Development work is very different from relief, but BMS World Mission workers in Nepal have risen to the challenge of helping their communities recover from the earthquake.

Earthquakes are traumatic. They take lives, cause injuries and destroy buildings. They also inspire knowledgeable and experienced people to step in and help. That’s what happened in Nepal during the two weeks following the earthquake. BMS workers and partners are and will continue helping destroyed communities to heal – now, and long after the cameras are gone.

Before 25 April, one mission worker was winding down from years of service in Nepal. Martin Butterworth formally stepped down his position in monitoring and evaluation with United Mission to Nepal (UMN) on 23 April, two days before the earthquake, with every intention of packing, doing some cycling and helping his daughters prepare for their exams. He was at a retreat in Pokhara when the earth shook and by Tuesday 28 April, he was back in the office using his 18 years of knowledge to assist UMN’s disaster recovery team. “It feels like a real privilege to be involved as an ‘insider’ and use the skills, relationships, experience and awareness I've developed over the years,” says Martin. “A bit daunting too because of all the big agencies around; but I'm really happy with how we've approached it and knowing we'll still be here for the poor after the big names have moved on.”

Martin has been tracking our partner’s relief work and evaluating its progress and success in Dhading district, an area of work before the earthquake. A grant from BMS is providing food and shelter for thousands living there, and Martin and BMS partners will be meeting to discuss long-term solutions on Friday 8 May.

The Butterworths are leaving Nepal and BMS this year, but they have both been instrumental in the earthquake relief effort.

BMS’ Cynthia and Ian Chadwell also responded rapidly after the earthquake. Ian, who does hospital and medical co-ordination with BMS partner the International Nepal Fellowship, has been working on both short and long-term relief plans. Cynthia, a BMS teacher trainer with the Early Childhood Education Centre has, with other trainers, have been helping children work through the trauma that comes with surviving an earthquake. They are also hoping to help teachers with the best ways to guide their students through the sea of emotions they are experiencing.

Natural disasters leave wounds that need long-term care to heal. BMS mission workers are doing what they can to alleviate the suffering in and beyond their communities, and will continue doing so for a long time.

Thank you for your prayers and support for the development and relief ministries happening there.

Please pray for the 21 BMS mission workers serving in Nepal, and for the Nepali people who have seen their country and communities fall apart.

Donations can be made to the BMS World Mission account and the EBF account.

This story first appeared on the BMS World Mission website and is used with permission.

Photos: BMS World Mission (1) Earthquake in Nepal, (2) Martin and Katrina Butterworth with their daughters Ruth and Esther, (3) Cynthia and Ian Chadwell with children Justin and Lucy.