follow-up story from-02/13/2005: Crisis in Nepal Continues
Nepal’s state of turmoil continues under the recently proclaimed absolute rule of King Gyandendra. Though Friday, February 18 was Nepal’s “Democracy Day” holiday, according to BBC news the king ordered phone lines cut to prevent organization of the traditional demonstrations. Dozens of opposition leaders are also now under arrest.
“The poverty is growing, the economy is slowing down, crops in the fields are failing, and life is becoming hard,” a correspondent wrote. “Hope for the nation seems a distant reality.”
Clashes between the insurgent Maoists and the national army have been common for the last nine years, and the conflict has killed 11,000 people. Talks between the Maoists and the government were halted when the king dismissed the government February 1.
The tense situation erupted in a gunfight near a GFA Bridge of Hope school last week. School was just starting the morning of February 13 when sounds of explosion rang through the school. Army helicopters were bombing rebel hideouts, and fierce gunfights on the ground resulted in dozens dead. Parents couldn’t leave their homes without risking their lives, and the children were trapped at school.
When the terrified children left school that day, dozens of bodies lay scattered in the fields. Villagers were afraid to go bury the dead because of the chance of unexploded grenades. “How terrible it is,” wrote the correspondent, “that small, innocent children have to grow up in a situation like this.”
Classes at two GFA Bible colleges in Nepal are postponed because of the Maoist-declared bandhs (strikes), which prohibit all travel for up to one month. Roads are blocked and students can’t reach the Bible colleges. In some areas, insurgents burned the vehicles of some who dared to drive. Classes were supposed to resume in mid-February.
In spite of the conflict, this year six new Bridge of Hope schools are scheduled to open in some of the worst affected areas. Even the communist Maoists, traditionally opposed to Christianity, have approved Bridge of Hope schools in some rebel-held territory, and encouraged the service of free education for poor children to continue.
We thank God for the fruit despite current difficulties. Please pray for the safety of GFA workers and students, and pray that the situation in Nepal is resolved in a way that will glorify the Lord and further His kingdom.