“Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” Hebrews 4:16
I received an urgent email from Jerusalem this morning and a few minutes later received a phone call from Pastor R in southern Syria. The email from Jerusalem contained some photos showing the reasons for the urgent prayer needed, thus this quick Mideast Update.
As most readers of the Mideast Updates on this blog site know, while preaching the Good News of Jesus in southern Syria nearly five years ago, two House of Blessing missionaries, along with Pastor R, were caught by Hezbollah militants and severely beaten and stoned. Some HOB missionaries who saw what happened took the men off the street and into a tent. I received a phone call afterwards from Pastor R, letting me know what had happened. Not only had they been beaten within an inch of their lives, but they also found that they were paralyzed from the waist down. The two young men who were with Pastor R that day were again attacked for preaching about Jesus a few months later and shot to death. Pastor R however, as we all know, has continued with the work of the ministry, although not ever walking again.
In my previous update on December 24th, it was mentioned that the color in Pastor R’s legs were changing color and prayer was needed. As I found out, the problem is with his feet and the problem is much more severe than I had any idea of. It appears that there is now gangrene in his feet and a miracle is needed if he is not to lose his toes. These photos may be disturbing to some but we thought it important for people to see that this truly is an urgent request and prayer cannot be put off. I prayed with Pastor R on the phone, but I am asking that you all join in earnest prayer for God’s intervention. Our friend, PR, has gone through many things in the last few years and so has no fear of any outcome, but as those who have been called to pray and support this man and the ministry God has called him to, let’s pray as if the feet in these photos were our own feet…because in all reality…they are!
Pastor R asked me to thank you all for your prayers and support—not just at this time of his personal crisis, but for the entire year of 2017 that is now at its close. God bless you all.
Forever in His Service,
Jake Geier