October 2005
Praise items:
- Praise for the return of the New Life Center, the lovely conference
grounds developed by the McBanes for outreach to tribal people.
It was closed in January 2003 when the ARP Mission withdrew
from Pakistan. Frank VanDalen, their new mission secretary,
is a former missionary to Pakistan and a good friend. He arranged
to lease the NLC to George McBane for its original purpose.
Everyone here is overjoyed!
During Workers’ Meeting we gathered outside the main
gate of the NLC and entered singing. In chapel we had a heart-felt
thanksgiving service. Many shared blessings they have received
during the time the NLC was closed. They have come to appreciate
the local church people (Punjabis and Bhils) who opened their
church for our meetings. Before, Meghwals and Bhils looked
down on one another. They also experienced God’s love
in meeting their financial needs while on reduced salaries
due to our having lost our work budget.
Praise that together we prayer-walked the whole garden. When
we entered the courtyard of the main building the workers
couldn’t contain their joy—they were singing and
dancing! Once again God has “worked all things together
for good to those who love Him.”
- We visited a new Korean-led project on the edge of the Thar
desert. They invited us to a retreat for their staff held in
the northern state of Swat. Each morning we enjoyed beautiful
sites—rushing rivers, lush forests, and snow-capped mountains.
Afternoons we taught about tribal culture to help them understand
better how to minister to them effectively. Evenings we led
Bible studies. It was a completely new experience for the ten
Punjabis, five tribal workers, and eight Koreans on this team.
Praise for their positive response.
- Praise for the chance to visit Murree Christian School October
1-3. Nicky is happily in the center of much activity as school
nurse (helping students and hill folks around) and as producer
of delicious snacks, which the boarders greatly appreciate on
special occasions. It was a joy to see our four grandchildren
there.
- Nainu, whose charms slipped down her back as others prayed
for her last spring, died September 26 of throat cancer. Under
pressure from Hindu relatives in June she visited a sorcerer
for new amulets. Praise that they brought no relief so she removed
them and placed her faith once more in Jesus. As she was dying
she asked forgiveness of all and pointing upwards kept saying,
“I’m going up there.” She faced death without
fear.
- Two young men in town recently became Christians. A woman
relative went to visit them, refused to drink tea, and cursed
them for believing in Jesus. Immediately she was hit by severe
diarrhea and vomiting that lasted three days. In desperation
she returned to their home. “Forgive me for what I said.
I know now your Jesus is true.” At once the vomiting and
diarrhea stopped! Praise for the effect this story is having.
Prayer items
- Pray for adequate funds to enable us to fully use the NLC
for teaching and fellowship programs. The most urgent need is
a new tube well to supply fresh water. Many minor repairs are
also essential.
There is a Bible verse written in English, Urdu, Marwari,
and Saraiki around the dome of the chapel roof. It says, “My
house will be called a house of prayer for all nations.”
George shared with the workers his vision that the NLC should
not just be for Meghwals but for “all nations.”
He has been broaching this subject tactfully for several months.
Pray the Meghwals will catch the vision of having others also
benefit from it.
- Pray for new materials—called “Train and Multiply”—
being translated into Urdu and printed up to be used in a new
program for lay leaders. The management committee envisions
these being taught to lay leaders in short courses. They will
then teach the lessons to others in their villages. This program
has been greatly used in other Asian countries. Pray they will
be translated well and in simple language village leaders can
understand. Pray for all the planning and preparation needed
to start this program early in 2006 and for wisdom in selecting
those who will prove good channels of blessing to others.
- Pray for courage and wisdom for the young Kutchi Kohli men
who are teaching literacy and Bible under the direction of our
son Paul. There is growing opposition from their tribal leaders.
Two were forced to move from their homes and seven village centers
were closed. A tribal pastor, the Reverend Punna Lal, encouraged
the workers with this true story: “A council of tribal
elders wanted to get rid of me. One man offered to kill me but
said he wanted to get his daughter married first. Others agreed
to pay for the deed to be done. When I was told about this I
went straight to that man and said, ‘I heard you were
going to kill me. I want to spare you the trouble of having
to hunt me up and lure me into some solitary place. Here I am.
Kill me now. The others will then pay you for it and you can
celebrate your daughter’s wedding in style.’”
The man fell at his feet and asked forgiveness.
Pray for the following programs scheduled for October. Cotton
harvest starts by mid-October.
- October 10-12 - Village tour to check literacy centers and
encourage evangelists.
- October 13-16 - Rahim Yar Khan Convention—special meetings
for the local church and for village Christians.
- October 24-27 - Workers’ Meeting to prepare lessons
and make plans for November.
Two women’s prayer teams are coming from the United States
this month to concentrate on prayer for Pakistan.
Thank you for your prayers,
Fred and Margie
The 2005 Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, p.
112 |
