Flooding in the Philippines, News from Nepal
Dear All,
Sunday’s Bottom Line:
Following the evacuation of nearly 1 million people, Typhoon Uwan is now moving across Luzon (the most populous island of the Philippines) where two people have been killed. Our team has experienced very heavy rain and high winds, but they are all safe and well. In Nepal, many of those who are currently in DM groups are stepping up to become coaches of new groups! Our missions folks are facing another very full week, including – but not limited to! – these specifics.
Tuesday and Wednesday – Scott holds a DM Summit and a DM seminar in Nepali City #4.
Wednesday – Pastor Gil has thyroid surgery in Manila.
Thursday – Mark’s family arrives home from the Philippines.
Friday – Scott travels to India.
Sunday’s Prayer Requests:
1. God’s merciful protection for the nation of the Philippines in the path of Typhoon Uwan.
2. Scott to have wisdom in adapting his presentations in Nepali City #4; those meetings to make significant impacts on the hearts of all those present.
3. The final few days of the Phillips family’s time in the Philippines to maximally productive, helpful, and clarifying.
4. Good health for all our team members (Filipino and Nepali national directors and DM coaches; Mark, Whitney, and their sons; Edwin’s family in India; and Scott) and a successful surgery and recovery for Pastor Gil.
Sunday’s Details:
I have not been able to find out a great deal of information about the typhoon in the Philippines, but I know that it made landfall with sustained winds of 115 mph, that the tide rose somewhat but not terribly, that over 900,000 people were evacuated (roughly the population of San Francisco!), and that the greatest concern as of a few hours ago was flooding.
Meanwhile, a couple mornings ago, Scott (then in Nepal, City #2) sent this picture.
When I asked who Jeremy was, he said, “Mohan’s son!” I am impressed.
Scott traveled with Mohan to #3, where they held a DM seminar on Friday and then a DM Summit (for all those in DM groups) after church on Saturday.
Geographically speaking, Nepal’s shape is longer and skinnier than Arkansas’, but their areas are about the same. Arkansas has a population of 3 million, of whom 79% identify as Christians, but Nepal has a population of 29 million, of whom only about 2% are Christians. = { The nation is approximately 81% Hindu, 9% Buddhist, and 5% Muslim.
From those in the picture above, the ones shown below have committed to be DM coaches! Scott said, “Just finished our first Disciple-makers Summit. All of those (below) are in DM groups and have said they are ready and willing to lay down their lives to become a DM coach for others here in Nepal. In this picture, I am passing them the baton so they can run! Please pray for them as they begin their leg of the race!”
Finally, Scott sent this picture, saying, “These people live high in the mountains where the couple on the right pastor a village church. There is no school there, so they had to send their young kids (7 years old) to a boarding school near City #2. They came down the mountain to visit their young kids. They send them away as young as 4, and [the children] never go back home until they graduate high school. 😥
I’m looking at the two ladies on the left who each have a child on their back and wondering how their hearts must ache to be separated for YEARS just so their children can be educated. This really gives me perspective; I really have no problems.
We can’t solve all the cultural and logistical problems of people in other nations, but we can bring the gospel to them and then coach them to become disciples, who raise more disciples, who raise more disciples… Your prayers today are helping us do that very thing. Thank you so much!
Blessings,
Patty