Dear Friends,
A long journey it may have been and with some anxiety about
whether or not we would be allowed into the country, but we arrived to a
bright, sunny Lahore morning and the welcome of our friend and colleague, Dr
Gill and two of his team members. After a restful few hours at their home we
were taken to see our friend and inspiration, Sister Catherine, formerly of the
school at village 36, to offer a slightly belated 90th Birthday greeting.
She is staying in a convent/hostel assisting with a group of sisters look after
some physically disabled children. She's never heard of retirement!
The two and a half hour drive to Sargodha was largely uneventful
although having heard about the 40 miles of wonderful new dual
carriageway I was somewhat surprised to see a number of donkeys
grazing the central reservation, not to mention one or two carts and rickshaws
travelling against the traffic flow!
Since arriving in Sargodha we have received welcomes from a stream
of old friends - it is hard to believe we have been away for almost seven years
except when we see some of the now not so young children. Many have said that
our return to Sargodha is an answer to prayer so we hope we may offer
some encouragement in these weeks.
For the churches in Sargodha, this is 'Convention Season'. The
Roman Catholic Church began a three day festival for the Blessed Virgin Mary on
Friday. On Saturday morning outside the church under awnings, there was a four
hour programme which included worship and presentations by the various schools
followed by enjoyment at a cross between a church fete and a funfair. I only
attended for a short while - in a throng of about 3 thousand people. They tell
me there were yet more people at the evening healing service! It was lovely
that the news of Milala Yousafzai's Nobel Peace Prize came when it did. There
was a huge poster of her next to the stage and many people were praising her
both for what she has done for girls' education and for bringing honour to
Pakistan.
On Sunday morning we will go a little further down the main road
to the Church of Pakistan (it's the only church with pews rather than sitting
on the floor), where preparations are afoot for their own convention in a few
days time.
Since we don't have our planned transport available for two or
three days, Ashi's brother turned up with a car from his workshop to loan us.
It's a small, very old and battered vehicle with almost non-existent brakes, no
shock absorbers and certainly no power steering. However, the roads in the
colony have so many speed breakers ... planned and unplanned, not to mention
missing manhole covers, that it is difficult to go fast enough to warrant even
second gear. Despite this, I have overtaken one or two donkey carts!!
It is hard to imagine what the days ahead might hold but there is
little doubt they will be full to the brim!
Please pray for the safety of the Christian community especially
during this time when so many gather together.
Every blessing,
Jane and Martyn
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