THE FRONTIER NEWS - Church of Scotland...martyrs of the All Saints’ Church Peshawar. This Peace Centre will be a multi-story building with a Conference Hall, an up-to-date Library,

Bishop Humphrey with Korean Delegation

Worship Service in Progress

Korean Delegation delivering a massage

THE FRONTIER NEWS

A high level delegation of the Korean Church partners led by the Revd.Mathew, Bishop’s Commissary for the Far-East visited Peshawar Diocese on January 15, 2014. He was accompanied by Dr. Myoung Hyuk Kim, Chairman of Korean Evangelical Fellowship, and Ex-President of the Theological Seminary, Korea, and the Revd. Dong-Whi Lee , (R) Senior Pastor, and founder of the Tin Church, a well-known Church in Korea. This was a good will visit by the Korean Church, however, special purpose of their visit was to show solidarity with the Christian Community of Peshawar. A special prayer service to commemorate martyrs of the All Saints’ Church was held in the evening, and a good number of people attended the worship, and prayed for the departed souls and their families. The Korean Team in their message for the Christian Community and families of the deceased said, “Christians should keep their morale high, and faith stronger in the Lord. “Crisis bring us near to God, as all these signs of times indicate that Jesus is coming soon, and we must be prepared”; they further added.

Christians to keep faith stronger in the Lord

Earlier, The Rt. Revd. Humphrey S. Peters, his team of clergy, and all the Diocesan Officers welcomed the guests. They were briefed them about Diocesan efforts for treatment and rehabilitation of the bomb blast victims and their families. The visitors showed their satisfaction and assured their Cooperation with the Diocese in its efforts. Later, a Dinner party was hosted by the Diocese in the honor of the guests. The Rt.Revd. Humphrey S. Peters thanked the visitors for their love and concern for the Christian Community of Peshawar. The visitors in their response thanked the Bishop and his team for their warm welcome hospitality. They mentioned that the Korean Church intends to build a ‘Peace Centre’ in the memory of the martyrs of the All Saints’ Church Peshawar. This Peace Centre will be a multi-story building with a Conference Hall, an up-to-date Library, including other facilities as well. This Peace Centre will be open for all without discrimination of cost and creed.

The Korean

Church

delegation

leading the

prayer service

at the All

Saints’ Church,

Peshawar.

Individual Highlights • Christian to keep faith 1

• Faith nourishment 2

• strengthen friendship 2

• One body in Christ 3

• Condolence 3

• Q &A with Aqeel Arif 4

• Q &A with Josephine Gill 5

• Diocese Vs Faith Merchant

6

January 2014

Diocese of Peshawar – Church of Pakistan

Page 1 January 2014 ● Volume VII, Issue I ● The Frontier News

Saint Paul and Saint Peter of the New Testament.

Later, an open discussion was invoked among the speakers and the participants about the faith matters.

Many issues were raised, and questions answered. Whereas, the whole discussion was summed up by the Chief Guest; Rt. Revd.Humphrey S. Peters who appreciated the seminar, its content and active participation of the audience. He also provided guide lines to the Youth. “ to nourish our Faith, we need our daily bread, and that is the Holy Bible”. He said.

Faith nourishment through Daily Bread

Strengthening friendship ties

A seminar on Faith awareness was held at Diocesan Centre, organized by the Faith conveners of the Youth Council, Asher Ashkar and Sonu Peters. In this particular seminar about 20 members of the local Youth Council were among the participants. The main speaker at this occasion was Mr. Asher Ashkar who in his sessions discussed positive qualities of leadership, and negative aspects involving the role of leadership. He said that today’s Youth need to follow the excellent examples of

The National Sport Collation (NSC) Team, Abbottabad visited Peshawar Diocese on January 21, 2014. The Visitors held meetings with the Rt. Revd. Humphrey S. Peters, and the Mission & Ministry Secretary, the Revd. Shahzad Murad. They also held a special meeting with the Diocesan Youth Officer, Mr. Insar Gohar and discussed various matters of mutual interest. However, the main purpose of the visit was to review and renew the partnership programme between NSC and Peshawar Diocese to further promote Evangelism through sports in the region.

The visitors told The Frontier News correspondent that they are very happy and satisfied with the joint programmes and activities. They also mentioned that this visit will hopefully further promote and strengthen ties between the two partner organizations.

It is pertinent to mention that NSC and the Diocesan Youth Desk have jointly conducted various programmes, such as, Kids & Teen games and numerous sports activities in the past. Thus Evangelism through sports is getting popular among youth of the region.


Kids Games

Bishop Humphrey addressing the Seminar

Seminar in progress


rehabilitation. They need to go to the hospitals every day for dressing and further medical check-ups. Unfortunately, many cannot afford, and those who can are not allowed to travel, as per medical advice.

In view of this critical situation, The Rt. Revd. Humphrey S. Peters has formed a Health Team, comprising of Nurses, physiotherapists and counselors who provide all the needed services to the needy at their homes, on daily basis. The recipients of these services feel much relieved and grateful to the Diocese. In reply, the Bishop and his team politely reminds them that it is needless to say `thank you` to them, because we are one big family.

Ms. Mussarat Kamran, a Nurse and co-in-charge of the health team disclosed that victims of the blast are not suffering from ordinary wounds and injuries. As a special kind of chemical was used in the composition of the bombs, thereforethe injuries or wounds get healed in the first phase of the treatment, but usually get deteriorated, and worse than before in a fortnight. Therefore,” I have to reach to my patients, whatever it may take. The bad weather strikes and, the curfews cannot hinder my work”. She said. And so is the attitude of the other young people of the Diocesan HealthTeam. Simply commendable!

It’s been over four months now, but the victims, nor has the Christian community have forgotten the tragic incident of the bomb blast at All Saints’, Peshawar. Treatment and rehabilitation programmes for the injured are in full swing. All these efforts cannot change back the clock, but will surely enable the affectees to cope with life, thus accept the second best of their lives.

A good number of NGO’s and faith based organizations came forward at the time of crisis. The injured have been admitted to the hospitals, special prayer services were held for the departed souls, and the families of the affectees were compensated with money and aid packages. Majority of the patients after first-aid, operations or amputations have been discharged from the hospitals. Many are coping-up with courage, but not to forget, a good number of them are stillcursing their fate, or the State who failed to protect its citizens, especially the religious minorities.

Season for the mushroom growth of the NGO’s is over, as they are fading away from face of the earth. Many have left for good, because as far as they were concerned their job is done, and mission (whatever it was) accomplished. The affectees are left on their own, helpless and in dire need of nursing care and

Condolences

Communication desk of the Diocese of Peshawar is deeply grieved by the

death of ‘Taji Maa’, mother of the Rt. Revd. Humphrey. S. Peters. She died in

England where she was living with her elder son the Revd. Geoffery Peters and

daughter Bilquis Peters.. After a graceful funeral, attended by more than two

thousand people, by hundreds of people, including Bishops, and clergy from all

over Pakistan. She was buried in Christian grave yard, beside

her husband’s grave, the late Revd. M.M. Peter. Kindly pray for the bereaved family.

Now the Diocesan Family Cares

Q: For how long you remained at the Hospital?

A: I spent a week at L.R.H, Peshawar and later the Bishop John Joseph Trust’s Team shifted me to the Rehman Medical Institute (RMI), for further sophisticated medical care and treatment All expenses were taken care by the trust.

Q: When were you discharged from the Hospital (RMI)?

A: I was discharged after 75 days, but every now and then I had to go back to the hospital for checkup and dressing of the wounds, which was very inconvenient and painful as well.

Q: But now you seem to get all the nursing care at home, are you happy?

A: Yes, in a way I am very happy and grateful to the Diocese of Peshawar, specially the Rt. Revd. Humphrey S. Peters who rightly identified the need and solved the problem by sending the Diocesan Health team who provides nursing care at home.

Q: Who else helped you, and in what way?

A: A number of NGOs, and Church organizations came forward and helped me financially, but Peshawar Diocese, not only helped financially or medically but uplifted my soul as well.

Q: So what’s your financial status now?

A: Although, the Diocese is providing me nursing care and various therapies, but I still have to pay for my medicines which amounts to 1500/- Rupees per day.

Q: How do you manage that?

A: I am a Government servant, my monthly salary is Rs. 32,000/- and that’s it. I am not mobile, my wounds are stinking, and the financial crises are tearing me apart.

Q: Does your wife work as well?

A: Yes, she is a teacher at the Diocesan Edwards High School Peshawar, City. Still the Diocese is paying the salary.

Q: In the beginning you mentioned that “luckily or unluckily I survived”, are you depressed or what?

A: Not any more. But during the Advent Season I was very depressed and hopeless, as I was having suicidal thoughts all the time. However, it is pertinent to mention that I prayed to God. The Diocesan Counseling programme also helped and now I have no depression or suicidal tendencies. I have now developed a stronger faith in Lord! I am sure he will take care of myself and my family. Praise the Lord!

The Diocese of Peshawar has planned an

ongoing financial support programme for the

injuredwho are still on beds.

Aqeel Arif, s/oTanveer Arif is a victim of the All Saints’ Church bomb blast. His two sons,15 and 11 Years old were also hit by the ball barrings and splinters of the bombs in their legs, but they have recovered after treatment. Whereas Aqeel Arif was badly injured, his left side of the body is completely paralyzed. The Diocesan Health Team states that the reason for his paralysis is that he already was a patient of severe hypertension, and diabetes as well. Q: Would you like to tell us how and what happened?

A: Well, it was a special Sunday, there was a big feast arranged after the Service. Hundreds of people were there, and I was having lunch and chit chat with a group of friends, thus enjoying the occasion. All of a sudden, I heard a huge blast and we all fell on the ground, and my forehead was hit by a brick, whereas my left leg was hit by ball bearings and bomb pallets, thus I had a broken leg and a bleeding forehead.

Q: What followed next?

A: Within seconds another bomb blast was heard and there was smoke all over the compound. After the smoke cleared, I saw all the people lying on the ground like crops after an hail storm. Many dead, and hundreds of them injured.

Q: What happened to your friends who were having lunch with you?

A: All of them died on the spot, luckily or unluckily I survived, severely bleeding and lying there motionless.

Q: Who took you to the Hospital?

A: Actually, I am told by my family members that I was in severe trauma, and they took me to the Lady Reading Hospital (LRH) Peshawar.

Q: Were you operated immediately or you had to wait for your turn?

A: In fact, the hospital staff was very reluctant to operate on me, as my elder sister who happens to be a Nurse disclosed to the doctors on duty that I was a patient of hypertension and diabeties. However, my sister insisted for an operation at our own risk, since there was no other option. Thanks God; I survived through the operation procedure and was saved.

Q & A with Aqeel Arif, a bomb blast victim

“It has been observed by the interviewer that her left arm bone is still broken, the nurse of the Diocesan Health team removed the bandage and showed me her wounds and injuries. However, Mrs. Josephine Gill when asked, said “ I am fine and I hardly feel any pain, Thanks God I am improving”. She seems a lady of tremendous courage, and has an undefeatable soul, always Thankful to God”.

Q|: (Addressed to her daughter); your mom seems to

have some hearing problem, is it related to the bomb blast?

A: Yes I was there, apart from the injuries, she also lost her hearing. For the first two days she was in great shock and had no idea what happened. After a couple of days she came to her senses and the sad news of her husband’s death was broken to her. She wept like anything, and couldn’t believe it. In a way I myself don’t believe that I have lost my beloved father within a blink of an eye. Had he died of some illness, we could understand but this …we fail to make any sense of it, at all.

Q: (daughter) How has this incident affected your life? A: My life has changed, it is simply upside-down now,

I have no social life and am busy at home taking care of my mother, I only go out for studies, or to bazaar to pay the utility bills, something I never did before; and that’s all. I really miss my dad. “There were tears in her eyes”.

Q: Who helped you at the time of crisis, and in what way?

A: A number of NGOs, and Faith Based Organizations helped us out financially and paid for the medical expenses as well. But Diocese of Peshawar was there in the beginning with us, and is still supporting us financially and spiritually, and the Diocesan Health Team provides us nursing care on daily basis, which is very convenient. Priests also come for prayer & worship services, whereas counseling and other therapies are provided by other teams appointed by the Diocese . Splendid; she said.

Josephine Gill is a 74 years old lady. She has been a Head Mistress of a Govt School in Peshawar. She lost her husband ; Mr. Victor Sadiq , in bomb Blast and is mostly confined to bed . Josephine was Very happy to hear that she will be interviewed, and asked her daughter Aziqa Victor to make tea for us, who is doing her Masters in Computer Science. Although, she was there at the time of bomb blast, but survived, literally unscratched. A great Witness! Q: How do you recall the whole tragic incident ? A: After the Church Service we all went out to enjoy

the feast, but I had to go back to the Church office ( which happens to be in the premises) to check out the timing and detail of a forth coming Rafaqat-e-Khawateen Meeting. All of a sudden, I heard a big bang and fell in the

door of the office.

Q: Who took you to the Hospital? A: I don’t exactly remember, however what I recall is

that I was hit by a bomb pallet which ripped through my ankle. Another pallet hit me in my left arm which broke the bone. The Doctors put a rod in my arm, but not properly, (that I learned later). After a couple of days I was transferred to the Rehman Medical Institute by the Bishop John Joseph Trust and was operated thrice over there, but still the fractures are not yet fully healed

“I am fine “says a happy soul; despite broken bones

Q & A with Josephine Gill, a bomb blast victim


Calamities and crisis bring the best out of human nature. Nevertheless, the story does not end here; rather it starts, as there is always another side of the coin. It’s been over four months now, since the bomb blast at All Saints’ Church Peshawar. However, there are still many unanswered questions on the minds of the affectees, including the Christian community as a whole. Such as; why are the culprits, and the people responsible of this act of terror are still roaming around scot free; why does the Christian community still feels insecure, more than ever? In fact, they are constantly under threat, and under siege, in more than one way.

The political, and the semi-political leadership has failed to rise to the occasion, as blood of the martyrs, and voice of the community against their persecution did not reach the concerned quarters. All they provide is mere lip service. The suffering continues!

Some NGOs and a few faith based organizations and further adding up to the confusion, which causes pain beyond imagination. These NGOs because of their unfair distribution of aid- packages have caused much resentment among the affectees. Their usual practice is that they go to a family, and ask for the address of other affectees in the area, thus aid-packages are distributed among a few families again and again, and in abundance. However, the most needy families are usually left out. The reason behind this unfair distribution could be; a) their personal intentions and/or their organizational agenda; b) they try to do their own thing, and never ever consult the Diocese who has the actual data and details of the affectees.

A number of groups within these so called Faith Based organizations or the NGOs are busy propagating against the Diocese, thus spreading rumors among the simple minded people of the community that the Diocese has billions of dollars, and hundreds of Visas for the affectees , but the Diocese is not distributing or handing over to the affectees. Juicy stories are always easy to believe!

The fact of the matter is that these small times Faith based organization are now a days committing most of the heinous crime of all times. They, in return of financial help and a few aid-packages lure the affectees to convert to their denomination. They are the modern merchants of faith.

The Diocese is doing all it can, within its limited resources, and these forces of evil are trying to distract, thus the Diocese has been engaged on many fronts and seems to have no other option, but help. The Diocese is in dire need of prayers of its friends and partners, more than ever. The task ahead is huge, but the Lord is sustainer . Praise the Lord!

“Anyone who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber”

(John 10:1)

Diocese versus Merchants of Faith

The Bishop’s E-mail:

[email protected]

The Diocesan Centre E.Mail

[email protected]

Contact Us at:

[email protected] Visit Us at: www.peshawardiocese.org

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