The possibilities at Annapolis bring hope to the Middle East

Middle East (MNN) — Syria’s presence at the Annapolis Summit this week could help ease tensions in Lebanon. The country is divided by a leadership vacuum and political standoff. SAT-7’s David Harder says on the one hand, their team in Lebanon doesn’t have high expectations for the talks. On the other hand, “Having a conference where the Syrians are sitting down at the same table with the Israelis and Americans is a good thing, and hopefully the talks can lead to some real positive steps in the future. I know that will be a wonderful possibility for our staff, particularly in Lebanon, who are very concerned about the future.” The network’s broadcasts are bringing messages of peace across the region, but the tenuous situation is challenging to their team. “If people could pray that in Lebanon, a peaceful situation would be worked out politically, that would be wonderful, because having peace enables churches to do the kind of ministries that they want to do and enables us, as a Christian broadcaster, to produce the types of shows that we want to produce.”

Full story: http://www.MNNonline.org/article/10625

Five on trial in Turkey Christian workers’ slayings

Turkey (MNN) — Five men accused of murdering three Christian workers went to trial in central Turkey last week. At stake is Turkey’s willingness to tackle persecution. Voice of the Martyrs Canada’s Glenn Penner explains: “If the killers are allowed to simply get away with lesser charges, or it’s seen that these murders were somehow justified on the basis that these Christians were involved in missionary activity, then Turkish Christians are certainly going to feel that they’re not equal members of society, and that their religious activities are going to continue to be under threat.” Trial resumes January 14. Pray for opportunities for Christians in Turkey to share the truth of Christ. “The church is continuing to move forward, and Christians are continuing to witness. But, of course, it does cause some anxiety. There have been a number of attacks on evangelicals in the last two years and they’re wanting to know, ‘Will our government stand up for us? Will they defend us? Or will they allow us to be shot, killed and attacked with impunity?’”

Full story: http://www.MNNonline.org/article/10623

There’s been a break in the Gaza Bible store manager murder

Gaza (MNN) — A senior Hamas militant is suspected of torturing and killing the manager of a Christian bookstore in the Gaza Strip who was found dead last month. That’s an alarming development, says Open Doors USA’s Carl Moeller, because Hamas has previously provided a certain degree of protection for the Christian community. “The most disappointing aspect of this discovery is that not only is this a Hamas person who committed this crime, apparently, but also that despite the assurances right after the murder that they had nothing to do with it, they haven’t distanced themselves from him and in fact have sent him on a pilgrimage to Mecca.” Moeller says Christians are asking prayer for boldness. “Believers who continue to promote their faith evangelistically, despite their commitment to the general welfare of Gaza, and their commitment to the people of Gaza to serve them, that there will be increasing threat against their existence in Gaza as a result of this.”

 

Full story: http://www.MNNonline.org/article/10568

Jack’s Journal Vol. II

Hands Of Hope Foundation International (Iraq) – Mission Global Harvest

Jack’s Journal Vol. II

There is GOOD NEWS out of Iraq! Muslims come to
Christ, Al Qaida is being defeated, Iraq is stabilizing
and we continue to have great favor.

Our First Muslims Come To Christ
12th November, 2007

Our first Muslims to come to The Lord here in Kurdistan have come through the outstanding work of our Medical team from Pennsylvania. Dr. Robert Doe and the group of medical professionals working with him have been teaching at the Ministry of Health in Duhok, the capitol of Duhok Governate here in Kurdistan of Iraq. These folks have been teaching and boldly sharing their faith and testimonies. They have been warmly received and a number of people, medical professionals themselves, have through their testimonies come to know Christ.

People have come to them for prayer, and counseling, others have shared that that Jesus has been speaking to them in their dreams, there have been testimonies of healing as they have prayed for folks and … we here, are beside ourselves with joy over the breakthroughs that God is giving us. Conversion is still a sensitive issue here and I don’t want to give the impression that these efforts have been easy or that there are not forces out there that would oppose this progress; this aside, we have a genuine spiritual break through and continued favor. Our East Coast brethren will depart today for home having done an outstanding job. We praise God for them.

IDP Project Blockage Removed
Upon my return, I discovered that our village reconstruction project had been blocked by a new Mayor in Amedia. This was not out of hostility, more like a planning and zoning issue. Yesterday, while many of you were praying for us, I met with the Governor of Duhok and the blockage was removed and we continue to have great favor. The government here is skeptical that we can build decent homes for IDPs for the low cost we have claimed, I have explained that what we are doing is to be a model for them to see for the cost effective construction of self-sustaining villages that have their own independent power source and many other ecologically sound innovations to make village life more appealing. I will meet with the new Mayor of Amedia today, then I and the men who have come to work on the project with me from Grace Fellowship Church in Flagstaff, AZ will go on to meet with the villagers in Passe. Incidentally, it’s still raining here.

Al Qaida Being Defeated In Iraq
The team and I attended a dinner for us at the invitation of General Azziz and my friend Col. Corzan of the Kurdish Security forces, it was a great honor to be invited by these brave men who by their willingness to sacrifice are the shield and protection of the Kurdish Region. Mohammed, our intrepid interpreter who is plugged into the politics of the region and well informed has reported to me that Al Qaida is being defeated throughout Iraq, that the people down south have turned against them and are driving them out of their areas. The Iraqi Military and Police are gaining the upper hand in the troubled areas and Iraq’s infrastructure is quickly recovering. Sorry, Senator, but it looks like we didn’t lose the war after all. Mohammed predicts that by next year all of Iraq will have stabilized. God grant that it be so.

Mission Global Harvest (Iraq)
PO Box 1769
Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91730
www.iraqirelief.com
Get On Board, Thereʼs A Work To Be Done!

Jack’s Journal Vol. I

Hands Of Hope Foundation International (Iraq) – Mission Global Harvest

Jack’s Journal Vol. I

I will pour out upon you the former and the later rain in the same season
7th November, 2007 – Kurdistan Of Iraq

Nobody plans these things, in fact, I was unaware that no rain had fallen in Kurdistan since I departed earlier this year in May. This fact in an agrarian society is cause for concern. In the mountains winter is beginning to set in but down lower in the valleys and the plains the field are prepared for the planting of the wheat crops. Without the Spring rains and the Fall rains the promise of harvest is threatened.

Our return coincided with the political and military tensions on the Turkey, Iraq border, with the threat of a Turkish military incursion into Northern Iraq. Bombings and artillery shelling in the mountains not far from here continue as the Turkish Army tries to dislodge the PKK Kurdish Rebels (from Turkey) who have taken refuge in these mountains as once more the eyes of the world turn toward this troubled region. There were, of course, concerns for the safety of the team and I as we returned to Kurdistan for work on our current IDP Housing Project. We crossed the border without incident, we were however briefly interrogated by the Turkish Military at the border as we crossed when we presented our American Passports. The Turkish leadership has made a claim that the USA has armed and trained the PKK. This was out of a battle in the Turkish mountains about 600 kilometer’s away from the border. Apparently, a number of Turkish soldier’s were killed and the army was forced to withdraw. “This is not the PKK we are used to dealing with.” they said. “This PKK was well armed and well trained.”

Whatever the truth of these claims is, the fact that 60,000 troops are massed at the Kurdistan border and the Turkish Parliament has voted overwhelmingly to approve the military incursion. The peace and stability of the region continues to be threatened. Combine this with a drought this season and one can catch a sense of profound concern in a place that longs of peace and prosperity.

That’s the bad news, the good news is that we are here, we are safe and well, making preparations for a productive work season. If you are a believer in coincidence, then this issue of the rainfall upon our return is no big deal. If, however, you are, as I am, one of those who believe that “All things are parallel,” with me, you see the Hand of God at work saying something significant concerning the promise of harvest.

On Nov. 7th, 2007 at the very moment our feet touched the soil of Kurdistan, the first drops of rain fell.

Mission Global Harvest (Iraq)
PO Box 1769
Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91730
www.iraqirelief.com
Get On Board, There’s A Work To Be Done!