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March 2008 |
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We received an email this week from one of our partners in North Africa
outlining a number of churches that had been closed and leaders
arrested. This communication caught my attention because we will be
meeting with a number of these North African leaders this spring for
ongoing equipping and discipleship. The verbal and spiritual violence
they regularly face is tiring.
I had been meditating that morning on Psalm 120 where the writer declares "I am a man of peace; but when I speak, they are for war." He laments that he dwells in Meshech and amongst the tents of Kedar. Meshech was known as a violent region on the current border area of Turkey and Iran. Meschech is listed in the nations that will oppose Israel in the last days (Ez 39:1). Kedar was the second son of Ishmael. The wound of rejection that Ishmael suffered in being removed from Abraham's family resulted in his sons living with "hostility toward all their brothers." (Gen 25:18) The violence of deceitful words and lying lips is what troubled the Psalmist and troubles Believers in the region today.
The good news is that Christ "himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility" (Eph 2:14) The descendents of Ishmael are now invited into the covenant promises and family of God through Christ Jesus. They too can say with the Psalmist "I call on the Lord in my distress and he answers me."(Ps 120:1) .
After receiving the discouraging email we called our brothers in North Africa and discovered that the news was part of a misinformation campaign by the authorities to discredit them in the newspapers - but it was only heightening the curiosity and interest of their neighbors. Those who "call on the Lord" and have access to the throne room of the King will continue to be men and women of peace in their communities, because they've found peace with God through Christ.
Ministry Highlights
- MBMSI's TREK participants in Panama have completed several months of language training, team building and outreach in Chepo and have now begun several months of outreach in the jungle. Germany TREKers are excited to be using their past experiences in construction and landscaping to help Andrew & Olga Pritzkau and the Berlin MB Church transition to a new church property.
- Reports continue to pour in from all over Thailand about individuals like Den, Rapin and Waw asking big questions about God, choosing to trust Jesus in spite of persecution and sharing their new faith with friends, families and neighbors. Praise God for drawing these individuals to himself and also for missionaries who serve faithfully and tirelessly.
Items for Prayer
- Please pray that God would conceal our annual equipping event for North African leaders and pour out his presence on all who come.
- Pray for Wendy Eros as she serves in Japan. Her ESL (English as a Second Language) classes provide students with the opportunity not only to learn English, but also to be introduced to Jesus and local MB churches- pray that Wendy's students will recognize and believe the truth of the Gospel.
Randy Friesen
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