Life in a Brick Factory for Christians in the Punjab....

 According to Brother Umair and his experience ministering in many villages with brick factories in the Punjab state of Pakistan, there is a great need for blankets (actually a double blanket) and extra food in the village of Mehnidiabad as the weather gets colder in this part of Pakistan.

Also, according to Umair, the workers at these brick factories are "total Christians" according to Umair. This is consistent with the 2nd class status of Christians in Pakistan where Christians have to take often the worst jobs like being street cleaners or in this case brick factory workers.then buy or rent a house in the village.

They can't leave the brick facotry under threat of arrest since they need to re-pay the loans and 

Christians take loans from brick facotry owners and then are forced into a virtual slave status, trying to work and live at these brick factories and pay back these loans. According to Umair, these brick facgtory Christians are paid 650 rupees a day (about $4 at current exchange rate) if they make 700 bricks. They use this money to buy food and other needs. 

And even if they pay back the loans they would need to buy a house or rent one in the village. Some do this and do free themselves from the deby and go to larger cities or stay in the village. 

A look at housing in a brick factory for the Christians working there.

A video of a service inside a typical 1 room brick factory house.

An older woman making bricks. And according to Umair, often aprents do get a loan and children and grandchildren are still paying on the loan.

According to women, the whole family has to work from young children to older men and women. These people typically can't read and write in Punjabi (the spoken language) but they can do some adding and subtracting with figures.

Umair teaches the people some verses from the Bible.

Baptism Service outside Gojra in Village 84 with ministry partner, Pastor Peter John (August 18, 2021)

Three people were baptized.

Food distribution & ministry at Goga village on Mongi Road (August 15, 2021)

 

Pakistan Independence Day services & gift distribution - August 14, 2021

 

Umair's retreat to the mountains of Pakistan (Naran Kaghan area) July 27-28, 2021

 

A Day at the Sewing Center ( May 19, 2021)

 

Girls learning to sew at the ministry sewing center in Bahktopura.

The center still needs 10 more hand sewing machines, a fan and water cooler for the hot summer days in this area of the Punjab state, which typically reach 100 degree Fahrenheit.

Your donations would be appreciated according to:

*"He who gives to the poor will not lack, but he who hides his eyes will have many curses."  Proverbs 28:27.

*"The generous soul will be made rich, and he who waters will also be watered himself."  Proverbs 11:25

*"Blessed is the man who fears the Lord, who delights greatly in His commandments...He has dispersed abroad, He has given to the poor; His righteousness endures forever; His horn will be exalted with honor."  Psalm 112:1,9

*"But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully."   II Corinthians 9:6

Umair blessed with new refrigerator (May 19,2021)

 The days in Punjab state can often reach over 100 degrees Fahrenheit from May to September.  Being able to have cold, refreshing water and other cold drinks, as well as preserve foods like milk, eggs, fruit, vegetables and meat is truly a blessing.