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On April 26, 2015, following the news of the devastating earthquake that hit Nepal, NCCK sent a solidarity letter to the General Secretary of the National Council of Churches of Nepal, Rev. Dr. Rokaya, saying:
We are deeply concerned and saddened to learn about the devastation caused by a severe earthquake in Kathmandu and other parts of Nepal.
On behalf of the National Council of Churches in Korea I express heartfelt condolence to the people of Nepal who lost their loved family members and homes. The member churches of the NCCK together with the whole Korean churches send our sincere assurances of prayers to sustain your people and churches in this difficult period.
We all believe that God’s presence will be with you, comforting you and strengthening you in all the tragic moments. “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.” (Psalm 46:1-3).
We will consolidate our efforts with all Korean churches to be of assistance in healing the trauma of the people as well as in rebuilding the communities devastated by the earthquake.
On the afternoon of Sunday, May 10, a NCCK Prayer service for Nepal was held in PROK Seoul Jeil Church. Many people gathered in heartfelt prayer, in a service led by Salvation Army Officer Lee Jae Seong. The scripture was Luke 10:30-37, the story of the Good Samaritan.
The sermon was delivered by NCCK President, Salvation Army District Commander Park Jong Deok. He spoke from the Gospel on ‘Becoming Neighbours’. Even though most of the people of Nepal do not share the race or the faith we do, we are given the opportunity to do good to them in this time of great trial, and become neighbours with them.
Following the service, Raja Ram Bartaula, the Deputy Chief of Mission at the Nepal Embassy in Seoul spoke about the conditions in his country, the terrible devastation of the earthquake and the fears in the people caused by the ongoing tremors, as they deal with enormous grief of loss.
After he spoke, Mr. Rajandera, a migrant worker from Nepal in Seoul, spoke of the situation of his family. They live in a small community in Gorkha district, the epicenter of the earthquake, have lost everything and are at great risk of hunger and disease and suffering from exposure, as the nights are very cold and there is no shelter. It was very heartrending to see his grief and worry for those he loves.
It is our prayer that the global community, including the members of NCCK, will stand in solidarity to assist these families, who are our brothers and sisters in God.
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