Egypt and Encounter level two

These past two weeks have been incredible. 1040 Hope Missions sponsored its first trip to Egypt this past week. We went into people homes during the day, ate whatever they gave us, and we healed their sick. We lived Luke chapter 10. We held meetings every night with at least a 100 people attending every night. The church would usually only have 20 people come every week. The church has not had a pastor in over five years and every pastor that has come would leave within two months because the spritual warfare is so intense. We felt the oppression the first day we arrived. We were a team of four and every one of us was attacked physically, mentally, and spiritually. We pressed in though and brought the light of the Gospel to a dark area. We encouraged and our leader gave instruction to the leaders of the church. They have been divided and working against each other in the past, but now they are planning to meet every Tuesday and work together till a pastor is ordained. I am so thankful God has given me the privilege to serve his people in the Middle East. Jesus is worth it all.
Also we just had an encounter level two training for the church servants this past weekend. I was so honored I was asked to serve. Even though it has been a tiring week I enjoyed every minute of this weekend. The training lessons were incredibly edifying. Also, It was good for me after coming from Egypt and praying for the sick and being honored by the people to pick up a bucket of water and wash the tables after the servants ate their meals. " The servants are not greater than the Master" if Jesus took up a towel and washed the feet of the ones He loved how much more should we.

I am privilege to be a servant of the King in the Middle East. Thank you for all your prayers and support that has made this dream possible for me.

English Meeting

I was able to preach at the English meeting this Wednesday. I was so thankfull for this oportunity given by the pastor. I spoke on Hebrews 11:23 "it was by Faith Moses parents hid him...They saw God had given them an unusual child" NLT. I then went to were the the story is found in Exodus two. I shared how if his parents did not have the faith to see they had an unusual child then who would have led their own people out of bondage. I shared do we have the faith to see the people around us as God sees them. For man looks at appearance, but God looks on the heart. I then shared that we must never despise the power of a small deed. His mother took reeds, tar, and pitch and saved her baby's life which in turn saved an entire nation. Do we have the faith to be faithful with what God has put in our hands and the people He has given us to mentor. For they may save an entire nation.
I am so thankful God gave me this oportunity and I am so thankful He has allowed me to serve Him in Lebanon.
Blessings on you all.

Back in Lebanon

Well I have been back in Lebanon now for two weeks. I enjoyed my time home for the holidays and again I thank every one again for all their prayers and support given in 2009. My dream would not be possible without each and every one of you.
I was able to give my testimony at our evangelism meeting this past Monday. I was so thankful for the oportunity. I shared that even though I grew up in a Christian home and went to a Christian school, I still had a whole in my heart. I struggled with guilt and condemnation for a long time. I always saw the Father in Heaven ready to punish me as soon as I made a mistake. Then, I shared that in my late teens God began to show and embrace me with His unconditional love. This freed me from leagalism and trying to get to God in my own goodness. I then shared that God has brought me to the Middle East for this purpose to share that no one can get to Him by our own goodness but by His work on the Cross alone. Then the speaker gave his message on Matt. 11:28 "Come all who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest". He spoke on bringing the burdens of Loneliness, Fear, and Codemnation and Guilt to the Lord. The Spirit totally ordained this meeting because everything flowed together: the songs, my testimony, and the message. God's love was evident in the room and over half of the attendants responded to the call at the end. His Spirit was healing and delivering His people with the knowledge of His great love. May you be encouraged by God's love today and knowing if we never did another thing for Him He would still love us, but because of that love we lay our lives down for Him.
"May the Grace of the Lord Jesus, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all." 2 Cor. 13:14 NIV

Encounter

I was able to serve on my first encounter retreat in Lebanon this past weekend and it was absolutely amazing.
We had over 60 participants attend the encounter. We had around 20 from Syria and their spiritual hunger was incredible. Our Assoicate Pastor at Abundant life preached on the Cross during one of the sessions and the anointing was powerful. I have never truly felt anything like it. The participants began to weep before he even finished. The Lord showed up in a very tangible way. Then Our Senior Pastor led the session titled the Holy Spirit and revelation was flowing. He really opened up some scriptures to me and while he prayed for the participants you really could feel the fire of God consume His people.
I truly am honored to serve with these believers and I am so thankful God brought me to Lebanon.
I'll be leaving in three weeks to attend New Hope's annual mission conference and the Pastor will be with us this year and I can't wait. I am so excited to see all of my friends and family again. Its been over five months now.
I love every one of you and am so thankful for each and everyone's prayers and gifts during my stay here. I truly cannot express my gratitude in words.

Blessings on you all.

My cast is off

well my cast was taken off last week. It nice to have my good hand free, but when they were removing my cast they cut my hand with the saw. The cut is only the size of an inch. It really hurt, but the funny thing is they just sent me home and told me to put some cream on it. It was an open cut too. I went to a pharmacy though and they cleaned it and put a bandage on it. Everything is good now. This was a crazy experience.

I have learned so much by being here. There have been many challenges, but I am a better man for them. I love the people and I have built great relationships. I am picking up on Arabic too. I have still a long way to go but taking two hours of class Tuesday through Friday is beginning to pay off.

I am traveling this weekend to renew my visa so I will keep you updated.

Blessings on you all.

emergency room

Well, I had my first emergency room experience in another country.
I was playing basketball with the youth and the Pastor this past Monday. We just started playing when the lights went out, I went to grab the ball and so did one of the guys and we collided. His knee fractured my left hand. Everything is fine though. Every one has been helpful and thank God I have a roommate. Please pray for a quick recovery.

Blessings

My First Sermon

Hello,

This past Saturday I gave my first sermon at the youth service. It was really cool seeing there faces light up as they were being encouraged. I love to encourage people. I spoke on Faith and believing God's promises. Romans chapter five verses one through five was the reference I used.

Also this past week the whole church has been in a time of prayer and fasting for the conference in August. People are coming from all over the Middle East to receive from the Lord. This past Wednesday we walked and prayed in the area around the church. As I walked and prayed with my friend in Bourg Hammoud, my heart broke for these people. I also love the boldness of my friend. When he felt led he would stop and hand someone a flier or talk to them about Jesus. I would pray while he did this because I still have a long way to go with learning Arabic.

Blessings on you all