Late last week, we were very alarmed to hear that two of our faithful converts were arrested in Pakistan. Some of you might remember P___l and his daughter N____r, who were featured at the beginning and end of the Christmas video we sent you. They are Afghani natives and were living as refugees in neighboring Pakistan. For many months, P____l and N____r faithfully attended two of our weekly Bible studies online. They were reached through our ministry, and on three occasions, we were able to provide food and school supplies through a pastor friend in Pakistan. Six weeks ago, P____l told us that the Pakistani police were doing sweeps in their city to round up Afghanis, particularly women and children, and then sending them back to Afghanistan. We were in the process of coordinating alternate living accommodations away from the city, when P____l informed us that they had been found and arrested. After spending four days in a detention center, they were trucked back into Afghanistan. I know, because P___l was able to keep his phone and purchase an Afghani SIM card. He contacted me Sunday morning.
Without being political, I would like to draw a contrast between P___l and N____r’s situation and the current deportation of illegal aliens from U.S. soil. Many American citizens have been killed or abused by violent criminals that were allowed to enter our nation with little scrutiny. In the case of P___l and N____r, Pakistan was not a “promised land.” It was a means of survival. The Taliban IS the government in Afghanistan. They have a hatred of Christianity that is literally demonic. P____l and N____r (and many Afghanis that we reach and serve) are each targets for execution. The fact that N_____r is barely 11 years old would stir no mercy in a Taliban Jihadist.
In closing, I am asking our pastors and praying friends to remember the very different world in which these people live. P____l and N____r remind me of Daniel being cast into the Lion’s Den and the miracle God did in closing the mouths of these beasts. Would you please pray for God to keep away the eyes, swords, and guns of the Taliban and protect them, and to help us maintain a connection with them through the social media platform we use? “LORD, PLEASE SHUT THE LIONS’ MOUTHS!”
OTHER UPDATES and PRAYER NEEDS
• We have begun another virtual classroom in the Middle East, this time in the country of Oman. Please pray for souls as we reach into this country.
• We have just launched our main ministry website.
• On Saturday, I was able to lead a 65-year old woman name S___ to Christ. She lives in T___, M___. Please pray for her growth!
Missionary #6505