Today’s update is focused primarily on a very unusual event that happened in northern Syria. I will not mention the exact location. This was an event that transpired when House of Blessing elders Abdelrahem, Hayel, and Arshid had gone to make their own assessment of the situation involving the tragic events of the last few days. There were a number of brutal attacks on House of Blessing missionaries, teachers, leaders, and students. There were many deaths. This was just one of the attack sites. This was also in the same time frame during which a vicious storm came in from the Mediterranean that hit many of the refugee camps very hard. Not only did the sudden downpours and violent winds destroy the belongings and tents of untold thousands of refugees, but the sudden violent flash floods left an unknown number drowned. Bodies were scattered everywhere. This is when HOB stepped in and helped get the decomposing bodies into the ground. It was one of the worst hit locations where Abdelrahem and the brothers went.
The first message I received was from Al-Hanini. It had a panicked sound to it and was difficult to decipher. Basically, his report said that a ‘man’ in white raiment, full of light, entered the tent of Abdelrahem and others. Al-Hanini said he tried to follow him but Abdelrahem asked him not to and just leave him and the others alone with the visitor. According to Hanini, the visitor had some bread with white cheese and mint tea with the brothers and visited with them for about half an hour. After he left, Abdelrahem, Hayel, and Arshid were found with high temperatures and in a coma. There were two doctors there, Dr. Jarjouaee and Dr. Nibras (whom we have written about several times in the past). Al-Hanini asked for prayer for the three men.
Later in the day I received another message from Al-Hanini and this is what he had to share:
Peace be upon you, my brother Jack, and peace to the brothers and sisters who pray for us. After a very long meeting with the brothers, communicating with them and informing them about the situation with Abdelrahem and the elders, it was determined that it was by the wisdom of the Lord that they had entered a coma to be hidden from the eyes of the enemies. I want to tell you that Abdelrahem, Hayel, and Arshid are like the pyramids of Egypt; they are the pyramid of the House of Blessing. The enemy wants to know where they are, and that results in attacks against us. Again, all is by the wisdom of the Lord. I assure you that the doctors say their hearts beat like young men’s. They are presently in a coma. The ‘man’ who visited them was a messenger from the Lord. It was a miracle sent for their safety. We only ask for your prayers for them. They are presently being kept in a very safe place. We will provide you with more information as we have it. May the Lord bless you.
Al-Hanini
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As I read the reports of this unusual event, some of the details could lead one to believe that there was more than one event unfolding, but they are actually all connected to the same story. Abdelrahem relayed the first part of the story below:
Peace be with you and all who follow Christ, my brother Jack. We live in a world where people search for heroes, even superpowers. Many films produced today exploit these desires. As humans, we wish we had access to superpowers…often for the wrong reasons. We wish we could see what the naked eye cannot. We wish we had power beyond what we were born with. This desire is not foreign to our nature. Adam and Eve, when they were created, possessed what we would today consider superpowers.
The Bible is full of supernatural things from beginning to end. God, the beginning and end of all things, is a supernatural being. When we read the biblical account of human history, we find that God, in His sovereignty, often chooses to intervene in human affairs to accomplish His will. Sometimes this is done through His angels. There are many examples in the Bible of God sending angels for His purposes. What reason would prevent God from sending an angel in the form of a destitute man to see how the merciful servant and the elders might respond? They will give to him regardless of their own meager supply. God’s ways should not surprise any of us. How many believers in the West have met a homeless person and later realized he was an angel in disguise? The scriptures promise that angels will remain a part of human history forever. We find these words recorded in Hebrews 1:14: “Are not they (the angels) all ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit a great inheritance, the gospel?”
Brother Jack, let me tell you about a unique experience I had. The elders and we were inside our tent, trying to take shelter from the bad weather. At that time, it was raining heavily, and the wind was strong. The rain and wind worsened, and suddenly, a powerful gust of wind hit our tent, tearing it completely off and crashing down on us as we sat on wooden chairs. We sat there for three or four hours, looking at each other and praying. We didn’t want to ask for help because we knew many were struggling to keep their tents upright in the storm. Suddenly, as we sat there, the tent rose up on its own, all its parts and ropes in place! While we sat there, completely bewildered by what had happened, a tall thin ‘man’, dressed in pristine white, entered our tent and called us by name. He began to warm himself and asked us if we had any food, so we gave him what we had. We didn’t join him in eating because we had no appetite at the time. Our mysterious visitor ate with a smile. He drank tea and then asked to pray for Hayel, Arshid, and then me. When I glanced aside for just a second and looked back, he had vanished! No human being could move that fast and disappear without a trace! As we sat there, stunned, we noticed that the ground was completely dry in the spot where he had been.
Brother Jack, others might wonder about God’s wisdom in doing something so strange and unusual. Is there any reason why He wouldn’t do it? When has God ever been bound by what we consider “normal”? When we read the stories of the Bible, we find God giving some of the strangest instructions to His prophets or priests. We also find angels appearing whenever God wills, and for His own reasons. The Bible says that we may often host angels without even realizing it. Sometimes, it’s not humans who see angels, but rather the animals that are with them, as in the story of Balaam and his talking donkey.
There was no doubt what had just happened. This is not the only unusual event we have experienced lately. We were not really surprised. This was just one more confirmation of God’s love for His servants. God really does love us that much!
As for the work of HOB missionaries, the great events that began in Iran, with the power of the Holy Spirit descending upon the believers, are spreading throughout the Middle East. Groups of believers in various locations are praying and supplicating for one another, and God is miraculously healing dozens of people from various illnesses and ailments. The Holy Spirit continues to baptize and empower new believers by the hundreds, depending on the number of attendees. In Azerbaijan, our Jewish and Muslim brothers and sisters who have been born again are experiencing great joy and enthusiasm, playing tambourines, blowing trumpets, singing, and dancing. All of this is happening amidst some of the most dire circumstances.
As the ministry continues, there are always those who pay the highest price. When they experience God’s love, they refuse to back down, no matter the cost. Many of those killed are new believers who have fallen victim to violence and bombings, particularly in the areas where most of the House of Blessing’s Widow Sisterhood reside. Sister Mufida and the women working with her face immense challenges. The refugee camp is overflowing with displaced people who have lost everything. The House of Blessing is doing its utmost to meet these needs. Whenever funds are available, wheat, blankets, mattresses, medicine, and Bibles are brought in. As some of the most urgent needs are met, opportunities to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ are expanding.
The new education courses that began with new believers are continuing strongly in all the areas where they are present. This means that hundreds of new evangelists are being trained for ministry. The Lord of the harvest is keen to complete the great mission.
The elders and evangelists of the House of Blessing feel that the return of Christ is imminent. Each of us is aware of the limited time remaining, and so we work every moment with this in mind.
The Book of Acts contains many descriptions that closely resemble what is happening in the Middle East today. One of them is found in Acts 8:4-8:
4 “Therefore those who were scattered went everywhere preaching the word. 5 Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ to them. 6 And the multitudes with one accord heeded the things spoken by Philip, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did. 7 For unclean spirits, crying with a loud voice, came out of many who were possessed; and many who were paralyzed and lame were healed. 8 And there was great joy in that city.”
Another thing, I have a strong warning, brother Jack. War is at the door and it will be a very big one.
Abdelrahem, the servant of the Lord.
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Below, you will find Abdelrahem’s second message with more details:
Peace be upon you, my brother Jack, and upon all who have prayed for us from the bottom of their hearts. Truly, I speak the truth, and nothing but the truth, and I speak on behalf of my fellow travelers, indeed my brothers in God, Hayel and Arshid. I will begin my words with the following scriptures: Jeremiah 33:3; Proverbs 4:1; 3:23; Ephesians 3:19; and Isaiah 60:22.
My brother Jack, what happened to us is unbelievable, and I tell nothing but the truth. We arrived at the site of the victims, and we could not bear what we saw, but we thank the Lord who gave us the endurance needed in light of this great calamity. It is a test from the Lord. The enemies of the Lord will not stop us with their deeds. All of this happened because of the number of believers who have entered into the embrace of Jesus and believed in Him. They will not shake the strength of our faith and our adherence to the Gospel of Jesus; rather, the strength of our faith has increased.
An elderly ‘man’, very, very fair-skinned, came to us, and we honored him. After speaking with him, he asked to pray for us. He prayed for Hayel and Arshid and they soon lost consciousness. He told me, “Don’t worry, they’re safe now, and you too will be under the Lord’s protection.” The visitor then prayed for me and promptly disappeared. Then I also lost consciousness.
We had been horrified and grief-struck when we saw the horrible things that had happened to the people and now we ourselves needed prayer. God met our need in a very unusual way. We didn’t awaken until we were with the brothers and sisters. In short, I tell you, the Lord is the shepherd of His work, and the mission will continue. We will not neglect the Lord’s work. I have spoken but I won’t say much more. What happened to us is real, and I take full responsibility for my words. The attackers were paid agents of the enemies of the Gospel. We will not pray against them, but rather for them, that God may enlighten their minds and that they may accept Christ as Lord. I don’t want to prolong this, but please know, our lives are very much in danger. The Lord, however, is our Protector. I ask you to understand the situation of the brothers and sisters regarding what happened. Such trauma can cause anger and fear. What happened to us was a terrible act. Please forgive us if we frightened you with reports of our condition, but all of this is the hand of the Lord because our lives have become a target for the enemies of the Lord. May God protect you.
Your brother, Abdelrahem and the honorable sheikhs,
Servants of the Lord forever.
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I have more ministry reports that actually precede the event described above but rather than making this Mideast Update any longer than it is, I will incorporate them with other reports as they come in. Although the story featured in today’s update is rather unusual, such things have happened before. I remember two separate times when Pastor Rashid had been visited by an angel, each time with a very specific purpose. Personally, I have never seen an angel — at least not that I know of, but the Bible is full of stories involving angels and their interactions with God’s people. They are very real and we will share an eternity with them in the eternal Kingdom of God!
Jesus’ return is at the door. I pray that we all recognize this fact. It should affect how we live our lives. We are pilgrims just passing through this fallen world. Let’s keep our eyes trained, looking up, watching for Jesus’ return while at the same time completing the calling that God has put on each of our individual lives. It was Jesus who told us to Watch and Pray!
Thank you all for your prayers and support for the House of Blessing. What God is doing through this home-grown underground missionary organization is beyond amazing, but the financial need continues to be very great. Please direct any questions concerning the House of Blessing to either of the email addresses below. Thank You and may the Lord bless you all abundantly!
Forever in His Service,
Jake (aka Jack)