This update one will cover the highlights of our last few days on our trip and include on-going prayer needs.
Monday, 1/30: We spent the morning and early afternoon at Seeb Souq and Beach. We had an opportunity to shop and share with merchants. One team member purchased an abaya (and one of our fellow "tourists" shared the Good News with the shop owner). Divine appointments! We spent an extended time on the beach praying for this community, its people, its leaders, ... The wind was blowing the sand all around and it stirred our hearts to pray that the Spirit would blow all over this land, stirring up every crevice. DO YOU REALLY BELIEVE IN THE POWER OF PRAYER??? DO YOU TRULY BELIEVE THAT YOUR PRAYERS OFFERED IN FAITH HAVE MORE POWER THAN YOUR HUMAN DRIVEN ACTIONS? In our western way of thinking doing often overshadows praying; results and numbers become our goal more than submission to His Spirit. In God's economy, faith-filled, trusting prayers unleash His power to move unlike man-inspired action. After a sandy picnic, the ladies went on to our new friend's home for tea and conversation while the guys met up with new friends to share fellowship and truth. Both groups spent the evening at the festival. Please continue to pray for these and others with whom we have had divine appointments.
Tuesday, 1/31: We spent most of today driving to various tourist sites and praying as we passed communities, mosques and people on the streets. We ate lunch with items we purchased at a local market, while making connections with the cashier. ARE YOU AWARE THAT PEOPLE ARE ALWAYS WATCHING YOU AND IN EVERY ENCOUNTER YOU HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO SHARE AND SHOWCASE THE LOVE OF JESUS (or perhaps you showcase your impatience and pride)? There is no neutral ground ... you either showcase God or you showcase yourself!
Wednesday, 2/1, Last Day: We had a rough boat ride along the coast. Despite being soaked to the bone, the beauty of this land is breath-taking (or maybe that was the chill from the wind and spray). At any rate, we were reminded that God is God even over these more difficult places. In this land, there are less than 20 reported believers of the 2.5 million nationals. Can you imagine that... LESS THAN 20! Unlike here, many have never met a true believer, nor experienced His love through our hands. "It is not about converting a Muslim, it is about showing them the love of Jesus." HAVE YOU EXPERIENCED THIS LOVE? IF SO, YOU ARE EQUIPPED TO SHOWER THAT SAME LOVE ON A MUSLIM? They are all around us here in Hampton Roads. We MUST be vessels showering His love on all those around us! After our boat ride, we visited a museum and met a friend who is curious about our faith in the interest of understanding other cultures. May God stir that curiosity into a passion to know Him.
