March 4, 2004
Dear Friends,
Praise items
- Praise that George McBane arrived back in Rahim Yar Khan on
Feb.29th and Gail will follow on March 12th. A suitable house
is still needed. Pray as various possibilities are being explored.
- Praise that our landlord has decided to sell this house to
a family who has agreed to rent it to us. Fans, light fixtures,
and our living room-dining room carpet will have to be replaced,
but we won’t have to move.
- Praise that Margie’s brother, Bill Anderson, is recovering
steadily from his car accident and is to be released from the
rehabilitation hospital March 4th. Pray for full restoration
and healing.
- Praise that our car has been returned in excellent shape.
It was re-initiated to difficult village roads and performed
beautifully February 25-28 when we made a tour of the eight
literacy centers. Praise that students have made good progress
in most centers. Each evening the Jesus film was shown to enthusiastic
viewers. We are grateful that Haima and Kevel are now expert
at showing this and other films,
- Praise that Group 1 for inquirers and new believers was well
attended by about 45 adults and 20 kids. Kevel does an excellent
job teaching the children, and the adults were a good mixture
of new people and those who have come before. One old man said,
“Why do you call this meeting just ‘Group 1’?
You should call it ‘The Jesus Celebration.’ We have
such a good time learning about Jesus.” That was heart-warming
and a good idea.
Evangelist Lazar was being taunted before a group. One man
said sarcastically, “You are so successful! You are
building a church in every village.” Lazar sat speechless
when a Hindu in the crowd said, “What do you mean, a
church in every village? He is building one in every home.”
Praise that six in his home village are ready to take a stand
for Jesus, including his brother Aziz who used to keep running
away from home and family.
- Praise that Daud and Marthar are now building a simple house
near where they were renting. They can continue the fruitful
ministry they have in that community and Rattan can carry on
as our computer expert, helping in a large variety of projects.
Prayer items
Keep praying for Resham. The cardiac surgeons said she would
not live long without surgery. They advised an operation to increase
the effectiveness of her heart action. It would relieve her symptoms
(with a 50% chance of survival) but not correct the basic defects
in her heart. She could not survive pregnancy. Resham wants the
operation. She longs to be free of her present severe limitations.
But her family and in-laws fear the risks involved. Both she and
her husband, Daniel, want to be baptized this month along with
several other members of the family. Pray for a miraculous work
of healing in her.
Pray for us as we lead a special retreat for the Pakistani and
missionary staff of Christian Hospital, TANK (Tahnk), operated
by World Mission Prayer League. Tank is located close to the Afghanistan
border in tribal territory. Staff are confined to the compound
much of the time. They have asked us to lead Bible studies and
do personal counselling March 25-28, with an emphasis on how to
live and work together in love. Pray we will be enabled by the
Holy Spirit to be a blessing to them in that remote and difficult
area.
No contact was made with the Outreach Ministries about the proposed
lease of the New Life Center for use in the Meghwal ministry.
This seems to be on hold at present. Funds also are not sufficient
yet to run it. Pray it will work out in the Lord’s best
timing.
Pray for the following programs that are planned for March:
- March 16-18 Jesus Celebration (Group 1) emphasizing Jesus’
suffering and death.
- March 19th Prayer day for unreached peoples to be held in
a Marwari Bhil village.
- March 25-28 Retreat at Tank Hospital led by Stocks for missionary
and Pakistani staff.
- March 25-27 Workers’ Meeting to plan for April. McBanes
will run this while we are away.
- March 29-April 2 Two seminars will be taking place these
same dates:
- A seminar held in Ryk to train layleaders who are less
literate. We hope that six or seven of our laypeople will
attend. They are to take a week’s seminar twice a
year for six years to complete the program. Each one is
urged to teach others what they learn.
- Church Foundations (started by Brother Andrew “God’s
Smuggler”) is running a seminar in Lahore for church
workers who are high school graduates. These will also be
held twice a year. Haima, Keval and Rattan plan to attend.
They will receive certificates for courses done there. Pray
for spiritual quickening for all who attend both seminars.
Many thanks for your prayers and encouraging letters.
In Him,
Fred and Margie
The 2004 Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, p.
198 |
