Last week I inquired about a short-term cell phone need and discovered www.tracfone.com to be full of information, including the opportunity to, uh, be referred by a friend so my friend gets $30 free airtime and so would I :-) Any takers? Let me know if this is a possibility since the 'fine print' says: "Your friend has 30 days to purchase and activate a TracFone from the day you send this e-mail." Since we won't be in the US until June, we could wait until late May <g>

At the end of this page is a review of a book written by a friend, and I hope you find both the review and the book of keen interest!

Another friend sent this link, giving a great description of the difference between "religion or Christ." I hope you find it as encouraging and challenging as I did! [Thanks, Bernie!]

I had opportunity this week to meet the author of a great book that needs to be read by every follower of Jesus. Be sure to visit the web site for more information. 

There was a bit of irony in a news article this week that told of "Dawn of the Dead" bumping "The Passion" from the #1 box office slot. Hmm, could it be that Keith Green's song "Asleep in the Light" has a connection?

Matthew 24:14

* Be sure to sign up for the Wednesday Weekly.

+ You prayed for Jasmine's complete health to be restored... it's been slow, but it's been steady. Having such a contented, happy little girl, however, makes it difficult to know if and when she's sick.

+ You joined us in asking God to see more of the potential of the International Prayer Center of Jerusalem fulfilled... Shirin, Jasmine, and I had a great Saturday "after school" time in the Prayer Garden making a dent in the area around the Judea wall (see the www.prayer-center.org site for the specific location <g>). Jasmine came away saying what a great time she had "praying to God while (she) was raking." Wow : -)

+ You prayed that Shirin's time with the orphanage would be encouraging to those in need... Thank you for praying. Shirin was able to take a volunteer who is a baker to the bakery that the orphanage is planning to open soon. The volunteer was impressed with all the modern machinery and offered future assistance when the bakery opens to the public.

<T H I S  W E E K><

<>< We forgot to mention last week's dental appointments to replace fillings; however, we have at least two more visits in the coming few weeks and would appreciate your intercession for healthy mouths that will proclaim His message to our dentist.

<>< Something inside of me tells me that Friday is going to be a difficult day for the peoples of this land, so please join us in asking for His grace and mercy to be prevalent.

<>< Join us in praying that various administrative tasks will bring glory to Jesus.

<>< Pray for Shirin as she begins her annual check-up in preparation for time in the US. May she be found healthy.

<>< Jasmine will be two months shy of being a 5-year-old, so pray that her mom and I take advantage of these precious days with her.

<>< In light of the current political situation please pray with Shirin and a co-worker to be able to go to the Lazarus Home for Girls in Bethany on Friday for a day of games and painting.

>< Pray for the Tunisian Arabs. >

CALENDAR UPDATES

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17, May we share His forgiveness.

* I was able to share my testimony with Jasmine, and she can almost tell it back to me. Did I also mention that she has the "Roman Road" down to near perfection? Once He speaks to her heart, she'll have the knowledge to put them together : -)

18, May God use Jasmine to share with local children

* She's been having a tough time keeping up with her eraser, and her classmates have been helping her. When I came to pick her up from school, her friends thought I'd be upset that she'd lost her eraser again; however, I believe my eye-to-eye smiles with her told her friends something else.

19, Ask that our marriage grow sweeter.

* We're beginning to reflect similar thoughts and often say "I was thinking just the same thing."

20, Pray for laborers to share in settlements.

* We drove through a settlement on the way home and to drop off some mail when I remembered you were praying with us : -) Thank you!

21, To see a new follower be born today

* We saw planted seeds appear to give indication of 'something,' so that's somewhat encouraging : -)

22, Jasmine’s ongoing safety

* You're making a great difference, and we thank you : -)

23, Hanni’s salvation

* I hear his truck start early in the morning and am reminded of your intercession. Thank you : -)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 2004

Um Daoud

UmDaoud2004@yahoo.com

Lust Under the Veil by Um Daoud

ISBN: 1591606543

Published by Xulon Press

Paperback; 352 pages

Lust Under the Veil is a new fiction work by writer Um Daoud, who has lived and worked among Muslims for over 15 years. Lust Under the Veil presents in story form a realistic view of the struggles Muslims face in confronting the Truth of Christ. Always concerned about the misperceptions of Westerners towards Muslims, Um Daoud felt even more compelled to get her work into the hands of readers following the events of 9/11 and the continuing war on terror.

The story is about a young woman named Emira, who is looking for a way of escape from the secluded life she leads as the only daughter of a Muslim sheik. When her father takes a second wife and her mother has a breakdown, Emira is sent to the hospital to be by her side. Will her salvation come while she makes the daily trip to the hospital? Desperate, Emira searches the eyes of the first person she sees on the outside—the taxi driver. Emira could never have imagined the events that would follow this first encounter. Freedom does come but not in the way that Emira planned.

Lust Under the Veil will be of special value to Christians around the world, as it presents not only the pressures Muslims face in coming to Christ, but also how they can face these pressures, accept Christ, and still stay in their own environment. In reality, it shares a church planting model that is proving more and more effective in the Muslim world. Because it comes in an easy-to-read story style, Christians will also be able to share the book with Muslim friends. The title may grab their attention, but the content can change their lives. For those specifically working among Muslims, be on the lookout for the book in Arabic in the future.

Lust Under the Veil serves to complement and enrich what is already written in the way of nonfiction on the subject of Muslims and Islam. Reading this book will encourage Christians to move past the stereotypes and see individuals in the Muslim world and in their own neighborhood.