During her visits to various Lahore hospitals to meet with injured victims of the Gulshan Park bomb attack, our intrepid lead officer Mehwish Bhatti prayed
for healing for all the many patients. Mehwish took flowers to every victim, and gave a gift of £40 to each victims family to pay for regular travel
into the hospital. This gift is to enable them to visit their family members, irrespective of their faith, but given on the basis that the support
was through the love of Christ. Most importantly she prayed with every victim that she met. Christian or Muslim (where permitted).
One particular victim Bilal Saeed, a Muslim boy of only 17 has serious wounds to his left arm and left leg, he is being treated in Sheikh Zahid Hospital.
Bilal had been out with two cousins for a night of frolics when the attack took place, his two cousins returned home unscathed. His mother Fareeda,
saw Mehwish praying with a Christian victim and before Mehwish could offer prayer support – Fareeda grabbed her by the arm and asked Mehwish to pray
for her son. Mehwish duly obliged and Bilal expressed quite openly that the pain and discomfort had dissipated somewhat after her prayers. The family
have remained in contact with Mehwish who she regularly counsels. Mehwish has shared the message of love that Christ brings to humanity,and has used
biblically principled trauma counseling to help the family.
Mehwish Bhatti, BPCA Lead Co-ordinater said:
“The carnage caused by this bomb attack is something I will never forget, primarily women and children were targeted by bombers who seem bereft of any compassion. I have depended on God to get me too the victims and to keep me strong in the face of such tragedy. I have cried in corners because the suffering I have seen before me has been overwhelming, but these brave victims will not have seen my personal turmoil. The hatred that is directed towards Christians is unnecessary and unfounded we have always shown love to our Muslim neighbours. I pray one day this desire to exterminate us ends and that my suffering community will be able to know a more peaceful existence.”
She added:
“Bilal and his family have shown how bridges can be built between the Christians and Muslims, and their consent for me to share my faith with them has been heartening. My counseling to victims became a time of outreach and I thank God that I have been privileged enough to do this.”
Wilson Chowdhry, Chairman of the BPCA, said:
“I marvel at the work of Mehwish, a young woman of only 27 with a sacrificial heart. In attempting to bring solace to bomb victims and their families she has shared the Gospel seeking to counsel them wisely. Her passion for all has built bridges between two communities normally at loggerheads, and I am sure this outreach will be rewarded by God when the time is right. In the meanwhile I call for prayers for all the victims and the brave BPCA team who place themselves in danger every day whilst attempting to bring comfort to so many.”
Please keep this family in your prayers focusing on complete healing of Bilal and restoration of his body and for the family to continue their interest in learning more about scripture.