1284 "Bus sent by Providence", says Fr Zago, Superior of Pakistan mission
austraLasia 1284

"Bus sent by Providence", says Fr Zago, Superior of Pakistan mission

LAHORE: 11th October 2005 --  "Actually and fortunately, I came to Lahore to purchase a 40-seater (mini)bus sponsored by Misereor for our school program in Quetta.  Now I realise this transportation is sent by Providence to help us reach some places in the disaster area".  So writes Fr Peter Zago, Superior of the Salesian mission in Pakistan which comprises works in Lahore and in Quetta.  He was writing to the Mission and Development Office in Bonn, in a heartfelt plea for aid for the stricken North-West Frontier region of Pakistan.
    Fr Zago had also come to Lahore to discern with the other three Salesians there the response that the Salesian communities with their staff and boys could give to the disaster.  "After prayer and discernment, we have decided to enter into the stream of immediate help to some area suggested by the local organisers of the relief program with the assistance of the Military.  We thought that Don Bosco would surely do the same  if not more".
    The letter confirms the facts outlined briefly in the previous austraLasia (though one line was accidentally chopped, in sending, at the 'materiel' point; the original added the fact that the Quetta bus had been purchased).  Fr Miguel, with three aspirants, has already left by public bus to Islamabad, and from there they will enter the area known as Abdanabad much affected by the earthquake and from where the Salesian community with its backup of young volunteers, travelling up in the new bus, will begin to help directly in rescue operations under the general guidance of local authorities.  They have purchased tools for digging and repairing, food, clothing....
    The two Salesian communities have chipped in what resources they can muster - some Rps. 50,000 apiece, but are obviously seeking other financial assistance from the Mission and Development Office to further their mission.
    Fr Zago concludes his letter, invoking the assistance of Mary mother of all people who, like her Son, die and suffer.  It is a touching letter that may also touch other hearts.  Fr Zago's email is pzago@hotmail.com

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