I received a message from our brother Abdelrahem a couple days ago that I would like to pass on to all of you. I have transcribed in full below — with as little editing as possible. I will add some brief commentary at the end in conclusion of today’s update.
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Peace be upon you, my brother Jack, and upon those who follow Jesus wholeheartedly, trusting in Him and trusting in His miracles and His ability to save His people who believe in Him, despite the challenges we have experienced here in Zardab. We will work to open many doors to serve the Lord, my brother Jack.
The loss is unimaginable for brother Shabu. Pray for him. For the missionaries of HOB, this is nothing new. They live day by day, not knowing what the day holds, but they trust in the Lord to carry them through any difficulties they may face. This reminds me of a passage from the Bible in Hebrews 11 that lists many past heroes of faith. One of the things I note is that all of these people believed in God’s promises, but died before seeing them fulfilled in their lives. They realized that this short earthly life was temporary. The community of believers at HOB realizes the same thing today.
All of these people were living by faith when they died. They did not receive the promises, but saw them and welcomed them from afar. They acknowledged that they were strangers and aliens on earth. Those who say such things show that they are searching for a homeland of their own. If they had been thinking about the homeland they left, they would have had the opportunity to return. But they longed for a better homeland — a heavenly one. Therefore, God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them (Hebrews 11:13-14).
Today, those who follow the rapidly unfolding prophecies of the Bible know that we represent the last generation before the return of Christ Jesus. Yet, believers around the world continue their journey toward eternity daily without recognizing the urgency of God’s Spirit calling His people to return while they are still in the flesh. One day, perhaps sooner than most of us think, we will hear the great trumpet of God, the voice of the archangel, and the voice of God calling us Home! Praise be to God!
People of faith — especially those belonging to the House of Blessing community, which is the focus of these Middle East updates — understand that this world is facing unprecedented catastrophic times, and they are not surprised by anything that happens. Those who have not yet established a relationship with their Redeemer and Savior, Jesus Christ, are feeling despair. Not only is there widespread anger among refugees, but there is also a growing realization that Islam is responsible for much of what they are experiencing. The true face of Islam, both Sunni and Shia, has been exposed. This is what is opening people up to the good news of the Gospel. It is the only message of hope being proclaimed, and hundreds are responding to it weekly.
Thanks to the generous donations we have received from our sisters and brothers for the printing and distribution of Bibles, despite the shortages, they have heard the word of the Lord even if they have not yet touched the book. People are thirsty beyond belief for the word of the Lord. Some have knelt before Christ and prayed the prayer of sinners. These new believers are very eager to receive the teaching of God’s Word. Praise be to God!
Immediately, many prayers were made for the Lord to increase His blessings, to sustain the hearts of those who have repented, and to enable them to hear the message of hope shared by the missionaries. This is one prayer that all of us around the world can share with our brothers and sisters every day of the year.
Sister Mufida, Ferial, Sarah, and the sisters throughout Syria, along with the many having been known as the “Widow Sisterhood” over the years, continue to treat as many believers as possible, providing them with food, necessary teaching, and counseling. Of course, most of the usual medical supplies for these purposes are not available, but God intervenes and blesses their faith and the work of their hands. Every wounded person the widows treat is a human being in need, and they eagerly respond with the gospel message and by praying the sinner’s prayer!
While the widows are helping people, the brothers are also doing their best. Brothers Jihad and Zuz Abu Ghaleg — also known as Bassem Feleh, and Sheikhs Hab Ruman, Bandar, Jawad, and Sheikhs Al-Bazlamit, Balout, Abu Lafi, Sheikh Othman, Sheikh Qaoud, Al-Bakawti, Abu Malik, and Abu Nizar are all with the sisters. The Lord’s work in Syria continues, and teaching continues as they have been specifically asked to do.
Al-Hanini is also doing his utmost along with the brothers in Iraq in all regions with the help of Sheikhs Al-Fahham, Al-Kharbatli, Abu Al-Maati, Abu Hekal, Zahi, Sheikh Lutfi, Al-Sudani, Al-Awiwi, Al-Sadawi, Al-Samman, Al-Fakhouri, Azar, and Matour. They are all working with the sisters to pray and bring more people to faith in Jesus. There is a great need there to provide the Gospel to everyone. Brothers Shahbandar, Mortada, Brother Aylout, and the brothers with them in the northeast region of Iran continue to care for the members of their community, but the situation remains extremely difficult. They desperately need our support and prayers. Their situation is likely to worsen with the possibility of war between Iran, Israel, and the United States. War is coming, and it is coming very soon. When it happens, it will eventually encompass most of the Middle East. This will soon lead to a much larger war, as we read in Ezekiel 38-39.
We live in a time the world has never seen before, but one for which the Bible has given us many warnings. The coming of our Messiah is imminent. Let us each be salt and light, as God has called us to be, and let us end our lives well. Let us not underestimate the power of prayer to cover and support our brothers and sisters, as the Lord of the harvest directs us. Time is of the essence. Please pray fervently. Thank you everyone.
Before concluding my thoughts, I also want to thank Omar and all that he does to open classes as quickly as possible when they are needed. Many of the sisters are sharing the Gospel and doing much of the necessary teaching. The rabbis in my area are working very hard to make possible the opening of classes to teach the Bible. The people are falling in love with the Word of God!
Please brothers (and sisters), prayers for the providing of Bibles to all is much needed. I don’t know what else I can say. We are doing all we can and we trust God for His guidance in everything we do.
His servants forever,
Abdelrahem and the HOB brethren
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One of the things that seems to be missing in so many western churches is urgency. As Abdelrahem said, we are the last generation. I know there are believers who understand eschatology (study of end time prophecy), unfolding differently but I happen to agree wholeheartedly with Abdelrahem’s assessment of the time in history in which God has placed us. We have an opportunity to lay up treasures in heaven.
I want to thank you all for your prayers and support. Every Bible will bear much fruit. This was a promise the Lord made to HOB many years ago and this is what we are seeing, especially as we approach the end of the Age of Grace. For those who would like to become involved and have questions, feel free to contact either of the email addresses below.
In conclusion, there is more information that has come in since I received Abdelrahem’s message above. It is information that is miraculous but also tragic. I will provide a special update in a couple days after I know I have all the accurate information. Please pray for our brethren. They never know from one day to the next what they will face. Thank you.
Forever in His Service,
Jake (aka Jack) Jake Geier; 3206 SW 45th Street; Redmond, Oregon 97756 USA