Celebrations in Nepal

  Christians in Nepal are among those celebrating as Maoist rebels have pledged to end the violence which has seen more than 13,000 deaths in the last 11 years.
  The pact between the Seven Party Alliance government and the rebels was signed in November.
  According to a National Christian Council of Nepal spokesperson: "This historic agreement ends the 11 year-long armed conflict, setting a new accord and establishing a model of conflict resolution in a peaceful manner."
  Under the pact, the Maoists have renounced violence and handed over their weapons to a United Nations monitoring group, in order to enter the political mainstream.
  The rebels, who have been agitating for better representation for the poor since the early 1990s, played a crucial role in forcing King Gyanendra to relinquish absolute power in April this year.  This move also saw the reinstatement of the parliament and the appointment of a government led by the opposition alliance.
  Following this, the Maoists declared a ceasefire, engaging in talks with the government which led to the agreement.
  BMS World Mission currently has 25 workers in Nepal. Its regional secretary for Asia, Liz Russell, has said that the peace agreement was "extremely significant."
  She added: "It seems that at last, some of the key issues between the Maoists and the government have been addressed: how arms will be laid down and controlled in the future; whether the Maoists will maintain an armed force, and how such a force will be funded; when and how an agreement about the future of the monarchy will be decided, and how the Maoists will enter the political system.
  "Christians, like other Nepalis, continue to pray and wait for peace but, now, with growing optimism."

from BMS World Mission.

Top of page

Diptipur update

  Thank you to those readers who have been faithful in prayer for us.  On 18th November, the Bishop of Cuttack and others met to discuss the plan of ‘our man on the ground’, Dr. Sanjeebit Jachuck, for modernising and revitalising Orissa's Christian Hospitals - and introducing The Orissa Christian Hospital Fellowship movement, embracing all hospitals in Orissa, including Diptipur.
  On 24th November, the Eastern Regional Board of the Church of North India (CNI) in Orissa - led by the Bishop of Cuttack and the Secretary of the CNI from Kolkatta - discussed Sanjeebit's modernisation plan for Diptipur.
  Please pray for further meetings as they are arranged.  The success of these meetings will mean that Diptipur will receive help and support from the larger hospitals and also have more support from the church leaders in the area.  This is such a step forward, and I can barely grasp the significance of what is happening there.  Thank goodness for email contact to keep up to date!
  Pray for our family to keep faithful in the task given to us to tell and to raise funds.  However, Dr Rajnish Samal's father is critically ill and the family are feeling the strain trying to care for him. Please pray for them all.

Aileen Hagen.