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March-April 2002
Dear Friends,
Praise items—Jesus is alive and victorious!
Praise for our safe arrival in Rahim Yar Khan on March 4, where
we moved back into our old home. Praise for the faithful work
of our evangelists and literacy teachers during our absence and
for Caleb John, who efficiently handled all the finances and helped
with administration voluntarily.
Praise for the safe arrival of Dale Stock and family, now working
in Tando Mohammed Khan. The children have made a good adjustment
back to boarding at Murree Christian School. Pray for protection
for the children and staff of the school. Praise that all is going
well.
Praise for a short visit with Paul before he flew back to the
U.S. for home leave March to July. He was so flooded with visitors
and urgent invitations to bring singing teams to weddings and
funerals that he finally had to work at night and sleep hidden
away by day to get some important audio-visual projects done.
Pray as they prepare a new video of their ministry. For speaking
dates contact:
Praise for an amazing turn-out of 60 adults and teenagers plus
15 younger children for our March Group 1 meeting for new Christians
and inquirers. The retreat started the day the Hindus in India
were challenging the Muslims over a former mosque site which they
claim as Ram’s birthplace. Hindus here in Pakistan felt very
vulnerable as a small minority community in the face of threats
of retaliation. Praise that law and order prevailed and so many
had the courage to gather at the New Life Center. Twenty of them
came for the first time. Several were deeply touched by the message
of the cross in Bible study and film. They were good sports about
sharing the 45 sets of bedding we had, and taking turns sleeping
on the floor. Four of the older men are members of the tribal
council that judges disputes among Meghwals. Some of these have
been antagonistic to Christian teaching, but were open-minded
and responsive to what they heard here. One, Soga, Ram, has one
son and one daughter who are Christians. He is seeking the Truth.
Pray for the other three: Saiva Ram, Uda Ram, and Narain to come
to faith.
Praise that serious drought was averted by unseasonal rains
in March that filled the canals again.
Prayer items
Pray against a spirit of fear in us and the Christian community,
following the grenade attack on the International Church in Islamabad
March 17. We have many friends who attend that church regularly.
Praise that a farewell celebration in Murree drew away many of
the missionaries who are regular attenders. Pray for the family
of Ed Good, an orphan who was raised by one of our missionaries.
His 18-year-old daughter was killed and most of the family were
wounded. Several other good friends were hurt by flying shrapnel.
Pray for healing of these wounds and of the emotional scars in
the hearts of many present.
Pray for security for the Christian and Hindu communities. Anger
is growing among radical groups over the situation in Palestine
and America’s position, which is interpreted not as anti-terrorism
but in religious terms. The growing inter-communal strife in India
also can have many repercussions for the Hindu community. Pray
that General Musharraf can stay in power and that these religious
tensions will lessen. We had planned to make a village tour over
Good Friday and Easter but were told by our evangelists that our
presence creates suspicion and danger for them. They strongly
advised us to keep a low profile. Pray that we and other Christians
will have the right
combination of discernment and bold faith.
Pray for Maryam who is pregnant again, due in early June. We
are making plans for her to stay at the Christian Hospital in
Multan for the last two weeks before delivery and some time afterward
as well to make sure the baby’s health is stabilized. Pray
for no complications and accurate timing in these plans.
Pray for the following programs planned for the month of April:
April 11 13—Group 1 with emphasis on Jesus’ resurrection.
Pray that those who were new last month will return with hungry
hearts. Pray that wheat harvest will be delayed until after this
date. Pray April 16-17—a trip to Karachi for annual physical
exams. No special problems anticipated. April 18-2—two Timothy
Groups for young educated men. Fred will teach the advanced group
The Life of Christ #5. Margie will teach the basics in Abundant
Life to young inquirers . April 29- May 3—Workers’ Meeting
for evangelists and literacy teachers will be extended because
the people are busy in wheat harvest. We plan to give more Bible
teaching on the Holy Spirit, and encourage the workers to grow
in practical reading, writing and story telling skills. Pray this
will be a time of spiritual growth and good fellowship among us.
Keep praying for George McBane to be given permission to return
for several weeks.
Your prayers are very important to us. Many thanks!
Margie and Fred
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