Khuda Hafiz
‘Khuda Hafiz’ is the traditional and very common farewell phrase for Pakistanis. It is transferrable across the various languages in Pakistan, and it has a simple meaning: God protect you. There’s something beautiful in that — the notion that every time you leave someone, you entrust them into the hands of God. I also appreciate ‘Khuda Hafiz’ as it is an interesting relic of pre-Islamic Pakistan. Khuda is the Persian word for God, and the one that Christians use when talking about God. While there have been attempts to ‘Islamise’ the word by changing it to ‘Allah Hafiz’ (there was a strong effort of Islamisation around the 80’s), the traditional greeting still holds in many places. And as I close the book on this period of time in Pakistan, I feel like it is a fitting conclusion.
I have seen the phrase ring true, in many situations — God has protected me. And I’ve seen and heard testimonies of God’s protection and sustaining in so many others. God is a good Father — and if we have eyes to see it, even the difficult moments happen while we are being held in His hands.
I’m writing this in Karachi airport, about to board the plane to Dubai. I cleared through customs and immigration with barely a notice from the officials (a big relief after the dramas at the same point when I was leaving India!). And while I don’t know what’s ahead, I’m stepping into the unknown with a new set of lessons learnt in my possession. I’ve survived 7 months in Pakistan: a country that in some ways is not ‘beginner level’ !! I’ve seen story after story of God at work. I’ve learnt lessons on ministry, cross-cultural engagement, radical faith, evangelism, and what really matters in life. I’m carrying away a whole lot of memories, friends, and stories to pass on. And most of all, I’m more certain than ever that Jesus is worth following, that the cost is worth it … and that “salvation by grace through faith” has no comparison to the other worldviews out there.
So, this is my prayer for you, too. Khuda Hafiz. God protect you. Not just in the good seasons, but God sustain you in the storms of life where your faith will come into its own. God hold you as you journey on the road He’s placed you, and give you the courage and tenacity to take faith steps into the unknown. And God remind you that you are not alone … that you have brothers and sisters in faith, cheering you on, inviting you to cheer them on, even on the other side of the world … even in Pakistan.
As for the update of what’s happened this week, this week was next-level insane. INSANE. I ended up preaching 5 times this week. All in Urdu. Three of them with no notice to prepare. The church that I was connected with woke up to the fact that they had someone who they could use in ministry. This was all in the middle of packing up the last 6 months of my life, navigating all the last minute invitations to meet people from church (now that the church had finally allowed this!!), sending my excess luggage back through Pakistan Post (a many-hour ordeal), processing all the emotions of leaving, and getting through a fever on Wednesday night. Ugh! Full on. But, there were some glorious moments too:
One of the most special moments of my time in Pakistan was my daily time in the orphanage teaching the whole story of the Bible. On the last day, they organised a farewell for my time, where they put up displays of each of the activities we did on each Bible story, and then we had biryani and icecream together. I was able to also pass on a simple English/Urdu picture book to each of the kids that walked through the story of the Bible from start to finish — and would also help the kids understand English. I’m so thankful for your generosity that meant we could do this for them. These kids, and the incredible couple that leads the small organisation, were the real deal. I’m so grateful for them in so many ways. And you can see — these kids are not hard to love!
My english class also had a farewell which was also pretty special. I love these guys a lot and it has been special to have them to invest into during this time. The group has shrunk and grown and changed, but each week we read through different passages of the Bible and grew together. In saying farewell, I was able to pass on a simple English Bible to each of these guys as a gift, and this was also through your generosity… so thankyou ;)
Also, here’s a photo of me preaching again this week. The pastor, Nasim, wanted to practice translating again … but this time we both contributed separate sections just in Urdu as well.
After emotional goodbyes to my host family, I ended up in Karachi yesterday with about twenty four hours here. And, like the last week in Lahore, this time has been busy too — I managed to squeeze in four different catchups with connections here. One was with Raju bhai, a friend of a friend that has an incredible testimony. Just three months ago, Raju was deep in addiction, and far from God (although from a Christian family). However, God did an amazing miracle in his life, and rescued him from the addictions and brought him back to a living faith. It was cool to hear his testimony, and do my best to encourage him as he navigates all the consequences of such a major life change.
I also managed to catch up with two other friends — one being Hamza, a young man I’d previously caught up with, and secondly Umar — a man from the ‘other end’ of Pakistani society. Umar picked me up last night in a new black SUV and took me to the Karachi Club (obviously the restaurant where the ‘who’s who’ of Karachi go… and where his family had a membership. He proceeded to tell me about the business his cousin started and then sold for $350 million, or how his family’s cotton importing business is one of the largest in the world 😳. A whole other world from most of the people I met here! But fascinating to be able to engage with him and learn from this experience too.
And finally, as I left I caught up with another friend from earlier — Tazeem, a Christian who God radically changed and who is hoping to do full-time mission work (maybe in Pakistan, maybe in Syria). I was so encouraged that as I am leaving, God gave me the opportunity to be inspired by the testimonies of some incredible faithful believers. Tazeem, Raju and his family dropped me at the airport, and it was a special gift to be sent off by them … by some people who are comparatively unknown to me, and yet, in Christ, are family.
So, that’s a wrap on my time here. From here, I am off to Dubai, and to apply for the Indian visa, or to head back to Australia … depending on which door God opens. I’m trusting God either way. I would appreciate continued prayer for my stomach, which has continued to have issues. And for prayer that God would make His way ahead very clear. But you can also join me in praising God for this time, for His protection, and for the many gifts He’s given along the way. I’ll continue to update with whatever happens next for me (and I’m so grateful for those people who are following along!) … but, Khuda Hafiz from Pakistan ☺️🇵🇰
(…and just for fun: getting cake smeared on my face by my students … a South Asian celebration tradition haha!)