Nepal, Two Months On.

Two months after the devastating earthquakes that hit Nepal in April, relief supplies have poured into Kathmandu, the nation’s capital. However, while climbers wait for Nepal’s mountain passes to reopen, villagers living in remote communities are still struggling to survive and have received little help.

John Lyon, CEO of World Hope International (WHI), a Christian aid and development organisation working in Nepal, reports that:  “People are tearing down partially-destroyed buildings by hand, there’s rubble in the streets, and a thick layer of demolition-dust everywhere.”

Lyon returned last week from an emergency response mission to remote districts. As he trekked through Nepal’s villages, he saw piles of brick and stone salvaged from the ruins of homes, schools, and even churches. According to the villagers, the stones are meant for rebuilding.

“These frail people are using simple tools to tear down and rebuild, with the phrase ‘Nepal Will Rise Again’ plastered on billboards and signs,” Lyon said. “Their energy and resourcefulness gives me hope that it will happen.”

Lyon urged Christians to pray for fellow believers in Nepal, especially amid the possibility of increasing persecution. “Pray for strength,” he said. “Pray that they can exercise their faith without fear of retribution. Legally, you can be a Christian in Nepal. Socially, it’s unacceptable.”

A Christian woman, living in a remote village, told Lyon that her brothers were beaten severely when they converted to Christianity. After the earthquake, villagers taunted them: “Your church is destroyed, now who will come? No one will come.”

The woman told them, “We don’t place our faith in buildings, but the Lord.”

• Pray for Nepal, especially with the expected, imminent arrival of the monsoon season, which will severely hamper the rebuilding at a time when many people are still without shelter.
• Pray for the work of Christians in the country, bringing much needed physical and emotional help. Pray that their witness will cause many people to turn to Christ and find their Hope in His love and grace.
• Pray for Nepali Christians, for protection, courage and strength, and for freedom to worship without fear.

Isaiah 25 vs 4: “For you have been a refuge to the poor, a refuge to the needy in their distress, a shelter from the rainstorm and a shade from the heat.”

Source: http://www.worldmag.com/