It’s Saturday morning and we are walking to church. On the way, we pass a few houses that are devastated, brick fences that have crumbled, and buildings that are held up by bamboo or wooden planks. We climb the stairs into New Life Christian Center and are greeted by a myriad of joyful faces, both local and missionary. The service begins and we begin singing:
“We trust in our God
And through His unfailing love,
We will not be shaken
We will not be shaken
We will not be shaken!”
As I look around, I see the group of children gathered on several rugs spread out just for them. Their hands are lifted high and they are singing praises to the God of the universe that literally made the ground shake beneath their feet just two weeks ago. And I am absolutely amazed at the faith and the joy and the peace of these people.
Photo Credit: Eva Cranford
A guest speaker gets up to share the message and we turn to Isaiah 54. She reads:
“’Though the mountains be shaken
and the hills be removed,
yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken
nor my covenant of peace be removed,’
says the Lord, who has compassion on you.” (vs. 10)
Nor my covenant of peace be removed. I realize that no matter what happens in this world, we have a covenant of peace with the most high God that cannot be broken. This same peace came over me when I saw my friends lying on the ground in pain at the scene of the accident three weeks ago. It is a peace that comes from having a relationship with the Prince of Peace because
“He has overcome the world.” (John 16:33)
In the midst of disaster and tragedy we can sing praises and give glory to the King of Kings because of His great love and the promises He has given us. And that is exactly what the Nepali church has chosen to do. This is what we hope to bring to the people we encounter in this shattered nation.
For everything that can be shaken will be shaken but the church cannot be shaken! (from Hebrews 12: 26-27)
Photo Credit: Eva Cranford
Please pray for us as we trek several hours to one of the most affected villages, Sindupalchok, next week. We will be roughing it for several days, without showers and packing our food, while we help rebuild churches and homes. Also, huge praise: Vanessa and her parents flew home to California yesterday!! Continue to pray for her healing and recovery.
