God gave us Strength to face such Challenges: Report from Lahore, Pakistan
Lahore, Pakistan
“I got driving training on Suzuki Vehicle from January to March, 2019. After finishing the training I returned to my home town and started driving a rickshaw. Now I make about PKR 10,000/- ($64) per month and help my family.” - Aftab Emmanuel
CVTC has a large space where the students play cricket when they are not in vocational training classes.
This might be just another sweet story of a poor kid learning a useful skill, but Aftab Emmanuel lives in Pakistan as a Christian. In this predominantly Muslim country, 75% of Christians live in poverty.
To help poor and marginalized Christians in Lahore, the church operates the Christian Vocational Training Center (CVTC). Despite the hostile environment in Pakistan, CVTC is providing a safe place for Christians to grow in faith. ARDF is proud to partner with the church in Lahore. They are doing amazing work under very difficult circumstances.
In a recent update, ARDF learned that now 48 boys are receiving vocational training. And 114 children (62 boys and 52 girls) are living at the school in safety. They receive more than a safe home, food, and education. Morning and evening devotions are part of daily schedule for their spiritual growth and character-building.
Here is another testimony:
“[After my father died], we came across several situations where my mother was asked to change her faith and become a Muslim. But God gave us strength to face such challenges and we are still firm in our belief...my mother got me admitted [at the Christian Vocational Training Center]. Here, I am learning skills of auto-repairing so that I may be able to stand on my feet and support my family. I love to spend time here. In the evening we play cricket and football. Apart from this, in devotion time we learn how to pray and read the word of God which has strengthened my faith.” – Sohail Riaz
Girls are supported as well. After four years at the school, Monika Yousaf will soon take her college exams and go onto university “to become a nurse so that I stand on my feet and help my parents financially.”
Training on engine repair is part of the course for boys at CVTC.
This project is transforming lives by giving these teenagers the chance for productive lives of dignity. All in the context of exploring and strengthening their faith with trusted mentors and leaders.
You can be proud of the work the church in Lahore is doing in this difficult part of the world. Learn more here.
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