|
Uzma comes from Daska,
Sialkot
and Gilbert was born and raised in
Karachi
. After
completing his studies, Gilbert worked with a number of clubs playing
professional football. He later went
to
Saudi Arabia
to work for TNT SkyPak, a courier
company. In 1985 he returned to
Pakistan
to join TCS Private Ltd., another courier
company. Gilbert remained there,
rising to area manager, until 1999 when he moved to the
United Kingdom
.
There were two
significant life impacting events which took place during this time.
The first was in December, 1982 when Gilbert and Uzma were married in
Karachi
,
Pakistan
. The
other was in 1987 when Gilbert was involved in a horrible accident.
God spared his life and gave him a new life.
Gilbert decided the only reasonable thing to do was to serve God for the
rest of his life.
This commitment found
opportunity in 1991 when Gilbert and Uzma were living in
Quetta
,
Pakistan
. There
was a need in the Sunday School and so Uzma began to teach.
Gilbert was mentored by Rev. Luther Fiaz Samuel and began to help the
Vicar by leading small groups, organising seminars,, visiting the sick and
needy, sharing the Word of God at St. Mary’s Church and throughout the
community.
Increasing job
responsibilities brought about a move in 1993.
In Sukkar they were able to participate in the ministry of Rev. Barnabas
Jalal in St. Javier’s Church. Uzma
worked with children while Gilbert helped with the outreach programme.
Here they had much opportunity to minister to the Hindu tribes around
Sukkar.
1996 brought another
job transfer, this time back to
Karachi
. Here
Gilbert added to his ministry experience the role of Parish Secretary of
Christ Church Drigh Road
with Rev. Emmanuel Victor.
With the move to the
United Kingdom
in 1999 Gilbert began to work at
Heathrow
Airport
with the catering company, Gate Gourmet and to attend
St. Paul
’s Church in
Slough
. There
they met the Rev. Wilson Gill who helped them greatly in their resettlement.
He invited them to become a part of the Urdu House Group.
He also helped Gilbert grow through being given opportunities to lead and
teach the group. Gilbert and Uzma
remain active in the House Group but also joined Cross Links as Mission Partners
in 2002. Gilbert is now pursuing his
MA in Mission Studies from
Birmingham
Christian
College
. With
the move of Rev Gill to Aylesbury, Gilbert has been appointed to serve full time
as a Parish Worker in
St. Paul
’s Church.
Gilbert and Uzma have
three children; Noman, Nadab, Azekah and as a family are active in the church
and community events.
|
