Updates from Buraykay and Daska

Buraykay

Irfan is one of the Reach the Nations team members working in Punjab. A few months ago, he completed his Covenant Leadership Training Institute coursework, and when he returned to the ministry in Punjab, he felt called to begin a new work in Buraykay. He continues to go to this area, reaching all ages, but focusing on young people.

He shares the Gospel and teaches regularly from the Bible. He and Mehboob often hold prayer meetings here as well. More people are coming to pray and worship together.

Mehboob reports, "In this picture, we can see people who are worshipping, praying and giving thanks to God for everything for their life. The people are praying and worshipping with tears and thanks to God, who gives them life, heath, families, food and many blessings."

Daska

Mehboob leads the work in Daska and is shown here presenting a Bible to an older man who recently accepted Christ as his personal Saviour. With a Bible available, he will be able to learn more about God and grow in his Christian faith.

The picture above is of the congregation in Daska gathered to pray together. They are using two rooms of a borrowed house where they are meeting. Mehboob asks for prayers that they would be able to find a place to meet that would be large enough for all who attend. Mehboob taught the people from Psalm 127 after which many people shared testimonies of praise and thanksgiving to God. Please pray for those who are coming to faith in Jesus.

"Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness." - Colossians 2:7 (NLT)

Still Helping

We have shared with you about the persecution of Christians in the area of Janaranwala, Pakistan. An extremist group burned 28 churches and set fires in homes of 400 Christian families.

The people are continuing to live in ruins or they are back in their homes but without furnishings or basic tools for living and making meals.

Reach the Nations, through its team based in Punjab, has contined to provide basic necessities for these families.

Recently Adnan, Irfan, Mehboob and another colleague named Ibrahaim set out with food, kitchen utensils, and other household goods for those remaining in great need.

The men distributed the aid and also provided words of encouragement and prayed with them.

Thank you to those who have donated toward this relief effort. God is using your gifts to provide help and hope to brothers and sisters in difficult situations.

The persecution against Christians, though less intense, nevertheless continues. Many are living in fear. Even some of the RTN team, living in this area, are experiencing anxiety. Only God can provide the security they need. Pray with us for all of them.

"You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance." - Psalm 32:7

New Life, New Hunger

We want you to meet Mehwish. This lovely Pakistani woman is the sister-in-law of Shakeel who ministers with Reach the Nations in Sindh Province.

There are Christian churches in Pakistan and Mehwish grew up attending one of them. But she knew going to church wasn't enough and began to long for more. Her life has recently changed completely. Here is Mehwish's story in her own words:

"I had heard about the Lord Jesus Christ since childhood, and attended church services. I also read the Bible, but I had never understood it. I never understood how to live according to the Bible and how to follow Jesus.

Then slowly and gradually I grew up, but I still could not understand the Bible and life according to Jesus, and the number of my sins was increasing day by day. Life began to seem like a burden and every day was spent in despair.

Then I looked at my life and asked myself what is missing. I realized that the lack was knowing God. After that, I started reading the Bible more carefully and listening to sermons daily.

I began to feel at ease and content. And I was happy in God all the time. Then I repented of all my sins, and my life has changed.

I believe in one Lord Jesus Christ, the Only Begotten Son of God. For our sake he was crucified, he suffered death, and he was buried, and rose again on the third day. I believe God has chosen me for his service."

When Mehwish shared her story of salvation with her brother-in-law, Shakeel (above), he realized her hunger to know more about the Bible. He directed her to a series of free Bible study courses that Our Daily Bread University offers online and in Urdu. Mehwish is now studying diligently online and is enthusiastic about all she is learning. Please pray for her as she grows in her faith and looks for ways to serve God.

If you know of anyone who might benefit from such courses in Urdu, they can be found here: https://ur.odbu.org/

If you are interested in online Bible and Christian studies in English through Our Daily Bread University, you can find them here: https://odbu.org/

"All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work." -2 Timothy 3:16-17