The initial schedule of the convention this year was to convene at Calvin's Academy #1 in Lahore October 28-November 1, 2009. Due to the high risk of bombing, the government restricted the gathering of large groups of people in one place, and so the Presbyterian Convention could not be held at the academy as in previous years. The Calvin's Academies were closed for a little more than a week until security improvements could be made. Rev. Din expressed the urgency to continue with the meetings when he said at a meeting, "Brethren! The Lord has called us to preach the Word in season and out of season." Rev. Din then reported, "So the convention committee met in the office, the Lord gave us the leading that we could use other venues. Though there was real danger in those venues, we did not want to take any calculated risks. Under the guidance of His protection, the Lord gave us the leading and courage to keep preaching the Word and not to have superficial fears. The Lord blessed us and we had two days of a mini-convention at Wandala Dial Shah. The Lord blessed Rev. Jonathan Merica (Rev. Emmanuel Gill translated) so that he gave the Word boldly to some 500 people each day."

By God's marvelous grace the mini-conventions continued to be held not only in Wandala Dial Shah, but also in Bahar Basti, at Calvin's Academy #3 in Muridke, and Patak Basti. There are around fifty congregations in the BBLCCL in a thirty-mile radius around Lahore. Travel there is extremely difficult and dangerous. Amazingly, many of the members were willing to travel about fifteen to thirty miles to attend one of the nearby convention meetings. Again, Rev. Din wrote, "We praise the Lord the Wandala Dial Shah congregation hosted the convention on October 29 and 30. On October 29 there were about 500 from local congregations. On October 30 about 500 people attended. The Muridke congregations hosted the convention meetings on October 31 and November 1. We praise the Lord there were 500 and 550 at both meetings."

The mini-conventions continued to be held in a village of Lakho Dehar, and the large city of Faisalabad. On November 5, 2009, at the last meeting of the Faisalabad convention, it was decided that we would make the two-hour journey by public bus. Traveling in a small van would have been too risky. "We thank the Lord that as we reached the bus stop at Faisalabad, some young men escorted us to the worship place. They enclosed the streets and fifty people provided security at the entrance of the street. We had some 650 people attending from three congregations." Thank the Lord for growing His congregation in Faisalabad, a city of about 5 million. Please pray that the Lord will provide a building for them. A new Calvin's Academy, #4, has organized and already has nearly 100 students!

Concurrently with the convention meetings, Rev. Merica conducted two Bible studies with the seminary students, a study from Titus 2 for the BBLCCL pastors, a Friday evening Bible study on November 6 which was video-recorded for broadcast on cable TV, and on two Lord's Days he preached (Rev. Din translated) to a small group of God's people who regularly meet at Calvin's Academy #1 for worship services.

Critical Projects

There are some critical areas of opportunity that the Lord has opened up for us to minister in Christ's name to the Pakistani people. Please pray that God will give wisdom and resources to meet these needs.

First, we praise the Lord that Medical Clinic #2 at Muridke is nearing completion. We want to make the clinic fully operational by providing laboratory and diagnostic equipment as well as basic supplies. Praise the Lord the major portion of the resources has been received, primarily through the generosity of Middle East Reformed Fellowship. The medical clinic is a large facility with room for expansion. We give thanks to the Lord for being able to minister to the medical needs of many in the Muridke area. Pray for the Lord to provide Christian laborers to staff the clinic.

Second, we need to maintain our Christian radio and TV broadcasting, which is already being used to evangelize. Each Friday night in Bahar Colony, a Bible study is conducted which is video recorded. The recording of the Bible study is then broadcasted on cable TV.  Rev. Dennis Roes writes: "Praise the Lord, Who has opened new opportunities to proclaim the gospel by means of Christian radio broadcasting . . . . with the assistance of Middle East Reformed Fellowship. Development of the radio ministry and setting up the radio programming for the first six weeks is already underway. We need a commitment of $360 per month, in addition to our normal budget, for the funding of Cable TV programming and broadcasting. This amounts to an annual expense of $4,320 for broadcasting. Please join with us in prayer support and with contributions to promote this outreach ministry which will spread the gospel to a vast listening audience in Pakistan."

Third, the newest Calvin's Academy, #4, near Faisalabad, has about 100 students. The academy is in need of funds for development and support. Faisalabad has a large Christian population and many young children attend the BBLCCL congregation there. This is a wonderful opportunity to expand the work of missions in this area.

Fourth, please consider helping to provide housing for Rev. Emmanuel Gill and his family. Rev. Gill as Principal of the Presbyterian Theological Seminary in Lahore needs accommodations he can afford. Inflation has been running over 30 percent, so it's is a huge challenge to purchase or to build a house for him, but we know "all things are possible with God."

We praise God for all the support the Lord's people have provided, as Paul in Ephesians 3:20-1 says, "Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen."

It was a great honor and privilege to have gone to Pakistan to speak for the Presbyterian Convention there and to meet the saints of the Bible Believing Lahore Church Council. Working with Westminster Biblical Missions in a land that has been greatly troubled with civil unrest and hostile to Christianity is an almost overwhelming challenge. Praise the Lord for all our co-laborers in missions, the laborers on the mission field, and WBM. Praise God who is greatly prospering His work in Pakistan by opening many doors of opportunity for the ministry of the Gospel. I greatly value the bond of Christian charity I experienced with the Pakistani saints while there. I'm especially grateful to Rev. Sardar Din and his beloved wife Anila, who poured out a loving welcome and warm hospitality while serving Christ in Pakistan. Pray the Lord will make all our future labors in the Gospel effectual in Pakistan, as we work together for the glory of God and the furtherance of His kingdom.