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September 2002
Praise and Prayer for September 2002
Praise Items
Praise for hundreds of friends like you who have been holding
us up in prayer. We have been keenly conscious of your love and
support for our whole family in these very turbulent days. We
were blessed to have all of our children and a few other family
members here in Pakistan for two weeks to celebrate Dale’s
life and ministry. We Praise God that several folk gave their
lives to the Lord and others gained new impetus for ministry through
the two meaningful memorial services. We know Dale is rejoicing
in that!
On August 5, terrorists shot their way into the Murree Christian
School compound. Praise that this did not happen five days earlier
when the whole community was gathered there for Dale’s memorial
service. Praise that Dale’s wife Nicky left through the same
gate ten minutes before! Praise that recess was over and most
children were in their classrooms. Praise that the gunmen bypassed
the high school thinking it was just a church. Praise that they
entered only one grade-school classroom and found it empty. All
the others were full of children crouched praying under their
desks. Praise that they pushed in vain on the hostel doors that
open outwards. Praise that no student or teacher was wounded.
Praise that they didn’t use the grenades they were carrying
(until cornered by police several days later when they used them
to blow themselves up.) We mourn the death of six Pakistanis (two
security guards, a cook, the school clerk, a carpenter and a bystander).
Murree Christian School decided to close for a year, which took
away Nicky’s present opportunity for service in Pakistan.
Praise that the seventh through the twelfth grades are continuing
their schooling in Chiang Mai, Thailand. But there is no arrangement
for grade-school children. Nicky decided to take Esther (14) and
Luke (11) back to Erie, Pennsylvania, where they spent last winter
due to 9/11. Praise for the Church of the Cross, a supportive,
caring Presbyterian congregation who have provided them a furnished
home, a car, and much love. Nicky is open to returning to Pakistan
when Murree Christian School is able to start up again. Her email
is: d-stock@juno.com Keep praying for all three in their difficult
adjustment to life without Dale.
Praise for a fascinating and refreshing trip we made with Sara
and David Treece to their place of service in Central Asia. We
had magnificent views of snow-capped Himalaya mountains as we
drove in an open Jeep up through the pass. We were able to spend
one night and another day-visit with two tribal families who were
their friends. We wore white scarves, a symbol of mourning, and
were immediately surrounded by sympathetic family members who
did all they could to comfort us.
One night we slept in a yurt (a round tent made of skins, decorated
inside with beautiful rugs on the walls and on the sleeping platform).
Even a guitar was available, so David played and we sang choruses
until we were sleepy. A horseback ride the next morning took us
to a mountaintop overlooking a beautiful lake. Later, by a remote
lakeside we madly waved to attract the attention of a motorboat
to take us several miles back to our bus. Our guide took out his
cell phone and had a boat at our feet in five minutes! Such is
life in the wilderness of Central Asia these days!
Prayer Items
Pray for Paul and Pat Stock as they seek guidance as to when
to return to Pakistan. They are home-schooling their children
and thinking in terms of late October. Pray as Paul records many
of the songs he has composed, that they may be used to bless others
as well. Their email is: paulpatstock@bigfoot.com
Pray for Lois and Kyle Scott and children as they adjust to life
in Minnesota—quite a contrast to Bangladesh! Kyle is working
on his master’s degree in management. Lois also wants to
train in some area. Pray she will be led to the right field. Their
email is: kscott4801@aol.com
Pray for continued protection. Praise that 9/11 passed peacefully
in spite of many threats against Americans and Christians. The
government supplied armed guards for all churches and conference
centers. Pray for wisdom for us to know how to "lie low"
yet fulfill our ministry.
Pray that George McBane may be able to come before the end of
September, followed soon by Gail. There is a chance this could
happen! Dale’s death opened the door for George to come for
two weeks in July. We believe both will soon receive permission
to come, as you pray. Pray for complete healing for George’s
back.
Pray for a memorial service for Dale to be held at 2:00 p.m.,
October 12, at the First Methodist Church in Torrance, California,
where Dale worked as a caretaker for some years. You are urged
to come and share, or to write, or provide a taped message telling
of your experiences with Dale. Please contact Fred’s brother,
Norman Stock, for more information. His phone number is: (775)
727-8183 and e-mail is: nlstock@wizard.com
Pray for the following programs planned for the rest of September:
- September 19-21: Group 1 for inquirers and new believers.
In June and July, over 100 attended this retreat. The August
meeting was canceled because of recent attacks on Christians.
Our workers think this one too will be well attended. We will
be studying the paralytic who received forgiveness and healing.
- September 23-29: We are going to Dale’s home in Tando
Mohammed Khan to pack up things Nicky wants in Erie, to dispose
of things not needed, and to store the rest. Pray for wisdom
to do this well and that we will be a blessing and encouragement
to the families living on the plot and carrying on the evangelistic
outreach there.
- September 30 to October 2: Workers’ meeting for evangelists
and literacy teachers. There has been some tension among them.
Pray for unity of spirit.
In Christ,
Margie and Fred Stock
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