Pakistan’s worst natural disaster in July and August 2010 was described as a “slow-motion tsunami.” The catastrophe rendered five million Pakistanis homeless and over 1,600 dead. Over 20 million needed humanitarian assistance -- food, shelter and emergency care.
One-fifth of Pakistan was under water. Outbreaks of cholera and dysentery caused deadly waterborne diseases. The number of people reported to be suffering from acute diarrhea was in the hundreds of thousands.
Opportunities
Yet this disaster opened opportunities to show God’s love to the Pakistani people and serve in the name of Jesus Christ. Many recognised that the help was from local Christians. One Pakistani district official commented, "I appreciate the efforts of Christian people; you always step in first to help in times of need and serve without any greed."
At the end of one distribution, a man from a local village said to Christian workers, "I’d never met any Christians in my life. This is my first chance to see a Christian; but you look like us.” The team member told him that they follow Isa (Jesus). The man replied, “No person from my faith came to help us, but you came from a distant place. Surely you are true followers of Isa" (the Islamic name for Jesus). Another man said after working alongside a team for one month, "There is no salvation without Isa Masih (Jesus the Messiah)." He had been seeking the truth for two years.
Not All Good News
However, it was not all good news in Pakistan. According to one leader, "Some Christian refugees were openly denied aid, while others are told to leave or convert to Islam. You can imagine that terrible choice: either you abandon your faith or you cannot feed your child."
Flag of Pakistan
Map of Pakistan
Prayer Ideas:
- Pray for the long-term recovery work across Pakistan. Pray for all the flood victims -- the bereaved, the injured, and those who have lost their homes and livelihoods. Many have lost wealth, homes and businesses built up over generations. Pray that all will find adequate shelter, clean water and food. They need the hope that comes from God’s promises.
- Pray for Christians in Pakistan, the majority of whom are desperately poor. May they know the comfort and provision of their heavenly Father.
- Pray for the many new believers who came to know the Messiah during the floods. They need discipleship and to understand the love of God the Father and the Messiah.
- Pray for the many believers who seek to bring hope, life and peace in difficult circumstances.
Listen to the Podcast - DAY 14 - The Pakistan Floods
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
RSS
Facebook
Twitter
YouTube
i found this report very fascinating. it shows how god can use even a disaster for the greater good. Cristians were able to help minister to the victims and won osme to Christ and much respect. i found it sad that Christian refugees of the floods were often denied aid and assistance. may God help them. i will defiently pray for the many new believers as a result of the flood and for the Church in Pakistan-chiefly poor and under-priviliged ex-Hindus and trials, and often nominal.there has been some improvement in recent years due to the increased violence and persecution of Christians in Paksitan, i'm told.
I hear the same reports my friends, persecution is often used by God just for this cause