WEEPING WITH THOSE WHO WEEP

Arriving in Bam just days after the earthquake, our teams found a population in shock. Many wandering among the rubble had lost entire families: all they wanted to do was die. In the face of such despair, our teams listened and brought a message of hope to their own people in their own language...

‘I’ve Lost My Sons’

Mr Mahmoudi (left), an 80 year old Afghan, lost his three sons and all his grandchildren, except for one, Khaled. As Afghans they have received less help than other local people. Their house was totally destroyed. They wanted to share their grief and so took the team around the ruins of their house. They showed the team a few of his brothers and sisters’ books. They have been very open to hearing about the love of God. Please pray they will accept the Lord.

‘My Name Is Dust’

"My name is dust. I am doomed," this lady lamented, beating her head. "I’ve lost all my children - ten of them and grandchildren, just in front of this tent. I am going to sit here until there is another earthquake so I will die." The Elam worker listened carefully and then asked, "Mother, can I pray for you?" She agreed. Please pray for this lady and others who have lost everything.

‘He’d Be Alive But For Me’

Muhammad embraced our team and began to weep. His father had just retired from teaching and had come to Muhammad’s house for a big celebration. Muhammad insisted he stayed the night. His father and four year old son, along with 80 others, died when his house collapsed. For 45 minutes he’d heard his father crying and calling
him, "Mohammed, where are you? Come help me."

While Mohammad’s house was totally destroyed, his fathers bedroom at his own home
was unharmed. "He’d be alive but for me," Muhammad said. Our team prayed for him and assured him he was not guilty. Please pray for Muhammad and others who feel guilty for surviving.

‘I Want To Go To Hell’

The team saw this lady walking with three children and asked her, "Where are you going? Can we take you there?" "I’d like to go to hell," was her shocking reply. "I had a husband and my only happiness in the world was my family." The team spent time talking with her about the love of the Lord. Pray that she finds true joy in Christ.