Returning from his 10-day visit to Nepal, Presbyterian Moderator, Rt. Rev. Dr. Frank Sellar, said that it had been a ‘wonderful privilege to visit such a beautiful country’. During the visit, Dr. Sellar brought encouragement and pastoral support to the Church’s overseas mission personnel who work in the Himalayan nation and saw first-hand the post-earthquake emergency relief, reconstruction and development activities that the Church had contributed to.

Based in the Nepali capital, Kathmandu, the Moderator travelled widely during his trip, visiting the Rupandehi district, which borders northern India, to see a number of projects supported by PCI’s partner United Mission to Nepal (UMN). He also went to Dhading district and in western Nepal where he visited the United Mission Hospital in Tansen.

Speaking in Belfast, after a long journey home with his wife Claire and daughter Ruth, who accompanied him, Dr. Sellar said, “In April of last year, a massive earthquake hit Nepal killing 9,000 people and injuring 22,000. Our members across Ireland responded generously to the Moderator’s Appeal, enabling us to send £640,000 and I was able to see the blessing that had brought.

“It has been a wonderful privilege to visit this beautiful country to meet its people and see first-hand how these gifts have been used in the reconstruction process by our partners UMN, Tearfund and Christian Aid.

“I was profoundly touched to see the fantastic work being done in ordinary communities. The solid dedication of the United Mission to Nepal, where co-operatives have given women independence and dignity. I also saw organic farms producing healthy vegetables for the benefit of the local community.

“I was incredibly humbled to meet indigenous believers and have the opportunity to spend time with pastors, women workers and youth leaders - sold out in the love of Christ Jesus. People who are passionate about sharing their faith and reaching out, even to those who have persecuted them.

“We also had a very special time with our overseas mission personnel, Stephen and Laura Coulter, Peter and Valerie Lockwood, along with their children. It is one thing to read about them in our prayer bulletins at home, it is quite another to spend time with them and actually see the work that they do. It was a privilege to spend time with them and see something of their great work,” Dr. Sellar said.

During his visit, the Moderator preached at Kathmandu International Christian Congregation and in Aashish Presbyterian Church in the capital. At the Kathmandu International Study Centre he took a school assembly and gave a seminar on the Book of Revelation to some masters students at the Nepal Theological Academy. The Moderator also participated in a forum with various faith leaders at a peace conference, exploring how community relationships might be healed and restored.

In a series called ‘Postcards from Nepal,’ Dr. Sellar wrote a number of blogs during his overseas visit. You can read them here along with blogs by his wife Claire and daughter Ruth.

Women in Rupandehi district in the south of Nepal explaining how the gifts from PCI have-made a difference. Farming goats, 21 women are part of the United Mission to Nepal project where they have been supported to form a cooperative. They now have 29 goats to care for, nurture and develop.