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.

Joel Hafvenstein 

(Matthew 6:6) 

We encourage everyone who is praying for UMN not only to raise our requests but to listen to God on UMN‘s behalf. Please take time to read this Bible verse slowly to yourself. Pause and ask God to speak through His Word. Then read it slowly again. Settle and calm your mind before you pray.

• The incidence of COVID-19 in Nepal is increasing. There are now just over 250 cases. In this context the Association of International NGOs (AIN) is asking the Government to relax restrictions on movement for those organisations working to help in the pandemic. While there are obvious dangers in moving staff around, there is a real need to bring help to areas of need. Pray about difficult decisions to be taken and dangerous work to be done.
   
• The UMN Board normally meets in Nepal twice a year, in May and November.  This year, it will be meeting remotely, via a series of calls from Friday to Tuesday, at times that try to make participation possible for Board members in Australia (close to midnight) and the American West Coast (very early in the morning).  Please thank God for the Board’s conscientious governance of UMN, and pray for God’s wisdom for all Board members as they review the top-level policies for UMN’s work in the pandemic.
   
• The United Nations (UN) Education Cluster has asked UMN to lead the development of distance learning education material for grade 6. Prem Shintan and his team are leading this. It is a major responsibility and very positive that UMN’s education work has been valued in this way. Pray for Prem and his team.
   
• Tansen Hospital continues to see patient numbers increase.  Inpatient beds are almost filled again as normal, but outpatients is still below normal (although gaining). In spite of this it has become difficult to pay staff and finance running costs.  From this Nepali month, some staff will be put on furlough for at least part of the month, receiving only 50% of their salary on those days. This will mostly affect quite a large number not doing direct patient care.
   
• From Sabu Tamang, Team Leader in Nawalparasi. With our partner ISN there are opportunities for the churches to respond to the COVID19 pandemic. ISN has formed Church Disaster Management Committees in different wards of Hupsekot Rural Municipality (RM). ISN is mobilizing those committees to work in coordination with Ward and RM offices. We rejoice that they have capacity to do so. Pray for this important response.