Three missionaries—Rabin Hamal, Raju Takoor, Anil Shahi—were among the 72 killed in the recent horrific plane crash near an airport in central Nepal.  

All former Hindus, the three men had been travelling after attending the funeral of renowned evangelist Mathew Philip, 77, who had died only the previous week after losing a battle with cancer.

Philip had been a tremendous help in establishing ALG churches in Nepal. He and his fellow missionaries will all be tremendously missed.

The Yeti Airlines crash—the worst air disaster in the Himalayan nation in 30 years—is still under investigation. It further highlights the dangers of air travel in a country often referred to as one of the riskiest places to fly.

Sadly, the pilot of the downed flight had lost her husband—a co-pilot for the same airline—in a similar crash in 2006, according to a Yeti Airlines spokesperson. She had decided to become a pilot herself after her husband’s death, using the insurance payout money to travel to the US for her training.

Thankfully we can know for certain these beloved missionaries are now safe in heaven. Please pray for their grieving families and friends here on earth.