It seems that the epicenter of the world is moving from one crisis to another. The populations are often used as pawns and also become expendable as major powers struggle for control and warring factions fight to hang onto territories they have gained some control over. This is particularly the case in Idlib province in northwestern Syria.
There are varying statistics of the number of people that have had to flee their homes in order to survive the missiles and artillery fire. Pastor R has learned that there have been well over 800,000. Most of these people do not have tents or the basic necessities of life. Their hope has been that they would be able to return to their homes before winter.
With the warring sides repeatedly announcing cease-fires and then failing to follow through on the agreements, the situation, to the refugees, looks more hopeless with each passing day. Pastor R told me that there have been several thousand who have traveled back home and found that there was no home left for them. Everything was totally gone and 25% – 50% of the refugees are now without homes to go back to. This is causing great anger among the refugees.
For the House of Blessing missionaries, this is nothing new. They live one day to the next, not knowing what the day will hold for them, but trusting the Lord to carry them through whatever hardships they will endure. I am reminded of a passage of Scripture found in Hebrews 11 that lists many of the past heroes of the faith. One of the things pointed out is that these people all had faith in God’s promises, yet died before ever seeing the fulfillment of them in their lifetime. They recognized that this short earthly life is only temporary. The HOB community of believers recognizes the very same thing today.
All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised, they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance. And they admitted that they were aliens and strangers on earth. People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own. If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. Instead, they were longing for a better country—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 are paying attention to Biblical prophecy that is quickly unfolding before our very eyes, know that we represent the last generation before the return of Messiah Jesus. Yet, believers all around the world continue passing into eternity daily without actually hearing that Great Trumpet of God, the voice of the archangel, and the voice of God calling His people home while still in their physical bodies. One of these days, and likely sooner than most of us think, this is exactly what is going to happen! Praise God!
Those who belong to the household of faith, particularly the House of Blessing, which is the focus of these Mideast Updates, know that this world is heading into unprecedented, apocalyptic times, and are not surprised by anything that happens. But those who do not yet have a relationship with their Redeemer and Savior, Jesus Christ, feel hopeless. Not only is there great anger among the refugees, but there is also a growing understanding that Islam is to blame for much of what they are experiencing. The true face of Islam is being exposed for what it really is. This then becomes a factor causing the people to be wide open for the Good News of the Gospel. It is the only message of hope being proclaimed and they are responding by the hundreds on a weekly basis.
Through generous gifts received, HOB was able to purchase and distribute two truck loads of wheat in the past days with some of the HOB brethren, along with 60 volunteers, doing the distributing. One of the direct results of providing wheat for the refugees was that over 600 of these folks bowed their knee to the Messiah and prayed the sinner’s prayer. These new believers are very excited to receive teaching from the Word of God. Praise God!
Much prayer also went up immediately that the Lord would multiply the food so that the starving could be sustained so that they have an opportunity to hear the message of hope that the missionaries have to share. This is one prayer that all of us around the world can join in with our brethren every day of the year. This is a need that is continually before them.
As is always the case, where there is war, there are great injuries. As has been mentioned in previous updates, most of the hospitals and clinics have been badly damaged or totally destroyed in the Idlib province. Sister Mufiedah and the Widow Sisterhood continue treating as many of the injured as possible. Of course, they have no anesthesia, nor most of the normal medical supplies that one should have for these purposes, but God continues to intervene and to bless their faith and the work of their hands. Each of the injured that the widows treat almost to a person, respond to the Good News of the Gospel and pray the sinner’s prayer!
As the widows are treating the injured, the brothers do what they can to get the dead buried. Brothers Omar, Musa, and Sami managed to bury another 6 men, 8 women, and 12 children. In the climate of the Mideast, it is important to get the dead buried quickly. Unfortunately, the circumstances are sometimes so dangerous that it can take 2-3 days before this can be done. It is not a pleasant task but must be done to prevent the spread of cholera or other diseases.
Pastor R and his helpers have been praying for 250-260 people on a daily basis. At the same time, Pastor Farid and his grown children continue to pray for 100-200 a day as well. Many of these also respond to the Good News of the Gospel and become part of the HOB underground community of believers.
Many hundreds continue to celebrate communion together wherever they can. Sisters Hafezeh and Ferial met with 380 or so and Sisters Fatima and Mariam with another 320. There are many others belonging to the HOB community of believers across the Mideast doing the same. God always meets with them and provides a refreshing, empowering, healing, and great encouragement for the days ahead. We serve a good God!
Brothers Sahbander and Mortadah in the area of Western Iran continue to shepherd those in their community but it continues to be very difficult. They really need our prayer support. Their situation will likely become more desperate as the hostilities between Iran, Israel, and the US escalate. War is coming, and it is coming very soon. When it does, it will eventually envelope most of the Mideast nations. This will soon lead to a much greater war as we read in Ezekiel 38-39.
We live in a time like none the world has ever seen, but it is a time that the Bible has given us ample warnings about. The coming of our Messiah is imminent. Let’s each one of us be the salt and light God has called us to be and finish well. Let us not underestimate the power of prayer to cover our brethren and support them as the Lord of the Harvest directs. Time is of the essence. Pray fervently. Even now, please pray. Thank you all.
Forever in His Service,
Jake Geier