Picking up the pace

Lots has happened since I last posted here! We've had non-stop guests for the last 2 weeks and many wonderful people at our dinner table. 2 special friends from Deltona, FL came for a week and painted in the Lighthouse and sewed curtains, along with other misc jobs. The photos are below. The place looks so homey now and the sound problem is much better now that we have wall hangings and curtains around.

The last picture is of our Sunday morning brunch with Germans and Syrians in attendance. Perhaps the biggest news is that Pastor Geryes (not pictured) arrived on Oct 20th! Unfortunately his wife and son had to stay behind until their visa is processed. Geryes felt sure that the Lord was leading him to come ahead and his wife gave her blessing for that. He hit the ground running - on the train home from the airport, he was giving out New Testaments and tracts and inviting people to the Lighthouse. The next day we were all out on the street, in buses and trains, giving Bibles and talking to Arabs. He kept a list of all the names and he is praying for each one by name. Yesterday when I arrived at the Lighthouse, the Arabic praise music was playing and he was walking around the center praying in a loud voice! We are excited to partner with this man of God and can't wait to see what transpires in the coming days and weeks. 

Forward movement

I know so many of you have been praying for Abby & Henry. Just a quick update to let you know that it seems they are making forward movement all the time. Yesterday they came to our morning fellowship at the Lighthouse and we could sense the joy of the Lord in their lives. Several things had happened this past week that were very discouraging for them but still, they have been able to fight through those things and remain "somewhat" positive. (granted, their situation is very difficult in so many ways) After our meeting yesterday, I wanted so badly to take a picture of the two of them at the computer, listening to Arabic praise songs and singing along with them. That went on for over 30 minutes. I believe some of what Abby was experiencing before (out-of-control rage) was demonic and she denounced that very clearly when we met with them more than a week ago. She is availing herself of the power that she has in Christ to fight the enemy. Keep praying!! 

Unexpected turn of events

Saturday afternoon, I called my Syrian friend Abby to check on things. She sounded very depressed and upset. I tried to press her on what was the matter but she didn't give me a satisfactory answer. I told her I hoped to see her Sunday morning for our gathering at the Lighthouse. Around 5PM, her husband called and asked if we could come to their place; that if we didn't, someone might die tonight! Yikes!! We grabbed our stuff and took off out the door. After 1 hour and 20 minutes on the train/bus/walking, we finally reached their place. Things were tense to say the least. Abby began by talking in a very loud voice and accusing Henry of everything he's ever done and just out of control. Then he started in and told us all the things she's been doing in the past few days that were just horrible. It got so bad this afternoon that she grabbed a knife and started threatening him. This is all in front of her children! I felt we were in, way over our heads. There were severe problems and I couldn't see any way this marriage could survive. At one point I was so exasperated with Abby that I actually told her "just go back to Islam. It's obvious that Jesus has made no difference in your life and there's no evidence that you've surrendered anything to him". I was very bold and tough with her because she was totally out of control and blaming everything on her husband. I could see that he has suffered terribly for the past months and that he really had tried to make her happy. It was a long, painful 2 hours of listening to them screaming at each other and I almost gave up. I finally said that if they insisted on continuing down this destructive path and refused to let Jesus have any part in their marriage, then they'd better separate for the sake of their children and themselves. Darrell & I prayed and then we just sat in silence and all of a sudden, Henry began praying a beautiful prayer of repentance from deep in his heart. It was one of the sweetest things I've ever heard. Abby followed with her prayer, also asking forgiveness and acknowledging her wrong-doing. There were many tears shed and a breakthrough occurred before our eyes. I never saw a situation change so drastically in such a short time! It was thrilling to see. They say they will be coming tomorrow to our Sunday brunch and Bible Study again. This is exhausting, emotionally draining stuff. We need you to keep up the prayers for us and these dear people we minister to. I have absolutely NO doubt that someone was praying right at that moment when the whole atmosphere changed and the power of the enemy was broken and tears of repentance flowed. Praise His name!!