Missions in the Middle East is always exciting, sometimes fearful, but is always the will of God.  I’m amazed at how, during those fearful times, or what we would think is fearful, God brings grace to believers to overcome their fears.  I have experienced several instances on trips where I should have been afraid, and I felt so at peace that I cannot even explain why. That is why it is called “…the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding…”   Philippians 4:7.

NO SURGERY NEEDED

Recently, during a discussion with Pakistani pastors, I was overwhelmed by God’s grace at work.  A pastor testified to me that during a meeting he prayed for a believer that was suffering with a terrible urinary tract infection, one for which he needed surgery.  Soon thereafter, the man went to the doctor for an examination and the doctor asked him, “What did you do?  You don’t need surgery now.”

I learned of a pastor who travels to do missionary work.  He is 64 years old and has been walking the roads and travelling throughout Pakistan for 20-plus years.  He converted from Islam 30 years ago.  He has had 10 or more heart attacks and is paralyzed in his shoulder and arm, yet he continues to travel and minister to Pakistani Christians.  What gallant faith!

POWER IN PRAYER

In Turkey, a pastor I spoke with was reporting to me about the state of the new believers in his church.  The majority of them have been Christians less than a year.  For the longest time they were ashamed to pray.  Every week he gathers with them at their homes with other believers and prays with them.  They write down all their prayer requests, and each of them prays according to subject.  They recount testimonies at the following meetings.  It is an awesome way to build faith in newborn Christians.  One Iranian refugee there had his refugee case cancelled.  The people prayed.  And the next week his case was renewed and he was relocated to the resettlement area.  Another Brother had a Muslim friend that had a daughter that was going to be kicked out of school for bad behavior.  They prayed for the girl and let the family know that they prayed in the name of Jesus Christ.  The family reported back to them that the young girl’s behavior has changed, and the school even called to inform the family of the major change, and even said she is like a new person.

TRIBAL THREATS

In this particular Persian church there are Afghan Christians attending (their language is quite similar to Persian so they are able to understand each other).  Unfortunately, many of these Afghan believers are receiving threats from family and tribe members.  From time to time — because of fear — they stay away from church.  Others, being new in the Faith and having a tribal mindset, are expecting the church to pay their rent for them.

COMMIT TO PRAYER

Would you do me a favor?  Can you make a commitment?  Please pray for these churches and pray for these believers to grow in faith.

Thank you for supporting us to get New Testaments and Jesus movies in the hands of ministers in the Middle East so that they can reach the lost.

If you have decided to commit to prayer for these believers in the Middle East please send us an email at info@presenttruthmn.com.