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Published: Wednesday 01 September 2010

Help homeless Christian families in Pakistan

Project(s): 00-634, 41-919

Country: Pakistan

“On my present salary, even in 50 years I cannot rebuild my house.”

Joseph Bashir, 26 August 2010.

“Even in 50 years I cannot rebuild my house”
Joseph Bashir

Joseph Bashir had to flee his lifelong home near the Kabul river in the city of Nowshera, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Province, when the floodwaters began pouring in on 29 July. He carried his six children, aged between one and eight, and paralysed father to the road wondering where to turn for help. The Bashirs, who are the only Christian family in the area, found shelter in a relief camp set up by Barnabas Fund partners from the Diocese of Peshawar.

Now, like thousands of Christian families made homeless by the floods, they are contemplating how they will ever begin to rebuild their lives. Joseph (38), a cleaner, will need to find the funds to restore his family’s simple four room home made of brick and concrete.

Wilson Saraj, Barnabas Fund’s regional co-ordinator for South Asia, is visiting the worst-affected Christian communities in Pakistan to assess the damage and help draw up rehabilitation plans. He described the situation in one small town, Tarnab near Peshawar, which is home to around 45 Christian families:

“Most of the houses were owned by the local Christians who took about 25 to 30 years to construct small houses. However, the flood took merely 20 minutes to destroy the houses of about 12 families and took away the belongings of almost all the families...

“Despite this suffering and agony I was moved by the strong faith of these homeless people.”

Younas Masih of Tarnab in the wreckage of his home

One of them, Younas Masih (59), who had toiled for about 25 years to construct his own house, said:

“God gave this to me and He took it from me, I do not blame God. God took away everything from Job but later He blessed him as well. I trust God will bless me again.”

After five weeks of wreaking havoc across Pakistan, the floodwaters are finally starting to recede. An estimated one million homes have been damaged or destroyed, leaving at least six million people homeless.

Christians, who are marginalised and discriminated against in Pakistan, are likely to be neglected by the government and mainstream aid agencies, so desperately need the help of fellow believers around the world.

A senior US official warned last week that the Pakistani Taliban is planning to attack foreigners helping with ongoing flood relief efforts in the country. While this is a matter of grave concern, Barnabas Fund is channelling our support to Pakistani Christians through Pakistani churches and Pakistani Christian organisations, which should not be blocked or targeted by the militants’ disruptive agenda.

You can sponsor a Pakistani Christian family who have been affected by the flooding for £30 ($45, €35, AU$54, NZ$65) a month. This will cover their basic food provisions while rehabilitation work is carried out.

To read more testimonies from Pakistani Christians who have lost everything in the floods, visit Christian flood victims in Pakistan tell their story

Give today

To sponsor a Pakistani Christian family who have been affected by the flooding or contact your nearest office and we will send you a Direct Debit form.

Online donations may be made to the 00-634 Disaster Relief Fund or 41-919 Flood Victims Family Sponsorship.

If you prefer to telephone, dial: 0800 587 4006 from within the UK or +44 1672 565031 from outside the UK. Please quote project reference 00-634 (Disaster relief Fund).

If you prefer to send a cheque by post: Click this link for the address of our regional office. Please quote project reference 00-634 (Disaster relief Fund).

For a quick donation of £3.00 by SMS (see terms and conditions here) text Barnabas/634 to 70007

Please Pray:

Give thanks that the flood waters are starting to recede and pray that work to reconstruct homes will soon be able to get underway.
Pray for safety and wisdom for Wilson Saraj as he visits Christians in flood-affected areas. Pray that he will be a blessing to them and encourage them in their faith.
Pray that many Pakistani Christians will be helped through Barnabas Fund’s sponsor a family scheme. “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” Matthew 25:40

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