There have been many answers to this question — good teacher, moral leader, tragic hero, well-intentioned martyr, prophet, antagonist, etc. — and they are all insufficient. Why? Because He is the Messiah, the Christ, the Son of the living God, and by what we have confirmed from Scripture and the faith we hold, we know it is true.
Let’s look a little deeper though. Perhaps a more revealing question would be: Who do we really — deep in our hearts — believe He is? This means going past the church pew or pulpit and into our living rooms or work place for our answer. Is it as much a reality for us during the week as it is during our Sunday meeting time? It is usually an easy answer from the mountain top, but we need to be able to answer from the valleys. Our answer must be more than theology in our heads.
Whenever things have gone wrong, disaster or tragedy has visited us — who is He? Is He a theological concept or really our Savior, our Provider, our Healer and Friend? Is He an ancient Biblical character or is He our Righteousness, our Strength, and our Refuge? We need to know Him in our innermost being as the center of our lives, not just the center of our theology. Just a thought…
Now on to the House of Blessing:
The first report I received was from Dr. Nibras on 2/15/2026. Mid-report, he made reference to a miraculous event that is referred to in separate reports in this update. There are likely more details to be made available in the days ahead. Mention is made in Dr. Nibras’ report below of an Islamic observance called “Umrah.” For those that may not know, Umrah is often referred to as the “lesser pilgrimage,” an Islamic ritual that involves a series of acts of worship performed in Mecca. Unlike the Hajj, which has specific dates and is obligatory for Muslims, Umrah is not mandatory but is highly recommended and can be performed at any time throughout the year.
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Peace be with you, brother Jack, and with all the followers of Jesus. This year will be a very strange one for revealing the truth of the Bible. As the month of Ramadan has arrived, we thank the Lord of the harvest in advance. Many have been converted and have joined the Kingdom of God in the past months. At the same time, we are witnessing an escalation of tensions between the countries of the Middle East. This escalation is a clear indication of an inevitable major conflict, and Israel finds itself in the crosshairs. We will take a brief look at the latest developments at the end of this report.
Although the missionaries of the House of Blessing are aware of what is happening, they are doing their best to focus on what is immediately before them. Wherever they go, they preach the good news of the imminent return of Christ, and the crowds continue to flock to them. Below are just a few examples of what God has done and answered. The harvest is not yet officially over.
Although some areas are experiencing a temporary lull, there are threats of a conflict even more severe than the last seventy years. The region remains fractured by political and religious conflicts, and there is little hope of the Middle East returning to anything resembling “normalcy.” Many have commented that something truly sinister has been unleashed upon our world over the past decade. I believe the evil we are witnessing has yet to fully reveal itself. It is one of the signs of the end times. I realize that some will scoff at the idea that we are living in such a time, but whether we choose to scoff or ignore the numerous warnings in the Bible, the time has come, and it would be wise to recognize it for what it truly is.
The missionaries of the House of Blessing are aware of the signs of these times and are making the most of the remaining time. Pastor Abdelrahem and I have had many discussions about the signs in the Middle East that confirm the imminent return of Christ. In light of what clearly awaits us, I have mentioned more than once that, despite the horror of war that could erupt at any moment, and despite the fact that no Christian missionary desires it, they recognize its inevitability. They also understand that war presents an exceptional opportunity to spread the word of God. Muslims are unaware of the certainty that comes from knowing their sins are forgiven forever, and that eternal life in the Kingdom of God is guaranteed to those who accept the free gift offered by Jesus through His sacrifice on the cross. This is a hope they do not possess, but they respond to it with great joy when they hear the Good News. Their longing to hear divine truth is very obvious.
Finding a way to share food with the hungry also contributes to opening new avenues for spreading God’s love. Hunger is common among refugees, but Iran is among the hardest-hit regions today. The House of Blessing organization is thriving in western, eastern, and southern Iran, but conditions are dire. This is partly due to Iran’s current economic crisis, but regardless of politics, civilians are the ones suffering the most. Despite the difficult circumstances, evangelism continues, and the Gospel message has just reached another 865 families. These individuals have now joined the rest of the HOB community of believers.
In the Deir-ez-Zor region of eastern Syria, the training and education of over 323 former SDF fighters (Syrian Democratic Forces) continues unabated. Their days are filled with intensive Bible study, prayer, and, of course, worship and reflection in the presence of God. While these men receive their training, the mothers and children are also being helped to understand the Bible and God’s teachings correctly. The stories of these former fighters and their families and how they were converted through God’s love, continue to amaze me. Praise be to God!
There is a miracle that occurred when Abdelrahem encountered a group of pilgrims on their way to perform Umrah during Ramadan. Abdelrahem and his companions shared the Gospel of Jesus with them just before they left. Abdelrahem gave their sheikh, a man named Abu Da’ous, a Bible and some teaching booklets to read. While on the way, the sheikh suddenly proclaimed his new-found faith in Jesus openly before the travelers with him. Some of the more fanatical travelers in the group promptly beat him to where there was no sign of life. Two days later, the sheikh came back to life, got up and went to locate Abdelrahem. In the meantime, the travelers — over 1,000 of them — experienced a crisis of conscience, so much so that they turned around and went back to where they had left the sheikh for dead, but he had disappeared. More details will likely follow but the miraculous nature of Abu Da’ous’ encounter with Abdelrahem and later with an angel who supernaturally restored him at the garbage dump where he had been thrown, has now provided a powerful testimony. The traveling crowd, who witnessed his murder, returned to the location of his execution, and after hearing the sheikh’s testimony, all submitted to Christ as their Savior. It is of course another miracle because through God’s intervention, Abu Da’ous was called into ministry.
While one miraculous testimony after another by numerous individuals are being shared with the masses, hundreds of people continue to come to hear Abdelrahem’s sermons as well as his prayers for the sick. Hundreds are healed every week, but what is more important is that hundreds find Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord. God is merciful!
The testimonies of the faithful continue to pour in as they flock in by the hundreds to celebrate Holy Communion in special prayer sessions arranged by Sisters Hafiza, Feriel, Sarah, and others, according to their abilities. These prayer times remain a precious source of spiritual comfort for all believers during times of hardship.
The House of Blessing is continuing its Bible studies throughout the Middle East wherever possible, despite the often difficult circumstances. God has blessed the HOB with access to many Muslim leaders. Opportunities to share the Gospel message with them over the past few years have brought much fruit, as one after another commits themselves to Jesus Christ. These leaders — who have large followings, are now engaged in leading the lost into the Kingdom of God by introducing them to the true Christ — Jesus Christ. Recognizing the limited time left in the Age of Grace, they seize every opportunity that comes available.
As always, we receive good news, and then come the challenges of being in a war zone. While these events are not widely reported, developments in northern Syria do not bode well for the near future. The conflicts are far from over. The House of Blessing, however, decided long ago that the Lord has placed them in this missionary field, no matter the circumstances. This means they are often the first to respond to injuries or deaths. In one area alone, in the past few days, HOB missionaries treated dozens, if not hundreds, of wounded. As always, everyone receiving treatment is given the Good News of Jesus Christ, the long-awaited Messiah.
I mentioned earlier that a greater conflict looms. Threats of war seem to escalate every year around this time. Some of this may be related to the Islamic month of Ramadan, but this year the threats appear particularly serious.
Dr. Nibras, servant of the Lord
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The second report was a message from Abdelrahem, conveyed through Dr. Nibras. It was also received on 2/15/2026.
Peace be upon you, my brother Jack, and upon all the followers of Jesus. We are watched by the Lord in all our actions, daily, indeed every moment and minute, and we will all be held accountable for everything we do. We strive to bring more and more souls to the faith, and we pray for them and supplicate for them. The Lord is the Shepherd, responsible for His flock. The story of Sheikh Abu Da’ous’ encounter with one of God’s angels after he was left for dead, presumed dead from his injuries, in a garbage dump near the valleys, is an encouraging story that exalts God. We find these words about angels in the Epistle to the Hebrews:
“Are not they all ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?” Hebrews 1:14
Hayel, Arshid, and I saw an angel, but he appeared as an ordinary human being. Yet, I was able to speak with him. I know that some of the HOB missionaries have seen angels and received angelic interventions in the midst of their difficult situations. I think that we, as followers of Jesus, receive angelic interventions in our lives far more often than we realize. We will never understand how many times God has chosen to save our lives through angelic intervention, because it was not yet His will for us to leave this world and enter eternity. Thank God that we are always under His care.
The story of Sheikh Abu Da’ous reminds me of one of the Apostle Paul’s experiences. The Book of Acts tells us the following:
“Then the Jews came from Antioch and Iconium and, after persuading the crowds, stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, thinking he was dead. But when the disciples gathered around him, he got up and went back into the city. The next day he went with Barnabas to drive.” Acts 14:19-20
In this story, many of Paul’s disciples thought that he had been stoned to death. Perhaps he died, perhaps he did not; we do not know for sure. But when his friends gathered around him, he crawled out from under the pile of stones and went straight back into the city. Can you imagine the shock of those who stoned him and left him, thinking he was dead?
In the story of Sheikh Abu Da’ous, those who witnessed his beating found no life in him and pronounced him dead. To all witnesses, he was dead — just as it seemed the Apostle Paul had been stoned to death. Perhaps Abu Da’ous was dead, but only God knows. In any case, God had another purpose! And His purpose is always paramount! God has a task to accomplish before he is called into His presence!
Abdelrahem, servant of the Lord
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The third and final report was directly from Dr. Nibras and was received on 2/17/2026.
Peace be upon you, brother Jack, and upon all the beloved of Jesus. Today, all completed printed materials were delivered, including 2,000 teaching booklets and 200 Bibles taken to Abdelrahem. Although the quantity is insufficient, the Lord blesses. 800 Bibles and 8,000 teaching booklets were also delivered to Brother Omar and Aylout and the brothers working with them. The number of believers there is quite good — around 70,000. We pray that the Lord will arrange for gifts to meet the urgent need for additional Bibles and booklets. The month of Ramadan has begun. HOB has always considered this month as a special time of evangelism. God has always been faithful in guiding many Muslims to the true Christ. God can do so again in 2026 — if He does not call His people home to Him before then. HOB hopes to purchase more Bibles in order to distribute them to the many locations where its missionaries will be strategically placed. The missionaries are keen to clarify the differences between the Quran and the Bible, especially regarding the true identity of Jesus Christ.
Although Ramadan is an Islamic month of fasting, prayer, and sacrifice, God has used it as a time to reveal the truth about Jesus Christ to millions of Muslims. Many have seen Jesus in clear visions during Ramadan and have surrendered their lives to the true Christ. Let us begin to pray for this beginning today. Let us also pray to the Lord of the harvest to provide us with the resources we need. Let us trust that He will provide us with more than we usually ask for! Only God knows, but perhaps this heralds the conversion of the last souls before the rapture / catching-up of the saints! We worship a great God!
And I would like to express my deepest gratitude to everyone who prays sincerely for the work of the missionaries of the House of Blessing and to everyone who has been generous with their gifts! May the Lord of the harvest bless you all.
Dr. Nibras, servant of the Lord
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A passage in Isaiah comes to mind: “The people who walk in darkness will see a great light; those who live in a dark land, the light will shine on them.” Isaiah 9:2. I believe the House of Blessing is going to witness a harvest of souls this Ramadan like never before. Might it be the final Ramadan before the catching up???
The current Supreme Leader of Iran describes the State of Israel as illegitimate and calls it “an old wound.” Turkey’s president, Erdogan, calls Israel the cancer of the Middle East. The hatred of Israel and the Jewish people is escalating exponentially around the world, but the Bible predicted this would happen at the very end of the age. What happens with Israel affects inevitably affects the rest of the world. We are there! We are on the fast-track to major events in 2026 that most of the world cannot fathom, nor do they expect. We as true followers of Jesus are not meant to be in the dark concerning the times.
In closing, if there was ever a time when earnest prayer support was needed for the House of Blessing missionaries and volunteers, it is now. This is a particularly crucial time of evangelism. I have received confirmation that an additional 1,000 Bibles and 10,000 teaching booklets have been printed, packaged and sent to HOB in Iran. The print shop has been running day and night the past weeks and has gone out on a financial limb in order to get as many copies delivered in time for Ramadan. The House of Blessing leaders thank you all for your continued help with this enormous burden. For anyone who has questions or comments, please feel free to contact either of the email addresses below.
One necessary clarification in case there is any question. I am the only official writer through the website, keeplookingupward.com , for the ministry of the House of Blessing.
Forever in His Service,
Jake (aka Jack)