Lay the Foundation; Build the Church
On December, 6, 2015 a “Lay the Foundation Ceremony” was held with prayer and a dessert type treat served. This event officially marked the beginning of a special building project. The foundation for what would become Gariel Church was about to be laid.
The foundation level was laid and then there was a pause until the “winter season” ended and more funds were made available. A personal loan became necessary. The building of Gariel Church took place during the months of February and March of 2016.
By using Skype, I was honored to be able to observe some of the work being done. I watched masons laying bricks. One thing that amazed me is how low the mason was able to squat as he laid each individual brick.
Several building processes seemed amazing. A double layered wall was created. Watching the adding of a roof that would eventually become the floor for the addition of a second-floor level to the church was totally amazing. Each of the two masons were paid $10 a day while helpers received $2 a day.
The little brick Gariel Church now stands stately, in its simplicity, in the Mission Colony of Raiwind, located outside of the city of Lahore, Pakistan. The total cost for the land, the bricks, cement, other materials and labor to complete the first-floor level was under $15,000.
I want to share briefly the dream that explains the main reason why I became involved and continue to be involved with the birthing and growth of Gariel in Pakistan.
Early on Sunday morning, June 22, 2003, I had a full-colored dream of my giving birth to a tiny baby girl that I give the name Gariel. This tiny baby does not seem to be very hungry. In the dream, the tiny baby and I are sitting on something like a straw bale overlooking a large field, I don’t know what it is I am looking at. Around me, people are moving about.
I did not have understanding of what this dream was about until 2015 after God connected Pastor Ashiq Vicky and me through Facebook posts.
The birth of the tiny baby girl signifies the birth of Gariel in Pakistan. The idea that the baby is not very hungry points to the poor families Gariel Ministries now serves. The straw bale, large field and people moving about represent the large fields of bricks and people working to make bricks. (Bonded labor at Brick Kiln factories in Pakistan).
Gariel Church was readied to receive two evangelists from Missouri, USA, just in time to hold an Opening Ceremony on April 2 and the first Sunday Worship Service on April 3, 2016.
Over 500 people attended opening ceremony activities. Many sat on the roof and watched the Opening Ceremony by projection onto a screen.
Next week, I would like to highlight some of the services and activities that have taken place at the little brick Gariel Church. And, introduce you to the humble Pastor Ashiq Vicky and his beautiful dedicated family.
Testimony of
Dorothy von Lehe
2024
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