By Christian Malik
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“Refugees are not terrorists but they are often the first victims of terrorism”
On Sunday, June 21st 2015, the BPCA sponsored a celebration event held to commemorate World Refugee Day. The event was organised by Urdu Church in Hands of God which is run by Papa Thongchai, a local Thai preacher in Bangkok. The congregation consists of more than 250 Pakistani asylum seekers and they all gathered to worship, celebrate the day, and remember the sufferings of refugees around the world.
Our lead officer in Thailand, Christian Malik, was also present and witnessed the beautiful Urdu worship.
The people worshipped in the hall and sang hymns of praise. After the sermon, the children performed some skits to salute the courage of refugees all around the world. The plays straightforwardly portrayed the persecution and discrimination against the refugees in their home country, and the sufferings endured in Thailand.
The children depict the persecution they face in their home countries. The skits were prepared by the children themselves and they reenact the sheer discrimination they face in their home country.
The skit shows that in times of trouble they should pray and God will do a miracle in all lives.
The skits were largely focused on the importance of praying in difficult situations and were greatly enjoyed by the audience. The whole hall resonated with applause at the end and the children were awarded with gifts by Papa Thongchai for giving a great performance.
Our Lead Officer Christian Malik was there to speak about the refugee day and to announce the upcoming BPCA project of a community school for the children here.
At the event he said:
” BPCA has officially started their work for aid of Pakistani Christian asylum seekers and refugees and will be distributing 40 food packages amongst underprivileged families. A community school will be opened to educate the asylum seeker and refugee children. Do not lose hope, BPCA is doing everything within their capacity to assist the asylum seekers and we have appealed to the global community to do more about this issue.”
The food packages distributed among the people. The signs boards were prepared by the Church members and the placards display slogans of justice and appeals to the International community.
British Pakistani Christian Association were the sponsors of the event by providing 40 food packages to the families.
Co- pastor of the church blesses the food packages provided by British Pakistani Christian Association.
Christian Malik with Mama and Papa Thongchai.
Papa Thongchai giving food packages to families.
Papa Thongchai said:
“The people are depressed of their life in limbo but still they smile all the time. They have the hope of Jesus Christ who is with them all the time. Their life is gloomy and they come to church every Sunday to pray and seek a miracle to happen in their life. We salute the courage of hundreds of thousands of refugees all around the world and we pray for them.”
Please will you help us to ease the burdens of the refugees and asylum seekers in Thailand? Your gift can make a difference. Please give using these bank details:
Sort Code: 20-44-22
Account number: 43163318
Bank: Barclays
SWIFTBIC: BARCGB22
if you would like to send a one off donation please use the PayPal
facility on the top right hand corner of our blog, our PayPal email
address is info@britishpakistanichristians.org.
Any cheques should be made payable to the BPCA
to our address: 57 Green Lane, Ilford, Essex, IG1 1XG.
With your support we hope to change the lives of millions of Christians in Pakistan.