Upendo Ministries

Today was both a great day and a very difficult day. Today I did the most I’ve done at a distribution and ate the first full meal I’ve eaten in two weeks. This morning we went to the storage hall and like yesterday, Bro. Haroon had prepared breakfast for us, but this morning he had a lot more food. As promised, Joshua brought me goat’s milk from their village, and I was SO happy!!! We played games together in the storage hall which was enjoyable.

On the way to distribution, Anna and Abram, along with Joshua, rode with us. This brick kiln was very close to the storage hall. At the service, we sang, “Jesus Only”. After service, we did the children first, and then we set the whole sets for the families on the tarp. One of the funnest parts was catching soccer balls from Joshua, Danish, and Dad to put with the family packs. We took families to a certain station and they would take the stuff to their home.

After distribution was finished, we played a little bit of frisbee. When dad said we needed to go ahead and leave, I was dreading getting into the van, because I knew I would have a stomach attack once my body knew I was done working. I sat down and then we heard they had prepared chai for us. We got out and starting walking to the table. I felt it coming on. I pulled on mom’s coat, and we starting heading back to the van. Joshua was ahead with the men. When he turned around, he saw me having another attack. (he has seen me have most of then because he’s with us most of the time, so he knew what was happening) He turned back around and told his dad, Bro. Shahzad, and my dad. So of course, the whole group turns around and comes to the van. Dad prayed for me, and they all joined in. They went and stood in front of the van waiting, and then it got worse. Dad came and was praying for me and Bro. Shahzad also came and laid hands on me and prayed in both Urdu and English. Once it got a little more bearable, they went and had chai.

After they were done, we went back to the storage unit because they were going to have food for us for supper. We waited a while for the food and when it had arrived, I had decided to have some chapati, which I’m allergic to. They brought so much food and Bro. Shahzad’s sister made it. There was biriyani, pilau, chapati, chicken, and rice pudding. After I had eaten, I knew I was going to have another attack. Mom and I went out to the van. I had a short one and I thought I was done, so I went inside. I sat down and it got so much worse. Dad was talking with Joshua and Bro. Shahzad. When he was done, he came over with them and we all had prayer. After that, the locals went into a room, to give us space. After a while of dad praying, Bro. Shahzad came in and prayed. After about forty minutes, they began singing songs. One that they sang says, “He’s in the midst of the storm, he’s in the valley we walk through. Where two or three are gathered in his name, he’ll be there too.” I appreciated Mom and Dad, Trenton and Karissa, Joelan, Abram and Anna, and Bro. Haroon and Bro. Shahzad being there and praying me through the difficult time. After an hour, I was headed out to the van. Tonight I’m simply exhausted and ready for some sleep. 🙂

I pray in faith that tomorrow I will not have any attacks. I am overwhelmed with appreciation at all the people who have lifted me up to the throne. It is only by those prayers that I’m able to be up and going. Thank you all so much. Please still keep Bro. Shahzad’s health in your prayers along with his family and the saints here. I am continuing to pray for the distributions to go well.