“Recently there have been many closures in Nepal. Sometimes this means that for a whole day all the shops, offices and businesses close nationwide; no vehicles are on the roads. These closures, or ‘strikes,’ are becoming more and more frequent. This next time it is to be for two whole days, and the Maoists (a communist group striving for political power in Nepal) say that until their demands are met, they will keep stretching the number of days of closure. Those who call for a closure enforce it through threats and acts of violence on anyone who disobeys the order.

“This next closure is being called by students who are protesting the gas price hike. They are burning government-owned vehicles and have set the college printing press on fire. There is much chaos and violence still going on nationwide.

“Since we have returned, there have been so many occasions when the political parties have closed Nepal—sometimes 15 days in a row! Can you believe that? The day-to-day activities of basic life are really hampered in a dramatic way. At times such as this it is becoming quite challenging to manage our food supplies, since all the shops are closed so often and we have no facility of refrigeration. We have to buy food items (especially fresh greens) on a day-to-day basis, and when there are such closures it is really difficult.

“Now it has almost become ‘fashionable’ for any political party to close Nepal in order to make themselves heard. Today, peace talks between the government and the Maoists’ party is supposed to take place at 4 p.m. But many are doubting the success of such talks.

“Only yesterday the Nepalese government signed an agreement with the US government where the US will be involved in helping crack down on terrorism in Nepal. This, of course, has further aggravated the Maoists. We will wait and see the outcome of the peace talks today; the whole of Nepal is anxiously looking forward to that day where law and order will come once again.

“Right now I am getting the materials ready for Laymen Ministries’ Training School in North India (the school directed by Sandra and Terri Horner). I am trying to finish those chapters of Ministry of Healing which are used as part of the course material. As of now we have been working six days a week, and we don’t take any public holidays off, since there are too many enforced public ‘holidays’ due to closures, anyway. Almost every month there is some major festival or Hindu celebration in Nepal, which you are well aware of.

“On any typical day we sit in front of the computer working on translation. Brother “A” is good at doing layout and design, since he has a fairly good knowledge of the programs. I depend on him for all this kind of work. The power has been pretty steady so far. The rainy and stormy season has just begun, and the power often goes off during stormy times. Other than during these storms the power flow is pretty reliable.

“The monsoon (rainy) season has already started here with lots of heavy rain every evening. It is muddy everywhere, and becoming hot and humid now. There haven’t been any reports of SARS as yet in Nepal. We hope it stays that way.”

Please continue to pray for these dedicated workers in Nepal. They have an important work to do in translation and publishing, and are determined to continue in spite of any difficulties or dangers.

“They are burning government-owned vehicles & have set the college printing press on fire.”

Protesters set fire to vehicles & buildings, & threaten violence on any who ignore their demands for closure of business & services...

“As of now we have been working six days a week, & we don’t take any public holidays off, since there are too many enforced public ‘holidays’ due to closures...”

The People of Nepal wait and hope for peace, as the political storms continue...