Mizo missionaries in quake hit Nepal decide to stay back

 Mizo missionaries in quake-ravaged Nepal declined to be evacuated and wanted to stay back to help those in need, Presbyterian Church's Mizoram Synod leaders said on Tuesday.

Mizoram Synod Mission Board Secretary Rev Lalchhuanmawia said there were no plans to evacuate the missionaries working in Nepal and they did not want to leave the country. Baptist Church of Mizoram general secretary Rev L H Lianngaia said they had informed two of their missionaries that they could return, but they declined the offer, saying they have to look after the church members in time of crisis.

There were over 50 Mizo families in Nepal working as Christian missionaries, which included seven ordained pastors of the Presbyterian Church, one Baptist church pastor and a Salvation Army Officer. Repeated aftershocks forced the missionaries in Kathmandu and their family members to sleep outside the residence of Field Secretary of the Nepal Mission Board Rev Lalrintluanga Ngente on Saturday and Sunday nights, a missionary told his relatives here over phone.

A local church belonging to the Presbyterians was damaged in Lucham, while another under-construction church was also damaged in Padampur, the missionaries said adding, all Mizo missionaries and their family members were safe.