Hope After Disaster: An Update on Nepal

ON July 14th I journeyed to Nepal to visit our ministry partner, Good Friends of Nepal. I was visiting the country to see how the Church was responding to the country’s largest earthquake since the 1934. While much of the focus has been placed on assisting with short term recovery, it became evident as soon as I landed that this is a tragedy that has changed the way that people do life in Nepal. It will continue to affect them for years to come as they adjust to a new normal.While many Nepalese families have been able to return to their homes, there are those who are not so fortunate. Whether it is in Kathmandu or in the rural regions of Nuwakot and Ghorka, there are families who have lost everything. These situations are only magni- fied in the rural communities where there are entire communities and villages that have been not only damaged, but completely wiped out.As we drive along back roads past damaged homes, Bhim Lal shares with me where GFN is working and how their relief work has opened new doors for them to share the gospel. Bhim Lal and his team view the distribution of long-term relief supplies as not only practical care, but a chance to show God’s unconditional love to unreached communities. Their distribution opens up the chance to not only support Christians in the region, but also the chance to introduce the message of Christ to Hindus and Buddhists.

Currently, GFN remains focused on developing a plan for long term recovery. The distribution of tin roofs to provide permanent shelter remains an important part of the organization, but GFN is also dealing with many of their churches being declared unusable by the government. The churches that we visited during my time there had cracks running along the foundations and walls, making many of them risky to be inside especially with tremors continuing to affect the region. GFN is working to repair the damages, to provide Christians with a safe place to worship and come together in fellowship.

In a country that is just 1.4% Christian, the road to recovery is a long one unaided by the government. Please continue to pray for Bhim Lal Tamang and his team as they continue to work to help a country deeply affected by great tragedy.