The Vicki Store
Pakistan was a great experience. I went as part of a ministry team but that was only for 5 days so going all the way to Pakistan I decided to stay for 3.5 weeks so the rest of the time I was touring alone. Well I'm never truly alone as I always have the Holy Spirit with me. I spent 2 days traveling there and 3 coming back with my layovers. So my days below are from when my tour and adventure
started. A few days didn't do much so left out. I flew into Islamabad then traveled to Taxila, Multan, Lahore, and then flew over to Karachi. The people were all so friendly and anywhere the govt thinks might be unsafe in any way they provide a free police escort for all foreigners. Everyone I met was friendly and so happy I was visiting their country. I was never uncomfortable and look forward to going back. I was surprised to learn that the government provides security for all types of religion to worship in their facilities but was told not to go to the streets to openly witness so I did not pass out Bibles on the street while there!! The security and police carry big guns and are all very sweet. They make you feel very safe and welcome. I'm so glad I visited Pakistan.
The group I went with was Joan Hunter Ministries. She has a healing ministry and we did get to see many people healed. She teaches others to do this as well as it is not any person that has the power to heal but a spiritual gift given by God thru the Holy Spirit to born again followers of Jesus. When people are healed and this power is displayed then there is a decision to be made. Are you going to follow the God that heals?
John 14:11-14 (NAS) 11Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father is in Me; otherwise believe because of the works themselves. 12Truly, truly I say to you, the one who believes in Me, the works that I do, he will do also; and greater works than these he will do; because I am going to the Father. 13And whatever you ask in My name, this I will do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14If you ask Me anything in My name, I will do it.
Jesus did many miracles when he walked the earth and miracles are still being done today !!!!
Day 1- Faisal Mosque, Said Bor Village, Rawail Pindi Church, Rawalpindi Raja Bizarre, Art on Wheels, Zero Point
Gurdwara Punja Sahib has the rock of the hand print of Guru Nanak. In the past they needed water and asked 3 times to Shah Wali Qandhari, muslims close by, and was refused. So he prayed out to God and put his hand on the rock and water flowed out and still does from the rocks and the pool is filled and kids were swimming in it. As with every Sikh Gurdwara I have ever visited they always offer food and drink. It is said that the people who refused to give water later on their water dried up. Be nice to your neighbors and share, God is watching!! Taxila was the center of trade route between Afghanistan, China & India and thousands of years ago was mainly Buddhist and some others religions and as much as is excavated there is still so much more to do. There are still old coins to be found by those that work the land. In the museum there is a very small portion of Buddhas bones on exhibit. Sirkar was another city of 10-12k that all religions lived together thousands of years ago. Julian is the original site of the big stupa and monastery and much delicate work and 154 steps up but not allowed to take pictures. Dharmarajika is were the bones were found that were Buddas. You can see where a huge statue was but now only his feet are left. With all the other religious raids in the past most all of Buddhist faces were chopped off in the whole area. I guess they didn't have time to completely destroy all of the figures so they made sure and got the face on most all !!
Day 2-Punja Sahib, Taxila, Musuem, Sirkar, Jaulian, Dharmarajik
Gurdwara Punja Sahib has the rock of the hand print of Guru Nanak. In the past they needed water and asked 3 times to Shah Wali Qandhari, muslims close by, and was refused. So he prayed out to God and put his hand on the rock and water flowed out and still does from the rocks and the pool is filled and kids were swimming in it. As with every Sikh Gurdwara I have ever visited they always offer food and drink. It is said that the people who refused to give water later on their water dried up. Be nice to your neighbors and share, God is watching!! Taxila was the center of trade route between Afghanistan, China & India and thousands of years ago was mainly Buddhist and some others religions and as much as is excavated there is still so much more to do. There are still old coins to be found by those that work the land. In the museum there is a very small portion of Buddhas bones on exhibit. Sirkar was another city of 10-12k that all religions lived together thousands of years ago. Julian is the original site of the big stupa and monastery and much delicate work and 154 steps up but not allowed to take pictures. Dharmarajika is were the bones were found that were Buddas. You can see where a huge statue was but now only his feet are left. With all the other religious raids in the past most all of Buddhist faces were chopped off in the whole area. I guess they didn't have time to completely destroy all of the figures so they made sure and got the face on most all !!
Day 3- Kefaraj Temple, Khewra Salt Mines, Gurdwara Janam Astrar
The Ketas Raj Temple which is Hindu and this one was dedicated to Shiva. I was told that Hindus and Muslims shared some spaces until colonialism came in and eroded the culture. The Khewra Salt Mines was exciting as so beautiful with 3 kinds of salt and a train ride in the mine. This is the 2nd largest mine in the world. We drove thru many little villages along the way where donkey/bull drawn carts, motorcycles with 1-5 passengers, trucks, taxis, cars just all share the same roads with lanes made as they drive. We ended in Gurdvara Janam Astrar where the founder of Sikh religion was born. We had tea in the admin building and learned about the many Sikhs slaughtered by the British and more information about their belief which seems very love and humanitarian based. My favorite saying is Where is the Love in that? So when deciding what action to take, think about if it shows love or not.
Day 4- Lahore Museum, Shrine of Data Darbar, Lahore Park and Fort
The museum was big and had many cultures exhibited and showed 8/14/1946 freedom from Britain and still had poster up of 3/8 which is women's day. At the Data Darbar shrine I went in by myself into the women's side and this was the only place in Pakistan that the women police would not let me pass without paying ALL of them while walking thru. There was the casket and lots of rose pedals. He was from Afghanistan and brought Islam to Lahore. Then they tried to hold my shoes hostage until I paid what they wanted and had to negotiate to get back. This is the only place I would skip if you are a women visiting Pakistan. The Park and Fort was very nice and had lots of activity around it. The kids were all happy and playing. There were some older religious buildings to see and then entrance into the fort from the gate we entered. There were lots of design in the buildings which were no longer occupied but had been changed over the years and occupied in the past by the British, Sikh and Mughal empires. I love seeing all the families and happy children enjoying the outdoors as this is how life should be !!
Psalm 127:3-5 (NASB) Behold, children are a gift of the Lord, The fruit of the womb is a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, So are the children of one’s youth. Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them; They will not be ashamed When they speak with their enemies in the gate.
Day 5- Old walled Lahore city bathhouse, Church of Pakistan Diocese of Lahore, Holy Trinity Church, Valmiki Temple, Shalimar Gardens, Flag Ceremony at Wagha Border
Today was long and full. Going into the old city and seeing the bathhouse was very interesting the way it was laid out and you could imagine all the people back in the day using it. We also visited Masjid Wazir Khan which is an old mosque being restored. We then went to some Christian churches and went in and prayed and then met both pastors at each church and had tea at one and fresh orange juice at the other which was very good. I heard about what they are doing. Then went onto Valmiki Temple for the Hindus which is 1200 years old and went thru much to get it back and still working. The Shalimar fort and gardens is another beautiful site on buildings and water gardens and just very peaceful. There were families out picnicking and my favorite memory is this little girl just running around with her ice cream and so happy. Then headed to the Wagha Border which is were India and Pakistan do a ceremony each day when the gate closes between the countries. The guards put on a show and everyone shouts from both sides and it was really exciting. Everyone is showing their country pride.
Day 6- Harappa Ruins
The Harappa people go back 6000 years in history. The museum had old bodies and relics. My favorite was a game that looked like a chess set but thousands of years old. They have toys and tools. It reminds me that we always need balance in life. My rule of order is God, family & close friends, work, friends and volunteer activities and lots of fun in each category. This is why I spend a lot of time with my grandkids and travel a lot, I enjoy it. Dessert is also my favorite part of the meal !! The guards explained every exhibit and stories they had heard. This is the first time when police security was required and when I went to the hotel I was not allowed to leave the hotel until the police would come again in the morning. My guide and driver go to a different hotel each night as they never stayed in the same hotels I did.
Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 (NASB) A Time for Everything There is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every matter under heaven—A time to give birth and a time to die; A time to plant and a time to uproot what is planted. A time to kill and a time to heal; A time to tear down and a time to build up. A time to weep and a time to laugh; A time to mourn and a time to dance. A time to throw stones and a time to gather stones; A time to embrace and a time to shun embracing. A time to search and a time to give up as lost; A time to keep and a time to throw away. A time to tear apart and a time to sew together A time to be silent and a time to speak. A time to love and a time to hate; A time for war and a time for peace.
Day 7- Sufi Shrines
We visited the Sufi shrines including the Tomb of Shah Rukn-e-Alam located in Multan, Pakistan, They are mausoleums and have beautiful Tughluq architecture, very gorgeous. People were praying around the shines and over the bodies and from my understanding Sufism is a mystical part of Islam where these saints can have intercession in prayers. The policeman told me he was praying for the man to be lifted to a higher place like there are levels. This man was famous for converting many Hindus and Sikhs to Islam.
There is a shrine for Shams Tabraiz, , from the Shia sector. When he was poor he had meat on a stick and asked many to allow him to cook it and kept getting told no so he held his stick up and asked God to cook it and his meat was cooked and he could eat. Since that day the sun is hotter in Multan and he then led many to Islam. Jesus is my ultimate intercessor!!
Hebrews 7:25 (NASB) Therefore He is also able to save forever those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.
Day 8- Derawar Fort, Camel ride, Shahi Mosque, Royal Cemetary, Bibi Jawindi Festival
Derawar Fort was another style of building and we walked all around and then took a camel ride. Then visited the Shahi Mosque then onto the Royal Cemetery which on parts the guard that worked there didn't want us taking pictures. From there we went on to the Tomb of Bibi Jawindi where a festival was going on in celebration of his birthday. I took a picture with his great great grandson who invited me for tea !! Over the last several days I have seen so many bodies laid to rest that were important in this life to others for different reasons. As beautiful and well maintained, the physical bodies will return to dust. We need to be thinking of the spirit & soul instead of the temporary. Even if you live to be 200 that is short compared to eternity. Spent the night in Bahawalpur and again this day was escorted by police except when in hotel. The next morning the police escorted us part of the way then left as back on the way to Lahore. Ecclesiastes 3:20 — (NIV) All go to the same place; all come from dust, and to dust all return.
Day 10- Mall shopping, Large Ministry Crusade
The team is here now and we went shopping at the mall which had kids rides on every level. I really see a lot of family accommodations which are a delight. We then took a two hour ride out to the crusade location. There were thousands of people who were there worshipping while they waited to see Joan Hunter. She taught on praying for others to be healed since it is not her but Jesus that heals. Was sitting on stage behind her to start with so that is the only picture I could get as was busy. Then we each had a line formed in front of to pray for people and I felt bad as security had us leave when there were so many still in line that wanted prayer. My favorite was a 5 year old boy that had trouble with his vision and you could see his eyes psychically changing as I prayed and he started shouting he could see and was so happy. So many people in need so many came with anticipation.
1 Peter 2:24 (NASB) 24 and He Himself brought our sins in His body up on the cross, so that we might die to [c]sin and live for righteousness; by His wounds you were healed.
Day 11- Pastors Conference, Dinner in a Local home
This day we drove hours again but not to the same place but to a church to have a pastors conference and a meal at McDonalds and we arrived late and Joan gave a sermon and didn't have time to pray as after eating everybody was ready to go as they had been waiting for several hours before we got there. It was wonderful to see the church filled with pastors. Again hard to get pictures when on stage. We then went to one of pastors family home and they had prepared a big meal with lots of dishes to try and it was awesome. We did get to pray for the extended family and prophesy over them. It was a good time just to hear about their life and goals.
Day 13- Brick Yards
Today was the best day of all. We traveled for hours down bumpy roads until we got to a brick yard. These people have to work 6 days a week from early until late making bricks and even the babies just play in the dirt all day until they are old enough to help which is very young. These people sleep on concrete beds and just survive on very little. This was a Christian group that lived here and even with nothing physically they still had a joy that came out. The kids loved dancing and singing (even though they didn't know what I was singing as in English) but just playing around with them. We had some baptized in the water well. I really would like to do something to help support this group and others like them that have gotten themselves into this mess and it last for generations. They borrow money and when can't repay they have to work and the salary is less then the interest so they basically become slaves for generations. They bring their family here as well when they can't pay. The children work so very hard as well and no choice. There are child labor rules but everyone just turns their heads as the bricks are needed for all the building going on. Even if you pay their way out then they would have no place to go unless you establish them as well with an occupation and home. This is something I do want to work on in the future. We then went onto the pastors house in a close by community and had a service and with an interpreter was able to pray and see healings. They made us drinks and snacks and covered us with leis made of roses. The hugs and the smiles broke down any language barrier.
You came away remembering that joy is not based on your circumstances.
Psalm 4:7 (NASB) You have put joy in my heart.
More than when their grain and new wine are abundant.
Day 14- Church and Buffet
Today we went to a church that they set up in their backyard with rental chairs and tarps each Sunday. We worshipped and Joan's husband gave a sermon then I prayed for many and I realized everyone else from our group was gone after awhile so I headed to find them and they were just inside. After leaving there we went to a nice restaurant on a roof top with an all you can eat buffet. So much unlimited good food in an ambiance of luxury and the total price was like $8 a person.
It was the groups last day as everyone else was headed out then next day.
Day 15- Fly to Karachi
Today I went to the airport and took a local flight from Lahore to Karachi. I had a good flight and was able to use the airlines club as well while waiting. I was running out of Pakistan money and could not get exchanged since not on International side but was able to once I got to Karachi. The hotel had a driver pick me up and I was off to more excitement. One of my friends here in the US had shared contact info for me to call when I was there. So I go checked in and called and they came that night to the hotel and we went out to eat and horseback riding on the beach. They were so nice and I loved hearing all about their life in Pakistan.
Day 16- until leaving spent in Karachi
So the next day they came and got me and we explore Mohatta Palace museum, and went to eat by the water,
then went to Port Grand where there was entertainment and food and just strolled around. There was a puppet show you could just stop and watch. The next few days I hired a driver to take me around and went to Zainab and Empress market where they were selling bulls feet among other groceries, Burns Rd to eat, Quaid-E-Azam, famous cemeteries, a church and a flight museum. At this point I wasn't writing down much and just enjoying !! I had a list and then the driver added to it and just saw the city until time to leave and come back to USA. People are the same wherever you go as they just want to live a good life and take care of their family. The culture, the food, clothes, and language may be different but we are all so alike in many ways and should all be able to get along if we just remember to love God and love others !!!
John 13:34 “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another.
The "Romans" Road to the Gospel of Jesus Chris
The Problem of Sin
Romans 3:23
"For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.."
The Wages of Sin
Romans 6:23a
"For the wages of sin is death..."
The Love of God
Romans 5:8
"But God demonstrates His own love toward us,
in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us."
The Free Gift of Salvation
Romans 6:23b
"But the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."
Accepting the Free Gift
Romans 10:9 & 13
"That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart
that God has raised Him from the dead,
you will be saved.
(13) For whoever calls on the name of the LORD
shall be saved."
When you are alone and no one else around just call out the name of Jesus 3 times and seek Him and He will answer you. You do not need to take anyone else's word or any book. Experience Him for yourself !!!