The following is a testimony shared with us by our evangelist friend in Pakistan, Jamil Thomas. Jamil has spent the past few years distributing tens of thousands of copies of Good and Evil in Urdu, Pakistan’s primary language. His ministry takes him all over Pakistan visiting Muslims, Hindus, and Catholics, and sharing the good news of Jesus Christ.

Serving Jesus in Pakistan is not without risk. In August, rioters in the city of Jaranwala burned over 30 churches as well as some Christians’ homes, making international news. There was an outpouring of prayers and support from many fellow believers around the world for the hundreds of families affected. Many non-believers were given another opportunity to see God’s love and faithfulness.

The following story, from months earlier and a different location in Pakistan, shows how God remains faithful to those who are persecuted for his name’s sake, even when no one else is there to see or help. We hope that you will be encouraged and strengthened by this witness to God’s grace.

From Jamil

This testimony came from [a] wonderful God-loving couple who lives in small mountain village 15 km [10 miles] away from Gilgit city in northern areas of the country. This week this couple with their 3 small children travelled to my home, stayed with us, shared their faith story and accepted [the] Lord Jesus Christ.

Last year we had a program and introductory event of [the] “Good & Evil” book in a hotel where we showed the movie and distributed books and [the] Gospel of John.

This [young man] named Shoukat was working in the hotel as supervisor, who arranged all [of] the event there, like chairs, sound system, refreshment, and stayed in the hall to monitor the whole event.

He watched the episode which we played in the hotel that was the crucifixion of [the] Lord Jesus Christ. At the end of the program this man walked [over] to me and asked questions about [the] Lord Jesus Christ and the purpose of [the] Lord’s sacrifice. At the end of our conversation, he requested the book. I gave him the G&E and Gospel of John. This is what I remember.

Suddenly, on Friday, 10^th Feb, 2023, my phone rang up and Shoukat said, “Sir we are travelling from Gilgit to your place. We are on the bus and it will take 26 to 30 hours to reach you.” I was really surprised and asked, “Why are you coming?” He said, “I will let you know sir.” He also told me that his wife and three children are also with him.

After a long journey, especially through zig zags of mountains, they reached [us] very tired and hungry.

They were very excited to share their story and next morning at breakfast they shared this:

From Shoukat

Thank you so much sir for changing our lives, living miles away from your city. It took more than 28 hours to reach here, but [the] Spirit was leading us to reach you. I am so thankful for that day when you played the movie in the hall. When I saw the movie in [the] hall, this question arose in my mind why Jesus was beaten like this, why he was crucified, when He was totally innocent. The voices of lashes kept striking in my mind during my sleep and it made me totally unrest. I shared this with my wife and we both start reading the G&E. The first chapter has this question “Was He the Promised Child?” This question was raised again and again in the first chapters, which made me more curious to learn more about this promised personality. To learn more, I searched Urdu Bible online and [I was] lucky [to] get a hard copy from a Christian brother. In the evenings we (me and my wife) start studying the Bible along with the G&E. The brother who gave me the Bible started working in the same hotel and I started learning from him. The things I learned from Him I shared it my wife, and we both found that this promised Child is [the] Lord Jesus Christ who gave his life for all of us.

Then [a] very hard time came in our lives. My uncle (my father’s brother) who is living with us, as we live in joint family, found us studying the Bible in our room. It was the most difficult day for us. He called all of his sons’ other uncles and start beating us. I was watching that how they were badly beating my wife, my kids were crying, weeping and trying to save their mother… but my uncle was shouting and crying, “kill them, kill these bastards, blasphemers, dogs,” whatever they could call us they were calling and beating us. He was so furious that his saliva was spread on his beard. At that time, I was feeling the Lord’s lashes, Lord’s cries and nails of His hands. I was feeling that I am with Lord Jesus, I was seeing His face and He was comforting us.

The next early morning, a saw [a] man which I never saw in my area was removing dust and sand from my face. He took me out of this pit. You know what? They buried us alive in the fields very close to [the] high mountain. They thought that we are dead, but Lord gave us a new life. Beside my pit I found my wife and we both dug the pit and found her alive. This man was a shepherd, he gave us water and then hot milk to restore [our] power. He helped us with some herbal medicines. We went with him, stayed with him for 4 days, and we are amazed to see that all the wounds got dry very quickly and we got our power back.

We went to village chief and police for our children. The police and the chief of the village provided security and arrested all the culprits who tried to kill us. They are all in jail now.

My father asked me [questions] and started learning things from [the] Bible. God made his heart very kind and he said, “Live as you want, whatever you believe, you are my son.”

Now, I am here with you sir, please baptize us. Please help us to save other souls in my village. We have seen Jesus literally. We have seen the heaven. We have seen the promised one. I am ready to introduce this promised one in my village and in my area. Thank you so much.

From Jamil

Wow, this is the testimony, they [were] both baptized and [are] learning more about [the] Lord Jesus. They stayed a week with us and now left for their village again.

God is working there. Please keep this couple in your prayers. Amen.

Just today I received another update on this couple from Jamil:

Have I told you that we met them on current tour to [the] northern parts? This couple is preaching to their family, village fellows. Preaching through G&E and providing them Urdu Bible. The Lord is using them for His kingdom.

From JD

There is one part of this story that is easy to overlook, but it is one of my favorite parts: the man who started working at the hotel with Shoukat just so that he could disciple him. What an awesome ministry. One plants, another waters, but God gives the increase. Just like that unnamed man, you are a vital part of this story. It is your donations that enable us to equip ministers like Jamil, and now Shoukat, to share the gospel all over the world. Thank you.

When you donate to the Good & Evil Missions Fund 100% of your contribution goes to printing and distributing G&E around the world. Thank you!