Nepal Alert
Pray for those impacted by devastating flood
By Gary Fallesen, president Climbing For Christ
Greetings in His name from the Myojin Hut on Yarigatake in Japan! The place where we once stood praying as a Mission: Nepal 2012 team no longer exists. It, like miles and miles of Nepal from the China border near Tamang and Langtang heading south, were destroyed Wednesday (Aug. 26) by a flash flood.
The videos are horrifying - walls of mud cascading over people, vehicles, and buildings. There are a countless number of dead with hundreds missing.
I received a message from Kingdom worker Megh Gurung 30 minutes after the disaster.
“I am going to tell you about the sad news of Nepal,” he wrote. “Suddenly flooded from the China border where we have been for the trek before.”
We were ascending Yarigatake (Mount Yari) in Japan’s Northern Alps when this news reached me. All we could do was pray.
Today, as our Mission: Japan 2026 team was forced to descend Yarigatake because of heavy rains resulting from Category 4 Typhoon Saudel, I was able to get updates from Megh.
Apparently a 4.4-magnitude earthquake caused a glacier to collapse in the Himalaya mountains, triggering this flood.
Asked what Climbing For Christ can do, Megh said: “Now we wouldn’t do anything because there’s no way to get there.”
Again, all we can do is pray. For those who lost loved ones, for the missing, for damages. Pray for opportunities for C4C to show the love of Jesus at such a time as this.
“Yes, Megh agreed. “There’s no way to do anything right now.”
Except pray. Pray on, dear brothers and sisters! 
Friday, Aug. 28 Update:
Flood victims in Nepal. (Photos provided by Tej Rokka)
Now, back in Tokyo, I am able to share with you the news from a Climbing For Christ perspective:
Both Megh and ministry partner Tej Rokka have kept me updated on the catastrophe in Nepal from the start. The photos and videos we have seen are horrible, the magnitude of destruction almost surreal. This is an area in Nepal where two of our mission teams have trekked and ministered in the past.
An ice avalanche caused when a chunk of glacier fell about one kilometer into a river set off an inland tsunami of sorts. More than 500 people have been reported dead with more than 1,000 still missing in the aftermath of this flash flood. Twenty-five miles of roads into the area were washed away along with cell towers, bridges and buildings, leaving 93,000 people isolated and in great need. Further flooding has been warned.
The Nepal Christian Society (NCS) reported that 11 churches in the region have been affected, including the Punarutthan Church in Rasuwa, which is affiliated with Pastor Tej’s SARA (Savior Alone Redeems Asians) ministry. The Punarutthan Church is pastored by Dipak Bartal. His church and those listed here need our prayers and support.
“Together, let us be the hands and feet of Christ to bring hope and healing in this time of great need,” Tej said.
Churches and believers affected, according to the NCS report:
- Syaprubesi Church, Rasuwa – Three believers missing.
- Punarutthan Church, Nuwakot – Church damaged, pastor missing.
- Mailung Church, Rasuwa – Approximately 50 believers missing.
- Santi Bazar, Nuwakot – Approximately 30 believers have died.
- Timure Church, Rasuwa – Pastor is the only survivor; many believers have died.
- Tukche Anugrah Church, Nuwakot – Four believers missing.
- Dakhbari Church, Rasuwa – 17 people missing.
- Grace Church, Nuwakot – Three believers missing.
- St. Petra Church, Nuwakot – Four believers missing.
- Naw Jyoti Baptist Church, Nuwakot – Church partly damaged.
Please pray for all of those affected by this devastating disaster. 
Helping hands
PRAY: The Nepal Christian Society urgently asks you to pray for Nepal. Some prayer points for:
- Families grieving the loss of loved ones and those still waiting for missing family members.
- Safe recovery of people who may still be alive and missing.
- Strength and protection for search-and-rescue personnel and volunteers.
- Christian families and churches directly affected by the disaster.
- Provision of food, clean water, temporary shelter, clothing, medicine, and hygiene supplies.
- Safe transportation and access to isolated communities.
- Wisdom and strength for local churches and relief teams.
- Effective cooperation among government authorities, churches, humanitarian organizations, and local communities.
We ask that God bring comfort, hope, healing, and provision to those experiencing tremendous loss.
GIVE: Tej has already begun organizing some sort of food delivery to those in need. Megh is also exploring ways to help.
The NCS says our financial support can help provide:
- Emergency food and clean drinking water.
- Temporary shelter and essential household supplies.
- Clothing and hygiene materials.
- Medical assistance and medicines.
- Transportation and emergency logistics.
- Support for affected families.
- Assistance to local churches and community relief efforts
Climbing For Christ is accepting donations to help those in need in Nepal. Contributions will be sent to Megh and Tej to support aid work on the ground in the disaster area.
Mail checks or money orders to Climbing For Christ c/o Nepal Disaster Relief, P.O. Box 16290, Rochester, NY 14616. Or CLICK HERE and give through PayPal. In Canada, make cheques payable to The Great Commission Foundation, and on the memo line add Climbing For Christ CANADA c/o Nepal Disaster Relief. Mail your support to: The Great Commission Foundation, P.O. Box 14006, Abbotsford, BC V2T 0B4. Or CLICK HERE to give online
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