The Middle East 2012

Posted January 25, 2012

Dearest Friends,

800 CHILDREN

We finished today by doing three shows at a French Marionite school. Members of our new team were working with us. We had total freedom to share with the children and most of them were from Muslim homes. I have been told that the Muslim families often have 8 or 10 children, so they have many children to educate and they crowd into the private schools. This is wonderful for us because we have no limitations on how we share.

At our first show, we all prayed together, but by the end of that program, we realized that we needed to devote ourselves to prayer. The first show was good, but the second and third shows blessed each one of us beyond measure.

As the children listened to the second show, we all sensed a difference in the room. We could feel our Father's spirit filling the place. I was not surprised that we heard lots of children praying. I knew the Father was calling many to Himself The teachers were as delighted as the children.

All of us asked the Lord to give us a big finish to our last program here in the Middle East. God abundantly answered our prayers. Over 200 teenagers filled the room. Perhaps, you are thinking what they probably though. "Puppets will not work with teenagers." The father showed us His great power. They hung on ever word. In all the year that I have been telling the story of Chief Masketpatoon, I have never seen teenagers clap for the Chief when he chooses not to kill his worst enemy. They also thanked us with the biggest applause and lots of whistling. Many thanked us after the program. More came to faith.

Truly, the Lord has blessed our time in the Middle East! On a funny note... One of the teachers told one of our friends, "That lady is a saint. Some day you will hear about her." My friend explained to her the Bible verses that state we all become saints when we become believers (Romans 1:7, Romans 12:13, Romans 8:27, 2 Corinthians 9:12, Ephesians 1:18). She had no experience with the normal Christian commitment she witnessed in our team. Though she is among those who claim to know Jesus, she had no real knowledge of the scriptures. She was not listening today, but you can continue to pray for her. Also, please hold all of the young people and children at this school in your prayers. They told us that they want us to come again and will be waiting. As I told the team today, "We have seen the power of the living God."

IT'S JUST DIFFERENT

I love working in thus place and I enjoy the differences in our cultures.

1. I love the food here, but I did eat one thing that was a real challenge. You take a piece of flat bread and put a piece of raw liver inside. Add a piece of fat, some onion and fresh mint. I suggest that you pray before you try to eat it.
2. One of my favorite dishes is grape leaves stuffed with rice and meat. They call it warak enab. At the least, that is how it sounded to me.
3. Muslim women here generally do not let any hair show. They wrap their entire head. It is different than wearing a burka, though I have seen many of those.
4. Breakfast is delicious. We enjoy flat bread with cheese and zatar.
5. When someone marries, it is tradition for the bride to put a piece of dough over the doorway. It is a sign of blessing.

HOME

Late tonight, Wednesday, we are headed to the airport and will fly to Germany early Thursday morning. Anna will return to France where she serves as the French director. Jared and I will fly to Atlanta, where he will get on another plane and head for New York. Please pray us safely home!

In Jesus,
Linda for Anna and Jared

Posted January 24, 2012

Dearest Friends,

HUNDREDS OF CHILDREN

We spent today in the capital city, having arrived here very late last night. Early this morning, we did a show for several hundred children. It is always sweet when they love the program and they did. However, it is even sweeter when you hear so many children calling on Jesus. We had a fantastic morning!

STREET CHILDREN

There are children on the streets of this city that no one claims. They have no legal status so it is not possible to adopt them. Legally, they do not exist. Some of the children are obviously from other countries, but no one wants them. Most do not know where they came from.

Some of these children end up living in an orphanage that we visited today. They are not educated and their future is bleak. At 15 or 16, they usually leave the home. They become thieves or prostitutes or beggars. A new director has just come to this place. He is a good man who has already made good changes in just one month. Please pray for him. Ask God to give him wisdom so that he can solve many problems.

I wish that you could have looked into their eyes as I did today. Some were hanging on every word. Some called on Jesus in soft whispers asking Him to rescue them. So many of them came to me and said thank you. Our hearts are full. These children need a rescue. Will you pray for them?

PRAYER REQUESTS

Tomorrow, Tuesday, we return to the north and will finish our time in the mountains. Please ask the Father to bless these last two days. Ask Him to help us make wise choices in how we spend these last hours.

In Jesus,

Linda for Anna and Jared

Posted January 20, 2012

Dearest Friends,

GOD IS AMAZING!

Today, Friday, we saw the Father do something wonderful. You are going to love reading this report!

WHERE WERE WE?

We traveled to a distant town which was as close as we could get to the border. The place that we were not permitted to enter is the last town before you step across the border into another country. There is a great distrust between these 2 countries.

PROBLEMS! PROBLEMS!

Let me share with you some of the problems that we have faced today. As usual, our sound system was acting up, though after the program, it is always fine. We had to rent a very expensive building. It had no heat and it snowed last night in the mountains. There were no chairs and a very cold tile floor for the children to sit on. We had to pack carefully so that we could bring many rugs for the children to sit upon!

The town we were in professes to love God and follow Jesus, but they were angry at us for bringing "those Muslims" to their town. The official clearly stated that a permit would be required in the future. He also made clear that no such permit would ever be granted. I found myself thinking of scripture. Jesus said, "This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. You are my friends if you do what I command you" John 15:12-14.

QUESTIONS???

How do we show God's love to a Muslim child? How do we tell a Muslim child about Jesus Christ and God's great rescue plan if we are not willing to go to them? What price is too much to pay so that they might hear about the one true God?

WHAT HAS GOD DONE?

We faced many other difficulties which we saw the Father sort. One of our biggest problems was that we could not go to the children because we did not have the proper permits. Finally, we took our van and other vehicles and brought the children to us. Many of their mothers came too!

At the beginning of the program Jared led the children in a very enthusiastic dance to the song, "Big, Big House." We had to warm them up. Then, our friends passed out warm winter hats. Everyone immediately put them on including the mothers who were wearing head coverings. It was cold.

At the end of the program, our friends gave them warm socks and we made everyone flying mice balloons.

REAL COURAGE

We were free to explain God's great rescue plan as revealed through faith in Jesus Christ. As we invited these refugee children to pray with us, we encouraged them that God can hear them if they pray silently. We understand the danger to the children, but their greatest danger is still life without Christ. Still, one little girl prayed out loud. I thought, "Have I ever loved Jesus so much?" I was blessed by the fact that every parent in attendance told us that they loved the program. They all asked us to come and see them in their town. They begged us to come. We are trusting God to open that door and get us permits if He chooses.

REJOICE

Today was a great blessing! We enjoyed a sweet time of fellowship as we shared a late lunch. The day finished with a Bible Study group with the believers in the new church where we are working. They love the word of God. We love working with Pastor Shadi and the Church Without Walls. They have a real passion for Jesus Christ! It is our joy to serve with them, to reach the children with God's good news.

In Jesus,

Linda for Anna and Jared

Posted January 19, 2012

Dearest Friends,

Here are 3 urgent prayer requests. Please be faithful in praying for us! God is making us a light in the darkness.

1. There is a lady that needs your prayers. Her home has become a difficult and sometimes dangerous place. She urgently needs God to move in her huband's life this weekend. She is a new believer and trusting God to do something big in her life. She is very dicouraged. Pray!
2. Our permits were refused because we did not use the proper form. We have resubmitted our applications. Please pray that if this is the Father's will for us that we would get permission. A military Colonel has requested that we do 2 shows in the area. Others are asking for us. We want to do what God wants us to do. Pray!
3. Tommorrow, Friday, we are renting a hall and bringing the children to us. We can not cross the checkpoint, but they can. The hall is expensive, but what price do you put on a child hearing the Gospel? They are all Muslim refugees from a country that I am not allowed to enter as a missionary. This is a precious opportunity. Pray!

In Jesus,

Linda for Jared and Anna

Posted January 18, 2012

Dearest Friends,

BETWEEN

We had expected to be in a village school, but found ourselves in an area that has experienced war and many riots. Some of the apartment buildings were still destroyed, having never been rebuilt after the last conflict. We could see the marks left in the walls by many rounds of gunfire.

Today found us working in an area that is between 2 groups of Muslims, the Alawites and Sunnis. The schools where we worked were located near military checkpoints and so you do not need to worry about our safety. Children from both groups attended the programs.

How good our Father is to us that He would allow us to stand in the dark and be light! We were invited back to both schools and this was especially sweet to hear. We presented a very clear story about God's forgiveness and how the children can be forgiven when they put their trust in Jesus. These are Muslim schools that we are doing our programs in and even the teachers are listening.

At the second school, we had some trouble with crowd control as a couple of hundred students stood to listen to the program. I was concerned that the teachers would be upset with us because we did have unbelievable sound problems. However, during the story they listened with the sweetest spirit. I knew people were praying.

Many of the teachers spoke with our friend and told him that they could "feel peace flowing from my face". These dear people do not know Jesus. Many were hearing about Him for the first time. They know nothing of God's Holy Spirit. You and I understand that "the peace" they experienced was only the Father kindly answering all of our prayers.

PRAYER REQUESTS

1. Tomorrow, Thursday, we hope to hear about the permits that we need to cross a particular checkpoint so that we can reach families who are waiting for our visit.
2. Also tomorrow, Anna and I will be speaking to a dear group of ladies. I am planning on teaching on how to live as a believer, how our faith affects our day to day living.
3. In the afternoon, we will visit another Muslim refugee family. During our time, we will deliver needed food and other help. However, our primary reason for going is to share with them our wonderful hope, Jesus Christ and how He will care for them. Please pray for wisdom and grace.

In Jesus,

Linda for Jared and Anna

Posted January 17, 2012

Dearest Friends,

WHERE WERE WE TODAY?

We are in an area of this country that my friend considers to be the most beautiful. I would agree with him. The mountains are high and covered with pine forests. It is raining hard and the cold seems to soak into you, but the view warms your heart. We are near the border in an area where many believers refuse to work because of their fear and prejudice. This is a common struggle for all of us as Christians. The believers ignore these people and their needs because others from their country have committed terrorist acts. So they paint them all with the same brush. Again, it is the same lack of kingdom eyes the world over. We must all ask the Father to give us His eyes. As we see these people with Jesus' eyes, we will pray for them and love them and see God change them, even as He changed each one of us.

WHAT DID WE DO?

We spent today doing 2 home visits. It took a good while to reach this area. Today, we shared with 4 Muslim families, all refugees from another Arab nation. We spent hours with the families. There was no furniture in the homes. They sat on mats on the floor and gave us the few plastic chairs they owned. At one home, a curtain served as a door. Both homes were cold.

We shared cups of tea and coffee. They peeled fresh oranges for us. They had very little, but they shared generously what they had. One little girl fell in love with Anna and gave her 5 bracelets, half of what she possessed. One lady gave me 4 kisses, 3 on 1 cheek and 1 on the other. Her husband gave me a kiss on the forehead. He said he offered it as a sign of respect and thanks for what he had heard. Ours is the sweetest joy. Who has the honor of spending hours with Muslims talking about Jesus?

We used one of our backpacks that we have designed for ministry in areas that are experiencing persecution. With it, we were able to tell stories to the children about Jesus. We used the "Joseph bag" to share at one home and they loved it. We tied balloons and talked about creation. Anna and Jared used the supplies to share their testimonies. We are all so happy!

WHAT DID WE SEE GOD DO?

I watched in wonder as we saw the Father touch these new friends with His love. One man told us about being brutally tortured on several occasions in his home country. We met a little boy who had lost his ability to speak or hear in response to the terrible things he had seen. Remember, all of these people fled their country, desperate to escape the violence.

All listened eagerly and most seemed hungry to hear about Jesus Christ. One 22-year-old young woman told us how she had been forced to quit school at 10 and sit at home. The Muslim rulers in her area felt that education presented too big a temptation and would lead her down a "bad road". The fact that Jesus respected women drew her into conversation about the cross. All of these people were from a country that is closed to missionary efforts. Here, we have the freedom to speak.

OUR PLAN... GOD'S PLAN

At one point today, we were turned back from a military checkpoint and denied entry into an area. This meant that we were unable to share with a family until we get special permits. Please pray that we can get these on Thursday as we need to do a show on Friday in the same area. A Muslim principal cancelled a show for us today, but please pray that he will reschedule.

As a result of stopping at the checkpoint one of our friends was able to share about Jesus with the security guard. The second visit, where many children from the apartment building gathered to hear the Gospel, was not our original plan. It was God's plan as He redirected us.

HOW CAN YOU PARTICIPATE IN WHAT GOD IS DOING HERE IN THE MIDDLE EAST?

You can pray, really pray for these dear people, believing that God can move in their hearts. You can share these emails with others and ask them to join us in prayer. You can contact me by responding to this email and ask me to share at your church about this work. Please stay on your knees so that we can stand. Tomorrow, we begin work in other Muslim villages. Pray!

In Jesus,

Linda for Jared and Anna

Posted January 16, 2012

Dearest Friends,

I SEE JESUS

Today, we were at a village school with many Muslim teachers and Muslim students. The teachers sought me out after the show to thank me. We received a very warm welcome and were told by the principal to consider her school our home. She invited us to come again. All of these comments are even more amazing when you consider the content of our program. The children heard a very clear gospel message using puppets, storytelling and testimonies. They were totally drawn into the story. The entire school turned to look for Jesus as I told them about Zacchaeus climbing a tree and waiting for Jesus to walk down the road. They fully expected to see Jesus. A few prayed in soft whispers, but from the way they responded, I expect to see more of these children in heaven. Please ask the Father to grow their understanding of Him, even though they live in a difficult place.

We were told that many of their parents come to the school telling the teachers that they can beat their children since they also beat them. One mother was biting her children as a method of discipline.

You simply cannot imagine how sweet the story of Jesus is to children who are hearing it for the first time. They hear about hope and unconditional love. Is it any wonder that they want to see Jesus.

LOTS OF CLAPPING

Each day we pray, asking God to draw the children to faith in Jesus Christ. We ask to be light so that they might see truth. We seek to be kind so that they may taste His great love. All of us were so blessed as the entire room clapped when the Great Teacher was revealed to be Jesus Christ, the son of God. There were hundreds of children in the room and so many trusted in Jesus. Praise God! The school was described as a Greek Catholic school. They asked us to do a second show for the rest of the school. This time, only a few children prayed out loud, but they did not stop, even when their friends did not join them. The nuns had the biggest smiles, though some of the teachers spent most of the show making faces. We are welcome here again.

THE SURPRISE

All of us were sweetly surprised at the response at a Sunday afternoon church show. More came than were expected. There were church members, but there were also many visitors. Too often, church children are not well behaved, but not this time. They listened well, laughed, and enjoyed the entire program. We finished with a real sense that God had blessed us. Rejoice!

PRAYER REQUESTS

Tomorrow, Tuesday, we will make home visits to a Muslim village. Please pray for opportunities to share Jesus and His love as we tie balloons and tell short stories on the street. We will be demonstrating how to use a tool we have designed especially for use in areas where there is persecution. Sometimes, it is wiser to take in less equipment, so that you will not be so obvious. This area requires a different approach. Please pray for the children in this Muslim village to trust in Jesus. Many have already shown an interest.

In Jesus,

Linda for Jared and Anna

Posted January 15, 2012

Dearest Friends,

LAND OF DREAMS

There are many stories here about God speaking to people in their dreams. Our friends have heard many such testimonies from their Muslim friends. Mahfood talked with a woman who had a dream that people were coming to see her the next day. She was instructed to listen. When our believing friend arrived, she readily received the Good News about Jesus that he brought.

WHERE ARE WE?

We are working in an area where there are 800,000 Muslims. Among them, there are some extreme factions and scattered throughout the area, there are a couple hundred of true believers. The Muslim areas are economically depressed and there are many needs. Our Christian brothers and sisters make many home visits to Muslims delivering warm clothes, blankets and carpets for cold tile floors. The response is amazing! I have seen pictures of a Muslim family reading God's word together and examining Jesus' claims. We will participate in these visits on Tuesday, so please pray. We had planned to do a show in the village but there was some trouble. We will seek to reach the children in a different way. Pray!

ONE CHURCH'S TESTIMONY

Yesterday, we had an incredible time training a new puppet team. We met in a church in a distant village. Some time ago, fanatic Muslims attacked the village. Some believers in the church were killed. A man lost his pregnant wife in the attack. The believers reacted in a way that clearly demonstrated God's great love. As they forgave those who had killed them, many doors opened for them o share their faith in the Muslim community. The Christians endured the pain ad persevered in their faith. May we all follow their example.

Please stay on your knees!

In Jesus,

Linda for Anna and Jared

Posted January 13, 2012

Dearest Friends,

A FEW OF MY FAVORITE THINGS

I love snow, Christmas trees, mountains and meals with long conversations. Best of all, I love hearing children call on Jesus, asking Him to rescue them and be their King. Today, I am very blessed, snow crowned the mountains and both schools we visited today were still decorated for Christmas.

Our very late lunch lasted a couple of hours. We talked about everything. The table was full of my favorite dishes, tabbouleh, hummus, and wuarak enab. The last one is made by rolling grape leaves and stuffing them with seasoned rice and meat.

We did programs for over 500 children, their teachers, and many nuns today. At both schools, we were told that the children had been waiting for us to return. They remembered the story that I had told last year. When I told the children about how Jesus forgives sin and has prepared a place for them in heaven, one little boy began to clap. I described heaven as a place where there is no fear. It is cold here and there is only space heating so the children loved it when I told them that in heaven, it is never too cold. The little boy clapped all by himself, thrilled with these wonderful truths. Soon most of the room joined him.

The children were mostly from Catholic and Orthodox backgrounds, with some Muslim children. They loved the puppet shows, but I loved today even more! Please continue to pray for these children. Ask God to give them deep faith.

PRAYER REQUESTS

Tomorrow, Saturday, we begin training a new team. Already, we have met with part of this group and shared a time of Bible study and prayer together. Ask the Father to make us good teachers. Please ask Him to bless these students in their efforts.

We are planning programs for this coming week in many Muslim villages where the children will be hearing the Gospel for the first time. We need your prayers. Our schedule is mostly full but there are still some empty places for you to cover in prayer. Please stay on your knees.

In Jesus,
Linda for Jared and Anna

Posted January 12, 2012

Dearest Friends,

We have arrived safely in the Middle East with all our luggage. We enjoyed an amazing meal and a wonderful time of fellowship tonight. At dinner we received some prayer requests that we want to share with you.

This is not an easy place to work and we need your prayers. We have four opportunities for ministry where the people in charge are still making a decision. They are in Muslim villages where most have never heard the true story of Jesus Christ ever in their lives. Please ask God to open these doors.

Please pray for the new house church that we will be visiting tomorrow night, which is located in a Muslim area. Please ask the Father to make us an encouragement to the believers there. They have been doing lots of mercy ministry among refugees from a nearby country. The believers are anxious to learn new skills so they can effectively reach the Muslim villages for Christ.

Please pray for wisdom in answering the questions that believers are getting from the Muslims about the issue of having one wife. It is not uncommon for a Muslim man to have two or three wives here. Our Pastor friend has been asked, "If I follow Jesus, what do I do about my other wives?"

Finally, please ask God to call many children to faith.

In Jesus,
Linda for Jared and Anna

Posted January 10, 2012

Dearest Friends,

A New Adventure

We are on our way to the middle east today, February 10th. We are so excited and overjoyed that the Father would give us this opportunity again. Please hold us in your prayers and ask the Father to make us a bright light for Him. As always, pray for the details of the trip. Pray that all the luggage will arrive with us, with no damage. Always ask for people to show us mercy and kindness as we travel.Pray especially for the children who will attend the programs. A committment to Christ in the Middle East is for many a much more difficult decision than we face in the west. Praise God for all that He will do!

TYPING...For the book

I was very blessed by the response of many of you who offered to help type. I will need all of you, but first we must solve a problem. The book is handwritten, so I think that you will need to come to me. I realize that this may be a hardship for some. For me it would be a blessing as I have plenty of room and would love to have you spend the night. If anyone can think of another way to make this easier for people to type, please let me know. If you are willing, please write me and we will set dates. Thankyou!

Can I Visit You?

If you are interested in having your church or a group of friends hear more about how God is calling the children of the world to faith, please contact me by responding to this email. I have some openings in the spring.

In Jesus,

Linda for Jared and Anna