Simply amazing

Yesterday, I had a phone conversation with my former pastor who was despairing over how slow some people he knows have taken to get overseas and begin working. He thinks that the pioneer church planting will be completed within the next 15 years. After that, every person will be forced to build on others' foundations...if the Lord doesn't return.

I don't know that I'd agree with his time assessment, but I did just finish viewing some reports from Firestone teams working in Central Asia, and my jaw drops in wonder as I read about hundreds and thousands of Ms coming to the Lord--some of them en masse.

If I shared everything, I might have you reading here much longer than you need to be sitting in front of a computer--so here's just a sampling. Keep in mind that the following stories are taking place in a war-torn country that most people, until recent years, would call "unreachable":

In one area of the country I have heard of 700 - 800 people having come to the Lord. Mainly _________... the most looked down upon ethnic group. One guy is being called John the Baptist because he has baptized so many local people here. Many of those folk are coming to _____for training and discipleship, so we know it really is going on.

Here we have witnessed about 15 baptisms. One was convinced that he really was going to die with Christ when he went under the water. He thought we had to drown him, then he would be resurrected. Still, he was willing to go ahead with it until the moment before he was put under the water and then suddenly lost his nerve. He started fighting and struggling to prevent being put under. When he finally understood we weren't actually going to drown him he went through with it!

A married couple were about to be baptized and an argument suddenly sprang up ... should she be baptized with her bra on or off !!!!!!! Our Bible studies hadn't quite prepared for that eventuality!

There was an incredible healing miracle that occurred the other day. A boy with a terrible liver problem and horribly distended belly ... was completely healed after prayer. The mother was calling us 'Mullahs (Muslim pastors) that pray in the name of Jesus! Some people went to the local governor complaining we were trying to convert people ... and giving Bibles. He had previously been very hostile to people like us. This time he merely said, "Well, give them a quran then"!

One of our brothers got arrested for his faith and then released after 2 hours. He is undaunted though and continues to witness.

That said, the work here is all very fragile and some are falling away ...none of those we are working with are over a year and half old in their faith. It is a messy business I am discovering and no matter what you read on how it should be done people just aren't fitting into our boxes! I have learned that someone may seem to be a fervent believer today but tomorrow it is a different story!! However, God is building his church and it is a privilege to see what is going here in these days ... unprecedented in this country I believe. Just the huge number of workers that are arriving here is a sure indication that something pretty big is afoot.

Hope you're as encouraged as I was.

My friend, "Danny"

Just saw my Firestone friend, Danny, while we were in England together at a conference. Before then, he had just arrived on the field, along with his visiting mother, in order to begin new work for Christ's kingdom in South Asia. The following email excerpts reflect some of the amazing things God is doing through this very young man, who is laying aside a lot of artistic ambitions to pursue Jesus' glory among people who have not yet heard.

"One night my mother was awakened from a deep sleep about 3:30am by loud noises in the attic followed by sharp knife like chest pains. She responded to this intrusion with Bible scripture and commanding any evil "spirits," to leave in the name of Jesus...And they were gone!

After not being able to sleep she later came downstairs to the kitchen to find that both the mother and daughter were awake and were having their special prayer time prior to daily chores. The daughter just finished her Koran lessons with an Islamic priest who comes over regularly. My mother shared what had happened in detail making them quite intrigued and saw her as "A brave woman!"

Informing them of the Holy Scriptures, which reveal truth about evil spirits showed them that with the power and authority of Jesus...the evil spirits must leave. Now around this time I had come downstairs to join in on the conversation and remembered hearing from a teammate that the daughter had a charm around her neck that was said to help her heart pains she was experiencing.

So I ask her, "Do you happen to have a charm around your neck?" she said, "Yes!" and pulled it out. (These charms are small peaces of cloth or metal with small bits of Koranic script inside. It is then"blessed" by an Islamic Shaman--like a medicine man) My mom and I began to explain how these charms not only demonstrate your dependence on something/someone other than God, but they invite evil spirits (Jinn) to enter into you, your home, and/or effect anyone around you. We provided Scripture to back up these facts and before we had finished the daughter ripped off the charm and asked what we should do? I suggested that she should burn the charm. So we proceeded to the attic where it all began...with the daughter's mom holding the charm on an old comb and the daughter lighting it with a lighter. We all prayed together and claimed the house as a place for God and no longer any spirits. The event concluded by the daughter telling the whole house hold when they woke up the entire happening in detail! She agreed that when God does something great..you are to tell everyone! Pray for my sister...that she would put her complete trust in her Creator. May she experience God's unmatchable power and taste His eternal glory!

Down the street to the local market area and then down a muddy road through rice fields and houses as big as some of our bedrooms lives my good friend, whom I will call the Dancer. Anyone who has met him or heard of him knows he is nineteen years old and full of energy that will blow you away. He always brings entertainment to any household with his songs and dance moves. He is even now a part of a local pop group that have become very popular around the valley. So the Dancer was over one day during my mother's stay and he was telling us a graphic story of him and his friend being attacked by spirits. He shared that they were walking toward his home one night and were confronted by an evil spirit in the bushes...He was making threats of attacking them for walking in this area at night. Quickly they ran home to escape, but the spirit followed them. In the front room this spirit began to pick them up in mid- air. My friend was pushed against the wall, while his buddy was slammed to the ground continuously. Then he tells that the "Good spirit" that lives in his attic came to him saying to recite verses of the Koran. He describes that there was so much pressure on him that he could barely say a word. Finally he doesn't know why, but both him and his friend were let go. After telling this story, both my roommate (an intern to our company) and my mother laid hands on Him and began to pray against any spirits...then he began to laugh and spin his head as though he was crazy until he began to cough extremely hard. There was no doubt that a spirit just came out of him!! The next day we saw him and he asked, "What happened last night? I cannot remember anything!" Since then I have seen him, but a few times...not long enough to get a new report other than that his friend is still having problems--frequent visits from the spirits. Please pray for the Dancer... That, like my sister, he would know the Truth of Jesus that it may set him free! Pray that he would not forget the truth we have told him about Jesus...and that if He does not ask the Spirit of God to fill that now empty spot...more evil spirits will return. Pray that between our schedules we would both be able to meet again to talk further. He is very receptive to new ideas, such as truth about Jesus and loves singing worship songs. Pray that the Dancer may be a young man of peace!

Thank you for your prayers on behalf of Danny and his new work.

God's timing

This afternoon, I got the phone call that every faith-supported person dreads: basically, "Your account is in the red, and we can't pay you a full paycheck next week." Ouch. What are you trying to teach me, God? But He is never absent from such situations. In fact, one of our friends who started giving annually last year already had a check written that would help cover the whole amount. Perfect timing.

I've had other experiences like this. Going on my first ministry trip in 1998 (before Firestone), there was a deadline of May 31 to get half of the funds I needed to go. I had very little toward this amount, so I was tempted to hold onto what little I had received, so that I could give it back...just in case God doesn't come through. But He convicted me about this, and I went ahead and sent it in, knowing I couldn't retrieve it again. I walked up to the front of my small church on a Sunday night, told everyone my plans, and asked for their support. The plate was passed, and more than $400 was raised--praise the Lord, but not enough. A few minutes later, my former neighbor approached me to say that he believed God wanted him to give me the down payment for a truck he was going to buy--$500. I was so amazed at the way God worked and who He moved to give--not the richest persons, as I expected. I had more than enough--not only that, but I felt very emboldened to seek the rest, and God richly provided.

In living by faith, a question can arise. How much am I to pray and trust God and how much am I to seek out new partners and gifts, acting as a good steward? The answer always seems to be both. God doesn't tend to reward those who are not bold and unafraid to risk asking, but He still gets the glory because those who ask never know who will say yes or no. It's still a mystery.

My hope is that, through this experience, God will give me a testimony that I can pass along to my other friends (those I'm trying to encourage toward the field, namely) who may be feeling discouraged and are tempted to give up, as I have been.

This just in

Had a great meeting this morning with a young man who wants to make documentaries about the Muslim world to stir up interest, understanding, and new workers. Please pray for him as he sets out on this journey and for me as I seek to help him.

Thought you might enjoy the following story from a worker living in a country where Christ is barely known. Not only that, but the president just banned lip-synching there!

A friend just sent this story below to me. My org isn't all about getting Muslims to start calling themselves Christians--rather, we want Muslims to know and love Jesus without departing from their culture, so the gospel can spread like wildfire and their witness will not be discredited. Nevertheless, some Muslims feel differently, as the story below attests:

In this closed, Central Asian nation, all citizens are considered Muslim.It's the law. But when 13-year-old Joseph, the son of Firestone workers, wanted to set himself apart at his school by wearing a cross, his parentsencouraged his boldness. The simple cross soon had the other students talking.
Some even approached the boy incredulously:
"You're not a Christian, are you?"
"Yes, I really am," he replied.
The students couldn't believe it, saying over and over, "But you don't act like one. Are you sure you're a Christian?"
Joseph was stumped. What was so difficult about believing that? And what did they mean, he didn't act like one?
His father, Richard, knew.
"When you call yourself a Christian over there, they have a very different idea of what it means," he said.
To many people abroad, it brings to mind images of movie stars and singers who carelessly and casually call themselves Christians, some with big crosses hanging around their necks. Their lifestyles seldom back up their claims.

Joseph soon changed the wording to his friends: "I am a believer," he told them. And his actions backed it up. They believed him. One scorching day, Joseph's class went on a hike in the nearby mountains to cool off. Joseph and a friend soon found themselves far ahead of the others.

That's when Vladim turned and fired a series of questions before the class caught up. "Have you ever seen the movie, 'Left Behind'? IsJesus going to come again? What is the rapture -- what is this all about?" The young man seemed almost frantic and demanding. He was bursting withquestions and desperate for answers. Joseph was measured and sure in his response. "[My faith] is about believing in God," he started. "It means your sins are forgiven, so you go to heaven."
The boys talked for several minutes, Joseph answering each question from his young Muslim friend. "People who believe in Jesus have their sins forgiven?" Vladim asked. "I want to become a Christian." Joseph was startled. "You're Muslim," he told Vladim. "What will your parents think?" Vladim wasn't concerned. He just knew that he had heard the truth and wanted Christ. After talking more, he further declared, "Now I KNOW I want to become a Christian. I'm 200 percent sure!" The boys prayed together and Vladim became a believer that day on the mountaintop. He wasted no time in telling his parents that night. "Guess what! I became a Christian!" he told them. The words would have turned most Muslim families upside down, but Vladim's mother and father only listened. They didn't object.

Vladim also has been bold with his school friends, telling them, "I'm a believer! I became a Christian and you can too!" He, too, now wears a cross to school and consistently shares his faith, according to a teacher who is a secret believer. And God has begun working at his home, too. While his father wants nothing to do with Christ, Vladim's mother is asking questions and reading the Bible.

Last night

Had an interesting experience meeting some new neighbors while walking around after dark with Katherine. The first man we met was Andre, a young associate pastor who had a bunch of kids with him to invite our neighbors to his Baptist church. We had a nice long talk with him and explained that we already had a church we loved, but that didn't stop him from making his pitch, though he protested that he didn't want to pull us away from our Body.

Next, I met one of our next door neighbors for the first time--Katherine had met him before. We chitchatted for a while about how much all his properties are worth, then he mentioned that he was clergy. I inquired further, and he said that his denomination was quite liberal and tried to get lots of races, lesbians, gays to come and be part of their family. He asked if we were part of a church, and when we told him the name of our church, he started saying that he should be quiet because he thought a "Bible Church" wouldn't approve of how his church operates.

Incidentally, when he saw Pastor Andre's church bus in driving nearby, he remarked disdainfully, "They must be out proselytizing." Soon after, two women came home very close to us and began screaming and cussing at one another. It seemed obvious to me how much in need of a Savior from sin they are.

When I mentioned believing in the resurrection of Christ, our neighbor said, "We do, too--to an extent." Then he talked about God's role as a comforter who's with us, going through the same "process" as man is now, rather than being a "traffic cop in the sky" or performing miracles. I forget what else he said, but there was a lot said that I didn't feel the need to challenge him about right then. He said something to the effect of, "I used to be like you until I was enlightened to the truth." We invited him and his wife over for dinner and hope to be an influence in this man's life. But part of me is really afraid--much more than I would be if I were dealing with a straight-up non-believer. This man has heard the gospel all his life and seems to have rejected the meat of it. How can I love this man and still speak the truth? Part of me would just be content to nod in understanding to everything he says and never say a word in protest. Except I'm pretty angry that this man is also leading about 100 other people at his church to, most likely, their eternal doom. I have to keep remembering that I once walked in darkness, too--judging and condemning this man won't help him or anyone else. But what will help?

For the last 5 years, I've known a young woman for whom "missions" was the core of her being, and we've served alongside one another in various capacities for many of those years. Today, I learned that she doesn't want to be associated with "missions." She wants to be a "normal person" while continuing to love Jesus and share Him with others. She still wants to live overseas among Muslims, too. Maybe go work for the U.N.! What do I say to her? Do I try to lure her "back to the fold" or encourage her to test her wings in some other field? This fine lady feels hindered by the stigma of being known to many as a missionary and doesn't want to confess this name among the people she's witnessing among--for fear of being labeled a bigot or an imperialist, I think. I can see her point while still wanting to help hundreds of men and women launched out into full-time work among Muslims. Does that make sense? I wonder if she represents a new wave of workers yet to come...

Questioning your calling

With almost any ministry opportunity available, the question, "Has God called you?" or, "Is God calling me?" nearly always comes up. Sometimes, a person may continue asking this question even after they've traveled overseas for full-time service or launched a new initiative. As followers of Christ, we want to be certain that our actions and motives originated with God, rather than our own desires or needs. Telling others you're "called" may also prove more effective in getting people to pray and support you, too.

So if receiving a call seems so important to so many, why is it also difficult to define? Some may be so bold as to say, "God told me...." Others may opt to describe "a still, small voice." In a ministry environment, it's rare to find people who would admit they're working for the weekend and looking forward to a fat paycheck. Most of the time (at least from my perspective), the excessive paycheck isn't really an option...there are a lot more direct means to get personally rich than getting involved in Kingdom activities. In fact, many ministry cultures seem to look down on personal wealth as unholy and emphasize a lifestyle of generous giving. Again, this is my blog, not the gospel truth--you're getting only what I can see.

Having/Receiving a calling for a specific work is a wonderful gift--one that should be sought out with vehemence. Imagine waking up every morning to go and do the work God specifically designed for you, to meet with people in what, later, can only be described as divine appointments, and to go to bed with a clear conscience every night, knowing that God had an agenda for you to fulfill over the previous 16 hours that He enabled you to fulfill, by His grace. Wouldn't that be amazing? To have no doubt that you're in the center of God's will for your life and be ab;e to see your work make a difference for the kingdom of God?

So why are there so few people in the world whose lives don't match up with the example described above? Even in ministry environments? Why are there still several overseas team that fall apart and people who drift from one ministry to the next? Is it just plain disobedience on their part? Would the problem be solved if they would simply listen for God's voice and do exactly (no more, no less) than God was asking them to do?

I want to know what you think...before I give a full opinion (which I still need to formulate). Please comment, as God leads.

Something new

Today begins my second year working as AZ Regional Rep.--new challenges and aventures await me and others.

Here's a story I want to pass onto you from my friends with a Firestone team in Africa:

A few weeks ago one of our teammates --Chifundo-- found that there was a snake in front of her house! In fear she immediately called a neighbor to come kill it for her. The boy came quickly and chopped off its head.Though the snake was now dead, it continued writhing on the ground, headless. As it was still moving around, Chifundo was suprised to find the boy picking up the snake without fear! She asked him why he wasn't afraid and he replied that though it still moved he knew it was, in fact, dead.
God used this story to teach me that I have no need to fear that which is powerless over us. I find it so easy, too easy, to tremble over the power of darkness; and yet we already know the end of the story, don't we? Satan's power is a lot like that of the snake... he continues to move... we see the effects of this... but his finality is certain!


One of the harsh realities of life here in _____, is the frequency of funerals. It is truly a part of everyday life; everything seems to revolve around them. Already, in the two years that we've lived here, "Jim" and I have been to many more funerals than we ever went to previously. As I sat at a funeral several months back, I began to wonder how it would be to be raised a ___, where death and dying is expected (not imagined away as we often do in the West) and dreaded. The sense of despair along with the wailing of the women is enough to break our hearts...they grieve without hope. I imagine how Jesus sees them in their grief; His longing is to comfort them, to make them His own.
Today we attended the funeral of our faithful houseworker, Mama Ellen. She worked for us since we first got here and began stumbling our way through ____. She saw our children grow and adapt to a new life and frequently brought her own two little children to play with ours. We suspected that she was sick for some time, though she worked hard up until two and a half weeks ago. These last few weeks were incredibly difficult for her as her body wasted away.
I went to her house this past Monday to see how she was doing, and it was apparent that she didn't have much time left. I chatted with her and prayed; another team member shared the gospel with her (she had been hearing so much of the Word over the last few years already!) and prayed with her again. The peace that she displayed in the last twenty-four hours really gives us hope that she made her peace with God!!
The last time I saw her, a group of us went to visit her again...we sang songs about God's love, we sang the Lord's Prayer. And we prayed with her...she so enjoyed that time! When we heard a few hours later that she had passed away, I imagined her in her new body without pain, in the presence of Jesus. While we're so very sad for her orphaned children, we are so happy for her. It was a real privilege to be a carrier of Peace.
Please pray for the millions of _____ who are dying without peace that can only come from Jesus. Pray that we will be able to share Jesus in a way that makes them hunger for more. Pray that our own focus would stay on Jesus...when we see the enormity of the task it becomes SO easy to grow discouraged. We are becoming more and more convinced that we're standing on a spiritual battleground. Please stand with us in prayer.

Last day

It's hard for me to rewrite after my computer boots me out for no discernible reason, and all my work is lost. Just have to remind myself that God is sovereign, my work is temporary, and I probably could come up with something better than I had been writing, since I'll never be able to remember it all.

This morning, by God's grace, I was able to speak with a Norwegian woman who's living and ministering to Muslim women in one of the most turbulent nations in Central Asia, a doctor whose team represents Firestone's only workers in the most densely-populated Muslim, South Asian nation, plus a church planter who's administering humanitarian aid to tsunami victims in SE Asia, and a worker in the Balkans who is encouraging Muslim-born believers in one country to minister among their same Muslim people group in a neighboring nation--and they are doing so!

There have been a few mountaintop highs in my life--times when God has shown me how big and capable He really is. I needed this week to boost my faith big-time. Despite my computer failing me, God never does, and He is faithful to bring me into contact with all the workers He wants me to meet with to ask for stories.

My last meeting was with a South American worker who's been working in Central Africa for the last 7 years. May God bless him and his family with more team members and enable me to recruit others to join him.

I'm going to sign off for now--looking forward to a brief visit to London, when I don't plan to blog--Aug.15-19.

Hope to see some of you reading this and share even more stories from the field.

Blessings,

Jeremy

PS Hope you will take a moment to respond with a comment if you have taken the time to read this.

6th day

Yesterday, Katherine and I were allowed to relax a bit after the morning sessions, and we went to another town and enjoyed a choir concert at St. John's church, commemorating the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Trafalgar, where Admiral Lord Nelson was killed.
Got to sing with the crowd:
Rule Brittania! Brittania rule the waves!
Britons never never never shall be slaves!

Anyway, we're in the home stretch for story collection. Here's another for you to read and pray about, as God leads:

5 years ago, a young Albanian woman, "Mira," came to know Jesus through some national believers that a Firestone team works with, and she began meeting with them regularly. Almost immediately, her Muslim family began to put pressure on Mira because of her decision. Her grandmother was a well-known healer (the equivalent of a witch doctor) in the area. Mira struggled to grow in her faith for about 6 months, then she gave up. She burned all of the literature she had received, including her Bible. Mira wrote a letter to the small fellowship, denouncing her faith, denouncing Christ, and ordering them to stop greeting her or praying for her. "Burn this letter when you're done," she wrote. "Bianca," the believer who had been discipling Mira, let her know that they would not stop praying, believing that Mira still belonged to God.

Soon after, Mira went to Italy for a year to study. During that time, she continued feeling convicted by God about what she had done, and she met two evangelists while in Italy. The pressure of their presence helped her resolve something in her heart. Later, she told the fellowship, "I knew that you were praying for me because constantly, in my mind, God was talking to me."

After her return from Italy, Bianca came to meet with Mira and found her to be much more open toward Christ. The believers eventually asked Mira's mother if they could meet at the home periodically, and she agreed. They prayed that the darkness that seemingly covered the home would be lifted, and this happened. Later, Mira's spiritualist grandmother died. One year after returning, Mira came back to the fellowship and repented of her denunciation of her faith and Christ. Last spring, she was baptized. Her mother and sister-in-law are now also secret believers. Pray for this family, that all of them may grow in Christ and share their faith with others. Pray for this small fellowship to grow in faith and boldness as they keep seeing their prayers answered.

4th day--foreign opps

It's been another amazing day talking with people serving in Ethiopia, the Balkans, North Africa, the Arab Gulf, the Middle East, Northern Sudan...

Just talked with a young man, "Derek," who, along with his wife, has set up a physical therapy clinic that's been labeled "The Miracle Center" by local Muslims who bring their physically-impaired children there for therapy. Opportunities abound for social workers, people with nursing skills, doctors, and many other specialties. This is a work of God, and many people are being blessed through this team. Derek dreams that one day other team will form to begin other clinics around this area. Please pray for his team--that God will provide all the funds needed to serve Muslim families free of charge. Pray for their protection from the evil one. By the way, this is a "ministry-entry, not just a platform.

Within the last hour, I also heard from a German Firestone worker who "loves Americans" and has many opportunities to serve available with his ministry field of Sudan--ever heard of Darfour? Though there has been war going on here, nothing significant has occurred for nearly a year. Paid positions are even available, though people who could raise some support would be very much appreciated. People who are self-motivated, have some experience in relief and development, and maybe know how to write grants and manage projects should apply. He needs people immediately for this crisis situation. Act now to learn more about this opportunity--share it with your friends, too.

The first step for both is filling out The Journey at www.frontiers.org

Until tomorrow!

3rd day

I've got less than 20 minutes before our International Director presents "the most important message of his life" (according to him, Dr. Rick Love)--stay tuned.

That's just enough time to share another story I received this morning from a Swiss worker who has been church planting in Africa.

Recently, a Muslim man, "Ahmed" and his believing brother came to this worker, "Hans" During their time together, Hans was able to share the gospel with Ahmed, who received Christ into his life and decided he wanted to learn as much about Him as possible, so he could carry it back to his rural village. The next day, they found Ahmed was unwilling/unable to speak, eat, or drink. Something seemed to be seriously wrong with him, so they took him to the doctor. The physician could find nothing wrong with Ahmed and blamed evil spirits. Hans and Ahmed's brother prayed and fasted for this afflicted man, but nothing seemed to work. After a week of laboring to free him from this, Hans insisted that the "charms" Ahmed was wearing on his arms be removed--otherwise, Hans said he would need to give up and move on. The brother agreed to remove them and, two hours later, Ahmed was drinking water on his own again. The next morning, during a time of worship, Ahmed began to dance, effectively announcing his freedom from the evil spirits.

Later, Ahmed said that, during the week of prayer for him, he could hear and understand what was going on around him, but he was held back from doing anything about it. Praise God for this new believer. Pray that he might serve as an effective witness in his village, that many may become followers of Jesus.

Please intercede for me, as I seek to listen well and ask good questions over this next week.

2nd post Aug. 9, 2005

This just in from the Middle East (during my lunch hour, I heard this):

A Firestone worker, "Joe," has a doorman whose 3-year-old daughter, "Dora," who was very sick. The parents were very concerned for her because her temperature was rising. They had lost a child before, as well. It became clear soon that the doctors knew nothing that could help Dora. The parents took her to the mosque, and Koranic verses were read over her. A special amulet was created in order to aid in her healing. This didn't work either. The doorman told Joe this, and Joe began to believe this was an instance wherein God wished to glorify the name of Jesus and His power to heal. He told the man that, as followers of Jesus, we can pray and God will heal. The father was interested and asked if Joe could pray for his daughter. Joe agreed, and they went to the home where Dora was lying with a 42 degree (Celsius) temperature. The Islamic amulet was under her bed. Joe made sure that it was okay with the father that he would be praying for Dora in Jesus' name. The father agreed to this, then Joe prayed for about 30 seconds, asking God to show His love to Dora and her family--to heal her. Confidently, he told the father that the amulet needed to be removed from under the bed, and the father followed this instruction. Joe left the home and waited. Two hours later, the father came to Joe, ecstatic, saying that his daughter had been healed "immediately!" Then, he corrected himself and said that it had actually taken about 15 minutes. Please pray for this family to come into full knowledge of the gospel of Jesus.

First entry from overseas

Sorry for the delay in posting this first entry--I was prevented from computer access here until today. But I have good news to share after talking and listening to several workers here.

Yesterday, I spoke with a Firestone team leader from Switzerland who is working to facilitate a church planting movement in North Africa. He told me of a Muslim who came to Christ recently named "Jon." Jon knew an American who had shared the gospel with him. One night, Jon had a dream in which everyone in the room, including his American friend, was wearing a white robe--except him. Then, a "friend of his friend" came into the room carrying a white robe to Jon, saying, "This is for you."

Later, the Firestone worker met Jon and his friend. At one point, Jon shared with the worker about his dream, and the church planter interpreted it for him, saying, "I am the friend of your friend." He told Jon to accept the white robe of Christ that would purify him from sin. Jon received Christ, went back to his village, and led his two wives and their children to Christ. He now leads a cell group of believers within his household. Please pray for Jon and his family, that they will continue to advance in faith and good works. Jon was the first member of his clan to come to Christ. Pray that members of other clans may come to the Lord as well.

This is just one example of the stories people are bringing here, to this one-week conference, from 46 nations where Muslims are being reached. Please pray for me and my co-workers, that we will be able to relay the info. we're receiving correctly--to encourage those who are giving, praying, and preparing to go.

Will plan to post tomorrow again, at the latest.

1st Post August 9, 2005

I'm creating this new blog because I haven't figured out how to fix what I broke on www.jeremyloveskatherine.com. Call me computer illiterate, if you like. While I'm in England August 7-19, I expect to interact/interview dozens of people who have been called by God to lay down their lives and allow Jesus to live among M. peoples. I intend to post stories I gather to this blog for others' enjoyment and prayer.

I'm asking you to pray for Katherine, my wife, and myself as we get set to leave tomorrow. Pray that we might leave our new home in order. Ask God to bless our marriage with more of His presence and wisdom. This summer has been stressful, as we've moved our home base twice since late May and have traveled on 3 (counting this one) major trips together (NYC, Malaysia, and now England).

Pray that God will prepare us for the work we have ahead of us--it may prove to be a week of revival, encouragement, and busyness. Pray that we will rest on God during the stress-filled times.

I have a recent story below from a Firestone worker, "Eric," for you to whet your appetite upon. Enjoy and intercede!

For quite a while, "Timothy" had liked a certain girl in the neighbouring village. As is the custom, he asked his parents to make a wedding proposal to the girl's parents. They did so, and it was warmly accepted. Plans got underway. Many in the village heard about it. Timothy was delighted. But when his parents went again to meet the girl's family (perhaps to fix a date for the engagement party), everything had changed. The father said that they no longer wanted anything to do with Timothy. Why?! Because they had found out that Timothy had become a Christian.

The father returned to the house, shocked, deeply shamed and very angry. Sure, he knew that Timothy was good friends with Stefan, and that he had been studying the former Holy Books a lot. But that he had become a Christian, he did not know. Timothy got a verbal bashing when the father reached home.

Timothy, of course, was also devastated. All his wedding plans ruined. His family now not talking to him... and perhaps worse to come. Who could have done this? Who knew for sure that he wanted to get baptised, except for Peter and David? No one, as far as he knew. What was their motive? Revenge, jealousy? What would happen now, when all the village found out... as they surely would. Would they or his family expel him from the village? Would they try to kill him?

As he related the story to me (this had happened 5 days before I arrived) he was fighting back the tears.

He had fled to a town 2-3 hours away for a few days, not knowing what to do... he was upset, confused, angry. His mind was racing so much that he could hardly think. He was sure that it was Peter (supposedly his new brother in Christ) who had betrayed him and ruined his life, for they had had a very public and serious argument a few months earlier. He kept voicing thoughts of revenge. Peter would not get away with this.

As I spent more time with Timothy over the next few days, I heard a few more stories that worried me a lot. 2 years ago, having heard that a young man in the village had struck his (T's) father in an argument, Timothy sought him out at once and tried to shoot him in the head at point blank range. Fortunately (and by God's grace) twice the gun didn't go off. As Timothy withdrew the gun, it fired and the bullet passed in and out of the man's skull, missing his brain completely. To cut a long story short, he survived, but never came back to the village. At the time Timothy's father praised him for doing the right thing in defending his honour and Timothy earned much respect in the village! Timothy also used to lead a youth organsation and is reknowned and respected for 'sorting out' the young boys who get caught doing the wrong thing.

Now less than a year has passed since Timothy came to faith in Jesus. He has not yet been baptised and has had precious little discipleship. Hence Satan is determined to destroy him, the burgeoning fellowship in the village, and perhaps our NGO's reputation.

Naturally I spent time listening to Timothy, encouraging him, sharing Scriptures with him and praying with him. (Romans 12:17-21.. leave room for God's wrath, the story of Joseph, Psalm 70 & 86... do use these to pray for him.) I told him that Satan would like nothing more than an act of revenge, causing more damage. I also told him that I really felt that the Lord allowed him to go through an intense time of testing, in which he remained alone, but faithful. He never denied his faith. Then the Lord brought me along to strengthen him.. in answer to all our prayers for my time up north.

After my 4-5 days there, it was time for me to head back south. I didn't want to leave, but I had to entrust Timothy to the Lord. Contact with him is very difficult, especially with the sensitive nature of the situation... so all we can do for now is pray... that he remains strong and faithful and resists all Satan's attempts to get him to take revenge on Peter... who may not even have been behind all this.

Various small encouraging stories I could share from my trip, but this I believe is the key purpose that the Lord had for me... and is certainly what needs our attention and prayers. Please join me in praying for Timothy, his family (dreams and visions) and for his enemies - whoever they are. Please pray too for Peter. Please pray that he can stay with his family, that they will not throw him out.. that he will remain in the village.. and that he will know from the Lord what to say to those who ask him... that he may respond with gentleness and respect and the power of the Holy Spirit.

Though a young man, he is like a baby brother, whose life and future are very much in danger. PLEASE pray in faith and expectancy for victory and the glory of Jesus in all of this. More than we can imagine.