Nepal
I’m in Nepal and will be here through most of November. On October 1, we sent over $50,000 to Nepal. I’m so grateful for the generous supporters who stand with us as we serve the Nepali church. Through your partnership, we sent medical help, supplies, and comfort to victims of the August 26 disaster near the Nepal—China border.
Some of our men were working as day laborers at the Chinese-engineered dam where the disaster occurred. Ten of them died; only two survived. One survivor climbed above the worst of the floodwaters and clung to a tree. He was battered by debris and suffered severe injuries to his legs. He’s in serious condition, but he’s alive.
Our own Dr. Prakash took his trained medical team to the disaster area and worked alongside our church members to serve the survivors. The first team arrived within a few days of the tragedy, and by the second week, we were sending waves of church members into the region to help.
Dr Prakash’s Journal
Early on October 8, our eight-member team left Nepalgunj to bring medical care and Christ’s compassion to hurting communities. After sixteen hours on the road, we reached Nuwakot and rested overnight. The next morning, we traveled another four hours over rough, damaged roads. When our vehicle could go no farther, we parked it in the jungle and walked for two hours.
We visited two severely affected villages in Bidur, Nuwakot, listening to survivors in the first and providing free healthcare in the second. Their suffering went far beyond physical illness. We listened to grieving families, gently shared the hope found in Jesus, and had the opportunity to pray with people. For almost everyone we served, this was their first time hearing the Lord’s name.
We provided medical examinations, medicine, and counseling to over 100 people. Damaged roads had left many unable to reach hospitals or continue their treatment. Residents from neighboring villages pleaded with us to bring medical care to their communities too.
Personal
On November 1, Jonathan and Donia Lopes from Mumbai will join me in Nepalgunj for our annual conference. We will develop strategies to mobilize medical and humanitarian teams from Indian churches to serve alongside our Nepali church members. This is something I have long envisioned for the work in Nepal, and I’m so encouraged to see that dream unfolding. Persecution of Christians continues in both India and Nepal, but persecution cannot stop compassion, nor will it stop the gospel.
International money transfers to South Asian nations are challenging these days. We can no longer send funds to India because of government restrictions on church organizations, and we’re facing similar challenges in Nepal. Sri Lanka and Pakistan remain open, but restrictions are tightening there too.
Pakistan
October was also a financial breakthrough month for our work in Pakistan. You gave the $80,000 we needed to purchase the property next to our second model church in Islamabad. I had to raise the offer to $85,000, but we have those funds, so we’re in good shape.
We also have over $30,000 toward the $150,000 Pakistan building project, so we’re making great progress in Pakistan. I’ll be there in December to follow up on this project and to minister to our leaders.
Thank you so much for your generosity and for trusting us to steward your gifts to the people of Nepal, India, Sri Lanka, and Pakistan.