I had a great week listening to the New Testament on CD as an unexpected opportunity for an oil change arose. The next morning I put in ~3 solid hours of grass cutting and weed pulling in the Prayer Garden and am only now beginning to feel my legs again. FWIW, I'll hit 40 in early November but, wow, I'm starting to feel more than twice that <g>.

I do my best to avoid "politics" as best I can; however, this article about John Kerry needs to be brought to the attention of as many people as possible:
Kerry: People born homosexual, Constitution protects same-sex couples

When I read the article about "Second-guessers: 'We told you so.' " I felt that all was right with the world :-)

One of the sources I use to pray for lost people during the Islamic month of Ramadan sent an updated notice about changes in their site, and I thought you'd like to hear about it, too!

"Dear praying friends:

Blessings to you this Easter season when we remember with great thanks-giving the cross of our Lord Jesus. It was a pleasure to be able to lead several to his ever powerful cross in a recent trip to the Middle East in March.

The dates for Ramadan 2004 are 15 October - 13 November. For those who are advertising this, I have put the 2004 Table of Contents and Cover photo on the web at: http://www.30-days.net/content/archive4.htm

You can link to that or use it whatever way you want.

Also new on our site is a 'Short history of Islam'. You can find that beginning at: http://www.30-days.net/islam/islam.htm "

Matthew 24:14

* Be sure to sign up for the Wednesday Weekly.

+ Last week Shirin and some co-workers planned to go to the Lazarus Home for Girls in Bethany for an afternoon of games and painting, so you prayed with them for opportunities to share God's message with the girls and house mothers... Shirin thanks you for your prayers as she said they could sense the Lord's presences as they painted, played games and read Scripture. Even though it seems like they leave such a big mess for the house mothers to clean up at the end of their time, house mothers are still eager to join in all the activities.

+ You prayed for a ladies Bible Study in the Old City that would help new believers learn more about God's love for them... they had a small group, so that allowed each woman to share what God is doing in her life. Their testimonies were such an encouragement to Shirin as she heard how God was alive and active in calling them to himself. She says their prayer time was heavenly as the ladies really opened up their hearts to the Father.

+ You joined us in giving thanks for the way God meets our needs... I love VBS and get to participate in one while we're on Stateside Assignment (STAS). That is wonderful : -)

+ A co-worker returned from vacation last week, and you prayed him in safely.

+ You prayed with me that a like-minded believer and I would have a fruitful opportunity to review a book on church planting movements, especially to see how it could be applied in our situations... well, unfortunately, we missed our time together due to an apparent misunderstanding. Those things happen : -(

<T H I S  W E E K><

<>< I'm planning on going with a co-worker to see a craftsman about making personalized olive wood refrigerator magnets 'advertising' the Prayer Center and could use some intercession to make sure all is understood and, more importantly, that God's message of repentance, forgiveness, and reconciliation be communicated clearly.

<>< Pray with us that Jasmine's Easter experience at the Garden Tomb be a time of fond remembrance, one in which she can one day look back with clear understanding.

<>< May we take advantage of each opportunity this week to tell of the Hope within us because of Easter.

>< Pray for the Bai people. >

CALENDAR UPDATES

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31, Ask God to bless you, our intercessors

* I know He did : -)

1, Pray that we be His faithful followers.

* How good it felt to accomplish that which He set before us today : -)

2, Muslims to meet Jesus while at the mosque

* I heard the call to prayer and remembered your willingness to pray; unfortunately, I didn't hear of anyone meeting Jesus while at the mosque. Your prayers, however, are not in vain!

3, Jewish settlers to know Jesus

* As I worked in the Prayer Garden and saw the orthodox community across the street, I was reminded of your intercession! How great it will be to see fruit from that neighborhood!

4, church members to follow Jesus

* More and more do we see Christian back ground believers reflect His nature. Thank you for praying!

5, safe food

* Grocery shopping was a bit difficult today as one of the stores we frequent covered up yeast products on account of Passover; consequently, fewer cookies and less bread were bought <g>.

6, family health

* Shirin and I are fairly healthy with the exception of seasonal allergies, and Jasmine's recent dosage of extra iron has restored her complexion but, oddly enough, seems to deprive her of her usual boundless energy.