December 6, 2005

Dear Friends,

I want to share the good news. We have received word, and it’s in writing, that our (United Mission to Nepal’s) Project Agreement with the government to work in Nepal for the next five years has been approved, and we have received all of the visa posts we asked for. This is truly an answer to prayer, and we thank you for yours. Most INGOs (international non-governmental organizations) are receiving one or two visa posts. We have received 60. We work very differently than the others in that we work alongside our Nepali colleagues (a ratio of about 10 Nepalis to 1 of us “foreigners”) and are known for our excellence both at the grassroots level and at the government policy level. We have a long history of doing quality work.

This approval is an affirmation by the government of our reputation and values, and also of our plan to strengthen Nepali organizations so that they can fulfill their sustainable mission and vision. UNM helps Nepalis improve their technical skills, helps them do organizational assessments, and then works with them to strengthen their institutions organizationally.

Please continue to pray for Nepal. The king has returned with no sign whatsoever of an interest in negotiating a peace. He continues to ignore huge internal and international pressures. The Maoists have extended their unilateral ceasefire for another month. Meanwhile, the political parties continue to hold increasingly violent demonstrations: yesterday the security forces fired blanks into the crowd of demonstrators to stop them.

Again, thank you for your prayers,

Beverley

The 2005 Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, p. 203