| April 2003
Praise items
Praise for the miracle of no violent outbreak against Christians
in any Muslim country, even in Iraq! Protest rallies in Western
countries have convinced moderate educated leaders that the war
is not an attack on Islam, that many Christians too are against
war. Stories of Saddam’s cruelty to his own people has toppled
him from his pedestal in people’s hearts here. When 10,000
radicals in the frontier volunteered to go to Iraq as suicide
bombers, President Musharraf did not provide transportation. This
moderate stand is a wonderful answer to prayer! Keep up the good
work!
Praise that the senior superintendent of police in RahimYar Khan
has organized regular interfaith get-togethers. Muslim, Christian,
Hindu and Sikh religious leaders have met to exchange assurances
of their desire for peace between the various religious communities.
Praise that Fred had an opportunity to speak at the last meeting,
held in a Hindu temple. He illustrated with a flashlight Jesus’s
command to us to be lights in the world—not to benefit
oneself but to guide and help others. Several expressed appreciation
for his message.
Praise for a good training course in teaching theological courses
by extension. Pray for Keval, who has already started two Bible
study groups for young men in his rural area. Pray the others
will follow suit.
Praise that the Meghwal evangelists and literacy teachers have
continued their work in spite of taunts from those who thought
they became Christians just for employment. Several young men
go in small teams to conduct Sunday School classes and worship
services. This gives them courage and is far more effective. They
have a new deeper concern to raise up Meghwal leadership to evangelize
their own tribe. Pray for wisdom to encourage self-government
in such a form that it doesn’t lead to power struggles or
to a completely ethnocentric mentality. They need to be open to
Christians from other ethnic backgrounds as well.
Hussu and his brother, older influential Christians, were hauled
before their tribal council demanding that Saraiki Christians
return to Hinduism or be ostracized from all community functions.
Hussu pointed out that many Hindus visit Muslim holy men and shrines.
They too should be ostracized as non-Hindus. To their joy their
whole extended family were invited to take an active part in the
weddings of Hindu relatives in March. These last for several days
during which they were welcome to conduct worship and teach newly
composed Saraiki language hymns that are gaining popularity. Khatu,
Hussu’s wife, suffers from asthma so was unable to help
with much of the work. She sat with an open Bible in her lap and
was delighted to share her faith informally with many who stopped
to chat.
Lazar used his savings funds to build a house for his family.
The best village mason, a Muslim, had been sick for some time
in spite of visiting holy men and shrines to seek healing. He
was depressed by his inability to earn for his family. Lazar said,
“I’ll pray for you and God will give you strength
to build my house.” He prayed and the mason started work,
his health improving each day. Lazar had him build a cross in
the design of the outer wall where all could see it. The local
Muslim priest objected, but was silenced by the mason who said,
“I have been healed in the name of Jesus. Through prayer
several new contracts have come to me. The sign of the cross is
a blessing for our community.” Praise God, the cross remains
as a witness.
Praise for the blessing Paul’s CD (and cassette), “As
Long as You Give Me Breath, ” is proving to many. The songs
are worship songs—some express praise and others articulate
questions believers have as we face tragedies and difficulties.
A cousin used it in her home Bible study group after which each
member mentioned how it had met a special need. Order it from
InterServe USA, P.O.Box 418, Upper Darby, PA 19082-0418 or by
email: mc@ludlow.net or phone:
(610)-352-0581. The price is $15.00 for CDs, and $10.00 for cassettes,
including tax and shipping. In England it can be ordered from
Steve Smith at smiths@shawtopbarn.freeserve.co.uk.
Praise for the Extra Commitment Offering account set up by the
Worldwide Ministries Division of PC(USA) for ministry among Meghwals.
We are encouraged by gifts already received through this fund,
enabling the work to go on. Any individuals who would like to
contribute to this should send funds to: Central Receiving Service,
Section 300, Louisville, KY 40289. Write the title (“Spreading
Good News Among Meghwals in Pakistan”) and the ECO number
on the subject line (ECO #040075) of the check and put it on your
cover letter, too. Send a copy of the cover letter to the Office
of International Evangelism at 100 Witherspoon St. Louisville,
KY 40202-1396. For churches who wish to contribute, the instructions
are the same with one important exception: address the envelope
to Section 590 instead of Section 300.
Prayer items
Pray for George and Gail McBane as they continue to seek for
a sending board to enable them to return to Pakistan. Pray for
their personal support and the granting of new visas to replace
the ones that were cancelled. Any who are led to help in this
should contact them at gailgeo@hotmail.com
or (479) 524-0932.
Wheat harvest is about to start and will keep people busy for
the next month or more. We will have to work with those not involved
in the harvest. Pray for the following programs planned for April:
- April 6-9: Timothy group of about a dozen young men taking
theological courses by extension. Pray that their lives will
be changed.
- April 10-12: Both of us are teaching on Family Life to the
Marwsari Bhil Family Camp run by the local church. The Bhils
are a different tribal group from the Meghwals, but speak the
same language.
- April 13: Pray for Fred as he speaks on Palm Sunday in the
local church.
- April 18 and 20: Pray for meaningful Good Friday and Easter
services led by the evangelists and teachers in various villages.
Security doesn't allow us to make village visits at present,
much to our sorrow!
- April 21-25: Fred will help teach a Bible survey course to
Marwari Bhils in the local church.
- April 28-30: Workers’ Consultation for Meghwal evangelists
and teachers and their wives. Pray for us as we lead Bible studies
and encourage them to plan how they can make their outreach
to their own tribe more effective.
Have a blessed Easter season as you celebrate Jesus’s death
and resurrection.
The 2003 Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, p. 162 |
