In today’s update, I have commentary directly from the House of Blessing’s Dr. Nibras sent to me on three consecutive days. Rather than add commentary of my own in today’s update, I will let him speak for himself. Please hear the cry of his heart and that of all of the House of Blessing. His report below was sent on 1/25/2026.
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Peace be with you, brother Jack. I constantly remember Jesus’ warnings about the signs of the end times. These signs are present today. Among them are wars and rumors of wars, and the fighting between nations and kingdoms. Brother Jack, we are already witnessing an escalation of chaos throughout the world, including in the United States. This reminds us, as believers in Jesus Christ and the Word of God, of the need for a concerted effort to ensure that our relationship with God remains healthy. It also reminds us of the need to pray sincerely for all believers who are experiencing hardship, including the most brutal forms of persecution.
Despite the claims of the world’s superpowers that they are working to save Syria as a sovereign state, and the exploitation of Syrian oil by countries with vested interests in Syria to support the regime, the situation in Syria will only worsen. Current events perfectly align with the prophecies of the Old Testament prophets. The destruction of Damascus and its surrounding areas, as described in Isaiah 17 and Jeremiah 49, is imminent. The danger of this destruction is far greater than the average citizen can imagine. Some point to the current state of Damascus and say that its destruction has already occurred. I disagree. The Bible tells us that the city will become completely uninhabitable, and that the final destruction will happen overnight.
But the reason I bring this up again in this Middle East update is not to delve into the details of the prophecies that have been fulfilled, but to remind us that the House of Blessing, and other missionary organizations, have missionaries in areas that will one day witness immense destruction. These missionaries insist on remaining where they are because of the many lost souls who have no hope except in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Every report I receive from Iran, Iraq, and Azerbaijan by Abedlrahem, who is still in the outskirts of Damascus, tells of hundreds of souls who receive the Gospel of love from the One who died for them, so that they may receive eternal life.
Reports continue to pour in about dozens of people who have received healing and the Gospel from the sisters, such as Mufida, Ferial, and others from the Widow Sisterhood. This week also saw reports of 1,800 people meeting with Hafiza for several hours of celebration, singing, and dancing before the Lord, and receiving Holy Communion as New Testament believers have done since Pentecost. Hafiza, Sarah, and Labiba are located in northern, eastern, and western Syria, and Fatima, the widow of Sheikh Salem who had converted to Christ, attended in Mosul, Tikrit, and Najaf, and oversaw the women’s participation. As God has done since the beginning of these prayers, He meets with His followers, touches them, heals them, strengthens them, and encourages them. When they leave in the early morning hours, they are ready to begin a new day.
In Syria, Sharifa shares her story with between 150 – 350 people at a time. As most readers of this website know, Sharifa recounts how she encountered God in the darkest moment of her life when she threw a cardboard box and a blood-stained bag before Sheikh Zakaria; a bag containing the remains of her children. In the depths of terror, despair, and sorrow, she cried out against Sheikh Zakaria and the God he preached to the large crowd gathered before him. Her testimony continues as she recounts how God, the Almighty Creator of the entire universe, gathered her into His presence and showed her that her children were now in paradise and were completely healed. Sharifa and her husband were transformed by the very God she had cursed, and the people who heard her story were also transformed! What a great God we worship! May the Lord bless you, my brother Jack.
Omar, Shahbandar, Durgham, Habibullah, and Ma’touq continue to follow Abdelrahem’s directions; teaching people, not by force, but by teaching them to love the Gospel. Also, Sister Ratiba, Zainab, Al-Saftawi, the sheikhs in Azerbaijan, Abu and Sabazi are still guiding people to Jesus, who illuminated the world with His love and sacrifice. People who submit to faith in Jesus are willing to sacrifice everything they have to spread His word. May the Lord bless you all, and thank you for the gifts provided for the printing of the Gospel and teaching booklets. Time is running out; they must be printed and sent before Ramadan because the brothers will be dedicating all their time during Ramadan to guiding people to faith in Jesus.
Dr. Nibras, servant of the Lord
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1/27/2026
Hello, my dear brother Jack. I’ll start with the passage in Mark 16:15-18, where we find what is known as the “Great Commission.” These are the instructions Jesus left for His followers, and they are read as follows:
“Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will accompany those who believe: In My name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well.”
Each week, as I have the privilege of sharing the latest news from the missionaries of the House of Blessing in the Middle East, along with the stories of the hundreds who have found solutions to their problems in the Gospel of Jesus Christ, I also share with you the miraculous aspect of this message. The greatest miracle remains the salvation of the soul and the eternal inheritance that accompanies it, but it is always a joy to hear stories of the great spiritual interventions of the Holy Spirit for people with special physical needs. This week, I will share with you what my brother Al-Hanini told me, along with Abdelrahem and the other brothers.
As we learned over the past two days, two men, recent graduates of the HOB School of Ministry, were granted permission to preach at the Al-Sahtouri Mosque. Of the 560 men present inside, 400 went outside to listen to the men. After hearing them, they all believed in Jesus Christ, the Messiah. During the following week, they all prayed the prayer of repentance and joined the family of God. Furthermore, the two sheikhs of the mosque, Islamic scholars for the past 45 years, requested intensive biblical instruction from Al-Sudani and Al-Fishawi. In addition, Al-Awiwi, with the assistance of Zaltimo and Jafaar was given the task of guiding their congregation of new believers to a deeper understanding of biblical teachings. It was also announced that the building would no longer be used as a mosque but would become a church, as Al-Sahtouri himself had wished before his life was taken from him.
This story is now continuing to unfold just as we read in the Book of Acts, with the church growing and hundreds, often thousands, joining its ranks. This is happening today on the outskirts of Damascus, Syria. The new believers have attracted hundreds more. Omar and Sami ended up preaching together, one preaching for a while and then the other taking his place, while 500-600 Muslim men gathered to listen to them last Friday.
As they ministered to the large congregation, the Lord inspired them to pray for the sick. Many came to be prayed for, and before everyone’s eyes, 25 people were completely cured of blindness, many of them from birth. They also prayed for many sick people, and 17 of them were also healed! But the greatest miracle of all is that, just hours after the service, more than 1,500 people joined the faith that very Friday!
I suspect some may doubt this story, but we shouldn’t. Jesus Christ is the same, yesterday, today, and forever! Our Heavenly Father promised that He will work with great power through the Holy Spirit, who works in believers in the last days. He is the one who commanded us to pray for the sick. He is the one who commanded His followers to preach His word. Neither you nor I can heal anyone. We don’t even have the power to heal a fingernail, yet He is able to raise the dead! Neither does any of us have the power to change anyone’s life with our words, no matter how eloquent or powerful we are in preaching. But God is able to touch the soul.
Abdelrahem is requesting special prayer for Omar, Aylout, Shahbandar, Murtada, and Durgham. As you can imagine, the danger to their lives in Iran increases day by day. Islamic extremists are constantly on their trail, searching for anyone who calls to, or teaches in the name of anyone other than Allah or his prophet Muhammad. Yet, people’s disgust with what they see of Islam has reached a point where they are willing to listen to and accept anything that seems more hopeful than what they witness daily. This is a powerful reminder of the importance of seizing the opportunities available today. Lives are being lost every moment. If people don’t hear God’s message of love and forgiveness through Jesus Christ by Christian missionaries, they are likely to fall prey to false religious teachings. And there are many to choose from.
In northern Syria, the winter weather continues to be a major challenge, especially for those trying to survive in tent camps. Fighting also continues between various terrorist groups. The SDF, affiliated with the regime, killed another 135 believers in the Aleppo region. Mufida and her team, along with the Widow Sisterhood, continue to provide assistance to as many wounded people as possible. 1,375 of them have received treatment and have become followers of Jesus Christ. Hafiza and her team were able to share Holy Communion with at least 1,000 believers last week. The Lord continues to facilitate this by providing the necessary items for people to participate. Financial donations from around the world contribute significantly to this work.
Incidentally, the story that was shared previously about Sister Sharifa and the experience the Lord gave her when he showed her that her children who had been killed were now in the Lord’s presence, is continuing to be shared. Last week alone, some 1,580 people gathered to hear her testimony.
In Mosul, Fallujah, Basra, Tikrit, Kirkuk, and Salamiyah in Iraq, missionaries from HOB are being urged to exercise extreme caution and patience. Nevertheless, they continue to spread the Gospel every chance they get.
I haven’t received a count this week of the number of people reached in the Mosul area, but there were many souls who were converted to the Kingdom of God. In Fallujah, a good number also reached people with the Gospel of Jesus Christ, but I don’t have an exact number for today’s update. The Lord knows the number; He knows each person by name. Our mission is to care for them with prayer. As we all know, following Jesus Christ in the Islamic world exposes one to severe persecution, often resulting in the death penalty. Despite this, Fatima was able to share Holy Communion with 2,300 believers last week, and new souls were born through the brothers Abu Tammam and Abu Nibal. God is so gracious!
As I conclude this report, I reflect on the news reports coming from various cities across the Middle East. Some of us may have heard about the execution of thousands of people by firing squad or hanging in just one prison in the past few years in Iran. Survivors have recounted stories of being in some of these cells, where prisoners are regularly beaten to death inside, then dragged out the next day and thrown into mass graves. People in the West are not accustomed to this disregard for human life. We must all be very grateful for the blessings we have today, for we have no guarantee of tomorrow.
As I see evil, malice, and hatred growing everywhere day by day, it is becoming increasingly clear that we are at the time of the end. Evil and chaos are increasing dramatically. What we are witnessing today throughout the world is described in Psalm 2. There is a growing anger in our world, and people are plotting evil schemes. The kings, tyrants, and evil rulers of the world conspire against the Lord and His Messiah, Jesus Christ, saying, “Let us break their chains and cast off their cords.” It is truly tragic that so many who once had a relationship with the Lord have abandoned it and been deceived by the lies of the enemy of souls. O God, help us to awaken to the truth! Elijah said on Mount Carmel, “Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve: God Almighty or Baal (false gods).”
As servants of the Most High, we must ensure our place in God’s kingdom. We must ensure that we are preparing ourselves to stand before the One who paid the price for our freedom.
Brother Jack, I am a Doctor and I feel everyday I read my Bible, without Christ, I would be nothing. I am only His servant as you and others. Please keep us in your prayers, as well as all the new students. They are waiting for Abdelrahem and the elders with him. Omar and Ma’touq, however, sent a warning to wait until the Lord gives the okay to pass over the border. Please pray for Abu Tammam and Abu Nibal in Iraq. Also, please pray for Abu Adam, Sister Rolla, and the brothers who are working hard to finish the printing work in time for the upcoming evangelistic effort during Ramadan. God bless you.
Dr. Nibras, servant of the Lord
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1/28/2026
My brother Jack, greetings to you and to all the lovers of HOB. God has chosen to use human beings to spread the gospel among people for the salvation of souls. Many may see it as foolishness, but for others who understand God’s love for what it truly is, it is not just life, but eternal life. The Apostle Paul expressed this through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.
“For the message of the cross seems foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written: ‘I will nullify the wisdom of the wise, and confound the understanding of the prudent.’ Where is the wise man? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God nullified the wisdom of this world? Because the world, through its wisdom, did not know God, God chose to save those who believe through a word that seemed foolish.” (1Corinthians 1:18-21)
This is the work of evangelists today. Indeed, it is the work of every believer and follower of Jesus Christ, the only Savior of the world. And in one of the most challenging places on earth today, this is the work of the House of Blessing. As Iran, Iraq, Azerbaijan and Syria slide further and further into catastrophic chaos, there are still those who live for one purpose only: to convert one soul before they depart forever. Another verse from the Bible that resonates with the work of missionaries today can be found in Romans 10:10:
“How can they call on those who have not believed in him? And how can they believe in him of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without an exhortation? And how can they exhort unless they are sent?” As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!” (Romans 10:14-15).
Despite this, the missionaries of HOB continue to graduate students and teach from the educational booklets printed on preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the cross. This week, many of us celebrate their success in understanding the story of Jesus, not as it has been distorted in Western culture by various influences, but as something entirely different. The Passion narrative is the greatest story ever told, for it is the story of Almighty God’s love for humanity. It is a love so profound that it is beyond human comprehension. In a world where some religions teach their followers to torture and kill those who disagree with them, we find the story of God expressing His love by becoming incarnate in human form, allowing Himself to be placed on a wooden cross and crucified as the ultimate sacrifice — the only sacrifice that could bridge the gap between the holy God and fallen humanity. All religions teach of some kind of paradise after death, but true paradise is only accessible to humanity through one path: the way of the cross of Jesus Christ. There is no other way.
Today, as I write to you, my brother Jack, a great battle is brewing between the fallen Lucifer and our God, the Creator who has been in control from the beginning, He is in control today, and He is the ultimate Ruler of the future. This means that we, the followers of the one true Christ, Jesus, who are truly subject to Him, have no reason to fear the near future, or our eternal future to come! What great hope we have…a hope surrounded by 100% certainly of His absolute control over our lives and His guidance of us. God will guide us through every event that unfolds between now and the moment we hear that great cry and the blowing of the trumpet, when we are lifted up into the presence of the Lord King, our eternal Friend, Jesus, God Himself! This is how the apostle Paul described this event:
“But I do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters, about those who have fallen asleep, or you will grieve like others who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, so God will bring those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain with them will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore, encourage one another with these words. (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18)
In the troubled outskirts of Iran, God was not hindered from His work through His servants Omar, Shahbandar, Morteda, and their fellow elders and men. These men and their helpers continue to teach the new brothers in the three mosques that have been converted into Christian churches. Lessons are given regularly, and the Bible students take the learning materials home to complete their assignments. Bible verses are memorized so that they can also be taught to women and children. We are working to ensure that the Bible is reviewed in every home, so that it may be firmly established in His servants forever.
Dr. Nibras, servant of the Lord
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I continue to be amazed at the amount of people being reached in many of the troubled areas of our world. It is my responsibility to pass on the information I receive from the front lines of the ministry of the House of Blessing, but stories like this are happening in many other troubled regions of our world. Our God is not willing that any perish!
In conclusion, I want to thank you all for your continued prayers and support for the House of Blessing. Those in the underground print shop are working feverishly to print as many Bibles and teaching booklets as they possibly can before the start of Ramadan. Your financial help is greatly appreciated, as are your prayers. If anyone has questions or comments, please feel free to use either of the email addresses below. Thank You!
Forever in His Service,
Jake (aka Jack)