Kid's Good News
Vol 1-issue 35             Oct/ 17 /2002

Contents:

Bible Story
Story time
This Week's Riddle #34
Answer of Riddle #33 and Winner
Change of Email Addresses

Bible Story:

Pharaoh's Dream and Joseph's interpretations

Then it came to pass, at the end of two full years, that Pharaoh had a dream; and behold, he stood by the river.  Suddenly there came up out of the river seven cows, fine looking and fat; and they fed in the meadow.  Then behold, seven other cows came up after them out of the river, ugly and gaunt, and stood by the other cows on the bank of the river.  And the ugly and gaunt cows ate up the seven fine looking and fat cows. So Pharaoh awoke.  He slept and dreamed a second time; and suddenly seven heads of grain came up on one stalk, plump and good.  Then behold, seven thin heads, blighted by the east wind, sprang up after them.  And the seven thin heads devoured the seven plump and full heads. So Pharaoh awoke, and indeed, it was a dream.

Now it came to pass in the morning that his spirit was troubled, and he sent and called for all the magicians of Egypt and all its wise men. And Pharaoh told them his dreams, but there was no one who could interpret them for Pharaoh.  Then the chief butler spoke to Pharaoh, saying: "I remember my faults this day. When Pharaoh was angry with his servants, and put me in custody in the house of the captain of the guard, both me and the chief baker, we each had a dream in one night, he and I. Each of us dreamed according to the interpretation of his own dream.  Now there was a young Hebrew man with us there, a servant of the captain of the guard. And we told him, and he interpreted our dreams for us; to each man he interpreted according to his own dream.  And it came to pass, just as he interpreted for us, so it happened. He restored me to my office, and he hanged him."

Then Pharaoh sent and called Joseph, and they brought him quickly out of the dungeon; and he shaved, changed his clothing, and came to Pharaoh.  And Pharaoh said to Joseph, "I have had a dream, and there is no one who can interpret it. But I have heard it said of you that you can understand a dream, to interpret it."

So Joseph answered Pharaoh, saying, "It is not in me; God will give Pharaoh an answer of peace."  Then Pharaoh said to Joseph: "Behold, in my dream I stood on the bank of the river.  Suddenly seven cows came up out of the river, fine looking and fat; and they fed in the meadow.  Then behold, seven other cows came up after them, poor and very ugly and gaunt, such ugliness as I have never seen in all the land of Egypt.  And the gaunt and ugly cows ate up the first seven, the fat cows.  When they had eaten them up, no one would have known that they had eaten them, for they were just as ugly as at the beginning. So I awoke.  Also I saw in my dream, and suddenly seven heads came up on one stalk, full and good.  Then behold, seven heads, withered, thin, and blighted by the east wind, sprang up after them.  And the thin heads devoured the seven good heads. So I told this to the magicians, but there was no one who could explain it to me." 

Then Joseph said to Pharaoh, "The dreams of Pharaoh are one; God has shown Pharaoh what He is about to do:  The seven good cows are seven years, and the seven good heads are seven years; the dreams are one.  And the seven thin and ugly cows which came up after them are seven years, and the seven empty heads blighted by the east wind are seven years of famine.  This is the thing which I have spoken to Pharaoh. God has shown Pharaoh what He is about to do.  Indeed seven years of great plenty will come throughout all the land of Egypt; but after them seven years of famine will arise, and all the plenty will be forgotten in the land of Egypt; and the famine will deplete the land.  So the plenty will not be known in the land because of the famine following, for it will be very severe.  And the dream was repeated to Pharaoh twice because the thing is established by God, and God will shortly bring it to pass. 

Now therefore, let Pharaoh select a discerning and wise man, and set him over the land of Egypt. Let Pharaoh do this, and let him appoint officers over the land, to collect one-fifth of the produce of the land of Egypt in the seven plentiful years.  And let them gather all the food of those good years that are coming, and store up grain under the authority of Pharaoh, and let them keep food in the cities.  Then that food shall be as a reserve for the land for the seven years of famine which shall be in the land of Egypt, that the land may not perish during the famine.

So the advice was good in the eyes of Pharaoh and in the eyes of all his servants.  And Pharaoh said to his servants, "Can we find such a one as this, a man in whom is the Spirit of God?"  Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, "Inasmuch as God has shown you all this, there is no one as discerning and wise as you.  You shall be over my house, and all my people shall be ruled according to your word; only in regard to the throne will I be greater than you." 

And Pharaoh said to Joseph, "See, I have set you over all the land of Egypt."  Then Pharaoh took his signet ring off his hand and put it on Joseph's hand; and he clothed him in garments of fine linen and put a gold chain around his neck.  And he had him ride in the second chariot which he had; and they cried out before him, "Bow the knee!" So he set him over all the land of Egypt.  Pharaoh also said to Joseph, "I am Pharaoh, and without your consent no man may lift his hand or foot in all the land of Egypt."

Pharaoh called Joseph's name Zaphnath-Paaneah. And he gave him as a wife Asenath, the daughter of Poti-Pherah priest of On. So Joseph went out over all the land of Egypt.  Joseph was thirty years old when he stood before Pharaoh king of Egypt. And Joseph went out from the presence of Pharaoh, and went throughout all the land of Egypt.

Story time....

O Jesus, Son of Maryam, heal me - 9

Till this time you have read that, Gulshan Fatima was paralyzed at her left side when she was only 6 months old. Her mother died when she was an infant. Her father loved her so much that he took her to England for treatment but when they heard the disappointing words of doctor, "it has no cure", their hearts broke down. Her father encouraged her and said, "We will go to Mecca and knock the door of Allah, and he will heal you." So they went to Mecca and visited Ka'aba - the house of Allah. Even she kissed the cubical shape of ka'aba but to their utter despair nothing happened. To avoid her father's troubled look, she kept her face down. Then they visited Safa and Marva from where they bought Zamzam water. She bathed with that water but nothing happened. She and her father returned home heart broken. Next blow for her was, her beloved father's death!! But while she was so disturbed, she heard a low, gentle voice telling her to read about Jesus in Quran Sura Maryam. She started reading Urdu Quran and started praying, "O Jesus, Son of Maryam, heal me!! Three years later her prayers were answered with a marvelous vision of Jesus. Jesus personally came and healed her. From the very first day, she realized the growing opposition from her relatives and aequaintants.
******

Ten days after her healing all the relatives gathered in men's reception room to inquire about her faith. She felt as if she was on trial. Her brother Safdar Shah made a short opening speech. "Heads of the family have gathered here to ask you to give up the extreme ideas which you have recently adopted. We accept that Jesus has healed you but when other people hear it this does not look good. We are a leading Muslim family and these things will bring us into disrepute." She realized that her sisters, brothers their spouses, maternal uncles, parental uncles, cousins, Uncle and Aunty who were with her were being blamed for allowing these things to happen to her.

She kept quite for long time and did not speak anything. Then she said, "Aren't you pleased that I have been healed?" They said, "Oh yes, we were very much concerned about you. But now you got your healing but don't go everywhere to say that Jesus has done this." There was silence for few moments then Safdar Shah told, "According to Quran we have authority to kill you for the sake of Islam." She looked toward every person who were there and found that her sisters had tears in their eyes and uncle and aunty looked pale because of fear and shock. Her brothers were staring at her as if they will swallow her alive. She was unable to think how religion can breed such hatred that they even wanted to see her dead.

Safdar Shah continued his talk, "If you continue in it, you will be expelled from this house and all the comforts you have here. And if you go to Christian people, we will harm them as well, but there is no Christian here." She really believed that at that time that there were no Christians in Pakistan. Gulshan was always obedient to elders and has always been a quiet person. But the new Gulshan felt a power giving boldness to her to speak out. Without her knowledge she spoke with boldness and with those words which she did not even think. She said, "I have listened to all the things you have spoken and I understand your concern. I cannot answer all the points because I am waiting for an answer of Jesus. He will tell me what to do next. When I hear the order, I will obey Him. Even if you kill me, still I will do according to the words of Jesus."

She could hear audible gasps in that room. Her uncle said, "What a rude answer". They were looking at each other as if they did not believe their ears for such a bold answer. She herself was surprised of her words. She had no idea what they will do next it was dangerous moments. So she quickly said, "I promise that, I will not dishonor family no matter what I do. But I must wait until Jesus tells me how to witness." She said further that, she did not find any Christians yet and had no idea how to find them. She was wondering whether they will kill her. They spoke nothing. Sisters and Aunt avoided looking at her as women are not expected to interfere in the matter where men were making important decision. Finally Safdar Shah delivered the verdict, "OK, we will wait to see what you do. And we will pray for you. May be you have lost your mind." She knew that it was over for only a short period but they will not take rest unless she is silent about her healing.

She knelt down in her room and anxiously started praying, "What you want me to do?.... show me your way, oh, show me your way." Two days later while she was praying, she saw a misty pillar from floor to ceiling. Jesus was inside the mist. Jesus said, "Come to me." She rose and went to Jesus. Jesus put out His hand and she saw some kind of cloth on His hand. She gave her hand to Jesus. She felt as if she was lifted up and was in air. She shut her eyes and a few moments later she felt that she was put down gently on some soft material. She found herself standing on a big open plain that was green and cool. She saw that place was filled with people who were far or near. They all had crowns on their heads and clothed with brightness that hurt her eyes. She heard words of beautiful music. People were saying, "Holy" and "Hallelujah". This was a new word for her which Muslims do not use. They were saying, "He is the slain lamb. He is alive." She realized that they were looking toward Jesus while saying this.

Jesus told her, "These are my people. These are the people who speak the truth. These are the people who know how to pray. These are the people who believe the Son of God." Then one face became very clear to her at whom she looked very closely. The man was sitting down. Jesus said, "Go ten miles up to north and this man will give you a Bible." She looked at that man who was not aware of her presence. Then faces faded away and she came back to her own. When she thought about the vision and the words of Jesus, a great excitement came over her. She found her answer for what she was praying, "go and witness to this man about the vision you have seen and ask for a Bible." But the question was, where she will find him?

Then she remembered that her teacher Razia lived at Jang Sadar which was on the north side of their home. So she carefully worked out her plan to meet Razia. She said to herself, "I would have to go alone. If my family members knew my plan they will try to stop me." Three weeks later she told her Aunty that, she was going to see Razia. Aunty asked her whether she is taking Salima her maid with her. She said, no. Majeed the driver brought the shining blue Mercedes and she left her home to meet Razia. Razia was happy to see her but she had no idea that Gulshan had another plan. Gulshan sent Majeed away saying, come back after the time of lunch. Then she turned toward Razia who prepared lunch for her. Gulshan told her that she had some work in other side of the city so she will be back till the time of lunch. She was disappointed and curious.

Gulshan left her home in a hurry making her teacher perplexed. She felt uncomfortable because she never tried to deceive anybody like this in her whole life but that was the only way for her to get a Bible. She realized that she forgot her Burkha (Niqab) at Razia's house. But she was happy to enjoy her new found freedom. She took a horse-drawn Tonga and asked the elderly Tonga man, "I am looking for a Christian who lives on the Kachary Road. Do you know of such a one?" It seemed as if Tonga man did not hear anything. After a moment he looked toward north side and said, "There is a very old place even before Pakistan came into existence, I do not know whether any Christian lives there, but if you want I can take you there." She said, "Please take me there."

Half an hour drive on Tonga gave her time to think various things. She thought if my sisters see me traveling an open Tonga what they will think? There was no chance for her in her family that she could travel on Tonga but there was no other choice for her. Jesus had sent her on this journey and she fully trusted for outcome. Tonga stopped before a big building - a Christian Chapel. There was a big bungalow behind the high walls beside the Chapel. Tonga man said, "it is here."

She paid the Tonga man and went inside the building. She saw a man sitting in the sun with lots of books beside him on the table. As she went close to that man, the man looked up and her heart filled with amazement. This was the man whom she saw in vision and about whom Jesus said, "This man will give you a Bible." The man politely spoke to her, "if you have come to see my wife, she is not in, she has gone to Lahore." She quickly replied, "I have come to see you to get a Bible. I saw you in a vision." The man was surprised and looked frightened. As she walked from the garden her scarf fell from her face. He said, "Who are you and what religion are you? Whose daughter are you?" She replied, "I come from a Muslim family and I live 10 miles from here." When he heard this, he was terrified thinking he may be in trouble giving Bible to a strange Muslim woman. She rose from his chair to send me out and said, "go back to your home and read the Quran and don't worry about what is in the Bible."

But she stood there and her heart was sinking and she was losing her excitement. She said, "Jesus Immanuel has sent me, believe me." He read her face for a moment and told her to sit down. She sat there and told him the whole story of her crippled life, father's death, voice of Jesus saying to read the Quran.... the man leaned forward and stared at her face. Then she told that, "I saw you in vision and Jesus told me that, you will give me a Bible." If you still do not believe then listen to the prayer which Jesus taught me. She repeated the Lord's Prayer. After listening the whole story, the man was in deep thoughts, "Is it possible?", he spoke himself. Then he stood from his chair and said, "You sit here, let me go and pray as it would be serious step for both of us if I give you a Bible."

It seemed a long time, finally he came out and said, "I prayed to Jesus and asked what should I do and it seems that He was saying to give you a Bible." He also warned her that, she could lose a lot and bear a lot for taking this step. She said, "Yes, I know that. But I want to follow Jesus Immanuel who has healed me and showed me the way of love." He smiled and said again, "Now you think about it again because devil will attack you and you may see much opposition from your family..."

Tears streaming down on her face, she said, "I am not thinking about those hurdles. I only know what Jesus Immanuel has shown me and He has raised me and given me light. I want to know more about Him. He has sent me to you for help. Please help me." At that, he gave a Urdu New Testament and Martyrs of Carthage. And he prayed a beautiful prayer with her.

She took a Tonga again and reached the house of Razia at the time of lunch. She told her that, she got the thing for which she went but the problem was not solved yet. Then she changed her subject and laughed and chatted till Majeed came to pick her up. Aunty was looking on her face when she reached home. She asked, "how is Razia"? "She is happy because her sister got married now. It is a pity that she did not get married because she did not have much dowry to give", Gulshan spoke. These type of conversation might have kept them busy for hours but new Gulshan had more important interests. She excused herself and went to her room.

To be continued....

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