In the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic, UMN invites all people of prayer to set aside time daily to ask for God’s help in our work in Nepal. The time suggested for UMN staff is 3.00 pm. For our friends around the world, we ask that you join us either at the equivalent time in your country of 3 pm Nepal time, or whenever you are able. Many have found setting a daily alarm on their phone a useful reminder. 

Thank you for your fellowship in prayer.

• Tansen Mission Hospital: Two days ago we had the death of a man in our isolation area. On Thursday his test results came back positive for Covid 19.  We are thankful that all protocols were followed from his arrival so we believe everyone is as safe as they could be here (PPE, etc were used). Currently there are five men in another isolation area near the hospital who are not sick. Another man is in another room (also not sick) waiting for test results. Please pray for everyone in Tansen. Fears are growing again among many of the staff – and patient numbers are way down again.
   
• A very practical need in Tansen (& probably many hospitals). Recently there was a shortage of one particular blood type which caused great concern. At a time when there is fear around hospitals this is likely to be an ongoing problem. Pray for the provision and transport of other essential supplies. Nepal is not yet overwhelmed with the pandemic, but in some other countries where they have been overwhelmed even the oxygen supply ran short and patients died for lack of this most basic support.
   
• Pray for the government of Nepal as its preparing quarantine facilities to repatriate 25,000 migrant workers from the gulf countries. Pray for the officials that are appointed to scan the Covid19 cases, assist in safe quarantine and other live-saving works
• Pray for the wisdom and guidance of God to the leaders of local churches in Nepal. Many of them are approached for helping the people affected by the lock downs. The local level governments in many districts and palikas have welcome the initiatives of churches in distributing food and non-food items. Pray that these supports will reach to the most vulnerable
   
• Pray that the “Prime-minister employment” programme of the Nepal government will be able to support the families of those people who were daily laborers and have lost their income due to Covid19. Many people in isolated areas are suffering greatly. There have been reports of some families trying to survive on Niuro (young shoots of Fiddlehead fern), and others dying simply because of starvation. This is very distressing to hear when we know there is food in the country.