Nepal Flood Relief Update - 25 SEP 2026

Pastor Raju and his brother Rajan have now made three visits to the flood affected areas. They have also been working hard to contact all HCLC members affected by the August 26th flash flood. They report that the damage and destruction continues to have a severe impact on the country and on the members of the HCLCN congregations in the area.

National reports now confirm over 1,400 deaths and more than 6,000 people missing. Entire communities have been displaced, and many families are living in temporary shelters with limited resources.

Of the fifteen HCLCN families that were mentioned in earlier reports, 28 deaths have been confirmed. Other survivors have been scattered to Kathmandu, Nuwakot, and other cities where refugee camps have been set up or where relatives could take them in. Several HCLCN members are still missing.

The HCLCN is working to provide help for 75 families who are living in tent camps in Pipaltar, Nuwakot. Some are injured, though exact numbers are not yet available. HCLCN pastors are holding small fellowship gatherings in the camp when possible.

HCLCN has already delivered basic emergency supplies. Raju reports that government and NGOs have distributed some, but families still lack essential items such as hygiene supplies, clothing, bedding, kitchen utensils, and materials for rebuilding.

The CLC Board of Missions has approved and sent the first installment of Kinship Humanitarian Disaster Relief Aid to assist with the rebuilding of 10-15 homes. 

Raju and Rajan plan to make another visit to bring more supplies the first week of October.

Please continue to keep the people of Nepal and our brothers and sisters in the HCLCN in your prayers as recovery efforts move forward.

Donations can be made to Kinship "Special Offerings (Relief Aid)" at www.LutheranMissions.org/Kinship or through your local congregation.

Mexico Visit - SEP 2026

Pastor Tim Daub (CLC Board of Missions Secretary) and I traveled to Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, to visit Pastor Juan José Olvera, his family, and the CLC-affiliated congregation (Iglesia Luterana Confessional en Mexico) he serves. 

We flew into El Paso, TX, and the next morning crossed the border on foot without difficulty. A short taxi ride from downtown Juarez brought us to our hotel where we later met with Pastor Olvera and his family and went out for to eat at a local taco restaurant.

Over the next few days we were blessed to share meals, attend a fútbol (soccer) scrimmage, great conversation, ministry discussions, and Gospel encouragement. On Saturday afternoon we met at the church and together we removed a small interior wall to expand the worship space. When the work was finished, we made a trip to the local Sam's Club to purchase a bookshelf for the church to better equip the room for future classes. 

Sunday morning brought the highlight of the trip as the congregation gathered in their new worship facility. The newly leased storefront is near a main commercial road and located in the same neighborhood where Pastor Olvera and his family live. Pastor Daub preached in English while Pastor Olvera translated, aided by an AI-generated translation of the sermon that Tim had prepared beforehand. Seventeen people were present, including a few first-time visitors. One new couple told Pastor Olvera they were not convinced that the church they had been attending was teaching the truth and when they noticed the banner hanging above the church entrance, they decided to come. They stayed and visited with Pastor Olvera for quite awhile. He later told us they planned to return the following Sunday and hope to join the congregation. Praise the Lord!!

It was a joy to worship and visit with the Olvera family, the members of the congregation, and the visitors the Lord gathered in His saving name. This worship service marked a somewhat fresh start or rest-set for regular public worship in the new facility. The joy in Pastor Olvera's face was hard to miss! 

The congregation is small, yet the Lord is at work. The truths of God's saving Word are being faithfully preached and plans are in place to begin new member classes and youth Bible studies on Saturdays.

Late Sunday afternoon we made our way over the bridge and back to El Paso so we could catch our flights home on Monday.

We left Juarez grateful for the opportunity to work alongside Pastor Olvera, his wonderful wife and family, and the members of the congregation he serves. 

Tim and I will bring several proposals and recommendations to the CLC Board of Missions for consideration as we look forward to the seeing the many ways in which the Lord will continue to bless this ministry according to His always good and gracious will.

Nepal Flood Relief Update - 06 SEP 2026

Raju and his brother Rajan are preparing to visit the affected areas in Nuwakot and Rasuwa this week. They and their families are busy preparing emergency medical and hygiene kits to deliver to those in need. 

They expect travel to be difficult due to road conditions and on-going rescue and recovery efforts. 

They haven't received any further updates about the two men trapped in the tunnel. But they have been able to talk and text with a few HCLCN members from the destroyed village where so many lives were lost and many more are still missing. Because the town is on the other side of the river and the bridges are destroyed, they have not been able to visit the surviving church members face-to-face. 

I will have more information in a few days after they return to Kathmandu. At that time we also hope to have a better idea of how we can help with Kinship Disaster Relief.  

Thank you for your prayers on behalf our brothers and sisters in Christ!