Do we get what we look for? Can we change the way we look at things? Can we change?
In the years that I have lived in Pakistan, I have come to believe that we usually get what we look for. If we look for the positive in people and situations, it is not surprising that we meet people who cheer us up, cooperate with us and who renew us with their presence.
I have been struck at how responsive people in Pakistan are when we believe in them, give them credit and encourage their potential.
I am also conscious of the factors that can easily lead people to feel discouraged and depressed: low income jobs, discrimination, disunity, poverty, sickness and disease. The unstable political situation and fear of terrorist attacks are in their minds as well. There are a host of reasons for people in Pakistan to feel downhearted.
What is amazing is the resilience of the people. They believe strongly in God’s fatherly care and hope. This hope and belief in Providence does not come from nowhere, but it is witnessed to each day in the support of their families, friends and Christian groups.
During the 2009 Christmas celebrations, a lay group of Catholic and Protestant Christians called DSEAP (Deserving Students Education Assistance Program) distributed gifts to poor and orphaned children. The chairman, Mr Jamal Khan, is a Christian businessman who works in the textile industry. Like many other successful Christian men and women who have benefitted from having a good education, Mr Khan wants other young Christians to have the same opportunity. This humble group of dedicated Christians has helped over 1,000 children with their education.
What struck me at the Christmas party was the spirit of joy and cooperation among the members both young and old who freely reached out hands of friendship and support to poor and vulnerable children. A number of children attended who received a new school bag full of gifts to help them with their education, the most important being chocolate as it was stated that “Chocolate is an essential part of any child’s education!”
The real heralds of optimism and resilience for me are the youth. Young people in Pakistan, like youth all over the world, have tremendous talent and possibility. Before Christmas I met one young Christian girl, Jamina, who lives in a poor Christian community along the side of a railway line. Jamina said that she would love to get the youth organized to present their first Christmas drama, but she was unsure how to do it.
I told her to get a stage and the youth will do the rest. When the drama was performed using costumes made of bits and pieces from home, one could not have seen a more touching and moving presentation of young people’s hopes and Christian faith anywhere in the world.
There are many challenges facing the Christian community and indeed the whole nation of Pakistan. But what I like about Pakistan is that in the midst of any difficulty, there is always something good and positive. Recently the parish was trying to celebrate the annual fete, but twice it had to be postponed due to the precarious security situation in the province.
Eventually when the fete took place, there were security guards posted at each gate armed with automatic machine guns. Many of us were anxious as to what might happen
as we were expecting two thousand people and the Cathedral ground is in the heart of the city. Just then, and oblivious to the presence of the heavy security, came three boys - one dressed up as Mickey Mouse the other as Bugs Bunny and the third as a clown. What struck me was, no matter the fear we may have, it is good to learn from our young people and look on the funny side of life.
“When we change the way we look at things we look at change” - W. Dyer.
Fr Paul McMahon served in Pakistan for 18 years and is currently working in Ireland.
Read more from The Far East, July 2010