Second Earthquake Hits Nepal, Village Touched by Reach Beyond Suffers Major Damage
Ministry to Help Rebuild, Restore, Share God's Love through 'Hope for Harmi' Project
HARMI, Nepal, May 18, 2015 /
Christian Newswire/ -- Reach Beyond and its partners are working to rebuild and improve this Himalayan village through the ministry's "Hope for Harmi" project, after two earthquakes shook the region and reduced much of it to rubble.
Photo: A couple from the Nepal village of Harmi surveys buildings that collapsed during recent earthquakes. Reach Beyond (www.reachbeyond.org) has pledged to come to the village's aide to meet physical, emotional and spiritual needs.
Reach Beyond (
www.reachbeyond.org) has been working with the village since 2010 and has developed strong ties with local residents, who are slowly opening up to Christ. The aim of the "Hope for Harmi" project is to help restore the community physically and minister to the spiritual needs of the people.
The project will provide physical relief and supplies to the homeless and give spiritual hope and encouragement throughout the process. It will also help the village improve long-term projects, such as housing and school buildings. A radio station that is the centerpiece of Reach Beyond's work there will be rebuilt so it can again bring the message of Jesus to thousands in the area.
Ministry team workers were on the ground to see the devastation after the April 25 quake. Many of the village houses are reduced to piles of rubble, with little left to salvage. Many children are suffering signs of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and are afraid to return to school until it is restored.
"We were greeted by old men with tears in their eyes," said Sheila Leech, Reach Beyond vice president of global healthcare. "Traumatized children now play on heaps of rubble that used to be their homes. The women have lost everything, and they are still trying to feed and clothe their children."
"Hope for Harmi" is a long-term, ongoing project that will bring together Reach Beyond, local partners and the community of Harmi to rebuild and improve the region. Through this work, the ministry hopes to meet both spiritual and physical needs of the people and share God's love.
"God has given us the chance to work with the people in Harmi and demonstrate His love," said Reach Beyond President Wayne Pederson. "While we are on the ground there, we are able to give spiritual help, hope and encouragement to those who needed it most."
Through "Hope for Harmi," the village's homes, school, medical clinic, birthing center and potable water system will be repaired and restored. The partner radio station, installed with Reach Beyond's help in 2010, will also be rebuilt, enabling it resume broadcasting the message of Jesus to thousands in the area. In addition, an existing project to build a community center will be resumed, providing a place that can be used as a gathering place for believers.
"The Lord put this community on our hearts," said Leech. "There is a strong bond between Reach Beyond and this community. People we have worked shoulder-to-shoulder to help build up their community are looking to us to help rebuild what they have lost."
For 83 years the passion of Reach Beyond (www.reachbeyond.org) has been to make disciples of Christ. Using mass media, healthcare and education, and working with partners around the world, Reach Beyond has ministries in more than 100 countries. The gospel is aired in more than 120 languages and dialects. Thousands of healthcare patients are meeting Jesus. Local believers are being trained as missionaries, pastors, broadcasters and healthcare providers.
