As you are certainly aware, the situation in Afghanistan is devastating. The world watches, comments, and pleads for governments to respond. Yet, our Church is positioned to ACT on behalf of the people. Bishop Asher Mansha of IPHC Pakistan is a leader of great influence. The IPHC is strong in Pakistan. In 2020, our collective movement exceeds 215 churches and more than 33,000 congregants. Kabul is not far from the Pakistan border. If you view the map, the shared borderline is quite large. Who better to serve these refugees than the church? Why not our church?
Below is a letter from Bishop Asher Mansha. I encourage you to read it thoughtfully. We have IPHC brothers and sisters on the frontlines who are ready and willing to serve those fleeing the Taliban. Will you consider partnering with us to meet the request of $10,000 per month for six months?
“Greetings to you. The situation in Afghanistan is very dire. People are in trouble due to uncertainty and the upcoming rule of the Taliban. There are thousands of Afghans who are entering into Pakistan from the Chaman and Torkham borders. There are 3 million Afghan refugees in Pakistan already.
On the Pakistan and Afghanistan borders, we have Afghans who are escaping in fear, uncertain for the future, and they lack food, water, clothes, medicines, and shelter. They run from Afghanistan leaving behind everything.
IPHC Pakistan wants to respond to this situation as the Bible says:
‘Do not oppress a foreigner; you yourselves know how it feels to be foreigners, because you were foreigners in Egypt’ (Exodus 23:9).
‘The foreigners residing among you must be treated as native-born. Love them as yourself, for you were foreigners in Egypt. I am the Lord your God’ (Leviticus 19:34).
‘Keep on loving one another as brothers and sisters. Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers for by doing that some have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it’ (Hebrews 13:1-2).
God has set a high standard for treating those who are foreigners. His people are to love them as we love ourselves and treat them as citizens. The reason given. Because God, the “I am” commanded us to.
We have 23 team members on the ground near the borderlines who live near those areas. The need is big. We trust God. We can do something to express our practical and tangible love of God with them. It is a huge opportunity for us to share the gospel with them.
The Government of Pakistan says there will be thousands of Afghans coming to the Pakistan side in the coming six months at least, as it does not seem like there is any possibility to see stability and peace in Afghanistan. Our team needs $10,000 every month for six months to share the gospel and basic food items with them.
As the National Director of Pakistan, we request you to pray and share this news with our IPHC family. We hope God will prepare hearts to reach these precious Afghan people, who did not choose the Taliban.”
Bishop Asher Mansha
