Monday, October 24, 2005

Update # 6: October Mission to restricted Acess Nation

HALAS! (It is finished in Arabic!) Today we saw a miracle like never before! We talked with our contact in the South yesterday and for all practical purposes the visas for the South were going to be delayed for so long that it looked like a grim chance we would enter the country this trip. So last night we spent some good time in prayer just asking for direction. After prayer we knew that if we were to stay in the country we had to find a way to get to the city where the "Big Headaches" had taken place and offer some comfort to our family. In a matter of hours doors opened up for us to travel tomorrow morning to encourage our brothers and sisters who are hurting so much right now. This was the first miracle.

Then early this morning we went to the South Embassy to seek one more time for approval into the country.. One of our team members received the acceptance but everyone else was still not cleared. We left for about 20 minutes when I received a call that our visas were just confirmed 'sent' from the South and we were to immediately head to the Embassy. Because this is the month of fasting everything closes by 2pm and everyone is in a hurry to leave so really everything stops functioning by 1pm. It was already 1:30pm. We ran as fast as we could and got to the Embassy to just be told, " You will have to come back tomorrow!" But, in faith and desperation we continued to stand there unable to move. Then a man we had found favor with a few days earlier appears and says he will check one last time for our approval. Like waiting for a cup of water in a scorching desert we stood there stilled in prayer and anticipation. Then it happened! This man come back and says approval for the remainder of the team has arrived but we must wait for tomorrow to process. Immedialty we graciously pleaded - " Is there any way?" Then the man took our papers and after about 10 minutes came back and took our passports and began processing our visas.! PTL!!!

This man from God had gone back and convinced all his M workers to stay long enough to give us our visas! The Embassy was officially closed and we were in the inner offices being processed to go South! These men stayed late during the month of fasting which does not happen. They have not eaten or drank water all day and somehow ---(GOD!)-- moved them to grant us permission to go South! IT was incredible! Your prayers have been heard and God has granted favor--Thank you for keep this so close to your heart and allowing God to use you in this way!

We now know why we have been delayed. Tomorrow we will travel north and encourage our suffering family and exchange business with them in this time of great need. --Then we will be traveling South for a time of business like we have never experienced before!!!!
Thank you for all your prayers! Please continue to pray for favor and open doors. That our steps would be ordered and not a moment wasted for His Name Sake. May He be glorified!

Sunday, October 23, 2005

Update # 5: October Mission to restricted Acess Nation

Yesterday went incredible! We traveled by train to the North and met with our brothers and sisters. It was a great time of sharing and encouragement for us all. Many of them are so tight and shaken from the pressures around them right now that many are not even wanting to go outside. Please pray for our family here. There is rumor on the street that after Friday prayers that more activities will happen to our family. They all want to respond right and be salt and light in the midst of such hard times, but sometimes the grip of pressure makes them hesitant to respond at all. They need you to stand with them and take their need to the Father.
This update will be the last for a while. We head out today for the South and will not have access to internet to keep everyone informed of what is happening. So I would like to ask for some specific prayers now --in case we are not able to communicate until we are home.
Please pray for the following:
Favor through customs
Open doors for business opportunities
Compassionate hearts and healing hands as we set up medical clinics to serve the people
Hearts to be transformed and quickened to what is true
Our mouths to be filled with Words of life & our steps to be ordered
The bondage of what oppresses this nation to be broken
Mostly- May our God be glorified!

Update #4: October Mission to restricted Acess Nation

Today our small group went to a place called Trash city and performed medical clinics for some of the poorest peoples in this nation. While there we were also able to share about the 'business' and pray for peoples needs. It was an exciting time for us all. We would like to continue to ask for prayer concerning visas and travel for the upcoming days. We would also like to ask for your prayer and thoughts for our local family here in this region. In the last few days there have been some serious migraines given to some of our friends and it has been so bad that a few have actually lost their lives in the process. Please pray for peace and for our Boss to comfort those who are having bad headaches at this time.

Friday, October 21, 2005

Update #3: October Mission to restricted Acess Nation

Today was a very exciting day! We went early this morning and processed visas for one country but not the country we intended. But all was for a strategy to get access to the South country we are heading to in just less than two days. Please everyone keep this visa issue in your prayers. In just a couple of days we will be flying South without real assurance if we will gain entry or not. It is all up to our Father at this point.

But, I have another prayer concern. Tonight as we were traveling in town all of a not small number were in a micro van and going fast in the highway our tire came completely off. This van is vital to the business in this area. We had so much favor in this moment when the tire came rolling off. HK drove so carefully and we were able to get to the side of the highway without any accident with another car. We know this was only because so many of you are covering us in prayer. But because of this incident transportation is hindered. Please pray for resources and transportation for our dear family here. We will keep you all posted as things progress, but we know our Father is directing our steps and giving us many divine moments with those around us....

Wednesday, October 19, 2005

Update #2: October Mission to Restricted Acess Nation

Well we have all arrived safe and sound recouping from jet lag. We would like to ask for some specific prayer for the next 2 days. We are still in the process of obtaining our visas for the South and there have been some complications. We went to the Embassy early this morning and after a few hours of talking and calling and talking and calling again, we got significant information, but are still in a waiting process. Please pray for Divine direction. Pray for favor with officials as we try to process our paperwork. Pray also for wisdom as we talk and interact with those that are helping us in this process.

Saturday, October 15, 2005

Update #1 October Mission to Restrcted acess Nation

The team should be leaving out in just a few short days. Please keep each team member in prayer as we travel. Right now we are in the middle of Ramadan and often tolerance levels are short for those we will be interacting with because of fasting. We got word yesterday that there have been some changes in our visa situation for one the nations we are trying to access. Please pray God's favor (inshallah) for these visas to be processed. If not, we are confident, that the One that has sent us on this journey will be faithful to move us toward His divine appointments.

PRAYER POINTS:
Favor with Governments & Customs
Open doors to share the gospel
Filling of the Holy Spirit as we walk in a land forsaken of Truth
Veil of Islam to lift & hearts to be quickened to Truth