As we mentioned in the first part of this series -
"There are so many people and people groups who have not heard the Gospel. The truth about how many people have never heard is staggering.
The sad fact is that many Christians in relatively wealthy parts of the world (e.g. United States, Canada, UK, Europe) give very little thought, concern, time or money toward reaching the lost in relatively poor parts of the world (e.g. 10/40 Window). Is it because they don't have a burden for the lost? Why would Christians who understand the task Jesus Christ has given His Church not feel the burden to finish the task?
More than half of the world's population lives in that 10/40 Window. The vast majority of the people living in that area of the world (approximately 90%) have not heard the life-saving Gospel of Jesus Christ. Islam, Hinduism, and Buddhism are the predominant religions in the 10/40 Window. Atheistic Communism is also a huge obstacle in that region of the world. Preaching the Gospel there truly is an unfinished task for Christians."
Pakistan
Pakistan is a Muslim country with an estimated population of about 221 million people. About 95-98% of the population are Muslim (approximately 90% Sunni). Hinduism and Christianity are small minority religions in Pakistan. Christians (less than 2% of the total population) are almost evenly split between Catholics and Protestants. Pakistan is definitely a mission field in the 10/40 Window.
We have communicated with many Pakistani Christians through the years, including pastors and evangelists. Punjabi, Sindhi, Pashto and Urdu are some of the languages spoken in Pakistan. Many people also speak English. We have some of our GraceLife Bible studies available in Punjabi, Sindhi, Pashto and Urdu at GraceLife eBooks Translated and will be adding more in the near future.
One of the Christians we've supported in Pakistan helps feed widows and their children. He approached GraceLife about helping start a sewing center so the widows could earn money to help feed their children. Our discussion led to the beginning of the Grace Sewing Center.
As you can see from the pictures above, the small sewing center now has two machines and tables where the women work together. There are about 15 widows who are learning to sew to make clothing to sell in the community to help feed their children. The center has room for five sewing machines, so we need three more. Each machine costs $50 and each table is $35, so that's a need for $255. The monthly cost of a center director, sewing teacher, room rental and sewing supplies is about $150.
More about how to help in a moment.
Widows and Orphans
"If anyone among you thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this one's religion is useless. Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world."
James 1:27
God's heart is tender toward widows and orphans. Psalm 68 calls Him "A father of the fatherless, a defender of widows." The fact that God feels that way toward orphans and widows should cause Christians to feel the same.
We invite you to support the Grace Sewing Center in Pakistan. You can email us at GraceLifeThoughts@gmail.com and we will put you in contact with the Christian leaders in Pakistan involved with the center to learn more about the ministry and how you can help as God leads. The potential for helping these women earn money to support themselves and their children is great.
Please pray for the widows, their children and the Christian leaders involved in this new ministry.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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