After the earthquake in Kashmir last October killed more than 79,000 people, millions were left without shelter as the winter approached. Gospel for Asia Compassion Services relief teams immediately began bringing physical aid as well as the hope of the Gospel to those they could reach. Now, one year later, survivors like Mahdy give glory to God—whom he heard about through the ministry of one of these teams.

Desperation

Mahdy and his family felt they were extremely lucky that no one in their family was dead. But when he walked around the rubble of his home, Mahdy found his livelihood of goats and cows destroyed. Wells were damaged and drinking water had to be carried miles over the broken countryside. Food was scarce, blankets and shelter were desperately needed, and the weather turned intensely cold and rainy. This was the situation throughout the mountainous regions of Kashmir.

Mahdy struggled to find food for his children and worried about his wife, who was going into labor with their fifth child.

"We were thinking that in such a situation, both child and mother would not survive," Mahdy remembers.

The Compassion of Christ

Because Mahdy had been a refugee in the village for the last 10 years, he faced discrimination from government relief teams that drove through handing out limited emergency supplies. But God brought a GFA team to his village just in time.

"We were in search of a place so remote that no other relief teams were able to reach it," said Pastor Haamid, the GFA relief team leader. "Near the India-Pakistan border, we found such a place. They told us that for so many days, nobody came to help them. Someone finally came and just threw relief items on the road. The women and children were crying in front of their demolished homes . . . it was the first time in my life to see such kind of disaster."

Pastor Haamid and his team quickly started working. The team provided the villagers with blankets, tarps and two meals daily. The medical team treated 148 seriously injured villagers. The team also spent time listening to the villagers' stories, counseling from the Bible and sharing the hope of Christ. They taught songs and Bible stories to the children, whose young minds had experienced so much trauma.

Mahdy's wife also received medicine and care from the medical team. Her daughter was born safely in a makeshift tent under the pouring rain.

"Whenever I see my daughter, I think of the GFA team," Mahdy said. "Saalima is in this world because of their help and prayers." Mahdy's little daughter turned one year old this month.

Long Term Help

It was a miracle that the teams were able to reach areas in Pakistan. Normally tense, closed borders were opened for relief—also opening doors for the Gospel.

Most of the affected areas, like Mahdy's village, are predominately Muslim, normally difficult places for ministry. GFA team members have had to calm misconceptions that they only care about conversions. On visits back to the village, team members were invited into homes for tea, and the survivors reaffirmed their deep gratitude for the love the team had shown them.

Mahdy is one whose gratefulness opened his heart to hear of God’s love. He came alongside the team and helped with relief work, and even offered his land to help with GFA's ministry and educational endeavors.

"They had no words to express their gratitude. But their eyes spoke a lot of things which are also difficult to write," our correspondent wrote. "Some of them broke into tears and testified that they experienced unique impartial love, care and concern from the GFA team members."

Shojin, one of the workers on the relief team, was able to talk with several imams, and they asked him for a New Testament. The Muslims asked for more literature, and they began meeting regularly.

"Shojin saw that food and clothes alone are not going to comfort them," our correspondent wrote. "Rather, they need a relationship with the living God. He is praying to go back to the same community and start ministry."

Winter

There was much fear of heavy loss of life during the fast-approaching winter after the earthquake. Blocked roads were impossible to travel during the snows, and many villages were stranded. But according to news reports, the winter was one of the mildest in history. Praise God!

But now another winter approaches. Rebuilding is expensive, and there is not enough money from the government's aid. Only 20 percent of the survivors are said to have sufficient shelter to live in for the coming winter. And the emotional wounds are still there.

"Even after a year, the memories of the earthquake and the disaster of October 8 still play in the minds and hearts of the victims," our correspondent said after visiting the area. "Even today their stories bring alive all the sadness and grief of that day."

The wounds won't go away on their own, but through the Gospel message, survivors of the earthquake can look forward to a future of hope in the Lord. Please pray that the open doors will result in many people receiving Christ.