This week I was contacted by my friend and former GRN worker
in Pakistan. On July 19th, two Christian workers were shot and killed outside
of a courtroom in Faisalabad (the city where GRN’s office was located). The two
men had been accused of blasphemy against the Muslim prophet Mohammed (law
295-c). While leaving the courtroom, masked gunmen shot and killed Rashid
Emmanuel (32) and Sajjad Emmanuel (30) (brothers) in broad daylight.
Both brothers were serving together in a Christian ministry in
Faisalabad. Rashid was newly married and his wife is due to have their first
child in just a few days. Brother Sajjad, was engaged to be married very soon.
They were laid to rest on July 20th (this report was written on July 21st). As
a result of this, their family is in hiding.
Please pray for this situation! We will be doing something to help this
family as soon as we can locate their whereabouts and organize relief for them.
If you would like to help, please pray and send financial support to GRN (for
Pakistan) and every penny will go towards helping this family. Thank you!
This four year old Girl is learning how to make bricks in Pakistan. Her father and mother are indentured servants and will probably be forced to make a 1,000 bricks per day for the rest of their lives.
In Pakistan, and in other Islamic countries, many Christians are forced to work in the most difficult places. Seen as second or third class citizens, Christians are given the worst jobs with almost no pay. As a result of this, many families are forced to take loans from wealthy business people, who will in turn enslave them until their debt is paid in full. The business owner will pay them just enough to live on, but not enough to pay their debt, Therefore the debt is never paid and the people are enslaved for life. This is a common practice in Pakistan.
Once, while I was visiting some Christian friends in Pakistan, we were given permission to walk through a brick kiln and see the conditions these people are forced to work in. The little girl above was just one of many children working there. All family members must help in order to achieve the 1,000 brick minimum for the day. If they fail to produce 1,000 bricks, then they may be beaten (some, even to death). Many of the young girls are mistreated and raped. GRN has had the privilege of helping some of these people in the past. Though our work in Pakistan is limited, it doesn't stop us from praying for our brothers and sisters who live there.
Please join us in praying for our persecuted family in Pakistan and in other Islamic countries.
This is the most recent report that we have received from our friends in Pakistan. Please read and please pray.
Thank you,
Tom
Respected brother Tom,
We had a very warm Christmas. The church children did a Program called “Christ is looking for those who are lost.” They invited their Muslim friends. All together there were about 100 people who gathered to watch the drama. At the end, the story of Christ was shared and new testaments were distributed. Please ray for all those who heard the Word of God. May God open their eyes to see the living Christ, especially all the Muslim children and their parents.
Brother ________ went to ________ to share the Love of God on Christmas. He went to a few Muslim houses to share the Good News. One Muslim family invited him at their home. This was the family who was against him and they refused to hear the word of God in year 2007. They did not allow him to enter their home. He was praying for them.This time when he went to their house they opened the door for him. They confessed what they did last time. He went inside and forgave them and started to share the Word of God. While they were listening, the Word of God touched their hearts and one lady gave her life to Christ and was baptized in bathtub. Glory to God! Please remember this family in your prayers.
Work in ______ growing and 15 men and women have been baptized. They are under the fire of the Holy Spirit and trying to reach others who are sitting in the dark and in the hands of dark forces.
We are looking forward to your arrival. Please come soon and we will head to the mountains together. Thank you for your support. Please greet our GRN friends.
Recently, we let each of you know about a
need in Pakistan through our blog. If you recall, our brothers in
Pakistan who GRN has worked with in the past were in need of tents,
ground mats, writing boards and food. They have adopted a program that
combines literacy training and ministry to unreached people groups.
We
have great news… GRN and its partners came together to meet this need
above and beyond what was required! All money received has been sent
directly to Pakistan to help our friends there share the Good News of
Jesus with the lost in remote areas.
Thank
you to everyone who came together to meet this need! Those of you who
gave and prayed are sowing seeds that we believe will reap a harvest of
souls. We look forward to more opportunities for GRN and its partners
to make a difference in Pakistan.