Day 55

My Orders are to fight,

Then if I bleed or fail,

Or strongly win,what matters it?

Only God doeth prevail.

A Servant craveth not,

But to serve with might.

I wasn't told to win or lose.

My orders are to fight.

At this point, we are two weeks away from a return trip to the states.  We have been reviewing our time here to see what has been done and what remains to be done.  Have we accomplished that thing for which we were sent?  I suppose that only God can answer this but the above poem has been a source of encouragement.  Jessica has developed several contacts with at least one strong relationship of mention.  Our desire of course is that Christ will permeate the few available moments left and leave an eternal impression on this young woman and her family.  In addition, there are other girls who Jess has been in touch with who have yet to hear the gospel or understand the true Bride for whom Christ died (that is, genuine Christianity).

 

In the south there are at least two Palestinians who have faithfully attended the small evangelistic "church plant" in Tyre.  One of these walks several miles to attend and then walks miles back.  He is there every time the door opens.  At this point there does not appear to be a work of conversion in his heart.  If, however, there were a person of whom you looked at and their smile quickened hope within you that God may save this man, then it is Mohamoud.  He brings his children whenever possible and sometimes his reluctant wife.  Oh, did I mention that his family is muslim?  Praise God for hope and that hope has a name.  "I am the way, the truth, and the life.  No man can go to the Father, but through me." (John 14:6 paraphrase)

Today we had an Arabic lesson.  We have another tomorrow and then return to the south for about a week and this may be our last week in Tyre before returning to Beirut for our final lessons and then going home.  Please pray for us as we cement some of these relationships, that there may be some fruit to show, and that we would end our time here in a way that honors God the most.  --Sean Johnson