Guman is the cook for our Meghwal
meetings. His mother, Naynu is a disgruntled old lady with numerous
ailments. She seldom smiles, is always ready for a fight, and
puts great trust in idols and amulets. She came to visit Guman
recently to get medical help. He took her to doctors and also
prayed. His children urged her to get rid of a big string of charms
she was wearing around her neck so their prayers would be effective.
One day two Christian ladies came by and offered to pray for her.
She quickly slipped the string of charms around to the back under
her dress and agreed to let them pray. They didn't lay hands on
her but just held out their hands toward her as they prayed. Suddenly
she felt her heavy string of charms sliding down her back. The
string had come undone even though she had tied it firmly herself.
Suddenly she was convinced that Jesus is the true Healer and that
charms are useless. She gave the string of charms to her grandson
to throw into the canal. Praise for the real miracle—the
change in her disposition. She now takes part in worship, boldly
witnesses to her faith in Jesus to heal her, and even smiles!
God works in mysterious ways!
Praise for an excellent consultation on death and funeral rites
for Hindu background tribal Christians led by our son Paul and
his co-worker Rev. Snamu at their conference center in Rattanabad,
Sindh. Haima and Daud represented the Meghwals and were able to
formulate appropriate Christian substitutes for the various Hindu
rites usually followed. Sadly these were needed almost immediately
when Haima’s 3-yearold niece died last week. Haima reported
that people were blessed by the Christian rites. Their many fears
and superstitions were changed to hope in eternal life for all
those who put their faith in Jesus Christ. Pray these will help
lead many to saving faith.
Prayer items
This month several serious terrorist attacks have taken place,
mostly targeting mosques. A bomb in a Shiah mosque in Sialkot
killed 36 during prayers. A few days later an extremist Sunni
group was attacked in Multan (about three hours north of us) killing
41. Two Chinese engineers were kidnapped. One was fatally wounded
when their abductors were killed. These are attempts to destabilize
the government—not directly aimed at the foreign community.
However, the result has been a ban on religious gatherings of
any size. Police are again guarding churches and mosques at prayer
time. Pray for wisdom and protection for President Musharraf as
he tries to guide Pakistan into moderate ways and not give in
to extremists.
Gail McBane has a hereditary swallowing problem. This month a
piece of chicken stuck in her throat for three days—the
longest period ever. She could only swallow a few drops of liquid.
Finally a doctor was found who had the proper equipment to push
it on down. Pray she will be healed and freed from this oft-repeated
difficulty.
Sara and David Treece have recently heard that all their paper
work for a work permit has been completed. They are now waiting
for the final papers to be sent to them. Pray they will come soon
so they can be on their way back to Central Asia. Pray as they
seek the most effective projects in community development for
their area.
Keep praying for visas to be granted to Nicky and her brother
Symen so they can join the staff of Murree Christian School, Pakistan
in January. Praise that all are still enthusiastic about this
future ministry. Praise for an unusually positive spirit and good
cooperation between students and staff at MCS this fall. Pray
that Nicky will find full relief from back and neck pains and
be able to raise adequate financial support for her return.
Pray for the following programs planned for November:
- November 9-14—A prayer team of five women from the United
States plan to spend these days at McBane’s in fasting
and prayer for Pakistan. They have enlisted hundreds more to
pray specifically for Pakistan during those days. A similar
prayer program they held for Afghanistan a few years ago was
followed by a dramatic change in Taliban rule. The Lord is able
to work powerfully in international affairs through prayer.
Please pray with us.
- November 16-18—Timothy group of educated young men will
study Life of Christ #1 and #2 while the advanced group will
study “A Shepherd and His Work.” We are proud that
Kevel earned his Certificate of Theology by doing 10 such courses
and teaching one. Pray these eager young men will develop into
spiritually minded future leaders of the Meghwal church.
- November 29-December 1—Workers’ Meeting to plan
for December programs. Pray they will use their new lay leaders
and concentrate on establishing local congregations in villages
where several Christian families live.
Your prayers keep us going.
Many thanks!
Fred and Margie Stock
The 2004 Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, p.
198 |
