leprosy patients in Jumla.
Mil is affectionately remembered by many people for her hospitality and love of telling people about Jesus. We would love for you to use this page to share your memories of Mil. You can do this with the form on the right.
Mil's family would like donations in memory of Mil to be made for a new chapel being built at Green Pastures Hospital in Pokhara so INF/UK has set up a dedicated fund - The Mil Bowman Tribute Fund - to collect these donations. If you would like to contribute to this, there is a form at the bottom of the page.
"Mil was a lovely lady and welcomed me to the Pokhara compound when I arrived in 1986. I was just 20 and had never been away from home before. She put me at my ease, and ensured I was looked after. Those first few days helped me so much and as the year went on I valued the way Mil was the matriarch on the compound. She was very organised and took no nonsense. An amazing christian lady who was so valued by both Nepalis and expats."
Charlotte Cooper [nee Parkin]
"I am glad to see a more recent photo of Mil. I never met her, but very thankful that God prompted her to email me a few times in Jumla when the going was very tough. I remember her Godly wisdom to this day - 8 or 9 years later. Thank you."
A fellow Jumla road traveller
"Even though I never met her, Mil was a wonderful encouragement to me; writing to me several times to share a word of encouragement or a scripture."
Alastair Seaman
"I remember Mil from the time she met me off the plane at the Pokhara airport when I first arrived in Nepal 1973. She was the compound hostess who looked after me those first weeks. I remember Mil always encouraging our INF family to 'Praise the Lord'. I also remember her teaching Nepali children Christians songs and Bible stories. Will be looking forward to meeting Mil in glory."
Betty Neumann
"Mil and I [UMN] started our lives in Nepal within a few months of each other. Periodically we met up at health/nursing seminars. One time trekking between Pokhara and Tansen, when the road had been blocked by landslides. Her cheerfulness and energy have been challenging, whether in Nepal or UK, where we have been together at prayer conferences. Her love for the people and land has never waned. So glad to have known you, Mil! 'See you later.'"
Valerie Collett
"Mil met us from the 'plane at Pokhara Airport, along with Paula Van Burg. Mil was compound hostess then. I was very homesick at first and though she had been in Nepal for 25 years, she completely understood and was very supportive. She took care of us like a mother bird on her nest! I also remember lots of fun, laughs and jokes! Thank you so much Mil for helping me to survive.Much Love and a big hug to you."
Anne and Stuart Finney
"Mil was always such an encouragement to me, urging me on in my walk with The Lord. She was such fun and always had a good story to tell. She was so hospitable making all welcome old and young, new comers and old timers. What a blessing to have known her- thank you Lord for that opportunity."
Jenny Collins
"Mildred Bowman was known to us and our family as ‘Aunty Mil’. We were only ever on the same team with Mil for a short time when we were at Green Pastures Leprosy Hospital. On one occasion Mil visited our two older children who were in boarding school in Darjeeling, in India.
"In later years Mil visited our home in UK. She has been a true friend and has always been ready to share what the Lord had laid on her heart, both from the Scriptures and from the Holy Spirit.
"Mil’s heart for the Lord and for the Nepali people has been infectious and enthusiastic, usually delivered in the superlative indicating the strength of her love for both. Mil sometimes struggled with the strength of her personality but many others profited by it. We are sure she is now at rest in peace and joy bathed in the love of her Saviour. We are among the many that held her in high esteem."
Keith & Ann Cope
Thank you so much!
Donations to the Mil Bowman Tribute Fund raised £2,060
Please Note
If you wish to send a cheque, please make it payable to INF, and mark the back of the cheque "Mil Bowman Tribute Fund". Thank you.
Extracted from Tom Hale's book, Light Dawns in Nepal
[In 1978] Mildred Bowman and Elizabeth Hasler went out [to Jumla] to start the leprosy work in two rooms of the government hospital, which the government doctor had graciously agreed to let them use.
“Mil was to us an open-minded person, inviting others into cordial fellowship with her. Shortly after we arrived in Green Pastures she took Roswitha with her to visit Nepalis in their homes – teaching by doing!
"In her living with Jesus Mil didn’t refrain from being critical about herself. In situations she found difficult she wanted to find ways to draw near to the Nepalis.
"Her life has been an inspiration to me – to live honestly with the Lord and myself! Our memories of Mil are great."
Paul and Roswitha Kalthoff
"Mil was the hostess with the "mostess",making our Language days warm and friendly, delighting us with her sense of humour and her irresistible love for her Lord. We kept in touch during the following years and I treasure every memory of her."
Betty Powell
"Mil was both an inspiration and a delight, from when I first met her on INF Compound in 1980, til we met most recently in her native Wales in 2014 - a delightful reunion! Til the last inspiring others, 'real' in her faith, and lifting up Jesus. It's an honour to have known her."
Cindy Perry
Three Welsh Women
Jeanette Hyland
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