I cannot count how many times I have wished I was not 10,000 miles from where the things are happening that I have the privilege to chronicle. Today is another of those days! As I mentioned in the last update, I have been rereading the Book of the Acts of the Apostles. I have purposely been reading it slowly and thoughtfully, in order to catch as much of what the Holy Spirit is telling us within these supernaturally preserved accounts.
The way I read the beginning of the story in Jerusalem, once the Day of Pentecost arrived, and the Holy Spirit fell upon the assembled believers, the city erupted with the supernatural. It was God’s idea, God’s instruction, and God’s fulfillment of His covenant and promise! Within days, there were many thousands of believers, and again, within days, thousands that were baptized with fire from on high. As you might remember, Acts 1:8 records:
“But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.
The mighty miracles that came about through the lives of these precious early saints, were astounding! Yet, was it not also Jesus that promised that:
“Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father. And whatever you ask in my name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything in My name, I will do it.”
The incredible story of House of Blessing and the amazing things God has performed in the Middle East in the last near 44 months, continues stronger than it started in early April 2012. The things that have happened due to the faith of people who had given and lost everything of value to this present world, have brought both great praise to God and ridicule from nay-sayers who hold to the modern saying “if it sounds too good to be true, it isn’t”. One thing we know for sure…God keeps very accurate records of everything, whether it is public or in secret. In the end, God will get His due, and His faithful ones will be rewarded!
The incredible story that began days ago with former Muslim sheikh Salem, continues stronger as each day passes. The Word of God promised that in the last days, there would be an outpouring of the Holy Spirit which would rival, if not surpass, the one that happened in the first century. What is happening in Fallujah, Iraq today sounds very much like what happened nearly 2,000 years ago in the city of Jerusalem!
In my most recent update, I told the story of how sheikh Salem had planned to have a communion service with the 250 new believers who had been reached at the mosque he preached at before his murder the next morning, and how his widow, Fatima, felt that the Holy Spirit had directed her to complete her husband’s desire. Remember from the last update, that, in spite of the fact that 250 men had been reached that evening, and 200 more within a day or two by the new believers, over 1,200 people showed up for this special communion! The common ingredients that the Holy Spirit spoke to her heart were combined into a “punch” for the communion, and not only did our God multiply the supply so that all of the people had a glass full, but He used the communion wine mixture given to Fatima to heal scores of people of all kinds of sicknesses, diseases, and maladies–the healings of many of them confirmed afterwards by professional physicians. The people danced and praised God until at least 2 am before going home. Then, the communion left-overs were sent home with people to share with neighbors, family, and friends! How many times the original amount was multiplied, and how many people were healed with the excess is not even known! This is the GOD we are privileged to serve!
I received a call Saturday morning and another one Sunday morning letting me know more of the details of how the miraculous outpouring of God’s Spirit is continuing. After the initial evening of the great communion service, Sister Fatima felt she needed to continue the time of communion a bit longer. She contacted Brother Omar and asked if he could provide about 10-15 of the HOB missionaries to share the story of Jesus and pray with people as they came. Brother Omar was able to send 12 missionaries. The late sheikh and his wife happen to have a large house and so Fatima was able to provide shelter for the missionaries. She and those helping her would take care of making more of the communion drink mixture that she had made the first evening, and would see to it that it was available to those who wanted to partake. She felt that the Lord would not only continue to baptize people with the Holy Spirit, but also heal many.
In about 3-1/2 days, over 3,000 more people were reached with the gospel and baptized with the Holy Spirit! There are no numbers available as to how many were also healed, but there were a great many healings during these days! The people were so blessed and enthused with the experience they were having with their new found Lord and Master, Jesus Christ, that they sang, danced, beat on their tambourines, and praised God! Can you imagine being there…in Fallujah, nonetheless?
Since there were so many believers in such a short period of time, the brethren set up five teaching locations. Each location has four teachers that are teaching fifty new believers. Each of the four teachers in the five locations teach for about 1-1/2 to 2 hours and then another takes over. The teachings go on all day long, and will continue for 50-60 days–however long it takes to complete the “School of Ministry” course that has been laid out. Each of the teachers are being supplied the teaching materials that have been used in the past, as well as new materials as they become available. Omar and Adel are overseeing all of the missionary work in the area as the Church continues adding those that are being saved. There is great excitement! God is good!!
Our loving Father also provided in another miraculous way. One of the sisters was able to supply enough finances to purchase about 250 inexpensive chairs and tables to use for the schooling. Another sister, who happens to be the wife of another sheikh who is now a believer in Jesus, provided enough money to purchase about 260 Bibles to distribute among the new believers taking the classes. Of course, many more are needed with such a large number of people having been reached.
As time goes by, I am sure that we will be hearing much more from this amazing series of events. Something like this that God starts, just does not quit. Jesus promised that the gates of hell would not be able to prevail against the Church. What is happening, not only in Fallujah, but all across the Mideast today, is a good example of just that!
There is also a bit of news that I can share from other locations where the work of the missionaries is continuing. Tragically, north from Fallujah, ISIS jihadists caught eight of the HOB missionaries evangelizing around the city of Mosul and they were martyred for their faith. These eight have now joined the many hundreds of their HOB brethren who have paid the ultimate price for their commitment to the Lord Jesus. Jesus forewarned the Church that they should not be surprised if the world hates them, because it first hated Him. This has been the case for many millions over the last 2,000 years. The martyrs continue to be gathered under the altar of the 5th seal of Revelation 6:9. We are swiftly approaching the end of this age, however, and God will put an end to Satan’s evil work.
In the northern parts of Syria, the heavy bombing continues. Russia is bringing in more and more heavy military equipment, as well as increased numbers of jet fighters and bombers. It appears that Russia is using the opportunity in Syria to show the world its resolve as well as military capabilities. This of course speaks of continued masses of people running for their lives. The refugee camp that Sister Mofidah is working in right now already had about 40,000-45,000 people in it. Due to the heavy bombing of the last few days, another 9,000-10,000 ran to the camp, and she is trying to squeeze them in. Because they were fleeing the bombing, they of course came with absolutely nothing.
Mofidah was given the ingredients to the communion mixture that Fatima is using in Fallujah, and has begun using it in the refugee camp where she is. She is now sharing communion with as many as she can after sharing the good news of Jesus’ death and resurrection and after they have decided to make Jesus their Lord and Master. There have already been hundreds that the Lord has healed outright. They are now also beginning to be baptized with the Holy Spirit, just as is happening in Fallujah, Iraq. These people are now rejoicing exceedingly! One of the widows has been able to provide the ingredients and so they keep some communion available to the hundreds of new believers. Another very unusual thing that many have experienced is that the Lord is intervening in a special way so that many of these people are not even feeling the winter cold they are having to endure! What a good God we serve!
Syria is in great chaos. Yet, in the middle of it all, the Spirit of God is moving in extraordinary ways, and many thousands of former Muslim people are experiencing the love of our Father God, through the forgiveness provided through the Blood of Jesus. Now, they are being empowered by the Holy Spirit to continue reaching all those that are to be reached.
Mofidah continues treating many injured, still using the miraculous method given to her by the Holy Spirit so very many months ago. In the last few days, at least 150 are in the process of being healed of their injuries due to what God is doing through her and her band of Christian widows. God is good!
I received an e-mail with the names of the teachers that are training the new believers and teaching them the principles from the Scriptures. Pastor R and Brother Omar have asked that I share these names with those of you who have joined the army praying for House of Blessing. Take them specifically before our Father, asking Him to give them great wisdom, knowledge, courage, strength, and protection from the evil one. The teachers are:
Site #1: Yosef, Zakaria, Abed, Faisal
Site #2: Talal, Younis, Samir, Mofleh
Site #3: Ghalib, Essam, Riad, Yassin
Site #4: Atef, Raafat, Magdi, Ehab
Site #5: Majed, Jaber, Maher, Othman
Thank you for your support and prayers. God does answer prayers!
Jake Geier
House of Blessing; ℅ Jake Geier; 3206 SW 45th Street; Redmond, Oregon USA 97756
We pray again for HOB missionaries that the message of the Lord may spread rapidly and be honored. And we pray that they may be delivered from wicked and evil men, for not everyone has faith. But the Lord is faithful and He will strengthen and protect them from the evil one. We have confidence in the Lord that they are doing and will continue to do the things He commands. May the Lord direct their hearts into God’s love and Christ’s perseverance. (2Thes 3:1-5 paraphrased.)
I wonder what prayers for life were prayed by soldiers trying to take it for the first time in the gulf war…….to say nothing of the perfect prayers of eternal life by Christ as he takes His beloved from Fallujah now. “How beautiful on the [streets of Fallujah] are the feet of him who brings good news!” Grace and peace, power and strength be multiplied to those beautiful-footed ones treading those blessed streets.