What is the UK's second most spoken language? No, not Welsh...not Urdu... it's Mirpuri.

Mirpuri is a low status, unwritten language. There is no New Testament and no Jesus video in Mirpuri even though it is the second most widely spoken language in the UK!

Did you realise that most of the people of Pakistani background in the UK come from a small area the size of Derbyshire? It is a densely populated, hilly farming area in the foothills of the Himalayas, called Mirpur.

The majority of UK's 300,000 or so Mirpuris have actually been born here and gone through the state education system. They generally regard themselves as both British and Asian.

Although the church is well established in neighbouring Punjab, the Mirpur area is almost untouched by Christian witness. This lack of 'role models' makes it difficult for many to conceive of the possibility of anyone from their background becoming a follower of Jesus.
Maybe only 50 or so Mirpuris have turned to Christ in this country.

That's why it's fantastic that Amer and I could sit down with our Mirpuri friend "R" last week and study the bible with him. A bonus was two of his friends sitting in as well.
More this week, God willing!