In Pakistan, an estimated one and a half million Christians live in modern slavery. Entire families are tied to brick kilns by debts they can never repay. Parents work long hours under harsh conditions, while their children also have to help out, thus denying them an education. The debt often passes from generation to generation, leaving families trapped in a hopeless situation. This degrading existence is compounded by discrimination and injustice.
Local churches refuse to resign themselves to this reality. They are committed to liberating families, giving perspective and restoring hope. And with success! This week we received a wonderful message:
"Although the official report is only due in a few weeks, I want to give you a glimpse of our work already. So far, we have freed 13 families from debt bondage in the brick kilns: eight families in Gojra and five in Lahore. All these families have been given other work and a new life outside slavery in the brick kilns."
We are grateful that as churches we can contribute to this work.
