Partner: United Mission to Nepal (UMN)
Place: Kathmandu, Nepal
The political situation in Nepal requires much prayer. The Constituent Assembly elections scheduled for November are now postponed and new dates are being negotiated. While the writing of the new constitution for Nepal is important, it now seems more important for the parties in the parliament to come to agreement about the process, modalities and the nature of the elections.
Pray especially for the agitating ethnic groups in the plains demanding recognition in the new Constitution. A solution to this is critical.
UMN will be looking for a new Executive Director to carry on from Jennie Collins when she completes her service at the end of 2008. Pray for the Search Committee formed by the Board, for wisdom and that a suitable successor will be found.
UMN is currently working in 5 geographic locations we call clusters, working through partnerships with Nepali local NGO's. These clusters are Rukum, Dhading, Mugu, Sunsari and Rupandehi.
For the work in Rukum, Pray that God would grant wisdom in the process of selecting partners and that these new partners would understand UMN’s vision to serve the poor in the Name and Spirit of Christ.
For the work in Dhading, Our local partners from North Dhading have completed preparing a three year Action Plan. Pray that we would be able to guide and support these partners to effectively move ahead with these plans to make change possible for poor and marginalised people and communities.
For the work in Mugu, Many children die of pneumonia every year during the months of December through March due to extreme cold weather conditions. Pray for the people of Mugu and more so those living in the Himalayan belt who are generally affected by heavy snowfall and avalanches.
For the work in Sunsari, We praise God that Churches are beginning to take part in development activities as we speak to them about Integral Mission (the practical demonstration of God's word). Pray that people in the communities would sense the love of Christ through these activities.
For the work in Rupandehi, We give thanks for the young HIV & AIDS peer educators who have been very actively involved in transferring life skills to other young people and thus encouraging them to do the same. Pray that the peer educators will be strong in the face of the challenges they meet from family, friends and the community in teaching others about HIV.
UMN recently selected two additional clusters to extend its work in the far western region of Nepal. Following the selection of these two new clusters in Bajhang, Dotti and Accham, pray for the provision of suitable candidates as we begin recruitment for Nepali personnel for both clusters and the support office in Nepalgunj.