Then I couldn't. Now I can.

We are so pleased to announce that sixteen women received literacy certificates in Islamabad this week. They passed proficiency tests after studying diligently for six months under the teaching of Reach the Nations' literacy expert, Zaresh (on the left in the photo above).

Four of us from Reach the Nations in the U. S. joined in the graduation ceremony by Zoom and heard several testimonies of women rejoicing in the fact that six months ago they couldn't read and now they could.

Several demonstrated their skills at reading. Others simply said thank you for this opportunity. Ranging in age from teens to 70's, these women are justifiably proud of this accomplishment.

The program opened with prayers of thanksgiving.

This is the second graduating class for Zaresh. She will recruit students and begin a new class in a few weeks. In the meantime, another teacher, Sikendar (far right in the photo above), is teaching in another area of Islamabad. He and some of his students attended this graduation celebration and were inspired by the accomplishments and testimonies of these graduates.

Manzoor and Rashid, RTN's representatives in Islamabad, attended the ceremonies and honored the graduates by awarding the certificates.

And after the formal ceremony, a meal was provided by Prayer Tower Church. A great way to celebrate!

Pray for these women who are now equipped to read the Bible, which was the stated goal of most of them. They were challenged not only to read and learn, but to teach others also.

"Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path." - Psalm 119:105

Celebrating Jesus

These Christian brothers and sisters in Daska meet together regularly under the pastoral leadership of Mehboob.

Daska is a fairly small, but growing, congregation often meeting outdoors, sometimes in a borrowed home as you see above. They are joyfully celebrating the Easter season.

Mehboob tells of an elderly woman who was not able to attend services because she was having trouble walking. She asked for prayer and he met with her and prayed for her healing. She felt stronger and more able to walk and was able to join the Sunday meeting. Mehboob is giving glory to God for his healing touch.

Meanwhile, in DhamoKay, the church led by Adnan continues to minister to the people who attend and to the surrounding community. Here you see Irfan preaching as a guest in Adnan's pulpit. Irfan is himself working to establish a church in Bharokay Pul, but on this Sunday was providing teaching and blessing to the congregation at DhamoKay. We are always pleased to see our team members supporting each other in ministry!

Above you see Adnan who faithfully continues to lead the DhamoKay church.

Mehboob reports that these Pakistani Christians prepared for Resurrection Sunday by praying and fasting. They met together for a Good Friday service and again, rejoicing with Christians around the world, on Easter Sunday.

May God continue to bless the followers of Jesus all over the world!

"Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live," - John 11:25

Reading, Writing, and Arithmetic

We are so proud of these women who are nearing the end of a six-month course of study in which they are learning how to read, write, and do basic mathematics.

They have not had an opportunity earlier in their lives to learn and are now eager to be able to read newspapers, road signs, recipes, and, most of all, the Bible. Their skills will also help them with shopping and and other household responsibilities.

There have been seventeen women in this class in Islamabad. Graduation is coming in just a few weeks. Pray for this class as they take final proficiency exams and prepare to receive their literacy certificates.

We are very grateful for Zarish, a dedicated wife, mother, and teacher. She has done much to help other women learn and gives God the glory in all she does. Please pray for her and her students.

"Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain,

but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.

Give her of the fruit of her hands,

and let her works praise her in the gates." - Proverbs 30:30-31