MIDEAST UPDATE….7/12/2025….”Whoever Thirsts, Let Him Come And Drink At The Waters”

In this update, I have passed on at least a partial list of House of Blessing leaders who are scattered across both Syria and Iraq. I am sure it is not complete because it only covers those in major population areas. The work of evangelism has spread throughout villages all across both nations. In the list of leaders, I have not distinguished between men who are still recognized and respected as sheikhs (even though they now are followers of Jesus instead of Muhammad) and other well known former Muslim leaders. I am also hoping I made the right distinction between the names of the brothers and sisters. 

Because the harvest of souls is coming in so fast, leaders have had to grow into maturity as elders in a very short space of time. These men and women have dedicated their lives to the very death if necessary to further the work of the ministry. Women in the culture of the Mideast have a very low status, but this is not the case in the community of true believers. Many of these sisters are powerful in their faith and their knowledge of God’s Word, and God is working through them in mighty ways. Praise God for what He is doing! 

I made my best attempt to spell people’s names correctly, but I am sure I did not get them all totally correct. Our God, however, knows their names quite well! 

My request is that you take these names in their entirety and lay hands on them or hold them up before the Lord in prayer. They really do depend on the prayers of their brethren around the world. Thank you!

At the end of today’s update, I have included a special message sent to me by brother Abdelrahem, who has been carrying Pastor Rashid’s mantle since the Lord took him home. Please don’t miss it.

SYRIA:

Deir ez-Zor

    Brothers: Abdelrahem, Jehad, Wazwaz, Abbas, Jadalah, Abu Galeb

    Sisters: Ferial, Hafiza, Sara

Aleppo

    Brothers: Fishawi, Hidmi, Falah, Bassam, Majdi, Belal

    Sisters: Bella, Kefaya, Soumia

Idlib

    Brothers: Hubruuman, Kilani, Shaker, Mahmoud, Bander, Jawad, Khalil

    Sisters: Duaa, Nariman

Hama

    Brothers: Bazlamit, Abu Elazz, Laith, Habib, Baha

    Sisters: Suzan, Razwand, Amani

As-Suwayda

     Brothers: Hayal, Ershad, Abu Laila, Kalid, Abu Shaker, Durgham, Hisham, Taher

     Sisters: Ekhlass, Labiba, Hedaya, Fatima

Latakia

    Brothers: Baloout, Abu Lafi, Jaods

    Sisters: Khazna, Azya, Rukia, Badia

Nawa

    Brothers: Othman (and his wife Alanina), Bassel, Walled, Haitham

    Sisters: Khadija, Basemeh, Samera

This report from Syria just a few days ago confirms that 1785 students finished their initial studies and there is now another group of students beginning the courses. Praise God! The House of Blessing is trusting the Lord to guide them in all things and meet the needs of the harvest. Most studying is done at night because of the heat as well as the security issue. Temperatures are reaching 50c (122 F). Studying is done without lights. There is only electricity for a small portion of the day and so studying is done under the light of the moon. The HOB leaders confirm that they are trusting the Lord, especially as close as we are to the return of our Lord Jesus. They pray the Lord’s blessings and their personal thanks to all who are praying for and supporting them.

IRAQ:

Basrah

    Brothers: Omar, Murtadah, Shaker, Munzer, Moataz, Imad, Amar, Al-Fahham, Al-Silwadi, Al-Barazani,  

        Al- Khourbatli, Qlabo, Aslan, Abak, Elias, Arsian, Safi, Al-Hanini

    Sisters:  Sarah, Zuohra, Wafa, Nina, Yara, Yasmin, anabil, Amira, Nisreen, Zahra

Kirkuk

    Brothers:   Shahbander, Abu Haikel, Bahrain, Abu Almaati, Farhat, Yaser, Ezz, Bahran, Talat

    Sisters:   Dunya, Jouri

Mosul

    Brothers:  Zahi, Burhan, Lutfi, Azazmeh, Zaltimo, Burhan, Assad, Maher, Tawfeq, Fathallah, Fahmy, Bakri,                   Tamar, Hosni

Erbil

    Brothers:  Al-Sudanni, al-Awawi, Zeyad, Lyad, Shafiz, Basis, Azaam

Najaf

     Brothers:  Fahed, Ayman, Mousa, Mourn, Bayan, Shoumari

The good news accumulated from all areas is that at least 1165 students have completed their initial courses and are graduating and the classes will be filling up again immediately. New classes are now being opened teaching the Scriptures in Farsi. About 980 students are signed up already in two separate locations. Praise God!

Below is a direct message I received from Abdelrahem. I edited very little, and only to add some clarity as Abdelrahem’s primary language is not English. 

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Hello brother Jack, this is Abdelrahem. I would like to share something with you. Today I am almost 86 years old. I have met many people in my lifetime and have gone through a great many experiences that have taught me a sincerity in my love of the Gospel, the same sincerity that you have and Rashid had. I have not seen such a love for the Good News of the Gospel in my entire life! Through my studies of books, especially the Gospel, and my experiences in life, I know that the Lord is close to us and watching us. Believe me, all these miracles happen only by the hand of the Lord. We are only the means He uses for His purposes. We pray, and He answers us because we believe in Him. We have a firm belief, but the difference between us is that we are in the fields and the Lord is with us watching us carefully — as He does you. I am telling you that I feel the manifestation (His coming) of the Lord is very, very close. His presence is with us! Believe me, I feel it as you do! Our feelings are only different because I see a unique new birth within the elders and so many others. The promise of His coming is approaching! Be prepared for this, you and others. I am telling you this because I love you and I love our brothers who support us with prayers and financial support. May God bless you and them. Please pray for us!

Abdelrahem

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At the end of this message Abdelrahem sent, he included a whole list of Scriptures that have to do with the Lord’s return at the end of the age and the faith that we, as followers of Jesus, are to rule our lives by. 

We live in a unique time and we need to encourage one another to stay strong, committed to our walk with God, and stay engaged. We are still breathing air for a reason. God’s reason. Our world is falling apart, but God did not intend for us to fall apart.  Let’s make the most of what time we have left. He is coming…..SOON. Our eternity is at the door!

For those that would like to contribute financial donations to help with the cost of printing Bibles and Teaching Booklets, please contact the House of Blessing through one of the two email addresses below. Thank You.

Forever in His Service,

Jake (aka Jack)

[email protected]   [email protected]