Exloring Life Eternal

With the increase in satelite television viewing in the Country we Love, more and more countrymen are watching the Christian programing, especially that dealing with prayer and healing. Seeing what Christ can do, they have now begun to seek out His followers in their own country, asking directly for prayer for illnesses and other issues. One woman recently told her family: The solution is not with us but with the Christians!

Believers are asking for wisdom as they face this new opportunity to be a witness to the power of Christ, and ask that not only will they be called upon to pray for their friends but that they will be able to lead them to experience eternal healing through faith in Christ.

Today I got to talkin' with a couple of young guys at a busstop. They were semi hip, and were being slammed with weather in their faces. It was cold, but we had fun. When we got on the bus, I started earing with the plough of the Bible. One listened more intently than the other. The younger one. I was able to share the whole Gospel with him before he took off.

There was another fellow on the bus in the backseat. I got up & moved to the back seat on the othere side of the bus. We got to talking ... turns out that he speaks Somali as his second language and his parents are from Somalia. He claimed to be a Muslim, but not too strict about Islam. Most of the conversation centered around the need for someone to pay the sin-debt that we have. Atonement is necessary for God's forgiveness to be of any effect in our lives. The blood of Christ must be applied to the doors of our heart if we want to feast with him on the last day. Overall, it seemed like a productive time. He took a tract and was willing to read it.

He read a little from Psalms 22 and correctly ascribed that to Jesus. May Ah. come to know the Messiah personally.

He left to visit a relative ... I continued on, with a song in my heart.

We just recently received a wonderful report of activity during the latest holy month in the Country we Love. While friends shared fruit and drinks with those breaking fast, they also had many opportunities to share the Bread of Life and give out written copies of the Good News.

Thank the Lord for these seeds sown, and pray that the Lord of the Harvest will bring fruit for their labors. Ask also that believers will be encouraged by such opportunities and emboldened to share even more. Pray that as they are faithful, the Lord will bless them in their personal lives and provide for their needs.

Praise the Lord with us that paperwork has been completed and approved for a new project to begin. Now, all we need is people!! We covet your prayers on behalf of the needs of this project, which requires a director for each of the two major focuses.

Without personnel, the project cannot begin, so ask the Lord to raise up workers ready to serve and give of their time and life in order to reach many for Christ.

If you have any questions about this, please don't hesistate to write mertaka@yahoo.com, use this article's subject line as your email's subject line.

I ride the busses.

On them, I meet folks from a wide range of social backgrounds and abilities: Mentally challenged, gangsta kids, collegians, retired folks. Black-White-Asian-Latino-Arab-Slavic, etc. Engaging people in conversation is the key to making the most of the time. It is not very easy to engage some folks. I recall one fellow did not have any interest in the Gospel or talking about much of anything. He figured that an intimation of his Masonic fraternity links should suffice to blow off some kid who believed Jesus should be proclaimed widely. It didn't work. I reminded the man of what Jesus said, "The stone that the masons rejected has become the cheif capstone." I reminded him that there still was time to repent. He was uninterested, but he refused any further acknowledgement of my existence and promptly clammed up.

I've ridden in cars. I've biked across town. I've walked across town late at night. But I prefer to ride on the busses. Alone, I can walk with God. In the busses, God rides along and claims first place amid the discussions.

Recently a conversation revealed some encouragement like others had: a high school student recognized me as the guy who talked about Jesus. He confessed to some jail time. He confessed his change of attitude from mocking to humility. He goes to church. He knows about Jesus. But he needed a little lift, a reminder of God's grace.

He got it.

But there are too many bus routes, too many times that there are people ripe for the gospel, too many times that rowdiness prevails over the reign of God. I've found that if there is a group of rowdies, the mere presence of a semi adult person brings a little order.

"Lord, raise up more people for bus ministry."

An ice storm came through recently. Though some areas were affected by power outages, our apartment was free of harm. Sheila (my wife) and I were marveling at the beauty of the ice coated trees and bushes. As I walked home from the office yesterday, I went along a path lined with trees like that. It was very much like an entrance to a grand cathedral. At moments like that, I cannot help but be in awe ... and in reflection anticipate the day when along the street lined with the tree of life, bearing 12 crops of fruit, we will walk, marvelling for all eternity at the glory of our King.

First I would like to share a testimony from the Arabian Peninsula ... the "heartland of Islam" that illustrates the power of the Gospel and the hunger with which many are seeking Christ Jesus.

"From this week's PTAP news:"
Caroling and Dancing: A New Tradition?

Sitting at our usual coffee shop, my Arab Muslim friend, Sarah asked me, 'Where is the Christmas party this year?' I answered her that I didn't know if I was going to have one because I was so busy at my job. She looked me and said, 'You have to have one! Look, we will all cook and come over to your house. All you have to do is decorate.' Of course, I agreed. Walking away, I laughed to myself. Did my Muslim friends just demand that we celebrate the birth of Jesus?

Dressed to the nines with food dishes in hand, my Arab Muslim lady friends were ready to party the night away. And that they did! Not five minutes had passed before the Arabic music was cranked up and women were dancing all around the room. Among the dancing intermissions, we ate, gave gifts, and took pictures of them by the Christmas tree. They even insisted that I play and sing Christmas carols!

Amidst the fun, I found myself wondering, would this party really show Jesus to them? I had explained about the birth of Jesus and I had given them a CD with Bible stories, but was it making an impact?

A few days later, I was sitting with my friends. They started talking about the CD and explaining to me how much they loved the Bible stories. I couldn't believe it! I was so excited how much this had touched their hearts!!!

About nine of my female Arab friends have these CDs. Pray that they would all listen to these stories of scripture and many would ask questions.

* AP = Arabian Peninsula
+ MBB = Muslim Backround Believer
"

Isn't that awesome!! God is at work, no question. A brother in the Lord, asked me a question about the testimony:
"That testimony about the Christmas celebration was one of the most uplifting stories I've read in a long time. How widely can I share it with my friends? Can I send it out in a general e-mail? Can I send it out direct mail? Can I post it on my internet web site (www.oprev.org)?"

My answer: as widely as you wish. People need to know that Jesus is good for Muslims. His words are life and healing. A blessing to Jews and Germans, Africans and Arabs, Foreigners and Local Folks.

This past week, I got to ride most of the way with an Iranian student who is new in town. He gladly received some tracts and we chatted for a little bit about life and the Lord
of life. Pray for "Ahmed." He has a Bible & is eager to learn all he can in school. He is a Muslim at present, but God can change that.

The guys that I've been seeking to reach at a local gas station have a new enterprise they are running: a restaurant. Cheap gas, convenient food, but no crisis of faith and no Christ to direct them. Please pray for the Lord to open their hearts before the tares and weeds of wealth choke out all interest.

For the past week I've been scouring the internet and classifieds for jobs to apply to. My restricted skills and transportation limitations still are reasons to rejoice. Why rejoice? Because the Lord will help us overcome. Sheila uses the car to get to work and my bicycle just broke down in the rear axle area. It has been a very trusty little bike,
but now it doesn't go very far at all. I ride it pretty rough in order to stay out of traffic as much as possible, but it is needing repairs. Today I missed an appointment
due to the mal-function.

Sheila has been chipper about a new course in medical ranscription that she is taking. She also is working too hard at two jobs. Please pray for the Lord to provide sufficient work for me so that Sheila would be able to just work one job 40 hours a week. Thanks.

Presently, the Lord is providing for my mental-medical care through a community health treatment place. It is very humbling to go there as most who have to go through the
Alternative Treatment Order program are severely handicapped or disabled. Someone suggested another government agency to help me get back into the secular job market, but it will take time. Meanwhile, there is a lot of waiting:

Waiting for busses,
Waiting for Sheila to get home from long hours,
Waiting for the weather to warm up,
Waiting to hear a call for an interview,
Waiting for the check to come in the mail,
Waiting to see the doctor.

I've applied to adminstrative jobs, maintenance/janitorial jobs and database entry jobs, and a few retail jobs. Please pray for us during this time of refining through patience. It would be nice to have a job with some benefits other than pay, but right now any job will have to do, just about.

Though I am technically on sabbatical from PTAP to look for work, I have gotten a couple of inquiries about PTAP and sent out a couple packages. One inquiry was from a fellow going to Yemen.

Finally, the Church in the are going on a 24/7 relay marathon fast ... basically, folks are going to pray in shifts as it leads up to Resurrection Sunday and Hosanna. Please hold up the Church here. There is much possibility either for harm or good. The university community is often hostile to the Gospel. It is not politically correct to evangelize national Americans, much less visiting students & scholars, but evangelize we must. But it will not bear fruit unless Christ crowns our efforts and is the foundation beneath our feet. We must follow him. At times I have been a little too preachy, this past year, for that, I ask forgiveness. People need the Lord, (myself included). The basic difference between a saint & a sinner is that a saint bases their life on Jesus as Lord and sinners have yet to comprehend either their lostness or His Lordship. May the Lord daily sanctify and unify us through the blood of the cross.

Arise Shine Morocco
Prayer Bulletin #75 (01/07)
asm@ariseshinemorocco.org www.ariseshinemorocco.org

NORTHCENTRAL REGION:
Please pray for a couple embarking on new ministries here. Pray they will build good relationships with their neighbors and with contacts in their town and the surrounding areas. Pray that God will open new doors for them in the coming months. Pray they will walk in obedience, wisdom, and boldness as they do what He is calling them to do.


NORTHWESTERN COASTAL REGION:
Praise the Lord for increased commitment observed in members of a local house church. Thank Him for a couple that recently joined the house church. Praise God for His mercy to a sister who prayed for her unsaved mother and who is now at peace believing that her mother was saved before she died. Thank the Lord for His divine provision and protection throughout the past year.

Pray for the recruiting of new team members. Pray the Lord wil send the right people with the right gifts. Pray for quick release of adoption papers for one couple.


WESTCENTRAL COASTAL REGION:
Please pray that all believers, both national and expatriate, will manifest a powerful, anointed, and incarnational gospel witness.

Praise the Lord for several large and joyous Christmas celebration gatherings of national believers that blessed and encouraged many.

Praise God that national believers are cooperating and are excited about working together for more organized Bible training.


SOUTHCENTRAL REGION:
Pray for trust between believers and a greater willingness to get together in Christian fellowship. Pray for steadfastness in the midst of persecution.

Pray seekers will experience the emptiness of Islam as they go through the motions of their religion. Pray Muslim seekers will question their own beliefs and practices. Pray for King Mohamed VI to rule justly and with wisdom.

Pray for workers' health, finances, family, and work relationships.

Lighthouse Church:
Praise the Lord for many answered prayers in 2006. Thank the Lord for the successful continuation of the Sunday school program and pray that it will continue to bless the children and build them up in the faith. Praise God for bringing a brother and a sister back into the local fellowship.

Pray for a spiritual awakening in this city and for plans by the church to plant a new church in a nearby city later this year. Pray for unity among the churches in Morocco, that they will work together and will see many new churches established this year.

Pray for a powerful and effective Sunday School program that will result in many of the children accepting Jesus into their lives this year.

Pray that the work situation will improve and stabilize for members of the church. Pray all will see the Lord providing for their needs.

Pray for many salvations this year, especially from among the family members of existing believers.

FAR SOUTH:
Praise God for a successful medical procedure. Thank Him for opening doors. Pray for growth of the church and for provision for various projects.


A recent article of interest:
An article entited "Morocco's Christian Converts Irk the World of Islam" includes comments by Moroccan Christians and may be found at:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20061213/lf_afp/moroccoreligion

Arise Shine Morocco
Prayer Bulletin #75 (01/07)
asm@ariseshinemorocco.org www.ariseshinemorocco.org

NORTHCENTRAL REGION:
Please pray for a couple embarking on new ministries here. Pray they will build good relationships with their neighbors and with contacts in their town and the surrounding areas. Pray that God will open new doors for them in the coming months. Pray they will walk in obedience, wisdom, and boldness as they do what He is calling them to do.


NORTHWESTERN COASTAL REGION:
Praise the Lord for increased commitment observed in members of a local house church. Thank Him for a couple that recently joined the house church. Praise God for His mercy to a sister who prayed for her unsaved mother and who is now at peace believing that her mother was saved before she died. Thank the Lord for His divine provision and protection throughout the past year.

Pray for the recruiting of new team members. Pray the Lord wil send the right people with the right gifts. Pray for quick release of adoption papers for one couple.


WESTCENTRAL COASTAL REGION:
Please pray that all believers, both national and expatriate, will manifest a powerful, anointed, and incarnational gospel witness.

Praise the Lord for several large and joyous Christmas celebration gatherings of national believers that blessed and encouraged many.

Praise God that national believers are cooperating and are excited about working together for more organized Bible training.


SOUTHCENTRAL REGION:
Pray for trust between believers and a greater willingness to get together in Christian fellowship. Pray for steadfastness in the midst of persecution.

Pray seekers will experience the emptiness of Islam as they go through the motions of their religion. Pray Muslim seekers will question their own beliefs and practices. Pray for King Mohamed VI to rule justly and with wisdom.

Pray for workers' health, finances, family, and work relationships.

Lighthouse Church:
Praise the Lord for many answered prayers in 2006. Thank the Lord for the successful continuation of the Sunday school program and pray that it will continue to bless the children and build them up in the faith. Praise God for bringing a brother and a sister back into the local fellowship.

Pray for a spiritual awakening in this city and for plans by the church to plant a new church in a nearby city later this year. Pray for unity among the churches in Morocco, that they will work together and will see many new churches established this year.

Pray for a powerful and effective Sunday School program that will result in many of the children accepting Jesus into their lives this year.

Pray that the work situation will improve and stabilize for members of the church. Pray all will see the Lord providing for their needs.

Pray for many salvations this year, especially from among the family members of existing believers.

FAR SOUTH:
Praise God for a successful medical procedure. Thank Him for opening doors. Pray for growth of the church and for provision for various projects.


A recent article of interest:
An article entited "Morocco's Christian Converts Irk the World of Islam" includes comments by Moroccan Christians and may be found at:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20061213/lf_afp/moroccoreligion

Have you ever taken a stand in a dispute so strongly that you feel it is impossible to back down even when evidence grows that the other side of the argument is correct?

Many feel that this is the position of the leadership in the country we love concerning a major legal and political issue which continues to delay the full integration of the country back into the international community. In the interim period many innocent families continue to suffer as they see their loved ones dealing on a daily basis with the consequences of the problem.

Pray for a just and swift end to this situation and for comfort for those who suffer from its effects.

As we see the end of yet another year, we want to take the time to thank the Lord for all His goodness and great works in the Country we Love. We have seen Him do amazing things in calling out believers to go both long and short-term into the country in order to reach Ls for Christ. We have seen a record number of nationals come to the Lord this year! PTL! We have witnessed a new openess in the country, both physically and spiritually, allowing inroads to be made for the Harvest. We have witnessed His protection over the Body as they seek to gather in His Name. For all these things and more, join us in giving thanks.

Yes, He has done great things, and yet, as we enter a new year, we also do so with the realization that time is passing quickly. We anticipate the return of Christ at any time, as world events seem to gain speed toward that end. Not knowing His time, we do not want to waste our own. Please join us in praying with renewed vigor for the increase of His Kingdom in the Country we Love for the year 2007. Pray as well that the Body of Christ will grow in number and maturity in the new year. So much is against them, and Satan wants to keep it that way. Pray for all barriers to be destroyed which hinders the believers from obeying the words of Hebrews 10:25.

Keep these thoughts and requests before you as 2007 approaches. Thank you for your faithfulness in prayer.

What involuntary hospitalization is & How it felt like persecution:

Simply put, it is when the law is concerned that you are disturbing the peace and so they hospitalize the person against their will.

Not that I went kicking and screaming, the police just provided an escort and try to keep neighborhoods and office buildings free of roaming strangers. If I don't shave for a few days and get dirty and kind of hunker over, I can make a good imitation of a homeless person, but I didn't do that. I was just trying my best to share the gospel. Some would say it was without the Spirit, some would say it was with the
Spirit. All I know, is that my intent was not to scare anyone or disturb anyone's peace or ruin any concentration, I was just seeking to testify to the grace of God ... then people got a little disturbed.

There have been times I intentionally acted out of ordinary and disturbed people in sharing the simple Gospel and they fled from me, but it seemed to have more to do with
them avoiding the responsibility to face Christ. Also, I have escorted Jehovah Witnesses out of the apartment complex. But even the JW's remarked that I was "tranquil" ... despite being on low medicine dosages.

Lessons I learned, despite the "suffering" of the insults and questionings and mockery:

1. Be wise in dealing with children ... keep parents informed if you teach them the Bible and let kids play with kids. It is culturally inappropriate to talk to them without the consent of their parents. (I am thankful that
I don't have to go to elementary school to become as a child repeatedly to enjoy the Kingdom of God.)

2. Be wise at church ... keep your amens and convictions to yourself and endure poor teaching and repetitive worship if you must. It is culturally inappropriate to communicate agreement or disagreement with the man behind the pulpit. (I am thankful that Jesus is still the Head of the Church.)

3. Be wise at office buildings ... scheduled appointments are much less intimidating to physicians than an impromptu witness. It is culturally inappropriate to visit a physician without first making an appointment. (I'm glad that the Great Physician does house calls still!)

Until the patient who is "involuntarily hospitalized" has a hearing in court or consents to "treatment" (basically, expresses a willingness to take medicine & work with the program), they are held involuntarily. Because I ended up in the hospital more than once in a short period of time & they didn't believe that I was taking my medication (which I was)
and they didn't want me to stay awake at home.

Ironically, my sleep is as disturbed now as it was before, though I sleep in after the morning medicines now as I am adjusting & feeling a little less motivated. But Sheila
likes the "new" mert (sedated with medication & very lazy, okay, she doesn't like the lazy part, but then again who does?). I personally believe that it was God's will that I
be hospitalized and be harrassed by some fellow residents and deal with the hospital system. My faith grew and I was encouraged that even with the inconvenience of not being
able to doing the Lord's work on the outsie, the Lord opened up numerous opportunities to share the message of Christ, even though the official policy is "no attempts to convert
anyone allowed."

Hope that helps.

By the way, the hospital entertainment: going on walks outside the building, making silly crafts, watching TV, going to 'groups,' pacing the halls is sort of like the jail that I was in when I visited those in jail, only more staff and carpet and better decor.

BTW: I received this week notice of court order declaring that I am legally incapacitated from obtaining a license. At first I thought it was talking about a license to drive since the state police issued it, I felt odd about that. As I read the odd print later, it was about a license to obtain a firearm or a license to carry a concealed firearm. HA-HA-HA! I didn't want to get a gun anyways! I will only be able to shoot pictures from now on, no guns in the house! Dad never was for guns anyways, I guess I have no choice but being the same way in that regard.

Another funny thing, the second time I went to the hospital, I received paperwork indicating "no possessions." I think I might frame that. It is like saying, Mert, you are poor, dirt poor, you have NOTHING! Ha-ha, Ho-ho! But the Lord is our inheritance, kinda like the Levites and the third order Franciscans. :-)

Peace in Christ,
Mert Hershberger

While the signs of Christmas maybe overwhelmingly evident in your hometown or country, you will find no outward signs of it in the this land. However, this does not mean that Christmas has not come, for it has...it is in the hearts of the few who have chosen to follow Christ as Savior. Pray for national believers this week as you celebrate with family and friends and in large numbers, for many of them will be alone in remembering Christ's birth and will have no open opportunity to express their joy over the coming of Christ to this earth. Pray that they will be encouraged in reading the story of Christ's birth, remembering that He came to the poorest and lowliest of places, among the humblest of people. May they be reminded that when He comes again, it will be with power and glory, and on that day, they will be able to openly proclaim Him their King!

Do not be proud, but associate with the lowly
- Romans 12:16

PRAISE:
Thank you PTAP for your prayers for the Arab Outreach Team that was recently in Doha, Qatar for the Asian games. They had many opportunities to touch people’s lives and share the Good News. The young team is greatly encouraged and know that your prayers got them there and sustained them during their very busy 6 days of this major sporting event.

PETITION:
Pray for our family's outreach this Christmas time. Some of our National Muslim neighbors will be coming over for an enactment of the Christmas story by our children. We also will be giving out cards with verses and a CD gift of the Jesus movie to other neighbors.

Pray for those who are working with the very poor people, many who are half casts or in the "servant' class. There is one project geared to help them and a possibility for another to be started. Pray that these projects will
succeed and that the poor will get the help they desperately need.

Pray for Sincere, Melanie, Samantha, Baraka, and Hamed during this Christmas season. Pray also for the other local believers here. Locals here do not celebrate Christmas, but they are very aware of it because of the commercial influence of the West and the many foreigners living here. So many of the local believers would like to celebrate Jesus' birth at this time, even though it's not in their cultural heritage. Please pray for wisdom for us and for them for how to help them remember His birth in a really meaningful and culturally sensitive way.

Pray reconciliation between two Muslim Background Believers in our country. There is distrust and suspicion between them. While this is common among MBBs, we are asking God for wisdom and insight in the best way to mediate a peace that is glorifying to God.

Pray for the isolated MBBs in Saudi Arabia and Yemen. There are a number of believers that are not able to meet with anyone for fellowship, studying of His word and worship. Pray that the Holy Spirit would pour out abundant blessings on them.

TESTIMONY
"Isaaq" is a Muslim Background Believer who has been in our country almost 20 years. He came across to this land illegally being smuggled over in the bottom of a rickety boat. He came to faith about 15 years ago and has been a great witness among his people group as well as among
National Muslims he encounters in the workplace and socially.

Just recently he has met up with a young man his age that is from his exact area, about 10 km from his village. They speak the exact same dialect "Ajami" an unrecorded, spoken only language of about 250,000 people. Isaaq is thrilled to have someone from his area to spend time with however, his new friend "Honesty" doesn't know Jesus. He is opening up to the Gospel as he spends lots of time with Isaaq. Recently, Honesty's mother died in his home country. He was not able to go be with his father because of his visa restrictions. He was very upset to be missing this important family function, to show honor to his father. He said to Isaaq that it was God's care for him during this time.


* AP = Arabian Peninsula
+ MBB = Muslim Backround Believer
<>< <>< <>< <>< <><
Praying Thru the Arabian Peninsula
www.pray-ap.info
USA #: 800-376-5876 (Eastern Time)
Encouraging & equipping believers & churches everywhere to pray with a heart filled with the "Seed-of-Laughter" for heirs of the woman who found that "God-Sees-and-Hears-Me" so that biblical church planting movements will spread throughout the Arabian Peninsula and beyond for the Lord's glory.

====
To learn how you can support this & other work in the Middle East, visit:
http://www.srginc.org

Or write MertH.:
ptap@srginc.org

Or:
PTAP
c/o Strategic Resource Group
P.O. Box 1809
Easton, MD 21601
USA

The government of the country we love is seeking to curb the corruption that is often rife within the country. Those involved have been given until the end of the year to admit their involvement or else they will face he consequences after that. Corruption has been a growing problem with the gap between the rich and poor visibly widening over recent years.

Pray for justice in the country's financial affairs, and that the people would desire a God who combines justice with mercy.

"Throw out your bread on the waters, for after many days you will find it once more. ... Sow your seed in the morning, and at evening let your hands be diligent, for you do not know which will bear fruit, whether the early or the latter, or whether both will do equally well."
-- Ecclesiastes 11:1, 6

PRAISE:
Just this Saturday a worker met a young man who asked for a whole Bible because he had read the Injil (New Testament) a dozen times and wanted to know more. He also saw the Jesus video 10 or more times. He says he wants to talk with someone about Jesus from the Bible.

PETITION:
Pray for a worker's landlord "RAB", a local man with a keen sense of wit and good insight into local and international affairs. After several missed attempts to get together, they sat up late last weekend discussing life and the world's problems. He shared some fantastic, historical stories of campfire fellowship in the days of his youth in the early 1960’s. Pray that we would be able to have more of these 'fire-side chat' and that they would be more and more spiritually oriented.

Pray for the Arab Christian workers at the Asian Games in Doha this week. Pray that they would have opportunities to develop friendships with Arabian Peninsula Arabs.

Pray for the Saudi Arabian woman who has come to faith – she desires to be married and that the believers in her country would be bold and faithful in their witness for Him.

Pray for the various political initiatives going on in Bahrain, Kuwait and the UAE as the issue of voting, women in office and friendliness with the West is causing friction in the community.

Pray for the 'House of Prayer' that has been established in one country. Pray for funding to keep it going. Pray for the family taking care of this needed facility.

TESTIMONY:
"A while ago, I gave a young local man a copy of the Injil. He was very happy to receive it, said thank you a hundred times and went on his way. He was like others I had the privilege to give the word of God over the past dozen years. There is a common pattern: they inquire some with questions about Jesus, about how He can be the Son of God, about how can God have a son, and questioning the very integrity of the Bible by stating that is has been changed. After a while, they come back, asking to read the book again. Perhaps they take a Jesus video or DVD. Then they are gone, often times never to be seen again. However, this time I am happy to report that my young, local friend came back. He took a Jesus film. Then he came back again to take the whole Bible, not just the New Testament. And again, he came with more questions – but the right kind of questions, questions that let me think that he is coming close to wanting to walk with this Jesus he has met in the Scriptures.

"Please pray that the God of Heaven would grab hold of his heart!" (Luke 17:17) Pray also that others who have taken materials will have a renewed hunger for the word of God & fellowship with the saints.


* AP = Arabian Peninsula
+ MBB = Muslim Backround Believer
<>< <>< <>< <>< <><
Praying Thru the Arabian Peninsula
www.pray-ap.info
USA #: 800-376-5876 (Eastern Time)
Encouraging & equipping believers & churches everywhere to pray with a heart filled with the "Seed-of-Laughter" for heirs of the woman who found that "God-Sees-and-Hears-Me" so that biblical church planting movements will spread throughout the Arabian Peninsula and beyond for the Lord's glory.

On Friday, December 8, there will be a carol service at one of the churches for foreigners in the country we love. This is a time when people from many nationalities gather together for a time of singing traditional songs from their home countries. For many it is the only time in the year when they will enter a church building.

Pray that they will hear the message of Christmas and consider its place in their lives.

Arise Shine Morocco
Prayer Bulletin #74 (12/06)

asm@ariseshinemorocco.org <> www.ariseshinemorocco.org

NORTHEASTERN REGION:
Praise the Lord for two believers from the same family that have just been baptized. Please pray for their growth and testimony.

Please pray that the visit of a well-known ministry ship will have a big impact on this area in the next few weeks!

Thank the Lord for the completion of the Romans translation and for the many CD's and booklets produced. Pray it will prove to be a useful tool in the lives of believers and seekers in this region.


CENTRAL REGION:
Pray a family recently returned from a time away as they pick up the reigns of a new business. Pray the Lord will prosper the business so it can provide an income and a basis for residency for growing numbers.


WESTERN COASTAL REGION:
Please pray for an educational project in need of qualified teachers, administrators and support staff for the coming school year. Contact ASM for more information if you think you may be able to help with this need.

Pray for a large building project in need of funding for the next phase of construction and a company in need of the Lord's wisdom in caring for its people.


SOUTHCENTRAL REGION:
Thank God for a new Christian who is now reading the New Testament through for the second time. Pray that he will continue to read and will grow in his personal relationship with God, not just in head-knowledge. Pray his brother, who has rejected Islam and all belief, would be willing to consider Jesus.

Please pray for a brother who needs wisdom and courage regarding a new business project he is considering undertaking.


Lighthouse Church:
Pray that Christmas will be a joyous occasion that will strengthen the will of all to continue on the path of Jesus. Pray for many new converts.

Pray for a youth in the church who has taken on the responsibility for leading worship.

Pray for a believing family living near this city. Pray God will enable church members to visit them at least twice per month to encourage and disciple them.

Pray all will go well and without a problem for a sister expecting a baby in December.

Ask the Lord to minister healing to a sister who is ill.


SOUTHWESTERN REGION:
Pray for worker families experiencing health problems possibly due to environmental issues. Some people have developed breathing difficulties, asthma, and allergies since arriving. Pray for God's healing and protective hand, as well as wisdom and guidance to know what to do.

Please uphold families transitioning in business and work. One father needs to find a new job to provide for his family. Pray for God's provision and guidance. Pray for local believing families where the fathers are absent due to distant employment.

Intercede for a planned project that has encountered "red tape". Pray God will give those involved divine help to push it through for early 2007.


FAR SOUTH:
Pray for a family with a small child who may require some minor surgery. Pray for the child, for wisdom for the parents, and for God's provision in the situation.

Pray for a local brother who God has led to share with several others. Pray they will have ears to hear and hearts to receive the Good News.

Praise the Lord for continued growth and maturity in a local family and for frequent opportunities to shine the light.

She was saying to herself, "If I only touch His garment, I will get well." - "unclean" Woman in Matthew 9:21

PRAISE:
Four of the local Arab believers joined us for a special holiday meal and worship recently. It was an encouraging time to be together and see their joy. As we sat there and watched them, my team mates and I dreamt of the day that there would be rooms full of Arab National believers in houses all around the country!


PETITION:
A single worker in the Arabian Peninsula writes: ‘After a long time, “Rebecca” wants to get back into studying the Bible with me but we keep having problems meeting. Please pray that God would remove any obstacles and we would meet this week. Also, pray that she would encounter Jesus.

Pray for the Qataris working and competing in the Asian Games being held in Doha this week and next. Pray that they would encounter Christian athletes and workers who are in Doha during this time.

Pray that the religious police would be restricted in their persecution of the expatriate church in Saudi Arabia.

Pray for the National, Muslim Background Believer who is having difficulty in her new job. She leaves her home at 6 am on a city bus and returns home at 9 pm. She is exhausted at the end of the day but learning about the real work world and how God can care for her even in this difficult situation. Pray for maturity and growing faith.

Pray for the African believers in Aden and other parts of Yemen. Pray that they would be strengthened by good teaching and vibrant prayer in their fellowships.


TESTIMONY:
Standing in the hall with a group of students, we were chatting away about various subjects. We started talking about how smoking affects your health in so many negative ways. As I began to walk away, one student, “Emily” – a national, Muslim woman, followed me and said, “I smoke.” I said, “Well, it isn’t great for you, but it is your choice.” She replied, “Sometimes you actually want to harm yourself.” At that moment my heart really broke so I asked her to join me in my office.

In my office, she proceeded to tell me a number of issues of her painful past. “Emily” explained that she wants to escape by moving out of the country. Also, she described a number of ways that she temporarily escapes by cutting herself, letting guys use her, and partying. It was very painful to hear. If these details ever became public knowledge, it could ruin her reputation, her chances for marriage, and her parents could even disown her.

Despite all of this, there was a point during the conversation where she turned to me and said, “There is power coming out of you and I can feel it.” After recovering from my shock, I started to share with her about the person of Jesus. I assured her that the power she was seeing was His and not mine. I explained that His power was available to her as well. Looking at her face, I could see her longing for this type of Jesus but she struggled to truly believe it. Please pray that the power of Jesus would pierce through the hurt of “Emily’s” past and bring her peace.

* AP = Arabian Peninsula
+ MBB = Muslim Backround Believer
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Praying Thru the Arabian Peninsula
www.pray-ap.info
USA #: 800-376-5876 (Eastern Time)
Encouraging & equipping believers & churches everywhere to pray with a heart filled with the "Seed-of-Laughter" for heirs of the woman who found that "God-Sees-and-Hears-Me" so that biblical church planting movements will spread throughout the Arabian Peninsula and beyond for the Lord's glory.

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To learn how you can support this & other work in the Middle East, visit: http://www.srginc.org

Or write MertH.:
ptap@srginc.org

Or:
PTAP
c/o Strategic Resource Group
P.O. Box 1809
Easton, MD 21601
USA

Please be in prayer for a friend who has been unable to return to the Country we Love for over a year now. His inability to travel there has not stopped his work, but has lessened his opportunities to see first-hand what is happening on the ground as well as to use his trips for effective sharing. Please ask the Father to open the way for him to resume periodic trips into the country.

Thank the Lord for two new friends who will be joining our team for the next year. Ask the Lord to use this time to open their eyes to what He is doing in the Country we Love and to show them what their long-term future role might be, if this is His will for them.