- Praise that Daniel’s father Lachman, his mother Jano,
brother Shamla (8), sister Shami (6) and sister-in-law Soni
with three kids, joined Mangu and Salaimi in attending Group
1. The first night Soni’s six year old son was in great
pain from a bladder stone. After prayer he passed the stone
and had no further discomfort. Lachman used to be strongly opposed
to Christian teaching but is increasingly open and responsive.
He fears to lose his position in the community if he takes a
stand for Christ. Pray he will have the courage to openly believe.
- Praise that Patros, the first Parkari Meghwal, took a good
part in the OTS course. Having had little contact with Christians
(since his conversion was largely through literature) he was
hesitant at first but soon responded to the warm welcome he
was given. He worked hard and became one of the top students.
Sad to say he took a used cotton bedspread with him when he
left. However in this culture taking things is considered a
minor offense while anger is a major one. We reverse those priorities.
Wonder what God’s viewpoint would be? Pray for Patros,
that this will not prevent his coming back for further teaching
and fellowship.
- Praise for the recording made of 26 new hymns in Saraiki which
will be made into three CDs along with Scripture verses. Five
non-Christian instrumentalists and special singers joined Haima
and Keval in performing these hymns. They were obviously blessed
by the words and by their close contact with Christians at the
Audio-Visual Center in Rattanabad where our son Paul works.
Pray they too will come to faith.
- Thanks for your prayers for Group 1 for inquirers and new
believers. We had 36 attend, which was just right for the bedding
available. Half of them were first-timers. Two men searched
for us the first evening and the next morning, finally locating
us at 4:00 p.m. They said, “We wanted to see why so many
Meghwals are coming to you these days.” They entered into
all the activities with enthusiasm and went away satisfied.
- Praise for angels preparing the way for our visit to the Cardiac
Institute in Lahore. We were given six berths in the train at
the last minute. A Christian woman working in the pharmacy arranged
to have our three patients put into the “poor” category,
which provided treatment nearly free. Lazar and Vickrum were
given medication but can be treated in Rahim. Vickrum was sent
home with Resham’s father-in-law who was traumatized by
the big city and couldn’t wait to get back to his village.
Lazar stayed to help us. Resham was hospitalized for six days
for tests. Her hemoglobin was far too high to risk doing an
angiography, as clots could easily form. They removed four pints
of blood that week, replacing them with a solution, but even
that didn’t bring it low enough. A Muslim college student
in the next bed became close friends with Resham (an illiterate
village tribal girl!). She eagerly read a children’s Bible
with lovely illustrations, and shared it with others on the
ward. Resham revealed a sincere faith in Christ, prayed meaningful
prayers and was very courageous for a young village girl. She
has faced the possibility of death all her life and has learned
to live with it. Now her faith in Christ gives her confidence
in eternal life. Finally she was sent home with instructions
to return in a month with the hope that medication will help
her blood thin so she can have an angiogram. Pray for complete
healing.
- Praise that needed funds for the Meghwal ministry arrived
just in time to pay salaries in November. Thanks to those of
you who gave generously to enable us to carry on this ministry.
Prayer items
- Pray for McBanes as they continue to seek support for themselves
and the work here.
- Pray for the ARP Mission Board’s January meeting when
they will consider giving the New Life Center on lease to be
used again for Meghwal outreach. Pray they will offer reasonable
terms that can be met.
- Pray for the following programs planned for December:
- December 11 - Christmas Party for our workers and their
families—a good time of fun and fellowship.
- December 15 - At the Cardiac Institute in Lahore with
Resham for further tests. Lazar will come with us.
- December 24-27 - Village visits to celebrate Christmas.
Pray we will be led to those places with prepared hearts.
- December 29-31 - Workers' Meeting to plan for January.
We plan to spend most of January in Thailand to be with
our youngest daughter, Sara and David Treece, to welcome
their first baby, due January 15.
Your prayers mean so much to us. Thanks!
Fred and Margie Stock
The 2003 Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, p.
162
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