“Now faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.” Romans 10:17
A Servant of God, to all my brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus:
I remember the moment last year that I found a gigantic box of Bibles in my sister’s garage. I was so excited! I STOLE a bunch of them, and later told her about the people I had given them to. Excitedly, she told me to take as many as I can, and encouraged me to keep being bold in sharing Jesus and giving people God’s Word. So thankful for the huge impact this has had on my life and in my efforts in reaching the lost.
I had that SAME moment of excitement today here in Egypt. After a long taxi ride across this huge and crowded city, I was very thankful as I walked into a store FULL of Bibles!!!! Don’t worry, I didn’t steal them this time! God has sovereignly provided through your faithful partnership with me! Armed with 140 copies of the Scriptures that I bought, I proceeded back to downtown Cairo. Bibles, New Testaments, Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John – for the countless lost people here who still need to meet Jesus, and put their faith in Him for forgiveness of sins and eternal life. I had cassettes of the Psalms, for the many taxi drivers I get to share Christ with, and Children’s Bibles for the many street children. The opportunities are endless. I can’t wait to see all that God will do through our joint efforts in reaching the lost here with His Word!
First opportunity was the taxi driver who brought me back. As I thanked him, I gave him a New Testament, and with a smile told him to read about “Yeshua, Ebin Allah” (Jesus, the Son of God)! He thanked me with a hug and a kiss on each cheek (such a beautiful part of this culture by the way… Be forewarned…I will hug and kiss you when I see you). After bringing the precious cargo back to my hostel, I packed several in my bag, and continued on mission. I wanted to find a grocery store or market to make some “homeless kits” to accompany the Bibles. I want to give to the many homeless people here.
One of guys I became friends with a few days ago, shouted my name from down the street. As we got to talking, he asked what I was up to. So I told him, and asked him where I could find a market to get some things to share with the homeless people. He and another friend helped me get some things, then we stopped at a café’. I got to share Christ with them, read through part of Matthew 11 with them in English and Arabic, and gave them each a Bible. They’ve invited me into their village outside of Cairo, near the pyramids tomorrow. They said there are tons of orphans and widows there that I could help. Then my friend, Mohamad (name changed for security), surprised me when he asked if I had more of these books, because he wanted me to give some to the people in his village. I told him I have many, many more. He said, “Can you bring 50?” Wow! So excited!
Please be in prayer often over these next days and weeks. I anticipate a lot of fast paced ministry. Many will hear the Gospel of Jesus, and their response will depend on whether or not God has prepared their hearts for the message of His salvation. For those who oppose Christ and would seek to stop this work, pray that God will blind them to all that I will be doing here. In Egypt, as I share the Gospel of Jesus, anyone can turn me in to the police and charge me with blasphemy, insulting Islam, or damaging national unity. If it is God’s will for me to be imprisoned, beaten, or killed, for the sake of the Gospel, then may it be so. But pray with me that in His mercy He will wait until the last copy of Scripture has been given, allowing many more to hear the amazing news of what Jesus, the Son of God has done for us!
“With this in mind, we constantly pray for you, that our God may count you worthy of his calling, and that by His power He may fulfill every good purpose of yours and every act prompted by your faith. We pray this so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.”
-2 Thessalonians 1:11-12
I love you guys. Thank you for everything….your inspiration, encouragement, financial support, prayer, friendship, love…I can’t wait to be with you all again. Remember to love, serve, and encourage one another in the Lord.
Joyfully His,
A Brother in the Lord (Name withheld for security reasons)
