October 2002

Praise and Prayer

Praise Items

• Praise for continued safety. We have police stationed around the clock at the New Life Center. Our tribal people of Hindu background feared that pressure would be exerted on them to become Muslims. However a senior police officer told us he was pleased that they had left idolatry and were now "people of the Book." Two guards are reading through the New Testament with interest. The caretaker of the city church witnesses boldly to several police who are stationed there and provides Christian reading material to brighten up this boring job. Praise that the gospel is reaching new targets. Pray they will be responsive and there will be lasting results.
• Praise for a good group of 60 adults and children old enough to understand who came to Group1. At first we were dismayed that several had TB and came with a desire for medical treatment afterwards. Soon we found them unusually responsive, probably because of their great sense of need and the reality of eternity. It was a joy to hear them witness to having their spiritual eyes opened in new ways.
• Praise for a time of real blessing in Tando Mohammed Khan when we were packing up Dale’s home. Dale and Nicky are greatly loved and sorely missed by the people there. Everyone was eager to share happy memories of times together. Praise that the evangelist Karam regularly takes his wife Meera by bus on evangelistic village tours. They are encouraged by the enthusiasm expressed by many inquirers and new believers in that area. Praise that the three families who live on the plot have daily devotions together and are unified in spirit. It was great to see even the women and young girls take turns leading worship.
• Praise that Nicky, Esther (14) and Luke (11) are settled in a roomy furnished home in Erie, Pennsylvania and surrounded by caring friends. She is so grateful for the many loving letters she has received, but feels a bit overwhelmed at the task of responding to them all. Her address is: 5129 Ferndale Place, Fairview, PA 16415, Phone: 814-836-4624 and email is d-stock@juno.com
• Praise that Paul, Pat and family were able to have a short holiday on the Isle of Sark off of Scotland with good friends from Pakistan, Steve and Lucinda Smith. It was a time of refreshment and renewal that they badly needed. A one-day reunion of many British missionary friends was icing on the cake. A young college student from California, Chris, has volunteered to help home-school the children. She is living with them now to see if this arrangement can work happily. Pray for wisdom for them all to know if it is right for her to come to Pakistan at this difficult time. Pray as they prepare to return to their work in Mirpurkhas, Pakistan, in the end of October. Pray also for Pat’s brother, Cory Pearson, who is in a coma from a severe heart attack. She is doubly concerned because he is not a believer.
• Praise that Sara and David Treece are now living with a Central Asian Christian family in a rural area, testing new health booklets while they deepen their understanding of the language and culture of the tribe among whom they are living. Praise that their visa came through on time in spite of hindrances.

Prayer Items:

• Keep praying for the security of all Christians in Pakistan who feel somewhat threatened, though it comes from a small but radical minority. Most Pakistanis shared our shock and grief at the cold-blooded murder in September of eight Christians working in an NGO for justice and peace in Karachi. The government is doing its best to provide protection to every church and Christian institution. But they cannot be everywhere at all times. Praise God that He can!

• Pray that there will not be an attack on Iraq. This will have serious repercussions here and throughout the Muslim world. Pray that radicals will be restrained and Christians will be wise in such an event.

• Pray for the elections that will take place October 10, that radical elements will not gain power. Pray that General Musharraf, the President, will work harmoniously with the newly elected Assembly so that democracy can be truly restored.

Pray for the following programs to be held at the New Life Center this month:

• Oct.18-20 Timothy Group, for promising young men taking Bible courses. The advanced group will start a new course on Applying Jesus’ Teachings in Matthew. Two other groups of new Christians will study prayer and the basic course on the Christian life called abundant life.
• Oct.24-26: Conference on reaching the unreached. Leaders from all churches within a radius of 200 miles are invited to take part in this conference, to share experiences and be challenged to greater outreach to non-Christians. Pray this will result in deeper concern for those without the gospel and growth in knowing how to give an appropriate and loving witness. In times like this when Christians are threatened, we are tempted to close ranks and not reach out. May we be given the courage to Pray for new boldness as did the disciples in Acts. 4:23-31.
• Oct.28-30: Workers’ meeting for literacy teachers and evangelists to prepare for November lessons.

We had hoped George Mcbane would be with us, but as yet he has not received the green light.

• Pray for him and Gail as they seek the Lord’s will as to how to best make use of this time of waiting.
• Pray for the Memorial Service for Dale to be held at the First Methodist Church, El Dorado St. Torrance, California, at 2:00 p.m. on October12. Paul plans to be there and Fred’s brother, Norman Stock, is making the arrangements. Please contact him for more details if needed. His phone is: 775-727-8183 and e-mail is: nlstock@wizard.com. We have heard from several who plan to be there. Pray it will be a meaningful time for all.

Many thanks again for all your prayers and loving e-mails. They mean so much to us!

In Him,

Margie and Fred Stock