On April 25 a massive 7.8 magnitude earthquake rattled Nepal between Kathmandu and Pokhara. The devastation and loss of life has been shocking and heart breaking, with large aftershocks continuing for days. I quickly scrambled to contact my friends in Kathmandu and was relieved to learn that all of the children in the orphanages were safe.

The following 24 hours were a whirlwind, and my phone was blowing up with people wanting to help in any way possible. I am so humbled and grateful to have friends like you who care so deeply for the people of India and Nepal. Thank you. 

It will take weeks to assess the damage and total losses from this tragedy. Our Nepal and Indian staff will lead the ServLife relief effort. The focus will be on the needs of our staff and their families, the pastors and their families, the children in the orphanages, the education sponsorship children and their families, the families in micro-finance, and villages and communities where we work. Thank you to so many of you who have already contributed to the disaster relief fund to assist with these efforts. 

We have two children’s homes in the Kathmandu area with a total of 27 children. They are all safe and stayed outside in tents as the aftershocks continued for days. They plan to sleep in the homes again tomorrow night. We also have 40 education sponsorship children in Kathmandu, and we have successfully contacted 35 of those families. They are all okay, but some of their homes have been damaged. We have already sent relief fund which have provided the families still in Kathmandu with much needed food, water and relief.

We have 74 pastors in Nepal, and 13 of them are in the disaster zone. We have only heard from one so far, Pastor Bhaktaraj. He and his family are okay but their home has been destroyed. We are trying to contact the other 12 pastors but phone lines are down and roads are in rough shape. Please pray for them. Please pray for all of Nepal.

We will post updates about our disaster relief and donations can be received here: servlife.org/earthquake/

I am reminded of the redemptive passage in Isaiah 58 about serving those in need. 

“If you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday. The Lord will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail. Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins and will raise up the age-old foundations; you will be called Repairer of Broken Walls, Restorer of Streets with Dwellings.”
‭Isaiah‬ ‭58‬:‭10-12‬

May the light of Jesus rise amidst the darkness of this tragedy. May the walls be repaired, the streets restored, and hearts healed.