Mission Network News

Afghanistan (MNN) ― The Taliban and its al-Qaeda allies are making a ferocious comeback along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border. Violence has escalated sharply. The Taliban militia is adopting tactics, including suicide attacks and roadside bombings, used by Iraqi insurgents. It's a concern to Christians working there.

PACTEC is the humanitarian subsidiary of Mission Aviation Fellowship and is working in Afghanistan, says Drew Baker. He says PACTEC serves as more of a relief and development organization. "At the same time, we are registered as a Christian organization with the government of Afghanistan. And they know we're there to help them build capacity within their own country, but at the same time we strive to show them what it's like to be a Christian."

With increasing amounts of violence by Taliban and al-Qaeda forces, Baker says it hasn't affected their work. "The threat, mainly, has been in the south, although we do fly in and out of there. They haven't really targeted non-governmental entities. They've been mostly targeting the Afghan government, the coalition forces, (and) that kind of thing. Have we felt threatened? Not really." However, security is high.

According to Baker, paying bribes to get things done is common, but not PACTEC, and that's an incredible testimony to their national staff. "We're willing to hold the line on integrity, and our local staff sees that and sees a difference in that because they're used to the other way of operating. And so they're seeing a different way that is holding the line on integrity, and it's showing their lives as well."

That's forcing many Afghanis to ask questions. Baker says. "It's through those questions that we're able to touch on areas of spirituality that we wouldn't otherwise be able to do. So from that perspective, we've seen a lot of growth in individuals in their seeking of spiritual matters."

That reputation and integrity has drawn the attention of the government, says Baker. "They have come to us and have made a proposal to establish an air service in the northeastern region with the goal of handing that off to an Afghan company." That will provide other opportunities for PACTEC to serve.

PACTEC not only operates four aircraft in Afghanistan, they also provide communication and other services. Funding is needed to expand their work.