Disciple Makers in Nepal
Below is a Nepali earthquake status update received midnight last night from Tom and Mike:
From Tom: Many are asking how they can help. First and foremost…Pray! This is the most important thing anyone can do! As you pray for those suffering the consequences of this disaster, pray that the Lord’s church will shine as an instrument of hope in a land where hope is not present. Of those whose homes were destroyed in the quake, one of the pastors in Kathmandu lost his home. Also, part of the church building where he preaches was destroyed. Thankfully he nor his family were injured. Another pastor living in a remote village outside of Kathmandu lost his home as well. He shared that many homes in his village suffered the same.
In order to concentrate efforts and make the most impact where other help will most probably not come, we are setting up a fund to help these 2 pastors and those in the neighborhood village who lost their homes. If you would like to help with these efforts, we would ask that you make any contributions to Disciple Makers, and ear-mark them as “Nepal Relief.” Go to: http://disciplemakers.org/id61.htm
Thank you so much in advance for your prayers and help!
From Mike: First of all I want you to know that all of us are safe and doing well. There is no electricity and no water here. We are at the hotel in Kathmandu for now. Most sleep outside due to the aftershocks. Nothing is normal here. So any plans we make seem to have to overcome obstacles that are not normally there. Most stores are closed. The banks are closed for 5 days. Transportation is not easy to arrange. We are planning to try to find somewhere to help this morning and this afternoon try to do a modified VBS for some of the people living in the street because they fear going back into buildings. Our plan is to try again tomorrow to get to Chitwan, but we can only pray and be willing to accept changes. God’s plan is bigger and clearer than ours could ever be. If we only plant seeds of hope here in Kathmandu then we do so overjoyed with the opportunity to serve. The Nepali people are mostly staying outdoors due to the aftershocks. I would estimate that there have been 15 to 20 aftershocks, some in the 6 range on the Richter scale. When they come, the Nepalis run and cower in fear. Prayers for the country and the people of Nepal are appreciated and needed. But also that the love and hope of Christ can be shown here. We will continue to assess needs that those at home can apply themselves to. Communication is spotty and we have only heard of two pastors that have lost their homes and one church damaged. We will try to continue to stay in touch as internet allows.
From Ginger (DMI Prayer Coordinator): When one part of the Body suffers, all the Body suffers with it (1 Cor 12:26). May Nepalis know we are Christians by our love (John 13:35). Pray that Tom & team hear the Lord leading, “This is the way, walk in it” (Isaiah 30:21). Pray the team will “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven” (Matthew 5:16). May Nepali hearts be ready to hear and receive the gospel message of hope. We ask that the team remember God is their Strong Tower, they run to Him and are safe (Proverbs 18:10). We ask that the Living Water will provide drinkable water for them. Haggai 2:7: “I will shake all nations, and what is desired by all nations will come, and I will fill this house with glory,’ says the Lord Almighty.” Lord Almighty, you have shaken the nation of Nepal, we ask that Jesus will come and fill Nepal with His glory. Oh, make His name famous in the days to come, raising up hope where there is so little or none, and bringing comfort as only He can. Use these representatives of Yours in a mighty way. Equip and enable them to press on in the good work You have intended. Uphold them with Your righteous right arm. Let nothing thwart Your purposes. This earthquake was no surprise to You, and You gathered this particular ministry team to Nepal for such a time as this! Keep their eyes on You—where their help comes from! We pray for Your will to be done in Nepal as it is in heaven. For Thine is the power and the glory forever! Amen
