In spite of all the economic challenges of 2010, we have certainly experienced the "favor" of God here in the USA.  But economic prosperity isn't the kind of "favor" referred to here is it?  In dire economic circumstances, our Pakistani Brothers & Sisters have also experienced the "favor" of that same Savior heralded by the angels long ago.  They are expressing His love to their oppressors, offering real peace in a place where peace is hard to find.  Your partnership with HFC is making this possible and making a difference in the Kingdom of God!  See what a difference your investment of just $50/mo. for one year makes in the life of an impoverished Christian entrepreneur in Pakistan ($600 is our average size loan.)!  Please read the story below and see what I mean.

May you experience the peace of Christ as you serve the Him in the New Year!  Merry Christmas!

Dave Karstens

The Kingdom of God in Pakistan is growing through Harvest Field Corner's MicroEnterprise endeavors.

"Midian so impoverished the Israelites that they cried out to the Lord for help."  - Judges 6:6

As in Gideon's time, Pakistani Christians have been driven into impoverishment by the majority Muslim community because of their faith.  Christian families, Pastors, and churches exist in impoverishment and are crying out to Lord for help.

"Salamgee"  (Pakistani greeting pronounced "Saa-lam-zee")  My name is Shahbaz,  I am a Pakistani Christian.  I live with my wife Romilla, our seven children, both of our parents, my two younger brothers as well as my youngest brother's wife.

Three years ago we had nothing.  Some days I found work to do, but most of the time we were hungry.  Our clothes were falling apart.  My second youngest child, my precious daughter, Naomi, was very sick and we could not afford the medicine for her.  When she died we had no money to bury her, but the neighbors in our Christian Community helped.

One day everyone in our church congregation was very excited.  Our Pastor came and told us a Brother Reuben was coming to our church with a USA Christian named Brother Jerry.  They are going to hold a seminar telling us how we can start our own business to support our families.

I had been praying about using my welding experience to start a welding shop, but I   didn't have the money to buy a welder. I attended the seminar and learned that God desires to bless and provide for His Children who live in Biblical obedience.  Reuben gave us a training manual and spent several hours explaining Biblical Stewardship, this is the very first time we had heard this teaching. Our Pastor embraced this training.  Brother Reuben explained the principle of tithing, how to tithe on the money we take from our business to live on. Reuben explained how to apply for a business start up loan. He explained that Harvest Field Corners would only loan money for business income generation purposes. I completed the form they called a Business Plan and was one of the eight families in our church selected for a loan to start my welding shop.

My business has done well.  My family and relatives now have enough food to eat and clothes to wear. After a few months my business had grown so I hired two men from our church. My family rejoices, as now we can help others in need. I am able to tithe every single week. Praise be to God, all of my children (including my daughters) are now going to a Christian School, as we now have money to pay tuition and buy their supplies.

Brother Reuben also gave business start up loans to several other families in our church congregation.

Pastor Taj is very happy because church attendance and offerings are still increasing. Our church has added a room to Pastor's home, as his family is growing. Our church also started a Christian School for our children to attend.  Even Muslim children in the neighborhood are attending. We almost have the money saved to purchase Pastor a motorbike.  Pastor needs this as he recently started a house church in another section of our city.

As I have paid back my loan, others are using this same money to start their businesses. Sometimes my Muslim customers ask me about Jesus Christ. I see God working in their life.

My youngest brother and his wife are expecting a baby soon. This precious child will not have to know hunger because recently Brother Reuben told my younger brother that his application to start a sewing shop has been approved. This is another answer to our prayers.

Since this training Brother Reuben called Biblical Stewardship, our congregation has been extremely blessed and those following this teaching have a better lifestyle. With the increased tithe from those who have received business loans, our church is now planning to support a young brother who is going to his family's home village to tell the people the truth about Jesus Christ and hopes to start a church. This village of 800 families, over 5,000 people, has 11 Mosques but not one church.  God has been very gracious and merciful to my family.  Thank you for giving this money that started all of this.

Friends, Shahbaz and his family are representative of true stories happening through Harvest Field Corners MicroEnterprise ministry.  HFC builds up Pakistan's national church by blending Biblical Stewardship Training with microenterprise strategies. HFC accomplishes this thru a Pastor Partnership program. Presently HFC has a waiting list of Pastors who want us to present this program to their church congregation.

Just $6000 will start 8 new businesses within one of these impoverished church communities.  Income-generation Businesses operated by Christian entrepreneurs include food markets, bicycle shops, sewing shops, etc.  Within nine months, enough money will be repaid to start a ninth business within the church community without any additional monetary gifts.  Over a five year period, this original $5000 investment provides the resources for about twenty four Christian-operated businesses to be started. The repayment ratio is 99%.  Dollars given today will uplift impoverished Pakistani believers for many years to come.  Through stewardship training, along with meeting the practical needs of economically persecuted believers, evangelism doors are opened, children are educated, and the needy are cared for.

Through this unique microenterprise program, Pakistan's persecuted church is now growing.  You too can provide a perpetual blessing to persecuted believers in Pakistan by investing in Harvest Field Corners' microenterprise loan fund.

PRAISES & PRAYERS

PRAISE - 1.5 ACRES OF LAND in Pakistan purchase finalized in November for future HFC HQ.

PRAISE - HFC will be distributing nearly $30,000 for FLOOD RELIEF providing food, blankets, medical clinics and 120 water purifiers distributed by Christians to Christian and Muslim communities alike.

PRAISE - $25,000+ contributed from Church at Briargate, Colorado Springs to HFC MicroEnterprise Loan Fund for Community Investment Partnership in Pakistan. Changing Lives ... Building God's Kingdom!

PRAY - VISA application approval by Pakistan embassy for DAVE KARSTENS (Feb) and JERRY TUTTLE (Mar) 2011 TRIP TO PAKISTAN.

PRAY- Continued growth in MICROENTERPRISE LOAN FUND in 2011, core ministry growth vehicle for HFC ministry in PK.  100% of donated funds have been used in PK mission!

The following journal is an account of 24 Hrs. spent by HFC Founder/International Director, Jerry Tuttle, during his recent trip to Pakistan.Like many of you, through Prayer & Obedience, Jerry was defending the faith … building God’s Kingdom … and battling the “evil one”.While the weapons differ from TV hero, Jack Bower, (Jerry wasn’t wearing Kevlar, never fired a shot, etc.) the effectiveness of God’s “armor” is evident in the hearts of believers and those seeking Truth in a spiritually dark, dangerous land.One thing Jerry’s day has in common with Jack Bower, they both put in long days!

24 HOURS IN PAKISTAN
By Jerry Tuttle (Re-written by permission)

March 2010, Pakistan

Friday, 13:30:01
·We’re eating lunch earlier than usual, and are about to begin our 2 hour trip to Islamabad.Before backing out of the driveway, we thank God for the use of our vehicle (a 14 yr old Toyota Corolla) and fervently pray for safety.

14:00:01
·We refuel at a CNG station, just a few kilometers before entering the motorway (an Interstate-type toll road).CNG (condensed natural gas) costs about 40% less than petro and about 70% of the passenger cars and vans have been converted to CNG.The CNG tank occupies about ½ the trunk.When I say we are fervently praying for safety, this tank of CNG comes to mind.As the young station attendant (remember them?) is cleaning the windshield, I say “Khuda App Ko Piar Karta Hy Aur Main Bhi” … God loves you and so do I.“Shookria”, He responds, i.e. “Thank you”.

15:30:01
·Arriving in Islamabad, we immediately go to the home where a Gujranwala Pastor is staying while recovering from a stroke.He is about 5 hours from his home in Gujranwala.Pastor Youhanas while looking and acting normally, cannot talk as a result of the stroke.We have a warm relationship with Pastor Youhanas, who is naminga guest room and private bath he is adding on to his home in Gujranwala,“Jerry’s Room”.

·Where Pastor Youhanas is recuperating in Islamabad is in disarray from a construction project, a room addition for their recently married son and his wife.Stucco/plaster repairs are being made to the interior and exterior, however the host family still extends hospitality to their unscheduled guest in need.We’re led up a narrow, curving staircase (with no handrail) on higher than normal steps to a room where a daughter had just finished spreading a blanket on the floor for us to sit on.

·I was prepared to wash this brother’s feet, anoint him with oil, and pray for his complete recovery.After the customary greeting, with tea being prepared, I am watching and listening trying to determine what’s being said as nearly all of the conversation is in Urdu.As we’re sitting on the floor, Pastor Youhanas writes a few lines in Urdu and Reuben translates for me.I realize that Pastor Youhanas is expecting me to read Scripture.I ask the young man traveling with us to get my Bible out of our car, rather than use their English Bible, while I try to think of a scripture and encouragement for this Brother.My mind was blank.

·Two weeks earlier we visited this brother and prayed for him.Now he shares that, since our visit, God revealed to him that both he and his wife are to take the Gospel to the northern areas of Pakistan.This is a challenging endeavor for anyone whether in Kashmir, the disputed border area with China in the northeast, or in Northwest Pakistan, a Taliban stronghold.In spite of his circumstances, Pastor Youhanas is intent on answering God’s call.

·I’m still trying to think of just the right scripture to share and what to say.In faith I decided to just open my Bible hoping it falls open to an appropriate scripture.Thinking that I may find a passage in Isaiah or Jeremiah my bible opened to an entirely different place… 1 Peter 2:9-12.

o“But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation.His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul, having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles (Muslims), that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation.”

·I am exhorting Pastor Youhanas not to forget what the Holy Spirit is instructing him to do in northern Pakistan when healed.Then I washed his feet, anointed him with oil, and prayed for him.Later that evening he called Reuben, clearly speaking a complete sentence.Two weeks later he delivered the Easter message to his Gujranwala congregation.

·Saying good-bye, we “hit the road” again heading to a Christian community for an open air meeting that is planned.Along the way we stopped to refill at a CNG station.As we pulled up to the pump I noticed a Muslim man, behind an armed guard, kneeling on a matt for daily prayers while facing Mecca. I wanted a picture so I walked in his direction hoping to get a picture, but he was finished with his prayers and went to his car before I could get a picture.Approaching the guard and say, “Khuda App Ko Piar Karta Hy Aur Main Bhi”… “God lovesyou and so do I”.He looks astonished and grips the AK-47 in his lap even tighter.Merely waving to him, I walk back to our car.

17:30:01
Parking our car at the entrance to the Christian community, we walk about 200 yards to the Pastor’s home.Approaching Pastor Shakiel’s home, we observe men putting together a makeshift stage by placing several “coffee” tables together and putting sheets of plywood over them.The makeshift platform is positioned on a 20 foot wide concrete passageway between row houses.A sound system with loudspeakers, lights, pulpit and a few chairs are on carpet-type blankets spread across the platform and on the concrete walkway in front of the stage.These extremely modest row houses are within 50 yards of beautiful homes occupied by wealthy Muslims costing into the hundreds of thousands.Pastor Shakiel warmly welcomes us into their humble home and shortly thereafter hot tea and cookies are served.

18:00:01
·Outside the music is beginning and soon dozens of people arrive.They are sitting cross-legged on the blanketed area, women and children in front, men behind them.Had this happened several years ago, the men would have been in front.After my many visits to this area, the people know that I believe that women should have the best, or first place.In addition, they now serve communion to the women prior to serving the men.I keep reminding our Christian brothers that we need to treat our wives and daughters in such a manner that women from the Muslim community will notice and want to learn more about Christianity.While we are sitting in the Pastor’s home, several more pastors and church elders arrive.Among them is Pastor Samson, the senior pastor from Islamabad who planted this church.

19:15:01
·The Change in worship leaders indicates the beginning of the service.Throughout the evening the crowd grows to several hundred.

20:00:01
·We are being escorted to the platform to join the worship.

20:30:01
·It is time for me to wash the feet of Pastor Shakiel and his wife, Shabana.This tremendously moving event is leading to many tears by Pastor Shakiel and his wife, and the crowd as well.

·Beginning to speak, I explain to the crowd that, as a BABA-G (a grandfather), I hug my daughters.Hugging women in this culture is not considered appropriate, but tonight I am treating Shabana like my daughter or granddaughter.Under the anointing of the Holy Spirit, as I put my arms around her, Shanana’s knees give way and she collapses to her knees.Other women begin gathering around her.Then I hugged Pastor Shakiel, he wept and wept.After regaining his composure, he took an offering saying the entire offering would go toward the need for a permanent church.He then introduced me.

While he was speaking, I noticed Pastor Samson taking notes.He jumped up and asked my permission to speak to the crowd.Right there, he began asking people to contribute 5000 rupees (about $60) toward a permanent church building or building site.(Compared to the average annual income in the U.S., it would be the equivalent of about $1,200 here.)Several people begin standing up.Reuben is interpreting what is going on for me since I cannot understand any of it.

21:20:01
·The service is being turned back to me and I step up to the podium to preach.Since everything I say must be interpreted, the service takes twice as long.At 9:45 p.m., Pastor Shakiel advices us that the electricity will be going off at 10 p.m.I begin my closing comments and 7 minutes later turned the service back to Pastor Samson who further expounds on my thoughts.Even after the electricity goes off at 10 p.m., Pastor Samson and Pastor Shakiel continue the service in the dark.

22:30:01
·The elders begin tearing down the pulpit and rolling up the carpets.Dozens of people want to shake my hand, many women and young girls ask me to lay hands on them, asking for healing for their infants sick with fever.

22:55:01
·About 25 minutes later, we head for the car, hopefully heading home after a long and fruitful day.Instead, we are escorted to a home in another part of the community where we begin an evening meal by candlelight, with about a dozen men.The electricity comes back on before we finish our meal.After prayer for special needs, and accepting gifts from these believers, we leave.

Saturday, 12:01:01
·Finally we’re heading home… wrong!Pastor Shakiel has a plot of vacant ground he wants to show me; a possible building site for a permanent church.

Friends, in humility I share this:this faithful group of believers believe that when I anoint a plot of ground and pray that God will provide the best permanent site for this congregation and the resources to build on it, that God will make it happen.
I anoint this plot and pray.It is in a poor location, facing a deep gully with a polluted stream of water running through it.The reality here is that Muslim landowners would gladly donate a small plot of ground for a Mosque, but will charge Christians up to $35 per SF for the same land.They are asking $33/s.f. for this 750 s.f. plot of scrawny ground.

When I return in October, Pastor Samson made me promise to go to another village several hours from Islamabad where he is planting another church.I know this same story will be repeated.

12:20:01
·Finally, we’re heading for home, it’s noon in the U.S. so I call LouAnn.

01:00:01
·Pulling into a CNG station we frequently use, an armedguard with an AK-47 looks on as a young man fills our tank.I tell him, “Khuda App Ko Piar Karta Hy Aur Main Bhi”, “God loves you and so do I”.Once again I didn’t understand his response in Urdu.We get back in the car and are on our way when Reuben tells me the young man asked if we would share a cup of tea.Reuben feels he may be a secret believer.After Reuben’s explanation, I advise him that if this is what God revealed to him, we should have scheduled a time to go back and have tea with him.Reuben agreed.

01:30:01
12 hours have passed.We are taking a different route home, even though it is slower and bumpier with more turns.At this time of night it’s best not to travel on the best, but isolated, highways where gangs armed with AK-47s are reportedly robbing vehicles and vans.Upon arriving home safely, we drop into bed.02:10:01
Arriving home safely, we drop into bed… exhausted.09:00:01
·Breakfast is served and we are spending time with Reuben’s family.

10:00:01
·Reuben & I, along with Reuben’s brother, are heading to the market to purchase a generator.Power outages have become long and unpredictable.The need for a generator has become critical.We’ve researched what we need and proceed with the purchase.While everything goes smoothly, things always are always take longer than expected here.After getting installation and servicing instructions, the generator is loaded into a small truck for home delivery.Reuben’s brother accompanies the delivery truck.

With Mr. Jameel, the shop owner, following Reuben and I out to our car, once again I say, “Khuda App Ko Piar Karta Hy Aur Main Bhi”.Knowing that Mr. Jameel speaks English, I repeat in English, “God loves you and so do I.”Muslims are taught to say “Inshallah” (Arabic for “If Allah wills), Mr. Jameel looks into my eyes and in clear English, distinctly says, “Pray for me.”Reuben’s perception of this event is that Mr. Jameel believes that Allah will give him credit for his response by saying, “Pray for me”.My perception is that God is at work in both the hearts of Reuben and Mr. Jameel.

12:15:01
Arriving home, the new generator has arrived and the installer is working on the project.01:30:01
·The electricity is off again … the generator is running …our 24 hours is over.

“This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it."
Psalms 118:24

Harvest Field Corners has witnessed the powerful impact of the "Gift of a Loan" ... providing financial opportunity and hope to impoverished, persecuted Christians in Pakistan.  In addition to the financial impact, HFC has witnessed a transformation of believers, who were once considered a burden to the Church and then became a blessing.  We call this MicroEnterprise Life Solutions.

In 2009, HFC reached a milestone as our loan fund in Pakistan reached $100,000.  We've made approximately 300 loans since 2006 and work with 36 Churches.  Currently the average micro-loan is $600 (the approx. annual income for most PK Christians) and financially impacts up to 17 people. Our next milestone is $250,000 in loan funds.   Think about the spiritual impact generated by a loan fund providing 417 loans, impacting over 7,000 people, that is re-cycled 4 x's every 10 years.

Click below to see how our "Gift of a Loan" strategy works and the impact it has in the body of Christ building His Kingdom.  In subsequent issues, we'll share examples of the spiritual impact in Pakistan through MicroEnterprise Life Solutions.

The impact on families, neighborhoods, cities, etc. are apparent all around us.  But have you thought about how it has impacted your Church?  What is the impact on ministry to Believers within your Church and the evangelistic impact of your Church to the world outside?  Now multiply that by thousands of Churches across America, what is the collective
affect on Kingdom Building efforts by followers of Christ?

In spite of the economy, with or without us, God will continue to build his Kingdom.  We just feel priviledged that He is using us to play a part in a place that He has strategically placed us.  Please read the articles below to see how God's word is spreading.  Let us know if you'd like to partner with us.