Dozens of believers kidnapped in India

India (MNN) — The amount of persecution against Christians in India continues to increase, and there’s no sign of improvement. Gospel for Asia is reporting that nearly 40 Christians were kidnapped last week. The kidnappers reportedly have taken them to a religious temple to try to force them to renounce their faith and turn to the country’s dominant faith. Gospel for Asia Daniel Yahannan says, “They do this to try to scare people from following Christ. It’s kind of like, ‘If you follow Christ, this is what’s going to happen to you.’ But it always seems to backfire because more people get saved after the persecution.” Yohannan says the large number of conversions to Christianity affects the two sides differently. “I think for the persecutors, it confuses them because people co not stop following Christ. For the believers and others who are sharing the Gospel, I think it just gives them so much boldness.” The large number of new Christians means GFA needs more trained leaders to help with discipleship. Your support can help expand the work. Go our Web site to help.

Full story: http://www.MNNonline.org/article/10962

A high-profile kidnapping could hurt the Iraqi church

Iraq (MNN) — Iraqi Prime Minister Maliki has issued an all-out effort to secure the release of Chaldean Catholic archbishop Paulos Faraj Rahho who was kidnapped last Friday. The abduction could cause even more Christians to leave Iraq. Open Doors’ Carl Moeller says that while persecution against Christians generally sees the church grow, it’s mixed for the church in Iraq. “The historic Christian church in Iraq has decreased from roughly one-million around the time of the first Gulf War to less than half a million. However, thousands of Muslims are coming to faith in Jesus Christ in Iraq today, and that is a reality throughout the North and even in the South.” Moeller says they’re doing all they can to help the indigenous church. “Our role as Open Doors is to come alongside the church where they are persecuted and to strengthen them so that they can remain there and that they can remain a vital Gospel witness for the sake of the souls of the Iraqi people.” Your financial support can help them do that.

Full story: http://www.MNNonline.org/article/10971

The Bible publisher murder trial is not going away

Turkey (MNN) — Christians and the rest of the world are watching closely Turkey’s handling of the massacre of three Christians last April. Five people face murder charges. IN Network’s Turkey country director Behnan Konutgan says the victims’ families are being represented by 23 top human rights lawyers in Turkey. “Those lawyers support us and defend our case without getting any money just because of human rights. And they are doing a great thing. They want to go deep and see who is behind the killing of our brothers.” Good has come from the murders. many Turks have been open to hearing about Christianity, and some have turned to Christ. Konutgan says they desire to share the Gospel with every Turk. “We want to tell them the truth. So through IN Network ministry we want to reach them through evangelizing, through the Web site and giving seminars everywhere. We will continue evangelizing because it is our right.” Prayer and financial support are needed.

Full story: http://www.MNNonline.org/article/10953

Christians expelled from Jordan; Open Doors is concerned

Jordan (MNN) — Jordan has permitted Christian activity in the recent past. Reports, however, suggest that’s changing. In 2007, Jordan denied residence permits to at least 27 expatriate Christian families and individuals, most of which were working with local churches or studying at a seminary. Jordanian authorities claim illegal proselytism. Open Doors’ Al Janssen isn’t surprised. “Muslim authorities will always use that. Are they going out on the street and evangelizing? I find that hard to believe. But what if someone asks you in the privacy of a conversation, ‘I want to know more about what you believe as Christians.’ Is that proselytizing?” Some believe it is. Janssen is concerned for two reasons. “Does this mean that Jordan is going to become more of a radical Islamic country? The other thing that would concern me is that other Islamic countries might be encouraged by this example of Jordan and decide they might start cracking down on Christians are well.”

• Pray that the Jordanian government will end its antagonism toward Christians.
• Pray also that believers will be given residency permits and visas so the work in Jordan can continue.
• Pray that God will allow non-Jordanian Arab believers into the country so they can get much-needed theological training.

150 million Muslims in India

Where else in the world can you find over 150 million Muslims as the minority
Map of India

religion? Only in India! Where else can you find over 400 different Muslim people groups, based on occupation, geographical location or shade of Islamic believe? Only in India! (Watch the MPG video for more…)
India is Accessible

Yet even with these facts considered, many Christians around the world seem to ignore or give scant attention to, the needs of this huge group of Indian Muslims. We can also say that the Muslims of India are perhaps the largest accessible Muslim population in the world. This is due in part to India’s pluralistic framework and secular constitution. Opportunities for open Christian witness abound and there are open doors for many kinds of Christian ministry.

Islam was introduced to India by conquest and grew through the successful efforts of Muslim missionaries and high birth rates. Today India is the second largest Muslim nation in the world.
Hour of Opportunity in India

Some of the largest Muslim people groups in India include the Bengalis, the Biharis, Jat, Pathan, Julaha, Shaikh, Rajput, Kashmiri, Ansari and the Labbais.

Having read this article, so far, we could conclude that there must be hundreds, if not thousands, of Christians sharing the love of Christ regularly with their Muslim neighbours in India, right? WRONG!

Alas, as of this date there are perhaps not more than 150 workers (including both Indians and expatriates) in full time witness to Muslims. There are some very encouraging developments happening, however, with more unity between churches and organisations reaching Muslims in India. There are also continued reports of Muslim leaders receiving visions and dreams of Jesus!

It is the hour of opportunity for the Muslims of India – may we not miss it!
Prayer for the Muslims in India:

* Pray for the religious freedom in India to continue. It is under threat from certain groups in the nation.

* Pray that the Muslims of India would each have an opportunity to hear, and see, the Gospel in a culturally relevant way.

* Pray for the many large indigenous Indian Missions organisations, that they will “tithe” some of their people for Muslim work.

* Pray for continuing and new training initiatives to train workers and church planters for Muslim ministry.
Background on India (World Factbook)

The Indus Valley civilization, one of the oldest in the world, dates back at least 5,000 years. Aryan tribes from the northwest infiltrated onto Indian lands about 1500 B.C.; their merger with the earlier Dravidian inhabitants created the classical Indian culture. Arab incursions starting in the 8th century and Turkish in the 12th were followed by those of European traders, beginning in the late 15th century.

By the 19th century, Britain had assumed political control of virtually all Indian lands. Indian armed forces in the British army played a vital role in both World Wars. Nonviolent resistance to British colonialism led by Mohandas GANDHI and Jawaharlal NEHRU brought independence in 1947.

The subcontinent was divided into the secular state of India and the smaller Muslim state of Pakistan. A third war between the two countries in 1971 resulted in East Pakistan becoming the separate nation of Bangladesh. Despite impressive gains in economic investment and output, India faces pressing problems such as the ongoing dispute with Pakistan over Kashmir, massive overpopulation, environmental degradation, extensive poverty, and ethnic and religious strife.
Languages of India

English enjoys associate status but is the most important language for national, political, and commercial communication; Hindi is the national language and primary tongue of 30% of the people; there are 14 other official languages: Bengali, Telugu, Marathi, Tamil, Urdu, Gujarati, Malayalam, Kannada, Oriya, Punjabi, Assamese, Kashmiri, Sindhi, and Sanskrit; Hindustani is a popular variant of Hindi/Urdu spoken widely throughout northern India but is not an official language.

Muslim clerics want evangelistic work restricted in Algeria

Algeria (MNN) — Disconcerting news is coming from Algeria and Afghanistan.

Glenn Penner of Voice of the Martyrs’ Canada says Islamic scholars there are calling for a crackdown on Christians. “This head of the Islamic Association is claiming that a convert gets paid over seven thousand dollars if they become a Christian. So all you have to do is start spreading these lies around enough, and the government might say, “We probably should do something about this.’”

Penner believes the Islamists are spreading misinformation to stir nationalist sympathies. As to whether this will curb evangelism, he says, “They take what is a very innocent act and give it serious implications. For those who are in the ministering in that country, both nationals and expatriates, certainly they’re going to be looked at with more scrutiny and suspicion. We need to be praying for them that they’ll continue to operate with integrity and yet continue to operate fearlessly as they try to win men and women to Christ.”

* Pray that those to whom they reach out will see Christ in them.

* Pray that Roshan will be able to reach out to his persecutors.

source:
Greg Yoder, Executive Director
Mission Network News

Mission Network News is dedicated to keeping Christians informed about missions and evangelism around the world. Our goal is to help you become engaged in missions through praying more effectively, giving or going to the field short or long term.

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!

Taliban agrees to release hostages, missions work at risk

Afghanistan (MNN) — Taliban insurgents and South Korean negotiators have come to an agreement that allows for the release of the remaining 19 South Korean Christians. However, the agreement could have an impact on missions work in Afghanistan, says the President of Open Doors USA Carl Moeller. “The most troubling aspect of this announcement for us is that there is an apparent commitment by the South Korean government to restrict missionary activity on the part of Christians from South Korea.” According to reports, South Korea has agreed to withdraw its troops and prevent its nationals from doing missionary work there. Moeller is concerned. “Governments may want to use this in future cases as an opportunity to appease the Taliban or other extremist groups, but I can say also clearly that there are always going to be Christians who go where faith costs the most, no matter what the government’s restrictions might be.” Open Doors will continue helping persecuted believers. In fact, your help is needed for Bibles. Go to our website to help.

Full story: http://www.MNNonline.org/article/10297

Praise Chapel in Kurdistan, Iraq

Praise Chapel in Iraq
It’s official, our first Praise Chapel in Iraq!

Our efforts and investments made in Kurdistan of Iraq have begun to pay off as our first Praise Chapel in Iraq is in place and functioning. Pastor Layth Ibrahim and his congregation have joined our Fellowship of Churches. There is a miraculous story behind all of this, one of which we should all be aware.

A number of years ago, during the time of the Iraqi Regime, a younger Layth Ibrahim, an Iraqi Pastor Evangelist went to Jordan to preach the gospel. Here I record his own words as he told me the story.

Dear P. Jack,

Here in Duhok many NGO (Non Government Organizations) have worked. Some of them are good for the region of Kurdistan but some of them are not. Because they want the glory to themselves. So, I need for you to understand my intentions, please. “When I’m in Jordan, I worked as a pastor and as a evangelist. God used me to bring people from Islam to Jesus.

Satan was very angry, he did the impossible to stop me. He used one of the pastors to give my name to the security department, and after they investigated me they made me leave Jordan; they said, “We will watch you and if you do
not leave, we will put you and your family on the border of IRAQ.” Do you know what the Theology Seminary I studied in said? “Layth… Hide from them, and continue study and don’t let them see you.”

I told them, “I’m child of God, I never hide from the people. I will leave Jordan because I don’t want be unfaithful first, toward my Lord and second to myself.”

Brother Jack…
1- I want to be a “faithful” in front of the government.
2- I want to worship God without any fear.
3- I want to work with you to help people.
4- When I feel I’m faithful, I will give the best.

Thank you for what you’re doing to help me with support. Me and my family appreciate that So much.

The story continues as Layth tells of he and Mohammed’s (my Muslim interpreter and friend) efforts to gain legal church status and recognition in Kurdistan. Before I tell this portion of the story a little background is necessary.

When Layth and family returned to Iraq and formed their church in the Kurdish region they did so because of the relative security and liberty that is present there. Many of the folks in their congregation were forced to leave their homes and property in Baghdad and Southern Iraq by the Islamic Insurgents. They were told, “Convert to Islam Now, Leave Now, or Die Now!” They were not allowed to take anything with them. Most have had to start all over in the Kurdish Region. The Kurds have opened the door to these refugees and they have been welcomed. However, getting the legal recognition for a church is another matter.

Most of the Churches in the region are Assyrian or Catholic. They control the Christian affairs within the regional government. They have been very resistant to allowing Evangelical Churches such as Layth’s to take root. In fact some
works have been driven out, not by the Muslim’s, but by the Christians.

The Kurdish Regional government has built whole Assyrian Christian Villages while their own people have done without. I am sure this is to show the West that they are serious about Religious Freedom and Democracy. To their way of thinking, the Assyrians are the traditional church.

The result of all of this has been that Layth and his church have had to operate quietly in his home as an underground movement. There are numbers of Christia Congregations that have been forced into this mode of operation and Layth has contact and relationship with a many of them. He submitted his application for legal church status over two and a half years ago, only to be told by the “Christian representative” within the government that his application had been denied. When he asked to see the official paperwork of the denial, there was none.

This is where we have come in. For Three years now, we have worked exclusively with the Muslim Kurds doing what we can to help them recover their lives from the genocide against them during the Saddam years. We have also stood strong in our support of Kurdish Autonomy and have been a conduit of expression for them into America. Our humanitarian projects and our genuine Pro-Kurdistan position has opened incredible doors of favor with many influential Kurdish political figures, which are now paying off in terms of getting the help we need to establish Layth’s church as a legal entity in Kurdistan.

Mohammed, our Muslim interpreter has worked tirelessly, sometimes without pay to open these doors and help us. Here I continue with Layth’s story as he and Mohammed work together to establish government recognition of our church.

Mohammed was with me this morning and we wrote an application to the party and tomorrow in the morning will give it to the chief of the party in Duhok.

About the registering… The NGO (organization) is very good, it’s very good to me also. Why? As I’ve told you brother, it’s helpful to me to be legal, specially with you to work together this is important to me (our vision). I mean to help people how to understand the message of Christ. (to be saved).

Here Mohammed is helping draft an appeal to the leader of the KDP (Kurdish Democratic Party) First Branch, the most powerful wing of the Party. Without Mohammed’s help, we would have never gotten this far. Here again I emphasize that Mohammed is a Kurdish Muslim working hard to help our Christian agenda because he sees the benefit of our presence in the future of his nation.

Now, I skip ahead a few days to Layth’s next email which speaks of some of the difficulties he is encountering without an American Organizational legal covering.

Dear Brother,
I didn’t go to the meeting. Because it’s not good to me, specially with the group who went to it.

The meeting with the minister is: For the pastors who asked for opening a Church. They responded …

1. How many members do you have?
2. Who you are?
3. Which Denomination you are?
4. Who Supports you?
5. Are you an Ordained Pastor?
6. Maybe we will give you a temporary permission. (for one year)

So Please continue pray for us…we must speak directly with the prime minister. We must Speak with him as a Church & as an American Church. Because the Bishops of the tradition Churches make a problems to us. And it’s Gods time to Move.

Thank you very Much
Layth

Here is the point that the decision was made to make Layth’s church a registered Praise Chapel in Kurdistan and to Ordain him through our organization. Pastor Neville and our PC leadership have facilitated all that was necessary to bring this to pass. I record the result in Layth’s next email.

Dear P. Jack …
This Evening the First Branch for the (KDP) in Duhok called me and asked me if I’m P. Layth. They asked me to meet with them. I went and It was a great meeting. We talked about the church, about Politics and about Religion. He (the Branch leader) asked me, “If we give you the permission, what would be the benefit that we would have from you?”

I told them that we are an Organization (Praise Chapel), and our Goal is to make the world better with peace and love of Christ. That we are a Church to Worship God and give the word of God to those who are in need. I told him that we gave Christmas boxes for (2000) Kids in Duhok for (poor families) I told him about you and what you doing in Kurdistan; that you making a movie to speak up for Kurdistan and what you doing in Construction projects to help the peoples lives, and what you did to tell the world about Kurdistan. I told him as Mohammed said, “We are with Kurdish Government and we trust in them for what they doing and that we support them in the Political situation.” He said … “The (KDP) will support you as a Church, and we will give your application to the Governor of Duhok.”

Blessings
Layth

So, its offical, Pastor Layth and his church are now under the Praise Chapel covering, we will offically establish PC as a denominational entity within Kurdistan of Iraq and thereby open the doors for other Spirit-filled Evangelical Churches hidden underground to come out into the open and be recognized and facilitated. Our next step is to establish public meetings, a Discipleship/Church Planting Conference to draw in and help others within the underground Christian movement. Though it not a yet a done deal, we are well on our way toward our objectives. To spread the Gospel throughout Kurdistan of Iraq and from there into all the Middle East.

Addendum:

We have worked long and hard for these breakthroughs into the Muslim World of Northern Iraq. We have earned the respect of both the Political Leadership and the people whom we have served at the rural village level. We have done this not by our words, but first and foremost by our deeds. We have demonstrated the Love of Christ by our actions … now, it is paying off.
Y
ours In His Service,

Jack Harris
Mission Global Harvest (Iraq)
P.O. Box 1769
Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91729

Revival Service in Kurdistan

Revival Service in Kurdistan

Wednesday, May 2, 2007

In a back street, discreetly hidden from public view, is a two story house surrounded by a wall, typical of the city homes here in Duhok; there is something extraordinary happening here. As we walk through the entry gate up the stairs to the open front door, we are greeted by a pretty lady with a kind and pleasant smile. She is the pastors wife and she is welcoming those who are arriving into her home to participate in evening worship. This is the home of Pastor Layth Ibrahim, it is also his Church.

I visited here a week ago for the first time with Dr. Bob Doe from Lancaster, PA and Frances Saenz from Rancho Cucamonga, CA. This is the first Evangelical Church I have encountered here. Dr. Doe was led to it by Adil, the man above interpreting for me, he is also the husband of one of the doctors attending Dr. Doe’s Family Health Care seminars at the Ministry of Health here in Duhok.

The Message Of Reconciliation

I have been invited to speak this evening, and I have come, Bible in hand and message in heart, with that which I have felt that The Lord would have me to speak. I spoke on “The Message Of Reconciliation.” Knowing something of the history of the people I am about to address, I also know that what I have to say will be a challenge for them; yet I am confident that they will respond. I feel this because as I worshiped with them last week, I found them to be “The real deal.”

The place is packed out. The large living room has been modified into the Church sanctuary. Except for the fact that the language is Arabic (the language most Christians here use) you wouldn’t know that you weren’t in one of the Churches our Fellowship has planted around the World.

Everything from the video projected songs, a full worship team, complete with keyboard, to the praise service feels exactly the same. To find something like this here, is like finding an Oasis in the Desert. There is hand clapping, vibrant music, audible praise and exhortation from Pastor Layth, their shepherd, who obviously loves his little folk. It’s a good place.

My Story

I tell them my story, how I came to be in Kurdistan of Iraq, how that I feel The Lord led me here, to N. Iraq, before I really even understood what N. Iraq was. I tell them that I have been sent to the Kurdish Muslims to preach the Gospel and that I have been working and living among them for almost two years now. These folks are not Kurds, most, I believe, are from Assyrian and Chaldean Christian backgrounds who have been born again and Spirit-filled. Some have fled to Kurdistan under threat of death by the Insurgent Muslim factions down south. Many had lost all that they had.

They have been welcomed to Kurdistan, in fact, the regional government here has gone out of its way to provide homes for the Christians, when many of the Muslims still do without. It is Kurdistan’s way of trying to show America and the World that they want democracy, human rights, civil justice and freedom of religion. Despite this, these folk still walk softly because they have lived with Islam for a long time.

I tell them to consider; What did the disciples think when they saw Christ taken from them and crucified by wicked men? Despite all The Lord had taught them, they saw only death and despair; they didn’t see resurrection. On the road to Emmaus, two sad-faced disciples are joined by a stranger who inquires the reason for their sadness. Are you a stranger to these parts? Don’t you know what’s happened? Our leaders have taken Jesus of Nazareth and crucified him; and we had hoped that it was He who should redeem Israel.

O, you foolish ones, the stranger says, And slow to believe all that the Law and Prophets foretold. Ought not Christ to have suffered and then come into His Glory? Then He began to teach them from the beginning of the Law through the Prophets all that had been spoken concerning Him.

Pastor Layth Ibrahim and Family

As they arrive at their destination, the stranger makes as if he will go on into the evening alone. The disciples constrain him to spend the night and have supper with them. He accepts their invitation. At supper, the stranger takes bread, breaks it and blesses it. Upon doing this, their eyes are opened and they gasp, “Its The Lord!” He then vanishes from their sight.

I tell these people, that in this world, bad things often happen to good people and when this happens we are usually blinded in some way by the experience so that we can no longer see Christ. We are looking for Him to appear in the familiar manner in which we have become accustomed to perceive Him; we should consider, as C.S. Lewis said in his Chronicles of Narnia, “He is no tame lion.”

Grief, disappointment, failure, persecution, tragedy, all these things and many more have a way of blinding us to the reality of God’s larger purpose. I tell them, How do you think the Early Church felt, in the midst of great revival and blessing to suddenly find themselves being driven from their homes and properties by the great persecutions that came against them? Driven into the ugliness of the Pagan Roman World; yet, they persevered and ultimately changed that World. I believe, I said, that many of you were brought here, to t his time, as I was, forced by circumstances to be here for this very hour. That we have been given one of the greatest opportunities in Human History if we can look beyond our pain, prejudice and the bitterness of past experience and tragedy.

I then shared of a recent experience at the ancient Monastery we took our guests to see at Al Kosh. This is just outside the Kurdistan boundary. While our friends explored the Monastery, Mohammed, my Muslim friend and interpreter and I stayed behind, sitting on the wall of the near the entrance overlooking the Ninevah Plain below.

Mohammed on the left in h is Kurdish Uniform

Mohammed was dresse d that day in the typical Kurdish uniform fashion. There was a group of Assyrian Christians standing nearby, a young woman said in Arabic, “Oh, I don’t like Kurds.” She was ignorant of the fact that Mohammed speaks fluent Arabic and that she had just wounded my friend deeply and stirred up sentiments rooted in centuries of conflict between Christians and Muslims. I told the Church, I w ould have invited my friend Mohammed to come here tonight, but he still feels the rejection of that young woman and fears he may receive the same among us. I do not judge that young woman, because I do not know what things she and her people have suffered at the hands of Kurds or others, but today is a new day and we must lay aside our fears and prejudices on both sides and work toward a mutual peace and understanding. One precious older lady raised her hand and asked, “Did you tell this to the Muslims?” Yes, I have, I answered, for two years now from the villages to government officials. This is a new day and God has created an opportunity in Kurdistan of Iraq for the birth of so mething fresh which can bring healing to our World if we will believe and obey Him.

This and many other things I shared, to make my point; at the conclusion, there was a good heartfelt response an d willingness on the part of these folks.

I then prayed for their sick, ministered individually as I was led by The Lord and these folk responded in faith just as ours do, again, you would think that this was one of our revival services Stateside.

At the conclusion I thanked the people and the Pastor for the privilege of sharing with them and for their openness to hear me; Pastor Layth laughed, as did the congregation, “No Brother, this is only the beginning! You are one of us, you must speak to us again, and again!”

Here, I believe is the open door that I have been seeking; a place to publicly minister the Gospel and some willing folks to help me. Its so strange and wonderful, the way The Lord orchestrates events. These people have no legal church building and they feel pressure from their landlord that his house should not be used as a church. They have written a letter of appeal to the Prime Minister of Kurdistan for land and help to build their own church. I just happen to have returned from a meeting with the Ministry of Foreign Relations (the gate to the Prime Minister’s Office) they have encouraged me to submit a list of my own requests for consideration. With these requests, I will submit Pastor Layths letter under the banner of our legal NGO here.

Lets Pray,
Lets Believe,
and
Lets See,
what
The Lord Will Do

Jack (in Iraq) Harris
Mission Global Harvest (Iraq)
P.O. Box 1769
Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91729