Sitting around the meeting table with six others, I listened to the words of the devotional shared at the opening of the three-day meeting I attended in May during my trip to Nepal right after the second earthquake. (http://www.internationalministries.org/read/58462-the-second-earthquake-a-modern-day-david-and-goliath-story )

The leader read:

“I waited patiently for the Lord; and He inclined to me, and heard my cry. He also brought me up out of a horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my steps. He has put a new song in my mouth – Praise to our God; many will see it and fear, and will trust in the Lord,” Psalm 40:1-3 NKJV

We were all feeling consumed with heavy hearts for our Nepali partners. To us, it truly seemed that the earthquakes they experienced had certainly put the country of Nepal into a horrible pit… not just one earthquake, but TWO – bringing unfathomable destruction.

We were Baptists from 5 different countries meeting together to coordinate a joint Baptist relief effort.  As we listened, we heard from our Nepali colleagues what they had done for immediate emergency disaster relief.

The Multipurpose Community Development Service (MCDS), the social ministry arm of the Nepal Baptist Church Council (NBCC), provided tent shelter and medical attention for over 200 families and 1000 people in its own district of existing ministry who were left homeless. MCDS received $10,000 from One Great Hour of Sharing (OGHS) for its immediate emergency relief.

A part of the United Mission to Nepal’s (UMN) initial relief efforts included the provision of MAF helicopters flying initialfood supplies to people living in districts cut off by landslides after they had been waiting two weeks – when they saw the helicopters arriving to their village, ( http://www.umn.org.np/videos/517 ), they knew that they weren’t forgotten UMN received $5,000 from One Great Hour of Sharing (OGHS) for its immediate emergency relief.

In my meeting with the leaders of Human Development and Community Services (HDCS), I learned of the immediate relief of food, cooking supplies, and galvanized tin sheet shelter provided to 4000 households in 5 different districts across the country. HDCS received $10,000 from One Great Hour of Sharing (OGHS) for its immediate emergency relief.

It seemed that just by hearing those words of the good things that they, affected people helping affected people, had done, my spirits were lifted out of the miry clay – the heaviness I was experiencing was being lifted from my heart.

Now energized, my feet were set on hard ground, as I returned to the US after that visit. Once again from the other side of the earthquake, ( http://internationalministries.org/read/58031-being-on-this-side-of-the-earthquake, I’ve been very busy with email communications with IM”s partners.  And on a lighter side … I am no longer worried about the moving ground of the aftershocks I felt in Nepal.

Email exchanges are continuing with reports of the evaluations of the needed repairing of damaged structures, of the prices of needed items, and of the next areas to be considered to receive more long-term aid. Steps are being established, as IM’s partners are coming up with another plan!  

MCDS: in the next couple of months the immediate plans for the beginning of the second phase of disaster relief will focus completely on the 635 population of two villages in one district. Provisions for shelter, lodging and food are its priorities.

UMN: although it has a multi-sector second phase project proposal, IM’s interest will be in the sector of livelihood for poor and landless households in the rural areas of UMN’s established ministry.

HDCS: staff quarters and patient rooms at both of HDCS’ hospitals have varying degrees of structural damage, including one operating room, which no longer cannot be used.  Both places need degrees of reconstruction for its ministry in rural areas to continue.

The promise from God is that He will give a new song…. a song of praise to Him, as each of IM’s partners, over time, does its part in rebuilding Nepal within the framework of each’s own strengths.

Please claim this promise for Nepal and pray:

As affected people are helping affected people – the need for trauma counseling for children and adults is very necessary. People giving aid need to remember their own need, too.

The need for rebuilding is great – the financial resources are limited. Only as God touches the heart of people who give, can all the phases of disaster relief be accomplished.

Earthquake Relief for Nepal:  http://internationalministries.org/drives/28

Thank you for your prayers for me and the country of Nepal

Carole