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CONTENTS
--Housing --People Christian Education --PYC
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NEWS FROM OUR MEMBERS IN PAKISTAN Rev. Robert Johnson and Ms. Marianne Vermeer, with their sons Nathan and Peter, are currently residing in Lahore, Pakistan, where Marianne is working. The following is an e mail received from Marianne on March 2. 2006:
From: Marianne Vermeer [mailto:marianne.vermeer@gmail.com]
Dear Family and FriendsSent: Thursday, March 02, 2006 8:19 AM Subject: We're OK! By now, you have probably heard about the very serious car bombing in Karachi near the American Consulate, and about the burning of three churches. We will not pretend that we are unconcerned. The boys were sent home before noon today, and we were advised to lay low for the remainder of the day. Tomorrow, the entire day is slated to be a day of protest for the entire country, with no traffic permitted on the roads, and no businesses of any kind open, and there is anxiety that this day, too, may turn out violently in some places in Pakistan. Needless to say, we will be making ourselves scarce tomorrow, and staying indoors, and on Saturday as well. We don't have to tell you how stressful this is for us, and I know that many of you are thinking of, and praying for us. But, let us emphasize WE ARE SAFE. We have 24 hour a day security on our house, and our Pakistani friends are vigilant on our behalf, watching for things that we wouldn't know to watch out for. My friend Muhammed (not his real name) calls me to make sure I know what is going on, and volunteers to get anything we need during insecure periods. "You are my older brother," he tells Robert, "and I love you - you must be safe!" He means what he says. For the sake of perspective, you all should know that Karachi, which seems to be plagued by violence against foreign interests, is far away - 640 miles, to be exact. This is the same distance as from Richmond, Virginia to Bangor, Maine; Selma, Alabama or Decatur, Illinois. For comparison, here is a little table showing cities that are closer to us than Karachi: PLACES CLOSER TO THE VERMEER-JOHNSONS THAN KARACHI (640 miles) 1. Delhi/New Delhi, India - 268 miles 2. Shiquanhe, China - 344 miles (plus the Himalayas!) 3. Lucknow, India - 516 miles 4. Dushanbe, Tajikistan - 573 miles 5. Ahamdabad, India - 600 miles 5. Bhopal, India - 606 miles PLACES JUST A LITTLE FURTHER DOWN THE ROAD 1. Kathmandu, Nepal - 713 miles (just 73 miles further!) 2. Meshed, Iran - 902 miles 3. Muscat, Oman - 1,103 miles Now, for some assurances. we hope that all of you know that if we thought there was real danger, we would get out of here in a heartbeat. The church and the college both will do anything they have to do to keep us safe. We have two darling children, and we wouldn't stay if there was a clear threat!!! Please believe us. And for those of you anxious to have us back home, remember, we sold our house, so we just may have to come and move in with YOU! Yes, that's a threat! What we really need are your prayers, and your support. We have to say, the constant pressure does prey on the mind somewhat, and your emails, calls and letters mean the world to us, and especially to the boys. We also want you to know that we would not be sticking it out here, unless we thought we were actually doing something truly worthwhile, and desperately needed. Our Christian brothers and sisters need us, and, we (as we have found) need them. We didn't come for a vacation, we came to do a job, one that not many would take on. Leaving before its done is something we cannot envision doing, unless circumstances simply will not permit us to remain. It is our commitment to our Lord, our church, and our sisters and brothers in Pakistan. We know we can depend on your support. Robert and Marianne -- Marianne Vermeer Forman Christian College Ferozepur Road Lahore 54600 Pakistan |
