As we are approaching Easter 2020 we are findingourselves staying in, confined to our house, well into thesecond week of a strict lockdown enforced by the Nepalauthorities. But as you know, we are not alone in this, asthe recent global spread of the Covid-19 pandemic isputting individuals and families around the globe in asimilar position, where life is lived from one's house orflat, and where communication mostly happens viaphone or internet. Much has already been written aboutthe challenges and opportunities associated with thisnew state of 'being', but below are some of our thoughtsand prayer requests specific to our situation in Nepal.

So far, Nepal appears to have been spared terriblenumbers of Covid-19 positive cases, but as testingequipment starts to arrive, confirmed case numbers maywell go up in the weeks to come. A good number offriends and fellow expats recently left the countrywhenever travel opportunities arose.

We miss them dearly, but we also are at peace aboutremaining here for this time. After all, INF needs to bestaffed and prepared for potential future emergencyresponses, ready to serve needy people at this time ofchallenge. Expats from different professionalbackgrounds also form part of the INF Covid-19response team. Our last blogpost 'Of Covid, Cacti, and

Coucals', uploaded a week ago, probably summarisesour current thoughts and feelings best. I include a link:https://annapurna-murmur.com/blog/ . To pick up on afew strands from the blog post:

Workwise, I am grateful for some recent funding wereceived from the WHO, which translated into over 120mof new footpaths at Green Pastures Hospital, benefittingwalking-impaired patients as well as staff. Fortunately,this work was fully completed before the lockdown.

I am continuing to lead through the Pre-Constructionstages for a new Staff-Accommodation block at GreenPastures Hospital. We are grateful for a firmly committedsum by an individual donor, in the knowledge that thenew building will facilitate medical specialist placements,and therefore lead to improved services for patients. Dojoin me in thanking God for that, and do pray that I canwork productively with local consultants even duringlockdown, and respond to the changing circumstancesas required.

As a family we are doing well, but appreciate yourprayers for the different aspects of living through theCovid-19 situation here. Staying means dealing with thelosses of friendships as some expats suddenly leave,managing uncertainty and stress levels, and finding

Pippa and TobyVokuhlSTAYING IN - LOOKING OUTApril 2020

www.bmsworldmission.org/ptvokuhl

ways of functioning well as a family within the confinedhome environment. You can particularly pray for ourhealth and protection from the current Corona virus.Ventilator provision and skilled ICU care are both lackinghere.

Please also pray for PSC, our children's school, and forteachers, as they need to implement new distancelearning models from next week.

The fact that the country is closed for business at themoment has very direct implications for many daily wageearners and the poor. We see God's goodness and lovehowever in the response of the local Christiancommunity to that crisis, as Christians are fundraisingand assisting each other and local Government withfood banks. Praise God, this is a great witness.

We would be so delighted if Nepal was spared a majorCoronavirus outbreak, and we continue to pray for that.Please also pray for NGOs like INF, UMN, Governmentmedical facilities, and local response teams, that anydays and weeks without exponential increase in casenumbers are being used to prepare the country well.

Though physically staying in, in prayer we lookoutwards, and shape circumstances around us. Thankyou for doing that in relation to your immediateenvironment, and thank you for shaping Nepal throughyour intercession also.

With much love from us all,

Toby, Pippa, Jakey, Ella, and Millie

If you would like to support Pippa and Toby Vokuhl by prayer and committedregular giving, visit bmsworldmission.org/partners or call 01235 517617 for a24:7 Partners leaflet.

PO Box 49 129 Broadway Didcot Oxfordshire OX11 8XA Tel: 01235 517700 mail@bmsworldmission.org bmsworldmission.org

The Baptist Missionary Society: registered in England and Wales as a charity (number 1174364) and a company limited by guarantee (number 10849689)

If there are any changes to your contact details, or you wish to unsubscribe from this prayer letter and/or other BMS communications, please contact the BMSSupporter Services Team by phone on 01235 517638, by email at supporterservices@bmsworldmission.org or by post to the address below. For more detailson how we use and protect your data, visit www.bmsworldmission.org/privacy