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This is the scripture that came to mind as I looked on the people of Pakistan worshipping the Lord at the Revival Festival 2006 Rev 7: 9-10 After this I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no-one could count, from every nation,tribe,people and language standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb.
What an awesome event! We arrived at our destination Sialkot, Pakistan, on Friday 17th Nov 2006 at 2.30p.m.after leaving home the previous day at 6.30a.m. in the morning. This will give you some idea of the length of the journey.
"Was it worth it?" Yes, a million times yes to see the Christians gathered from all the surrounding villages, praising our God and Saviour Jesus Christ.
Planning for this event started, I suppose, at the Glory Holiday week in August at Walton- on -the- Naze, when Alan told us we had been invited to minister in Pakistan.
The first night we were greeted by a band playing and escorted into the meeting with showers of rose petals thrown over us by the ladies. Derek had trouble fighting back the tears; we were not used to these kinds of accolades at home! I was too overcome to speak! The congregation was hungry for the WORD! Eager faces straining to catch the translator's interpretation. Many pastors from various congregations were present, some still very traditional and programme orientated, others, especially a converted Muslim pastor truly Holy Spirit filled and worshipping God in another language with his hands raised to heaven.
Speaking of Muslims, we have never met such hospitable people anywhere. They have really blessed us and protected us, even with armed guards. Both the homes we stayed in belonged to Muslim people and it has radically challenged my thinking! God has a way of doing things like that when we think we have it all figured out!
The needs are enormous. Women work very hard from morning to night, doing practically everything. Resources for them in the poor areas are very limited. There is a need for better housing, sanitation and everyday hygiene is atrocious.
Yet they found the time to travel, some from quite a distance, to sit with their children and babies to worship God. We pray a rich deposit of the Holy Spirit was left in their lives.Many people started asking for prayer in their homes for sick relatives and we visited and prayed, anointing them according to the word in James 5:13-15
The response to calls for prayer was overwhelming at times but we managed to pray with every one present the last night. I believe it is God's time for Pakistan!We prayed openly for the Government, the Prime Minister and for the peace, security and unity of the nation. The fields are truly white unto harvest and I hear the Holy Spirit saying,"Arise and thresh, oh daughter of Zion, and bring in the sheaves". May God help us to do so in Jesus' mighty Name.
Mr Sultan told us the history of Sialkot and how the English had done many good things, especially sending a missionary, a Mr Hunter, with his wife and child to evangelise 150 years ago.They threatened to kill his wife and baby if he did not stop preaching and then him. He did not stop and they did! All Three died. The blood of the martyrs is still speaking! "Jesus shall reign where'er the sun, Does his successive journeys run; His kingdom stretch from shore to shore, Till moons shall wax and wane no more." Jesus said "I will build My Church and the gates of hell shall NOT prevail against it". Amen
Many people were healed and saved and the saints encouraged. Praise the Lord! We thank all who supported us in prayer and gave financially. Glory to God!
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