Update on Relief Work in Nepal

One aspect of MAF that you may not be aware of is our Disaster Response unit. We had mentioned earlier that MAF has been working in Nepal since shortyly after the devastating earthquake on APril 25 and then the second earthquake on May 12 to assist the millions of people that have been impacted. People in remote villages were among those hardest hit-and it has been nearly impossible for aid workers to reach them.

MAF has leased helicopters from Fishtail Air, a Nepali company, and set up an urgently needed helicopter response facility to enable relief workers to reach those in need. Below is a report MAF just receieved from a partnering organization called Inspire International that is a great example of the impact being made there.

"Thank you so much for your partnership in helping us reach Nessing village in the Rasuwa district by helicopter. They had not received any aid prior to our arrival. THe people of Nessing were grateful for us being there since it was inaccessible by car or foot due to the earthquake. It normally takes 10 hours by jeep and then a 5-6 hour hike into Nessing from Kathmandu. But by helicopter it took a mere 25 minutes. Due to our partnership with you they received 1900 pounds of rice, Dahl and tarps. It was so sad to see that 95% of the houses were destroyed. We saw 200+ medical and dental patients with approximately 8 life threatening interventions. We partnered with a local church plant in this village, and His name was truly glorified in it all."

Many of the roads and trails are now covered in landslides and have become unsafe. Last week there was news of a large landslide which killed over 20 people. More such landslides are sadly predicted during the Monsoon season that starts next week, and this could become a substantial secondary crisis.

Please pray for the MAF staff and other aid workers putting in long hours, and that they would be able to reach the more isolated communities and bring hope to the Nepali people who have lost so much.

"Our soul waits for the Lord, he is our help and our shield. For our heart is glad in him, because we trust in his holy name. Let your steadfast love, O Lord, be upon us even as we hope in you." Psalm 33:20-22

The Month of Ramadan

      We would like to share a little information about Ramadan for those who may not know much about it. Starting on June 18th is the Islamic month of Ramadan. This date can vary by region based on the first sighting of the crescent moon. According to Islam this month is sacred because it was the month that the first verses of the Quran were revealed to Muhammad. During this month a Muslim is required to fast from sunrise to sunset if they are physically able to. Fasting is one of the five pillars in their belief system. Spiritual rewards for fasting during Ramadan are believed to be multiplied, and they will usually spend more time doing their prayers (salat) and practicing self control.

      Muslims are encouraged to read the entire Quran during the month of Ramadan, and many attend a special prayer time at the mosque in the evening where the whole Quran is recited over the months time. Towards the end of Ramadan, most employees receive a one-month bonus.The month ends on July 17th with a celebration breaking the fast called Eid-al-Fitr, where gifts are exchanged and friends and neighbors are invited to share a meal.

Men praying in front of the Blue Mosque in Afghanistan

       In some Muslim countries lanterns have become a special decoration welcoming the month of Ramadan. The tradition of lanterns as a decoration becoming associated with Ramadan is believed to have originated during the Fatmid Caliphate primarily centered in Egypt, where the Caliph was greeted by people holding lanterns to celebrate his ruling. From that time, lanterns were used to light mosques and houses throughout the capital city of Cairo. Shopping malls, places of business, and people's homes can be seen with stars and crescents and various lighting effects, as well.

           Many Indonesians on the island of Java will bathe in holy springs to prepare for fasting. In the capital city of Jakarta firecrackers were set off to wake people up for their early morning prayers until the 19th century. Every evening in Indonesia a special drum called the Bedug is struck to announce that its time to break the fast for the evening meal.

The Bedug drum that is struck every evening in Indonesia to break the fast