COVID-19 Response: Helping Christians In Pakistan

GLOBAL VOICES

The College Church Board of Missions approved a special gift of $2,500 to help Christians in Pakistan facing difficulties as a result of the global pandemic. Working with International Christian Concern (ICC), Wil Triggs, communications director and a leader in the church’s weekly persecuted prayer group, and Yousaf Sadiq, member of our Board of Missions, met by phone with William Stark of ICC to determine how and where the gift would go.

From Pakistan himself, Yousaf was instrumental in identifying locations where Christians live, but are less likely to get support compared to some of the larger and better-known cities. He selected Christian families in Quetta, the provincial capital and largest city of the Province of Balochistan. To ensure the food aid was delivered to the most vulnerable, ICC worked with local church leadership in Quetta to provide food aid to the families of Christian sanitation workers, domestic workers and daily wage earners.

In Pakistan, Christians who earn their living as sanitation workers, domestic workers and daily wage earners all reported struggling to support themselves and their families during the COVID-19 pandemic. With the national lockdown, Christian daily wage earners and domestic workers were unable to get work and income for their families. On the other hand, sanitation workers who were required to work without protection throughout the pandemic, reported concerns about having to choose between their jobs and the safety of their families.

Food aid purchased with the donation from College Church was marked to bless 50 deserving Christian families in Quetta from these backgrounds. However, the on-the-ground team in Quetta was able to extend the funds to accommodate 60 families in all.

The food aid took place in July and in keeping with COVID-19 social distance restrictions, large public gatherings were not allowed. Therefore, a two-step delivery plan took place:

• The first phase delivered 30 food packets to 30 families at an outdoor evening prayer service,

• The second phase delivered 30 food packets to 30 families through door-to-door visits.

Christian families were selected from the following neighborhoods of Quetta: Bashirabad, Youhanabad, and Zargoonabad. Home visits took place in the following neighborhoods: Spinay Road, Bael Ahata, Jimkhana and Nawa Killi.

Praise God that we were able to provide help for our brothers and sisters in Pakistan at this time of global struggle!

Pakistani Christians Say Thanks!

I am thankful to College Church for providing us food in this difficult COVID situation. I consider myself honored to be among the chosen ones to receive aid. This is a great service to God and His people. I appreciate and thank the team."

Saleem Masih, a daily wage earner

"I am thankful to College Church for this gift of love and food aid. This is a wonderful concern for taking care of poor families like mine. In the midst of COVID, College Church has done a great job for us. We will praise God and thank College Church."

Younas Raza, a daily wage earner

Faces have been blurred for security

"On behalf of my family, I thank College Church for this food aid. I was worried during this pandemic situation and have borrowed a lot of money from relatives and friends. This food aid will make my life easier for a month. I believe that God never leaves His people in difficult times. Therefore, He has sent College Church to feed us. Thank you, College Church."

Abid Masih, a daily wage earner

"I am happy and thankful to College Church for extending their love with my family. A week ago, my husband died and therefore it was a challenging time for me. I was worried about my children, but College Church has a marvelous work for my orphan children. This is amazing! What a wonderful way of loving neighbors. I love it and thank you College Church. God bless you all."

Maya Bibi, a widow

Faces have been blurred for security

"I am very thankful to College Church for helping us with food stuff. This is a good way of expressing your love with the downtrodden in this very critical condition. May God bless you always."

Hussain Sarwar, a sanitation worker

"My Muslim employers have discontinued my job since April. It is a tough time for us poor people to survive. Last month, I sold my washing machine and purchased food for my children. In this present situation, God has sent College Church to us. I am happy and thankful to College Church."

Fozia Bibi, a domestic worker

Faces have been blurred for security

"What a wonderful way of loving people. Feeding the hungry is one of the teachings of Jesus Christ. College Church is doing a great job of promoting Gospel values. In the last 90 days, I went to work for 17 days only. I have seen a lot of hunger in my family. However, we survived as we received help and loan from the locals. I am happy and highly thankful to College Church for sharing their love with me. God bless."

Fazal Inayat, a daily wage earner

"My job is to touch people and make them feel relaxed. In this pandemic situation, I am jobless. Therefore, my family is suffering. My husband is a motor mechanic and we have two children. This food means a lot to us. We will enjoy life and will pray for ICC. Thank you, College Church!"

Humaira Bibi, a beautician