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Christians devastated by floods in PakistanOpen Doors teams ask for prayer for the months ahead as they involve themselves in ministering to Christians in the flood-affected areas, demonstrating the love of Christ through medical care, encouragement, training and discipleship. The aim is to strengthen what remains of a suffering and struggling church. In all three of the flood-affected areas, NWFP (now known as Pakhtunkhwa), Southern Punjab and Sindh, the church has been persecuted and weakened by the rising extremist trends and opposition to Christianity and the West. The call to 'Awake and strengthen what remains' has never been stronger. Floods across Pakistan, which have affected 20 million people, have already killed 1600 people, and the death toll is rising as a result of disease and lack of aid. We have already shown a concern for persecuted Christians in these areas and have been working with small numbers. However the large-scale destruction from this flood has made their situation worse, leaving them increasingly vulnerable to persecution and discrimination. The only places of refuge are the Mosques, where Christians may face pressure to convert or to live under the constant threat of a possible blasphemy accusation. In the midst of Ramadan (the Muslim month of fasting) our brothers and sisters need to know they are not alone. Target communities: Approximately 1500 Christians in total in Pakhtunkhwa (formerly known as NWFP and more commonly recognised as the Peshawar region), and Christians in the Southern Punjab region where we already have a relationship with the locals. These regions have a significant Christian presence. Our goal: To provide relief in the short term in order to strengthen and equip the church in the long term. Our team efforts are underway to reach out to an already depressed community of Christians in extremist parts of Pakistan where the flood has hit, and minister to them so they do not feel despair, and become discouraged from living and serving in Pakistan. We are setting up new ways to protect them from incidents of persecution and especially to protect new Christians from being discovered and their networks exposed. We are ministering to immediate needs in the wake of the flood and encouraging their faith in this time of trial by providing biblical counselling and training, and giving them access to otherwise limited healthcare and medical services. We are thankful to the Lord that we have relationships with local churches in all the areas where we hope to set up Service Camps to provide medical care to treat the air and water-borne diseases which are spreading from the flood. In some areas we are known specifically as peacemakers from our previous dealings with the communities. We aim to provide medical care for injuries sustained during the flood and subsequent displacement, and to provide people with other facilities to which they would otherwise have limited access as Christians. As an interdenominational ministry with strong relationships with local pastors and Christian workers our teams, workers and associate pastors are trusted. We have a good working relationship with the Church of Pakistan, The Roman Catholic Church, Assemblies of God Churches and also the National Council of Churches in Pakistan (NCCP). Our main challenge is gaining access to some of the remote flooded areas but we can overcome that with the help of local staff members and communities. Our estimates show us:
We have estimated approximately £115 per family of six for one month to meet their immediate needs and keep them nourished and supported. Please pray for our teams as they work in these hostile territories and seek to share the love of Christ. These are key days for Pakistan. The opportunities to share God's love have never been greater. The challenge to "Awake and strengthen what remains" is stronger than ever before and the mission field is all around us. |
