Sharing a meal becomes time of healing for some of Pakistan's worst hit victims of persecution

At the turn of the New Year we wanted to bring some joy into the lives of Sherish and Farzana. These sisters have been in our care for over a year after they were subjected to a 12 hour brutal gang-rape ordeal (click here)

and the children of Shama and Shahzad, a couple burned alive after being falsely accused of blasphemy (click here).

We knew Christmas for the both sets of young victims had been quite torturous as Shama and Shahzad's children had mourned the loss of their mother and
father only a month prior to Christmas one year ago. This was the first anniversary of their passing away under extremely brutal fashion. This memory will
never leave the children who were all eye witnesses.

Sherish and Farzana themselves had been abducted at gunpoint and subjected to battery and rape for 12 hours, by five men only weeks before Christmas 2014.

Christmas was a time for painful reflection for both these families who have been receiving trauma counselling from a qualified practitioner. On the advice
of their counsellor, we planned an excursion for them all together. Our intention was to lighten their spirits with a day of frivolity and fun and to enable
them to recognise each other's pain and loss and to establish a resolve to overcome it.

This trip required sensitivity, empathy and compassion. Who better then to administer an injection of love than our intrepid and passionate sister Mehwish
Bhatti who knows them all so well – together they all make a great family. Mehwish contacted both families and booked a cab for the 2.5 hour journey from
Faisalabad to Lahore for the sisters Sherish and Farzana who were accompanied by their father and brother due to the extreme danger of a repeat attack
on the two Christian sisters, in a country where two young Christian girls are vulnerable and have little recourse to justice.

Mehwish jumped on a coach and travelled from Islamabad to Lahore, a long journey of close to five hours. There she travelled to the home of Shama and Shahzad's
children and then got into a cab to meet everyone at the rendezvous point near Fortress Stadium. Here they all decided they did not want conventional food
but wanted to try McDonalds, which is quite a treat in Pakistan.

During the food the families got to know each other well with Sherish and Farzana taking on a big sister role with the younger children of Shama and Shahzad.
The time focusing on the younger children had a cathartic impact on Sherish and Farzana. So much so they started playing in the bouncy area themselves.
This was the first time any of them had been in the heart of Lahore and their faces expressed great joy. Moreover the location was chosen for its heightened
security and the freedom they were all given was a real moment of sheer exuberance and flightiness.

The Bible-based trauma counselling we have been providing has created much stronger spirits in all of them. Shama and Shahzad's children have been able
to reflect on the loss of their parents with the hope that they will see them again one day in heaven. Sherish and Farzana totally understand that they
are made whole and clean again through the love of Christ and that God knows not only every hair on their heads, but the passions of their hearts. They
all understand that God is with them always and is their protector and father.

Sherish and Farzana are excelling in their sewing course. They can already stitch a whole shawar and chemise (Pakistani shirt and trousers). They hope
to take part in our next set of Business Entrepreneurial classes and will submit a bid for stitching machines that will allow them to go into business
for themselves and help their ageing father. Farzana, said:

"It was such a treat to be taken into Lahore city centre; it is a very beautiful city. One day I would love to be able to live in a place like this where you feel safe and have so much to do. I am really enjoying my stitching course. I have already started making some clothes for my brother. I still make mistakes but am getting much better. I hope one day to be able to set up my own business and to use the money to help my family and I will move to Lahore or Faisalabad permanently."

Sonia daughter of Shama and Shahzad, said:

"The food was really tasty, I really enjoyed it and I loved playing in the soft play area. I wish Aunty Mehwish would come and see us every day. I loved the Christmas cake that uncle Naveed [Also an officer of the BPCA] brought us for Christmas. But this day was the best ever!"

Naveed Sharing Christmas Cake with Shama and Shahzad's children

These families require long term support and help. We would like to commit to doing this but need your help. If you would like to contribute towards our ongoing work, then our bank details and paypal/visa payment facility can be found here: (click here). Please use Ref: Love for Pak-Christians in Thailand.

Sherish and Farzana with their big sister Mehwish 



Enjoying a MacDonalds meal together.

Table looks a bit full.

No one likes waiting…

Brother of Sherish and Farzana with the other children.

Shopping for treats.

Funfair rides




Poonam can't wait



More rides…




Mehwish with Sonia, Suleiman and Poonam