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On April 25, 2015, an earthquake with a magnitude of 8.1 rocked the beautiful Himalayan country of Nepal. It killed more than 9,000 people and injured thousands more. Homes and businesses were destroyed, buildings crumbled, roads cracked and it seemed as if some angry giant had snapped the country in two. We had the pleasure of sitting down with survivor and Nepal native Barnabas Shrestha, a priest who saw firsthand what the earthquake did. He described the day of the quake; “We were in church. We worship on Saturdays. That’s how Nepali churches work. In total we had about 600 men, women, and children packed in. The earth started moving, and people started to look around. The noise we heard was indescribable. We meet to worship under a tin roof, and it sounded like a giant pair of hands smacking it with all their force. We heard earth moving and people screaming outside. That day we had 170 kids with us, so naturally I was very worried. People started to run all at once toward the door, and I was worried that they would clump together and get hurt. I knew this could be very dangerous.I was a fireman before, and so I know that in these situations often it is the panic that kills people more than the fire, or in this case the earthquake. I stood up to tell my congregation to sit, but I could not keep my own balance as the ground moved underneath me. It was kind of funny in a very dark way, me trying to tell people to stay seated and calm while failing to stand up myself. Two young girls clung to me and screamed ‘Uncle! Uncle!’ but I could not do much to comfort them.
After the big tremor I went out to check on the children, whose church was held in a separate building to the side. I thought the very thin wall that made up their church had collapsed and buried the children. I was very worried. When we went out we saw a five story school building, about 70 feet away, completely collapsed. I am very thankful that the school was closed. My brother and I took my truck, very old and beat up, to the streets of Kathmandu to help with the relief. Everywhere there was destruction. Everywhere there were dead bodies. There was blood, and plaster, and body parts. It was very frightening. My brother and I began to pull people from the wreckage, then taking them in my truck and with the help of a soldier with a very large whistle, to the hospital. We took maybe 7 people, I think. I learned later that none of them made it”. Hearing Barnie speak of this day, tears filling his eyes, is an experience to which words can not do justice. He came to Sheridan to speak about the Earthquake and the ongoing relief efforts and was met with some familiar faces. Anglican Pastor Kevin Jones was one of a few to go to Nepal in October last year to spread the word of Christianity. He stayed with Barney for a week while overseas. Said Jones, “I was very inexplicably drawn to Nepal. To this day I believe it was the hand of God. However, at the very least, something called me. I remember landing in Kathmandu and just being completely awestruck at the beauty, both geographically and physically; the Nepali are a beautiful people. I mean this not only in terms of appearance, but also in character. They are truly unselfish and willing to share and give what little some of them have”.
Nepal has made significant strides in repairing after the devastation. However, Barney says, the fight is not close to over. There is still much more for him to do when he returns home, but he says the Nepali people need help. “We can do all we can by ourselves, but it will not be enough. We need help. If only to keep us in your thoughts and prayers, but Nepal will not be able to stand again without help”. Barney returned to Nepal a few weeks ago, but he urged the audience at his talk to not forget about Nepal. “The most dangerous thing we can do is to spectate. It is very easy to sit and watch. It is hard to go and help. We must not let people suffer because of apathy”. Despite the destruction, Barney remains hopeful for the future of his country and its people.
If you’re interested in helping the victims of the earthquake, here’s a wonderful article by Charity Navigator that lists some of the best places to donate.
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