When Reach the Nations started a literacy program in Islamabad two years ago, we hoped that learning to read and write would be life-changing for our students.
Now that some have been practicing their new skills for a while, we thought you'd like to hear what they have to say.
Sidra
I left the school from 3rd class, but through the literacy class, I now can read the Bible, and, through Bible reading, God is transforming my life. Before I joined the literacy class, mostly I suffered a spirit of anger, but now, by the grace of God, I have overcome my anger.
When I could not read the Bible, sometimes at home and in church people would ask me to pray, but I had no words for prayer. Now, through the literacy class, I have fluency in my prayers. Now I use God's promises and Bible verses in my prayers, and I am able to pray in public and in the congregation. I'm thankful to my teacher Zarish for her contribution in my life
Vinus
I'm thankful for the opportunity that God provided for me to join the literacy class. I am a regular member of our women’s fellowship, and every week I saw different women come on stage and recite Bible passages and share different thoughts from the Bible.
I had a burning desire in my heart to do the same, but didn’t know how it would be possible that the day would come when I would be able to face the congregation and recite Bible references in the church. God opened that door for me through this class. I want to encourage my teacher Zarish as she works hard with me. I am now able to read the Bible references and I'm so happy.
Rehana
One of literacy class students visited me and invited me to join the class. Now I'm happy to learn the Urdu language. It has been my dream to be able to read the Bible myself, and now this dream is going to be completed through teacher Zarish. God has provided me this class and teacher. I'm thankful for her and all source persons (meaning all who made this possible). May God bless them.
Arshad
Zarish’s words, about this student: When Arshad started the class, she had no knowledge of the written Urdu language. When she was in a village, she tried to join the school, but she left the school from 1st class and, therefore, didn’t even know the alphabet. Now, by the grace of God, she can read and write the Urdu language. She has learned to read the Bible and is also reading Bible story books.
She is a working lady, and she faced difficulty reading the sign board and could not write down numbers of clients. Her son helped her save numbers in her phone, but her son had to save number with symbols like man picture, lady picture, and flower picture, etc. She remembered the numbers with signs. Her son told her this client number is saved with flower, you find the flower, this is number of that client. Now she can save the numbers of her clients herself, using their names. By the grace of God, this is possible through the literacy class and our vision.
All of these testimonies comes from students of Zarish, who, along with her husband, has been overseeing all three of the literacy sites in Islamabad. The pictures are general and are not specifically identifying these individuals.
Please pray for all our literacy students and teachers as their lives are enriched personally, spiritually, and economically by learning these skills.
Lord, you are my God; I will exalt you and praise your name, for in perfect faithfulness you have done wonderful things, things planned long ago. - Isaiah 25:1
There's much to report from the Sindh team as they ministered in villages and cities in the general region of Hyderabad throughout August and September.
Monsoon rains this time of year made travel to these locations difficult and sometimes impossible, but as the floods subsided, they ventured out and found many in need. They helped where they could and prayed and encouraged those who had suffered loss.
After preaching at our church in Khairpur about Jesus calming the sea, Shakeel reports this (in his words):
"Some new families from Hinduism came and brought their 18 year old daughter for prayer. When we started praying, we found an evil spirit in her, and in Jesus Christ's name she was freed from this bad spirit. So the faith of the family become stronger in Him. Praise the Lord. Amen."
Also there were three people baptized by Rustam and Shakeel. We are thankful for the willingness of these believers to commit publicly to following Jesus.
There were meetings for worship, prayer, and teaching in Korki and Kumb.
Shakeel is preaching at Korki in the picture below. With him in serving that area is Brother Naroo.
Shahzaib is ministering day-by-day in Sanghar. The pictures below show him first teaching the children . . .
. . . and then the adults who join in after the children's message. Shahzaib is planting a church in this fairly new area and it is growing in numbers and in depth week-by-week.
The Sindh team meets regularly with Christians and seekers at a number locations. They also reach out to other villages where there is no consistent gospel message, sharing the love and truth of Jesus.
"Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you; bind them around your neck; write them on the tablet of your heart. So you will find favor and good success in the sight of God and man." - Proverbs 3:3-4
Shakeel, Shahzaib, and Rustam continue their active outreach into various areas in the province of Sindh. These pictures will give you an overview of their recent visits.
People gathered in Kumb to hear God's message as Rustam teaches.
Shakeel and Rustam have been ministering together in Sindh Province for many years.
In Kotri, Sheraz is using a tool called an Evangecube to share the gospel with village children and, sometimes, adults, too. Naroo is translating the message into the local village language.
Families in Kotri listen, and sing, and respond to the teaching.
Shakeel teaches to those who have gathered in Korki.
It was very hot (usually more than 100 degrees Fahrenheit) most of the summer in Pakistan, so rest in a shady place was sometimes required.
Shakeel asks for prayers for the people in these areas because of monsoon rains that have now come. When he wrote a couple of days ago, he said it had been raining for 30 hours without letup and there was severe flooding. So, please join us in praying for our friends in Pakistan during this very wet season.
"Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful." - Hebrews 10:23