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- Beverly Van Kampen
- Apr 30
Think about how many times a day you read something: Texts, social media posts, emails, books, news articles, billboards, nutritional labels, directional signs on the street. We are reading constantly without giving it a thought. Imagine what your life would be like if you did not know how to read.
A few years ago Reach the Nations became aware of the statistics for literacy in Pakistan. The literacy rate for women was considerably lower than that of men and the lowest rates related to Christian women. And some children were not learning to read because their parents were not sending them to school - for a variety of reasons.
As our work expanded in the villages, and as we became more aware of the need, we began to look for ways to help. Through some contacts in Islamabad, we were introduced to Zarish Babar who had training in teaching Urdu reading, writing, and basic math. Zarish proposed a program that she would lead at the church where her husband was the pastor.
That was in 2022. We now have three locations in Islamabad: The original site taught by Zarish and two other sites taught by teachers Waris and Sikendar. On Monday of this week we held a graduation ceremony for 49 students from these three locations who have completed all the requirements for certification in the past year.
The testimonies given by our graduates reveal much. They often speak of a desperation to know, to learn. They are willing to make great personal sacrifices to get to the class, to study, and to grow. And most of them refer to a desire to read the Bible so they can know and serve God better. Whatever stage in life they find themselves, they see that learning these skills is the way of wisdom, the way to a better future.
We were thrilled to be able to participate in this graduation celebration via the internet to hear these student testimonies and rejoice with them at this great milestone in their lives.
For those of you who are interested, here are the goals of the RTN literacy program in Pakistan:
To teach basic Urdu reading, writing, and mathematics skills to those who are not able to achieve these skills in more traditional ways.
To continue the development of those skills by taking graduates of the basic program through the New Testament of the Bible, reading it verse- by-verse over time.
To use literacy training to attract people from the surrounding communities to expose them to the Gospel and to biblical understanding.
To equip graduates with these basic life skills so they can become more confident in their roles as citizens and church members, and so they can be better equipped to provide for and teach their own families.
Please pray for these graduates as they now move into the Bible reading class and pray that God will send the right students for the new classes that will be starting in all three locations.
Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be still wiser; teach a righteous man, and he will increase in learning". (Proverbs 9:9).
#reach #nations #reachthenations #missions #global #pakistan #training #discipleship #jesus #God #scripture #literacy #programs #reading #writing #life skills
- Beverly Van Kampen
- Apr 18
Khairpur
Reach the Nations has had a church established in Khairpur for a number of years now. The leased building there serves as a central point for teaching and preaching. Going out from this center, Shakeel and Rustam reach into the villages around Khairpur, and the Gospel is reaching more and more people.
Shakeel and Rustam speak of challenges in these areas including forced conversion to the majority religion and arranged marriages with very young girls. Shakeel has asked for prayers for those who are facing these challenges.
The RTN team is encouraging the Christians in the Khairpur area to carry what they are learning as they go to their villages and into the workplace each day.
Kotri
Shakeel says, "In Kotri we are building good connections with local tribal people, and they are welcoming us and listening to the Word of God."
He is also training another believer whose name is Majeed. Majeed has been joining Shakeel in the village ministry around Kotri and Hyderabad.
Hyderabad
Shakeel and his wife host a small group meeting in their home in Hyderabad. The group meets weekly to study the Heidelberg Catechism in order to further understand their faith as they become more able to share it with others.
You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. - Matthew 5:14-16
- Beverly Van Kampen
- Apr 13
Shahzaib and his wife, Anita, have started a Sunday School in the church they have established in Sanghar. As you can see, the children are participating enthusiastically.
Anita is shown above as she teaches the older children in their Sunday School class.
They also have a prayer ministry in the area surrounding Shanghar, usually meeting in homes as you see here. The pictures below show both Shahzaib and Anita praying for specific requests for those who are in attendance.
Please pray for the people of Sanghar as this church grows. And pray for the children who are now learning the teaching of the Bible in ways they can understand.
Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it. - Proverbs 22:6
#reach #nations #reachthenations #missions #global #pakistan #leaders #training #churchplanting #church #outreach #evangelism #discipleship #prayers #shahzaib #sanghar #bibleteaching #sundayschool
