Post By - Bhim-Lal Tamang
Covid and Ministry Update
Many thanks to Springvale for providing with relief items to care for needy and desperate people. We supplied help to people who had no food security during the lockdown, and also to people who were stuck at the border. Relief is an open door to speak about Jesus to people. We shared the gospel with over 11,000 people this year. We provided relief to over 8,056 people. 2,236 people came to Christ this year. A number of them responded through our relief efforts. We ran a “Harvester” training program that disciples new leaders and equips them with development skills to use to improve the lives of people their communities. These students are mostly first generation Christians and they will plant churches and reach new people and communities in remote and unevangelized locations. The training program lasts 5 months and there is one intake for men and another intake for women each year. About 20 people attended each of the programs this year. We were able to continue the training despite Covid-19. In this way we have planted over 265 churches. This year these students and past graduates started 100 new house fellowships and in addition we recognized 15 new churches that developed out of house fellowships
June 2021 Covid Update
The Covid-19 variants are sweeping through Asian countries. India and Nepal are passing through horrible times. The disease is beyond control and is rapidly spreading from cities to villages. One driver is the open border between India and Nepal. The border is open because Nepal depends on India almost for everything. So the disease easily enters Nepal and has direct effects. The first variant of Covid-19 was not that effective here, but the second variant is much more dangerous. Serious cases are multiplying day by day. There are no available beds in hospitals, intensive care units are packed, and there is a shortage of ventilators and oxygen. Smoke from creating the dead covers the sky almost every day in Pashupati area. Dead bodies crowd hospitals and are carried away by army trucks like firewood. Many soldiers work at burial and cremation without rest. Hundreds of bodies wait in line for cremation and many more lay scattered on the ground. These are very tough times and I experience heartache at the loss of my colleague and family member.
I was infected by the first wave of Covid-19 and recovered. I try to be careful so I do not contract a variant, but I am compelled to deal with all that is happening. Family and friends suggest I stay at home. But I committed to serving the Lord by serving the people whom He has creates in His own images. The problem is nationwide with 75 of 77 districts in emergency locked-down for two months.
During this period I am receiving many calls for immediate help from everywhere because people everywhere know that we are doing something different to help. Rural health workers do not even have face masks. The rural health posts do not have even basic facilities to isolate and care for Covid-19 patients. So we praise God that we were able to provide these important medical goods for a number of health posts in Nuwakot district. In the midst of unlimited needs, we had only a little to help. But even then it was our great joy and a wonderful experience to see the joy of the people as they received these potentially life-saving items. We are so thankful to Partners International and its donors. We greatly appreciate your providing this help to us at GFN. As well, my sincere heart of gratitude and thanks to all the local government bodies in Nuwakot and all my friends who helped me to make it happen so successfully. May God bless you all and stay safe."