Since our last letter, we have been to Iraq again, there we had great opportunities to give out literature and encourage believers.
There was a massive campaign called “the power to forgive”, it was very disappointing, the preacher preached a great message, he is very famous but did not mention Jesus once, it’s seemed that there was a fly in the ointment. I asked him why he did not mention Jesus and he answered, I was told not to.
Here is a letter from a brother we spent time with, who followed up someone we met in a coffee shop.
Hey guys, I’ve been meaning to write and give you an update on Dr. I whom we met at the coffee shop. I went back the next week, hoping to see him there. I waited and prayed for a good long while and was about to give up when I decided to stay another 15 minutes. Shortly after that he walked in the door! Of course we recognized each other immediately and he ordered a coffee and sat down. We talked non-stop for the next two hours! Mostly he told me his story, answering my questions about his life, which of course was very interesting. Toward the end of our conversation I asked him, “I have to ask you about the book my friend gave you. Have you been reading it? Have you been enjoying it?” He said, “Yes, I have been reading it, but the problem is, it’s in Kurdish! I was educated in Arabic and a lot of the Kurdish words I’ve been having to look up in the dictionary!” Naturally I was a bit surprised by this. But though he is extremely comfortable speaking Kurdish (of course), the languages he reads in are Arabic and English! So I said, “Would you like for me to get you an Arabic one?” He was quick to reply, “Yes, that would be great!” So we made an appointment to meet the next week.
I obtained an Arabic/English copy from IBS (a handsome volume) and saw him again the next week. I had a young Kurdish friend with me this time, whom he enjoyed talking to. He brought his computer with him to show me the pictures of the aftermath of the bomb blast he had survived. Incredible. So I gave him the book and inscribed it in the front with John 5:24. He promised he’d be reading it and I said I looked forward to seeing him again and discussing it and answering any questions he might have. He was eager to do the same. A couple days later I sent him an email wishing him a happy Newroz (Persian/Kurdish New Year). He responded in kind and added, “Thank you for the holy book.”
So, please keep praying for this dear man and for me as I share with him. I just sent him an email asking for a Tuesday rendezvous; still waiting for an answer.
We have just produced a tract in Hebrew and Russian, an adaptation of the good test with Isaiah 53 as a conclusion, on how to get your sins forgiven We printed 100,000 and our distributing them in the streets in letter boxes. We also have got a number of churches to help us distribute them.
We also placed an advert in many Russian newspapers in Israel and one of them will place for this week in a local Jerusalem Russian newspaper. Here is the English version.
• Do you believe there is a Heaven?
• Would you consider yourself a Good Person? Most people do. But would you be good enough for heaven? The way to find out is to ask yourself if you have kept God’s moral law, the Ten Commandments. Here’s a quick test based on just four of those. See how you do?
• Thou shalt not bare false witness
• Have you ever told a lie, no matter how big? How many lies does it take to make you a liar?
• Thou shalt not steal
• Have you ever stolen anything regardless of its value?
• Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord in vain
• Have you ever used God’s name in vain (blasphemy)?
• Thou shalt not commit adultery
• Have you looked with lust? If you look with lust you commit adultery in your heart.
Who can honestly say they have kept these commandments. If you have done those things, God (who is Holy) sees you as a lying, thieving, blasphemous, adulterer at heart. And you will have to face God on Judgement Day. You will be judged justly for every word, deed and thought.
On the day of judgement will you be guilty or innocent? Would a good judge let the guilty to free? No, that would be a corrupt judge. God is Holy and just and must punish sin.
If you are honest with yourself you would agree that no one can keep the Ten Commandments. They are all broken and we stand guilty before a Holy and righteous God. However, we have hope because God promised us redemption, salvation and the forgiveness of sins. The promise of hope can be found in Isaiah the prophet written 2700 years ago. Please, read and may God open your eyes to the truth.
Isaiah 53 the whole chapter.
On the 23rd we go to the Samaritan Passover to evangelize Samaritans, Jews, tourists and Arabic speaking people, we are hoping to hand out much literature and speak to many people about the gospel.
Soon I will go to Jordan for a few days to see what’s happening with the refugees and give aid and the gospel. The week later planning to cycle from one end of Israel to the other and evangelize on the way it’s 470 kilometres, which will take three days or less from Rosh Hanikra to Eilat , we hope to pick up Chinese NTs in Eilat and bring them back with us on the bus.
Fridays are going well in Tel Aviv with our book table; we are handing out many bibles and having some good conversations.