Every time there is a disaster, we feel sad and anxious for the suffering victims. While some people would pray for them, others would donate generously or organise a fundraising campaign, and some people would form a volunteer team to serve the devastated survivors through humanitarian work or counselling support. Although we try to give what we can, in the face of a natural disaster, we still feel helpless and powerless, because what could we do to stop tragedies that are not of our control?
In 2015, the massive earthquake in Nepal brought irreversible destructions: close to 9,000 casualties, 3.5 million people lost their homes, and Kathmandu Durbar Square, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, was severely damaged. The U.S. Geological Survey estimated that the overall damage of the quake was about US$10 billion (about half of the country’s GDP). So, is it true that we cannot prevent a disaster from happening?
[“SHARE” Oct – Dec 2017 ] FOCUS ~ Church and Community Mobilisation
Written and edited by: Tsun Wan Yan, Jojo Poon
The act of poverty alleviation often gives the impression of aid workers carrying with them gifts of livestock and funds sponsoring children and their education to some remote villages. However, have you ever considered that the local churches are better suited in bringing continued and sustainable development and support to the people in need?
At noon on April 25, Nepal was hit by a 7.9 magnitude earthquake – the strongest in 80 years in this poor Asian country. Powerful aftershocks followed and brought widespread devastation. The death toll has climbed close to 3,300 with more than 6,500 injured.
[ePrayer – Pray for Christians and Churches in Nepal]
Give thanks that our two co-workers safely returned from a fruitful trip in Nepal. The Nepali Christians and churches are growing, becoming more organised and visible, and starting to give more attention to the needy in their own community. Collaborating with seminary schools, our partner UMN develops a curriculum of Integral Mission course to train up facilitators sent from local churches. A number of trained facilitators organized sewing classes in their community, which are creative ways of giving care and support to needy people.
Pray for Nepali churches and Christians:
Pray for God’s protection and strength in those Christians facing persecution from their family members and own community;
Pray for the progress in developing a good curriculum for the Integral Mission course;
Pray for wisdom in the church leaders and facilitators that they can find necessary resources to respond to local needs and concerns.
[1] CEDAR is an approved charitable institutions and trusts of a public character under section 88 of the Inland Revenue Ordinance. Please click Inland Revenue Department website to check for details. [2] Donations over $100 are tax deductible in Hong Kong with our receipts. [3] Please DO NOT fax any donation information.
[ePrayer – Pray for the church empowerment in Nepal]
CEDAR’s partner United Mission to Nepal (UMN) has been working exclusively in Nepal since 1954. In its long history, UMN has always maintained two characteristics, serving Nepal with a united mission of people from many organisations, denominations and parts of the world in the name of Christ, alongside Nepali colleagues; and working with the aim of training Nepali people and building the capacity of Nepali organisations. UMN has integral mission as its core value, envisioning the fullness of life for all Nepali in six aspects – religious/ cultural, political/ economic, social/ communal, interpersonal/ psychological, material and ecological, to live healthy, dignified and hope-filled lives in community. UMN promotes cooperation between church and community in order to respond to the needs of grassroots people. CEDAR is now supporting a new programme of UMN. The programme targets to empower 2,000 churches and their leaders within 5 years who in turn will be catalyst to bring about holistic transformation in their communities or target groups.
Pray for the church empowerment in Nepal:
Pray that CEDAR and HK churches can learn more about partner’s approach, the country, as well as local churches context and environment;
Two of our co-workers will visit Nepal in late September. Pray for good communication and fellowship with local partners and Christian groups, and their safety as well.
[1] CEDAR is an approved charitable institutions and trusts of a public character under section 88 of the Inland Revenue Ordinance. Please click Inland Revenue Department website to check for details. [2] Donations over $100 are tax deductible in Hong Kong with our receipts. [3] Please DO NOT fax any donation information.
