#5 Pakistan

Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind let each of you regard one another as more important than himself; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.” (Philippians 2:3-4.)


Hi folks!

If someone were to ask me what is the one big “take away” from this experience, I think the first thing that would come to mind is that I see more clearly now that the way to create peace in the world is to spend time knowing one another and to do what ever we can do to ensure that everyone has hope to not "merely look out for our own personal interests". We’ve been fortunate to have several former Forman Christian College students come along with us on some of our outings... all of them are Muslim.. all of them are so incredibly kind to us.... so very intelligent.... so very devout in their faith...... they are not paid to do this... they come along to purely look out for our best interest, to help us. I believe they would do anything they could to put our needs in front of their own.... I’m wondering how many of us would do that for some Muslim tourists..........I’m wondering how many of us actually know any Muslim people? Surely God must have some reason to have allowed three major religions to rise up out of the events of the Old Testament... there must be a message for us in that the world community worked out that way...


Yesterday we spent the morning touring the Salvation Army facility here. One of our team member’s mother and father are working here in LaHore for the Salvation Army.. it was wonderful to see the good work they’re dong.... providing orthopedic and physical therapy care, providing bedding, tent shelters, and cooking utensils to those in desperate need during this past seasons major flood. They served us a beautiful tea, of course!!


Speaking of beautiful teas.... we also had tea today with Dr. Peter Armacost and his wife, Mary LInda, at their gracious home. Peter is the head of Forman College.. they live in a beautiful home here on the campus and also keep a condo in St. Pete (he was formerly the President of Eckerd College). Both Peter and Mary Linda have had an amazing time here in Pakistan for about 10 years. If I remember correctly, Peter is now 72 years old and will be retiring this year (with Jim Tebbe taking his place). Peter and Mary Linda both have done incredible work to return this college to it’s former status as a premier educational institution in the sub continent. We heard today that when they first arrived, that Peter had 72 men guarding him because there were so many threats against him when the college was returned to the Presbyterian Church. I’m hoping John’s going to spend some time telling you more about that because it's quite a story!!


This evening we got together with a most gracious group for dinner with the expat community.. those folks mostly from the US who live in LaHore. Most are professors here at the college but some are working in other capacities. One gentleman manages two large dairies for Nestle food corporation... the milk comes from both cows and water buffalos. Another gentleman from Australia runs a company that provides engineering services from a Christian centered perspective and his wife is a medical doctor and mom to their three young children. It was so interesting to go around the room and see how people came to Pakistan and what they’re doing here. I found it fascinating to hear that no one was afraid here.... several were families with young children with them.... they spoke of being cautious but not afraid.


Tomorrow we’re leaving at 7 am to spend some time with the folks that run the Presbyterian Education Board (PEB) and will be traveling with them to visit some of the schools that they run plus their women’s projects. I’ve really been looking forward to this day.


So much has happened and I’m sorry that I’ve not had the time to write as much as I normally like to but it’s just been such a jam packed experience! Every bit has been wonderful and I wouldn’t leave out anything... only might add another week here!


Best to each of you! Many thanks to those of you who have sent me word from home! It's so good to hear from you!

Godspeed,

jean

PS - I’m not going to reread this because I can hardly keep my eyes open so please forgive my errors!!