Burning Christian Homes and Churches

On August 16, extremists formed a mob and attacked Christians in Janaranwala, Pakistan, burning their homes and churches, leaving almost 400 families homeless and destitute.

The RTN team in Punjab wanted to help these families and asked for financial support, which RTN was happy to provide.

After purchasing and distributing basic necessities for these families, Mehboob, speaking also for Adnan and Irfan, gave us this report:

"You know that about the incident which happened in Janaranwala last month when an extremist mob burned 28 churches and about 400 Christian houses.

As at result of this incident, many Christian families spent that first night in the fields and graveyards in fear of death by the angry mob.

Our Christian Brothers and Sisters have lost everything. They have no food, no clothes, and no beds They don't have a single glass for drinking water, a bowl for eating food, a dress for wearing, a bed for sleeping, or a chair for sitting, The mob also burned their bikes and motorcycles.

The Pakistani Government has helped 50 families, but the rest of the families have little support, though surrounding area churches and ministries are doing what they can to help.

We made packages of kitchen items for 20 of the affected families. In the package we put a basket, a container for water, a water set, a bowl set, a tea set, a spoon set, dinner plates, kitchen containers, and many other small things.

We reached Janaranwala and distributed these packages to 20 families in various places.

We are praying for the families we couldn't help and believe that God will help them soon."

We are really thankful to God for RTN and the most kind-hearted people who support RTN for doing God's work here in Pakistan, especially during this time of persecution."

Please pray for these followers of Christ who are being persecuted for their faith. May many step in to help, and may they experience God's comfort.

"Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." - Matthew 5:10

The first photo is taken from a Facebook post on the Al Jazeera website

Philmina's Story

Philmina is a graduate of Zaresh's basic literacy course. She now attends the "learning to read the Bible" course, also taught by Zaresh.

Philmina worked as a day-care aide, but recently was laid off due to budget cuts. She went home, wondering what she as going to do and worried about meeting immediate needs.

She noticed her Bible on the shelf and opened it to the Gospel of Matthew, a book already covered in the Bible reading course. When she read Matthew 7:7, she knew God was speaking to her. "Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you."

As she thought about that verse, she was encouraged. She says,"I felt comfort and peace in my heart. Jesus is our provider."

She shared her testimony with her class, so happy that, for the first time in her life, she has direct access to the Bible. She can read it for herself. And it speaks to her heart.

We continue to be thankful for Zaresh and her faithfulness in teaching these women how to read and love God's Word.

Reach the Nation's second literacy center is located in another part of Islamabad and is taught by Sikendar, a dedicated teacher.

Here he is teaching basic literacy skills to a class of 22 students. A few of them are shown below.

Pray for these students and their teachers.

"The unfolding of your words gives light; it imparts understanding to the simple." - Psalm 119:130

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Rains and Rice

There were no usual church meetings in Daska this month as the men, women, and children who normally gather together were working on the rice harvest.

Since they could not come to him, Mehboob went to them. They visited together in the rice fields and Mehboob taught, appropriately, on Jesus's Parable of the Sower and the Soils. They enjoyed a time of prayer and worship as well.

In the meantime, Irfan continues to build relationships and share the Gospel with a small community in Bharokay.

Irfan and Mehboob are both praying for the people in this area. Here is how Mehboob describes these meetings: "Irfan and his church people are praying and worshipping with tears and thanks to God, who gives them life, heath, families, food, and every blessing in life."

Irfan engages with these young people as they study the Bible and pray together. This week he taught from the first chapter of the book of Joshua and used that text to encourage his listeners to set goals for their lives and to keep trusting God.

Please continue to join us in prayer for these people as they live with extreme temperatures. Now the fall rains are beginning as well, and electricity is off about 1/2 the time because of power grid issues. There are many needs, but they continue to be thankful for what God has provided.

"Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.

" - Romans 12:12