MY ACCOUNT
Over the past few years, we’ve taken you into the hot, dusty brick kilns of Pakistan, where persecuted Pakistani Christian slaves labor. We’ve introduced you to some of the believers who make up the 50 freed families whose debts we’ve paid.
Tragically, Christians make up less than 2% of the population in Pakistan, where they face regular persecution. They are often denied access to quality education; approximately 40% of the population of Pakistan is illiterate. Christians can also face violence, false blasphemy allegations and discrimination that makes it nearly impossible to find a good job.
As a result, they remain stuck in poverty. When crises like illness or family emergencies arise, impoverished Christians are frequently forced to borrow money from brick kiln owners under exploitative terms. These loans come with high interest, and wages are so low that entire families can become trapped in bonded labor for years or even decades, with little chance of escape.
When we first met Azeeb, a now-freed Pakistani Christian slave, we learned his story of toiling in bonded slavery for nearly 25 years. He knew that, without a miracle, he had no chance of paying off his debt. His children would be forced to inherit it and remain in the cycle of poverty.
Like so many others, Azeeb had been forced to take predatory loans to pay for his daughters’ wedding dowries. “It’s what the poor man must do again and again,” Azeeb told us.
He woke up every day at 4 a.m. to go to work all day in the kilns, where he said he and other Christians worked the worst jobs. “And after paying all our monthly expenses, our debt will still increase,” he said.
But through all of his hardships, Azeeb found hope in his faith in Christ. He prayed for freedom—and his prayers were answered. After three months of careful planning, by God’s grace and thanks to generous donations, Azeeb’s debts were paid. “God sent us angels to bless us, and now we are free,” Azeeb said, unable to contain his relief.
“I no longer feel like a slave.”
One year later, we revisited Azeeb in Pakistan and witnessed the miracles God has worked in his life.
“My life was completely transformed when I received generous support from GCR and their partners,” he told us.
Azeeb continues to work in the kilns, just as he has for most of his life, but now, without an insurmountable debt to pay off, he receives a full paycheck.
“The increase in my income has made our financial and living situations significantly more stable. My family and I are now free from the mental and physical stress that we had as a result of our loans,” Azeeb said. “I no longer feel like a slave.”
A recent visit
Brian Orme, CEO of Global Christian Relief, recently visited Azeeb, his wife Zubaydah and their children, who joyfully welcomed Brian into their home. Azeeb proudly shared the opportunities his family has been blessed with ever since his bondage ended, joy and gratitude flowing from his heart.
“We have been going through a lot of good things,” Azeeb said. “I have a good friend in Jesus here in Pakistan.”
Now that he is no longer in bonded labor, Azeeb and his family have been able to save money each week. He proudly displayed newfound treasures—a ceiling fan purchased by his son and family photos prominently hanging on the wall.
Most significantly, Azeeb and Zubaydah’s son Ashir has secured a job earning 37,000 rupees monthly, something he would never have been allowed to do while his family was in debt.
“Now they are free,” Azeeb said of his children. “This is one of the greatest achievements, and this is all because of you.”
The family is now preparing for their daughter Vincha’s upcoming wedding, carefully saving to assemble her dowry, no longer forced to rely on predatory loans. Their home radiates hope and possibility where despair once lived.
“It is hard to put into words the connection that God brings between brothers and sisters in Christ like this,” Brian said. “I am humbled and just thankful to be able to be in their home, to be able to call him a friend, to get to know their family and to know that we’re praying for each other. To see where they’ve come in this short time is nothing short of miraculous.”
Join us in prayer for a this freed Pakistani Christian slave
Please keep Azeeb, Zubaydah and their whole family in your prayers. Join us in thanking God for his faithfulness and kindness to this family. Pray that He would continue to provide for them in all ways. Pray for good education, good jobs and blessings for Azeeb’s nine children and three grandchildren, and ask God to bless Vincha’s upcoming marriage.
Continue to pray for our persecuted brothers and sisters in Pakistan, including those trapped in the brick kilns. Pray for liberation and hope. Pray that they would remember the words of Jesus in Matthew 28:20: “Surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
About the author
Chandler Peterson is a writer and editor for Global Christian Relief where she shares stories of Christian persecution. Read the latest Christian persecution stories on our website and learn more at GlobalChristianRelief.org.
Vulnerable Christians like Azeeb face increasing levels of persecution, not only in Pakistan but all around the globe. Become a Frontline Partner today and your monthly, recurring gift can provide emergency relief and long-term support—plus Bibles, safe shelter, trauma counseling, medical aid, food and more for those in dire need.
