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The Lord never ceases to amaze me. In early November we were forced to halt construction on our building in Islamabad due to budget overruns. I had allowed a ten percent idiot factor when we planned the building last year but could not have anticipated the rising cost of materials due the 2005 Pakistan earthquake. I was embarrassed to go back to those who partner with us and ask for more help so I put off saying anything.

Our Pakistani leader never mentioned this to me, but I could not get the images out of my mind of our people in Islamabad gathering in the open for their Sunday services. It can be cold, wet and miserable in north Pakistan during the winter, but our congregation has been faithful to continue to worship. The church is now over 650 adult members! I would literally go to sleep at night through December, thinking of those Pakistani church members. I found out later they were fasting and praying for the Lord to help them finish their building! They have given sacrificially, and though most of them only earn about $50 a month, they have given over $10,000 toward the property and building over the past year and a half.

Finally, in January I sent out a newsletter detailing our need for $20,000 to finish the building. I sent the newsletter out as an email before we actually mailed it, and wouldn't you know it, the entire amount we needed for the building was pledged before the newsletter was delivered!

I leave February fifth for Nepal. We are looking into setting up a new training center there based on the model of the one we are working with in south central Nepal. There, over 42 churches have emerged and they are growing steadily.

Thanks for all you are doing to partner with us to serve needy believers in south Asia .

Rick