There are many famous bridges in the world. We might think of the Brooklyn Bridge between New York and Brooklyn built so many years ago. Then there is the famous Golden Gate Bridge on the West coast of the United States.

But today I want to tell you about some other bridges. These are bridges for the gospel provided by humanitarian aid in Pakistan and Nepal.

We have seen on television and read in our newspapers about the devastating flood that occurred in Pakistan when the Indus River overflowed its banks and inundated a large portion of the countryside. Villages were destroyed and crops for the year were made useless. Thousands, even hundreds of thousands of people were displaced without a place to sleep or a meal to eat. Many of these refugees traveled to higher ground. Some made a shelter on the side of the highways.

At the time of the flood our mission committee requested a grant from the synod’s Christian Aid and Relief Committee. Funds were provided. Flour and rice and other foods were purchased. Trucks were loaded and food was distributed in various ravaged communities. This aid served as a bridge to distribute copies of The Promise to those people receiving aid. One of the communities served was inhabited by Hindus. While 97% of the population of Pakistan is Muslim there are a few Hindus who still live there. These Hindus did not receive any help except that help that was offered by our church in Pakistan. It was some time later when a young man from that Hindu village arrived at the hospital of our church leader in Pakistan. He wanted to become a Christian. He is being instructed to be baptized and confirmed. But at the same time he wanted more Christian books. He wanted 20 copies of the guided self‐study book entitled Jesus the Christ that is the first book given to people who wish to learn about Jesus. He wanted these books so he could teach others in the Hindu community about the Savior, Jesus Christ. Humanitarian aid through flood relief was and is a bridge for the gospel.

The same is true in the country of Nepal. While there are many examples of how humanitarian aid is a bridge for the gospel in Nepal, I want to tell you about just one of them. For several years funds have been made available to conduct health clinics in new and different areas about every two months. The cost is minimal to provide basic medicines and dental care. One of church leaders is a health officer and capable of diagnosing and treating various simple health needs. As a result of these clinics we treat about two hundred patients at each clinic. At the same time Christian printed materials are distributed with the result that in many cases Bible study groups are formed in the villages where the clinics are held. These Bible study groups are a part of the Scripture Learning Program in Nepal and many of them develop into new congregations. At the present time 6,000 people are studying Bible Teaching Series books. Half of this number are members of our congregations while the other half are new people outside of our worship groups. This is another way, among many, that humanitarian aid serves as a bridge for the gospel.

We thank the Lord, our God, for his blessing on this work. We have the opportunity to spread the gospel and God has blessed this work beyond our expectations.