Nepal Partner Update — Rasuwa District
- Two brothers traveled on foot to reach the hardest-hit area. Sanjaya Thapa, a graduate of Nepal Bible College, and Markus Tamang, a member of the Labdung Church of Christ in Ruby Valley, were asked to travel into the remote Rasuwa District to assess the situation firsthand. Because roads and access are extremely limited, they began a 2–3 day journey on foot along Himalayan trails to reach the affected communities.
- They have now reached Rasuwa and are visiting affected churches and families. Their goal is to visit seven churches of Christ throughout the area and gather accurate information about loss of life, immediate relief needs, and what will be required for long-term rebuilding.
- Five of the seven congregations have been affected by the flash flooding. Sanjaya and Markus began their visits with the Gray congregation and are meeting with surviving family members and documenting the devastation.
- The loss of life among the churches is heartbreaking. Current reports from our partners indicate that more than 60 members of Churches of Christ in Rasuwa have died, with one field report placing the number at approximately 70 members across five congregations. Many children have lost one or both parents.
- Some church members have been rescued. Four members from the Rasuwa churches were rescued by the Nepal Army and are now staying in a shelter in Kathmandu.
- Remote villages still have not received relief. Some of the affected high-altitude communities can currently be reached only by walking for 2–3 days or by helicopter, making the delivery of food, supplies, and other assistance extremely difficult.
- The immediate priority is caring for children and displaced families. Our partners have identified care for orphaned children and helping affected brothers and sisters relocate and rebuild in safer areas as major priorities moving forward.
- Even in tremendous loss, the church continues to worship. Our partners shared a video of surviving members of the Gray congregation praising God amid the devastation. Another video taken from the mountains shows the Trishuli River, which swept through communities downstream. There have also been at least 4 baptisms since the day of the flooding.
- Please continue to pray. Pray for Sanjaya and Markus as they travel through difficult terrain, for the families grieving loved ones, for children who have lost parents, and for wisdom as our partners determine how best to provide relief, care, rehabilitation, and rebuilding assistance.
A Napali worship song. In the midst of hard times, the Christians here are worshiping God together! "Christ is seeking you, calling you to Himself, and offering you peace in the midst of your troubled heart.”