By Insar Gohar, Youth Officer at the Church of Pakistan

Recently, the Christian community of Peshawar passed through a great tragedy, and a tough time of grief and trauma was unleashed on them on 22 September 2013. It was the worst tragedy in the history of the nation, as a high number of innocent victims were targeted.

Many families lost their loved ones and high number of people were injured, and are still suffering the pain of going through various surgeries and other treatment. A high number of families lost their children, or vice versa, brothers are longing for their lost sisters, and sisters are mourning the death of brothers. What could we say more? Despite the tense situation of the region, the Christian community's life was going on smoothly but this incident has changed their lives and situation for ever.

For many, the purpose and hope of living has died; it is a damage beyond repair! When one looks upon a family at Kaloo Mohalla, Peshawar, five children aged between 7 to 17 lost both of their parents, whereas, in another family two little kids, 4 and 6 years old also lost both their parents and two elder brothers, at Lady Ready Hospital quarters. There are many other stories and words simply cannot express the grief, sadness, and the miseries they are going through, and for them there are no future prospects.

Who are these people, who are spreading this terrorism in the region and killing so many, and what was the fault and sin of these innocent people, who are suffering for nothing? One nice morning, all these people went to the Church for worship, and their lives were ruined and changed into a living hell!

Today's congregation of the All Saints' Church is educated, as compared to the previous generation. They used to do menial jobs, but their struggle to provide education to their
children has been commendable, but alas, the congregation which struggled hard and is still struggling for their uplift, lost its ripe fruit of hope, their only chance to get out of poverty. Many sharp, and brilliant young students died in this incident who were the future of our community; students like Noel William, Merab Naeem, Samreen Samson, Shiza Riaz, Mehreen Musa, Sabah Pervez, Meerab William, Naiher Insar, Roshan Imran, Horab Yousaf and Eshan Gohar. It's really a pity, a lost asset of the nation.

However, we are thankful to God that faith of Christian community is still strong and the Christian spirit is still high, Lord Jesus has sent His peace upon them. Almighty God is comforting and consoling the victims, and the whole Christian community of Peshawar is under His Mercy. The Churches are still jam packed with worshipers, Praise the Lord!

Those who have found His peace in themselves, their faces remind us of the famous sayings of St. Paul's: "Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?" Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: "For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered." No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 8:35-38)

Yes, it is true that no one could separate us from the love of God and the victims of All Saints' Church, Peshawar are a great witness. Now, as we have celebrated the Birthday of the Prince of Peace, Lord Jesus Christ, and entered into a New Year, please pray for Peace in our region and also pray for those who have lost their near and dear ones in the bomb blast at the Church, and are feeling very lonely and sad.

We wish you a very Happy New Year!

[Editor's note - Insar lost two children and his mother in the bombings]