MIDEAST UPDATE…4/14/2021…”Teach us to Number our Days”

In Psalm 90 we find these words:

10 The days of our lives are seventy years; and if by reason of strength they are eighty years, yet their boast is one of labor and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away. 11 Who knows the power of Your anger? For as the fear of You, so is your wrath. 12 So teach us to number our days that we may gain a heart of wisdom. 13 Return O LORD! How long? And have compassion on Your servants.” Psalm 90:10-13

Most people in the world realize that we are living in a unique time. There is an ominous, unspoken sense that does not go away. I find it interesting that the secular world seems to notice it more than the churched world—at least for the most part. There is, however, a growing number of Christians, mainly those who pay attention to Bible prophecy, who are aware of a convergence of events that sets our generation apart from all previous ones. 

This is the case with the House of Blessing community of believers in the Middle East. Those in tune with what the Spirit of God is saying today know that we are at the very precipice of the end of the age. Because of this knowledge, the House of Blessing continues putting every effort into the harvest of souls before Jesus calls His people home. 

In previous updates I have mentioned that the Muslim month of Ramadan was about to begin once again. As I write this update, it has officially begun. I received a call from Pastor R with a short update from the front lines of HOB’s missionaries. Pastor R said that the House of Blessing leaders were so anxious to get started this year that they started early. 

Through the provision of the Lord, 1,000 Bibles were purchased, as was a truckload of wheat sacks. As the sacks of wheat were made available to the people, the doors opened wide to once again share, not only wheat, but also the Good News of the Gospel. From the very beginning, even before Ramadan began, the harvest of souls has been abundant. 

In Pastor R’s short phone update, he said that he was receiving reports of many hundreds of families being reached with the truth of who Jesus Christ really is and why it was that He came into the world. For example, Omar, Sami, Mussa and their team of missionaries already reached 385 entire families. Pastor R emphasized that these family groups in the Mideast are quite large. A typical family has 7, 8, 10 or more members. As the patriarch of each family recognizes Jesus as the true Messiah and prays the sinner’s prayer, so does everyone in the family–even the children that are able to understand. 

The same kind of report came in from Mufiedah, Sarah, Fadwa, and their group of missionaries. They visited the tents of 230 families and had the same results. It was the same with Abed, Adel, and their men. And it was the same with Akram, Ibrahim, Sahbander and Mortadah in western Iran, and too many others to name in this short update. Even the communion celebrations are on temporary hold so that more time is taken for evangelism. Pastor R’s personal assistants, Youssef and Radi reached between 180-190 families as well! 

Pastor R says that the weather is still cold but the hunger for the true Word of God is very great. Jesus said that the fields are white and ready for harvest. In the Middle East today, as in many other locations around the world, missionaries have their hands full trying to reach them all. 

Pastor R also said that the Lord continues to multiply the wheat. More people are being supplied than what the one truckload should cover! God is good!  

I am going to conclude this update with a story started in recent updates. It is the continuing story of Suleiman, his four grown sons, and how the love of God has changed them and caused many, many others to bow at the feet of Jesus. 

It seems that Suleiman has become so in love with his Savior, Jesus Christ, that he has been spreading the Good News everywhere. Keep in mind that this man and his four grown sons had been ISIS militants until they encountered Jesus. The story gets even better! Suleiman has an uncle that is the head-sheikh of the mosque he had attended. Suleiman met with his uncle and his assistant and shared what had happened to him and his sons. After hearing the story, his uncle was so convinced that this was real that he invited him to come and share with those that would gather at his mosque last Friday. There were at least 180 men who attended the mosque and heard Suleiman give his testimony. After he told the story of what Jesus did for him, HOB teachers, Mahmoud and Farouk taught the men about Jesus, the Lamb of God and His power to forgive all sins. As amazing as it sounds, every one of the 180 men gave their lives to Jesus. What is even more amazing is that the attendees of this particular mosque had all belonged to ISIS (Daesh)! Because of the grace of God and the power of Jesus’ Blood to cleanse these men of their sins, their eternal destiny has changed. What a miracle! And, this miracle will continue as they bring the Good News to their families!

The month of Ramadan has barely begun and the harvest has already been amazing. As funds come available, more Bibles can be purchased and distributed. If possible, it would be good to purchase some more wheat. Food and clean water is always a great need. Jesus taught the people and He fed them. The House of Blessing tries to do the same.

The House of Blessing missionaries send their thanks to each of you for your prayers and financial support. HOB asks for and appreciates your prayers very much. Perhaps this is the last Ramadan during which HOB can evangelize? It could be! Let’s pray for a greater harvest of souls than HOB has ever seen in years past. God answers prayer and He multiplies supplies that have been provided. We serve a very great GOD!

Forever in His Service,

Jake