Report from BHW Pakistan Partnership Facilitator Following Visit

Key person:    Edward Qasar

A BHW team visited the EGM offices from the 16th–19th March 2023 and had ongoing conversations about the partnership. 

Recent Events

Activities

As required, new books have been printed to continue resourcing those who use the material. Usually 1,000 new books are printed each time. 

The person who established IBS, Wesley Bell, is now quite aged but from time to time sends through small amounts that are also used for printing. 

The studies are structured in such a way that the student reads a question and then has to read and understand the verse to find the answer. People therefore need to have a Bible, and most don’t. A major recent emphasis has been to also provide Bibles to those receiving the booklets. They now have access to audio Bibles from a group called Galcom which means they can have multiple languages available. 

This is a correspondence course however postage has become so expensive and inefficient that the local people cannot afford the postage. The correspondence method has therefore been discontinued and local pastors go over the answers with the people from their own area. They think this is a better way to do it anyway.

The materials are of most benefit in the brick kiln areas and they are often given to the children as they learn to read. 

Partnership's Influence within the Community

We talked to some pastors who are using the material and they say it is very helpful. 

Plans for the Future

There are no plans to do anything different, just to continue printing new courses as required. 

They are keen to set up a radio station near the Afghan border, particularly for Afghanis. Galcom will provide the technology for the station. They may approach us for some help with renting a room and some furniture. 

Prayer and Praise Points

1) That this continues to be a useful tool and many children especially are using the material. 

2) That the pastors recognize the benefits of the material and are using it with their people.

Comments

They are keen to continue using this material and appreciate the funds they receive for it. I recommend that we continue funding at the current rate.