I recently heard about the plight of the Afghan refugees in Pakistan, and it hurts to know the tremendous challenges that they are experiencing. They have little support in this foreign land in which many are prohibited from getting jobs to meet their basic needs if they don’t have the proper paperwork. Overwhelmed by all the difficulties, many have chosen to commit suicide. While walking along a train track feeling alone, empty, and destitute, an Afghan refugee was contemplating suicide after having lost his family members and being mistreated. Suddenly, he heard a voice call out to him. This was the voice of a young Pakistani Christian pastor. The pastor asked him what he was doing and spoke to this hurting man about his life that was in great despair. He told him about a Man who could help him and offer him hope. He stated that he could make an appointment for him to meet this Man. The desperate Afghan eagerly made this appointment to try to get out of his destitution. When he went to this meeting, the pastor introduced him to Jesus, but he resisted at first saying that God had no Son. However, eventually this Afghan believed and accepted Jesus, and brought the pastor to the refugee camp, where there were many other Afghan refugees in distress.
Therefore my spirit is overwhelmed within me; My heart within me is distressed. Psalm 143:5
Although overwhelmed and in distress, many Afghans are starting to find hope in Jesus. And as soon as they accept Jesus in their lives, they want other family members to learn about Him and so they invite them to join with them in meetings where they speak about Jesus in small cell groups that are in homes. This pastor has been baptizing many Afghan refugees along with some Iranians and he has even travelled to Afghanistan and Iran where he has baptized many others. He has been arrested twice in Iran but was miraculously released. He continues his ministry in the capital city of Pakistan to the Afghan refugees and to some Iranians. He has seen the plight of many Afghans and God has positioned him to help them.
For the poor will never cease from the land; therefore I command you, saying, ‘You shall open your hand wide to your brother, to your poor and your needy, in your land.’ Deuteronomy 15:11
Unfortunately, Pakistan is on the brink of bankruptcy so helping foreign refugees is not important to the government as they cannot even help their own people. Many Afghans are arrested and deported if they are believed to be illegal. These include children. There are few policies existing to help these needy refugees, so assistance comes from the United Nations, other charitable organizations and even the church, which represents a very small fraction of the country. A Pakistani friend told me the needs of the Afghans are great as they lack so much including food and clothing. And now that they are getting to know Jesus, there is a need for Farsi Bibles so that they can read the Word of God in their own language.
Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it; for the time is near. Revelation 1:3
The time is indeed near, we must be ready for our Lord’s return, and it is wonderful to hear how these Afghans and Iranians are hungry for Jesus and are wanting more of God’s Word. I am thankful that although they are in a difficult situation, they are encountering Christ and becoming a part of His body. Let us not forget to pray for our Afghan brothers and sisters, and petition God to supply their needs in their plight.
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