No words can possibly describe my wonderful
visit to Faisalabad, Pakistan this past December 2002. I was honored to be the guest of
Pastor Dr. Inayat Munawar, chairman of Gospel Vision Ministries (GVM), his family and
congregation, along with GVM’s many house churches throughout the area. I will
however, attempt to describe what I experienced as I ministered to these beautiful people
hungry to hear the Word of God.
As I boarded Pakistan International Airlines at snow covered JFK in New York, I could not
help but notice I was the only American traveling. This prompted many inquiries from
curious passengers, which in turn caused some apprehension on my part. I quickly exercised
my faith to overcome all negative thoughts in that direction.
Pastor Munawar and his eldest son, Sumran, met me at the
Faisalabad airport with an armed guard
that remained with us whenever and wherever we traveled. Although I appreciated this
meaasure, I never really felt any sort of oppression that would require a need for
security. There was a supernatural peace that prevailed over me from the time I landed in
Karachi until my final departure from Faisalabad.
We began the first evening at Pastors house
church in Faisalabad. Attendance was high as the GVM choir led in praise and
worship. Ladies sat on one side of the church and men on the other. They had no
chairs
to sit on like we
are accustomed to in America, yet they sing for hours while people stream in , filling
every available space in the house. Church services were excellent with many responding to
each altar call.
Many speak English, but I was provided an interpreter to be sure everyone understood the
Word that was being taught. Together we preached, prayed and flowed in the Holy Spirit as
the Lord directed.
Each day I visited GVM’s outlying House Churches in some of the poorer areas.
These
people were very loving and expressed such gratitude to have a visiting minister come and
share. I was humbled beyond words. There were some Muslims, but mostly Christians in
attendance as we sang, praised the Lord, and preached the Word of god with signs
following.
Each village House Church would fill to capacity.
The areas we 
met in were not roofed,
only four walls stood around us. Shoes were always removed and remained off as we
ministered in the designated sanctuaries.
The village houses had no indoor plumbing nor electricity.
Each community was sprinkled with women whose
husbands are now in prison due to the Pakistani 295C blasphemy law.
This
law has been the subjest of great concern because of reported human rights abuses. The
mere accusation of someone claiming you spoke derogatory of Islam is cause for
imprisonment with a life sentence or execution! These women then are left to somehow
manage for themselves and their children.
I was able
to meet a Pakistan attorney who represents Christians charged with this law. We prayed for
those who have coming trials, for their safety and protection, as many times, even though
freed by the courts, the extremist seek to kill them.
My burden for these beautiful people continued to grow as I observed their sincerity
shining bright as the sun. Entire families serve the Lord without thought of personal risk
or persecution. Many times Pastor has said to me that the Pakistani Christian counts it a
privilege to give their life for the Lord Jesus. He speaks as one who knows firsthand
having suffered false accusations based on the 295C law, jailed, and miraculously freed.
This law is still being used to persecute Christians today.
After a day of visiting House Churches and village people we had a special Christmas
Service at Pastors House Church. They were filled with overflowing crowds into every room
and into the street.
As the need for a larger building was
obvious, I agreed to pray with Pastor for the Lord to provide funds to build them a larger
church building. The adjacent building is for sale and the walls could be remobved for
larger facilities. We are trusting God for His provision and direction.
The
children and young people had wonderful skits and the choir was awesome as they led the
people in worship. Pastor gave gifts to the widows and suffering saints and afterward I
shared the Word.
Many were prayed for at the altar call then we enjoyed a time of fellowship with a
delicious dinner made up of an excellent spicy rice and a Christmas colored sweet rice.
The church provided food for everyone at no charge so all could enjoy without anyone being
left out. It was such a time of sweet fellowship. I could not help but weep.
Again it is difficult to explain what I felt and experienced as I looked out over these
angelic faces raising their hands in worship to Jesus without fear nor thought of
repercussion for their faith, as six armed police guarded the church entrance in order to
assure safety.
Their only
offense is serving Jesus Christ, the God they love. The same Holy Spirit however, is
blessing his people in Pakistan just as in all other parts of the world. What a sweet
presence prevailed, healing, saving, and delivering humble hearts.
The next day we were off to the brickmakers community.
Here I encountered the closest thing to
slave labor I have ever experienced. These humble people work from daylight to dusk hand
making bricks for the Muslim owners. The more bricks they are able to make, the more they
earn, so they require the entire family from the youngest to oldest to work in order to
produce more income.
Even then, they only
earn about one (US) dollar and fifty cents for a thousand handmade bricks. With everyone
working diligently they can produce this in a days time, so you can see the incredibly low
wages they survive on.
I was able to walk the brickyard and visit with each worker and encourage them. Afterward
we had a service in their house church.
The
musical instruments consisted of a pan, a tongue like utensil, tambourines and Congo
drums.
Let
me tell you, although these instruments were "improvised", we had church! The
children shared a couple of songs and I shared the Word, praying afterward with any who
had need.
Children in this
community are unable to attend school because they work to survive.
They are caught up in a cycle that does not
end. Right after our visit, Pastor began a school in this village to educate these
children and help get them outside this cycle. Joel 2:15 has committed to help fund one of
the two necessary Christian teachers. Please pray for this new project.
All in all I came away much more enriched than before I traveled to the incredible land of
Pakistan. I met another part of my family there that took me in, accepted me, cared for
me, and honored me as one of their own.
I was told that I was the first foreigner to
ever visit this particular brickmakers community. What an honor. I received a far greater
blessing than these few words will express.
As I boarded my flight back to America, Pastor
Inayat Munawars entire family,
his choir, his GVM prayer warriors, and his youth accompanied me
to the airport to bid me goodbye. I wept as I thought of returning to my Country, a land
of freedom, and leaving my beautiful family here to face unknown future hardships. I
covenanted to pray for them daily. I further committed to back it up with increased
financial support. It is my desire to share this testimony of these spiritually strong
people in the hope of raising awareness for our brothers and sisters in a far away land
known as Pakistan.
It is easy to put them out of ones mind if you have never seen their smiling faces one on
one, nor looked direct into their loving eyes.
I did, and it compels me to my knees daily. These are real people
just like us, with real feelings and real needs, but living under oppressive circumstances
beyond what most Americans have ever experienced. I cannot forget them, they are my
relatives. I will not forget them, I fell deeply in love with them.
Shortly after my departure on December 25th 2002, just outside of
Karachi, some
ladies had gathered in their Church, on Christmas Day to pray, when Masked terrorist
suddenly threw granades into the prayer meeting killing three young girls and forever
wounding many others. Please pray for the people of Pakistan.
Chuck Kennedy
Visit Pastor Munawar at: http://gospelvisionministry.tripod.com/
