Mennonite workers first went to Nepal in the 1950s to work under a new international consortium calledUnited Mission to Nepal. Mennonites worked in this country, one of the poorest and most isolated in Asia, in a variety of fields: health and education ministries, rural development, electrification technology, nutrition, and many others. Today, Nepal is well connected with the rest of the world, has become a functioning democracy, and has legalized freedom of religion. But the society remains hindered by inept government, caste inequities, slow economic development, and grinding poverty – especially in the remote mountain areas. Mission Network workers today run businesses, counsel new believers, and help in congregational ministries. There are still service opportunities in conflict transformation, communication, and other fields.