… which goes to show an old dog can learn new tricks.

With all the things going on in the world, I have three issues confronting us, all in the same country, all at the same time. Generally, I like to tackle one project at a time, but this time, I don’t have time to wait. So, bear with me. And if I do a good job, scratch me behind the ears and feed me. If I mess up, roll up your newspaper and swat me. Just don’t drop me off somewhere on a deserted country road. I’ll find my way back!

#1 – Our Brother Riaz and Sonia

Brother Riaz, his wife Sonia, and their son Abimaile. This was their house before it collapsed. They lost everything, even their simple bed, which you can see behind them. You can see that their doorway is below the street, so water flooded in, and the walls fell, and all this while he was recovering from cranial surgery and weeks in a coma due to a fall at his construction job (without pay or insurance).

You may recall that I asked for help for our ministry staff in Pakistan, Brother Riaz and his family, whose house was destroyed by flooding. We needed $13,500 and quickly received $3,685. I asked again, and you responded promptly; we have received a total of $9,122. That is incredible. I have been receiving photos of the progress, and it looks so good. They are so happy—and dry! We now need only $4,378 to finish this blessing for a deserving family. Riaz and his wife are both involved in the church in Lahore. Riaz has completed his degree at the Bible Institute and travels with the church-planting team. He is also our nighttime security guard.

Winter is coming, and I don’t want them to get sick because the house is not finished. They are our personal friends. They even call me “Grandfather.” We love them dearly. If Nolin and I had the funds to finish this project, we would jealously keep the blessing for ourselves, but we don’t. So, I am asking you to please help me raise the final $4,378, in any amount you can afford. Donate at the bottome of this page, or mail in a check and designate it to “Pakistan Triple Needs”. Check out this video and walk through their almost-completed house. It’s only 51 seconds long. Welcome to their home. 

​#2 – Our Final Frontiers Van

In the few years we have had it, this vehicle has helped our Pakistani team start well over 250 churches and bring thousands of Hindu and Muslim souls to Christ. (Thank you to those who bought it for us. You know who you are, and so does Heaven.)

It has been used primarily to transport church-planting teams into desert areas where we are constantly starting new works among unreached people. In this 86-second video you will see Pastor Shaukat leading our team of Pauls and Timothys as they enter an unreached village that had heard from another village that a group could come to tell them about an unknown God who had given His only son as a sacrifice for sins, and days later raised him from the dead. 

They said He has great love for them. So they sent an invitation and prepared for their coming. When the team arrived, you will see the villagers welcome the Great God’s servants with garlands. They showered our team with rose petals as if the Great God himself were visiting. They listened for hours and were so happy to hear the Good News. This village, like scores of others, is now blessed with a new flock for Christ and their own pastor. They destroyed and burned their idols and now call themselves Christians. To reach more villages, we need our van repaired.

The van was the only way to get there. Renting one for several days is over $500. That is why we asked for funds to buy one instead. Now, our Great God’s enemy has destroyed it.

Just last week, as they were driving out to reach more villages, around 3 AM, a truck swerved in high fog and hit them head-on. Shaukat was driving and was injured but is fine now, as were all the other passengers. However, one of our pastors, in the front passenger seat (my seat typically), was killed instantly. (see #3 below.) They had no insurance, and frankly, if they had, the company would find a way not to pay; after all, they are followers of Jesus living in a Muslim country. To make matters worse, though the driver was arrested for manslaughter and put in jail, the only fine paid was to the government. The police (according to our lawyer) were bribed to write the accident report in a way that would exonerate the driver, who was released, and the truck’s owner.

Our war chariot still has its wheels, but its body is destroyed—however, not beyond repair. A chariot without a body is just an overgrown skateboard, and no army goes into battle on a skateboard. While in America, it would only be suitable for scrap, Shaukat says they can repair it for $12,142. That amount is less than half the cost of a similar used vehicle ($45,000+). Can you help us reach more villages, please? Donate at the bottom of this page, or mail in a check and designate it to “Pakistan Triple Needs”

​#3 Pastor Fiaz

This is Pastor Fiaz at right, leading in prayer as yet another village was evangelized, and a new church was planted. They are in the courtyard of someone’s house in the Marwari Tribe. Their villages are turning from idol worship to Christ, the Living God, without resistance.

In another Marwari village (below), he is preaching the Good News. There are two Timothys with him, on the right in orange and on the left in blue, observing their Paul and learning from his example. The field is always the best classroom.

I have been to Fiaz’s home/church in a city near Changa Manga Forest Park, where he was reaching out to middle and upper-class citizens as well as the poor. You can see how nicely he is dressed.

(For you history buffs, this Pakistani city is near where Alexander the Great buried his horse, Bucephalus, after it was killed during a battle with the “Indians.” This event marked the beginning of his end. Remember, Pakistan separated from India in 1947. The culture, food, dress, etc., are nearly identical to India’s; only religion separates them. A city grew up here on this newly established trading route, which included a temple for his horse along with priests, priestesses, and devotees.)I wanted to write to you about Fiaz, but thought it would be better to let Shaukat do so as they were lifelong friends.

“Pastor Fiaz was my closest friend and a faithful servant of God. I first met him in 2003, when we both joined Bible college. During our years of study, we lived in the same room, prayed together, studied the Word of God, and shared the same vision for serving the Lord. After four years, we graduated together, deeply committed to the calling God had placed on our lives.
In 2007, we made a firm decision to spread the Word of God throughout Pakistan. Together, we began missionary work, visiting many villages, preaching the Gospel, and planting churches. In just three years, God used our ministry powerfully, and many souls came to Christ.

Pastor Fiaz stood with me when we started missionary work in the desert areas in 2013, especially among Hindu communities. He was fearless, faithful, and fully surrendered to God’s work. In 2014, he started his own church in Changa Manga, where he faithfully shepherded God’s people.

God blessed Pastor Fiaz with a family—his loving wife and five children: one daughter and four sons. All of his children are very young. Despite family responsibilities, he remained deeply committed to ministry. He preached with me in many youth seminars, youth camps, street evangelism programs, and church-planting missions in desert areas.

On 27th December, we began another journey to the desert for missionary work. Tragically, a severe roadside accident occurred, and Pastor Fiaz passed away on the spot. His sudden departure has left a deep wound in our hearts and in the ministry.

He has left behind his young wife and five small children, who now need support, care, and prayers. At this difficult time, we humbly ask for your help for Pastor Fiaz’s family. Any support you can provide will be greatly appreciated and will be a blessing to a family that has sacrificed everything for the Gospel of Jesus Christ.”

There are many photos I could show you of his preparation for burial. Still, I chose this one so you can see the endearing care with which his Timothys buried him, touching his face to say goodbye.

We have paid for his casket and burial, and we can help her a little. If you would like to give a gift of any amount to this dear lady and her little children, to honor her sacrifice for our dear Christ, please do. Donate below, or mail in a check and designate it to “Pakistan Triple Needs”

In closing:

Thank you for your patient attention to these three noble causes. Now, please help us if and as you can.