Category Archives: Christian Faith

2023 – The True Story of Thanksgiving

Written by PASTOR DAVIS MATHIS @www.desiringGod.org

Come Thanksgiving Day each year, many of us give the nod to Pilgrims and Indians and talk of making ready for a harsh first winter in the New World.

But for the Christian, the deepest roots of our thanksgiving go back to the Old World, way back before the Pilgrims, to a story as old as creation, with a two-millennia-old climax. It’s a story that keeps going right on into the present and gives meaning to our little lives, even when we’re a half a globe removed from history’s ground zero at a place called Golgotha.

You could call it the true story of Thanksgiving — or you could call it the Christian Gospel viewed through the lens of that, often undervalued virtue, known as “gratitude.” It opens up a few biblical texts we otherwise may be prone to downplay. Here’s the true story of thanksgiving in four stages.

Created for Thanksgiving – God created humanity for gratitude. You exist to appreciate God.

First, God created humanity for gratitude. We exist to appreciate God. He created us to honor him by giving him thanks. Appreciating both who God is and his actions for us — in creating us and sustaining our lives — is fundamental to proper human life in God’s created world.

The apostle Paul gives us this glimpse of the place of appreciation in the created order as he describes in Romans 1 what’s gone wrong with the world:

”Although they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks to Him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened.”  Romans 1:21

Part of what the first man and woman were created to do was honor God by being thankful. And part of what we exist to do is honor God by being thankful — and thus the numerous biblical commands enjoining gratitude.  Humanity was created to appreciate God. But as we’ve already seen from Romans 1, ingratitude wasn’t far away.

Fallen from Thanksgiving – Our fall was, and has always been, that we aren’t satisfied in God and what He gives. We hunger for something more, something other.

Second, we all have failed miserably in appreciating God as we should. In her book on gratitude, Ann Voskamp gives memorable expression to the failure of the first man and woman — and the devil before them — to rightly experience and express gratitude.

From all of our beginnings, we keep reliving the Garden story. Satan, he wanted more. More power, more glory. Ultimately, in his essence, Satan is an ingrate. And he sinks his venom into the heart of Eden. Satan’s sin becomes the first sin of all humanity: the sin of ingratitude. Adam and Eve are, simply, painfully ungrateful for what God gave. Isn’t that the catalyst of all my sin?

Satan the ingrate spawns thanklessness in Adam and Eve, who pass it along to all of us. Both before our conversion and after, we are thankless people. This is so painfully true.  And we not only fail to be thankful like we ought, but we also fail to get the balance right between physical and spiritual. Two obstacles often stand in our way to God-exalting gratitude. You could call them “hyper-spirituality” and “hyper-physicality.”  Perhaps hyper-physicality is all too well known in 21st-century Western society at large. Materialists are so unaware of spiritual reality that even when there is gratitude for the physical, the spiritual is neglected, if not outright rejected. We can be thankful for the temporal, even while we couldn’t care less about the eternal.

But hyper-spirituality is often particularly dangerous among the so-called “spiritual” types, even in the church. We can be prone to mute God’s physical goodness to us out of fear that appreciation for such would somehow detract from our thanksgiving for spiritual blessings. In our sin, we fail again and again to get the proportions right. Only with divine redemption are we able to grow toward a balance that goes something like this: Christians are thankful for all God’s gifts, especially his eternal gifts, and especially the surpassing value of knowing his Son (Philippians 3:8), the Spirit-become-physical.

Redeemed by Thanksgiving

Third, God himself, in the person of his Son, Jesus, entered into our thankless world, lived in flawless appreciation of His Father, and died on our behalf for our chronic ingratitude. It is Jesus, the God-man, who has manifested the perfect life of thankfulness. If you’ve ever tracked the texts where Jesus gives his Father thanks, you’ll know it’s quite an impressive list.

Matthew 11:25 [also Luke 10:21]: “At that time [note the context of unrepentant and thankless “cities where most of His mighty works had been done,” verse 20] Jesus declared, ‘I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will.’”

John 11:41: “ . . . they took away the stone. And Jesus lifted up His eyes and said, ‘Father, I thank you that you have heard Me.’” [Jesus then raises Lazarus from the dead.]

Matthew 15:36 [also Mark 8:6]: Jesus “took the seven loaves and the fish, and having given thanks He broke them and gave them to the disciples . . . ” [See also John 6:11 and John 6:23 which refer to the location as “the place where they had eaten the bread after the Lord had given thanks.”]

Luke 22:17–20 [also Matthew 26:27 and Mark 14:23]: “He took a cup, and when He had given thanks He said, ‘Take this, and divide it among yourselves. For I tell you that from now on I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.’ And He took bread, and when he had given thanks, He broke it and gave it to them, saying, ‘This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.’ And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, ‘This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood.’” [And so following Jesus’s pattern, Paul in Acts 27:35 “took bread, and giving thanks to God in the presence of all He broke it . . . ”]

  1. Corinthians 11:23–24: Our “Lord Jesus on the night when He was betrayed took bread, and when He had given thanks, He broke it . . . ”

Jesus is not only God himself but also the quintessentially thankful human. The God-man not only died to forgive our failures in giving God the thanks He’s due, but also lived the perfect life of appreciation on our behalf toward his Father.

Freed for Thanksgiving – Christians are thankful for all God’s gifts, especially for His eternal gifts.

Finally, by faith in Jesus, we are redeemed from ingratitude and its just eternal penalty in hell, and freed to enjoy the pleasure of being doubly thankful for God’s favor toward us — not only as his creatures, but also as his redeemed.

It is fitting for a creature to be in a continuous posture of gratitude toward his Creator. And it is even more fitting for a redeemed rebel to be in an ongoing posture of gratitude toward his Redeemer. The kind of life that flows from such amazing grace is the life of continual thankfulness. This is the kind of life in which the born-again Christian is being continually renewed, progressively being made more like Jesus.

The apostle Paul thus encourages Christians to have lives characterized by thanksgiving.

Colossians 1:11–12: May you be “strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy, giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light.”

Colossians 2:6–7: “as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.”

Colossians 3:15–17:“And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.”

Ephesians 5:20: “ . . . giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

  1. Thessalonians 5:18: “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”

Only in Jesus, are we able to become the kind of persistently thankful people God created us to be and fulfill the human destiny of thanksgiving. For the Christian, with both feet standing firmly in the Good News of Jesus, there are possibilities for a true Thanksgiving which we otherwise would never know.

FROM STEVE AND R.K.’s CORNER

This article by Pastor David Mathis was published in the 2019 Thanksgiving issue of The Bridge Report.  The reason was, I had for some time been reflecting on the alarmingly shifting negative tone in the discourse between people in our public square. The right to free speech was being used as an excuse to engage in personal attacks on others with different points of view. Restraints had been cast off in the back and forth dialogues, especially in social media, which has become the virtual reality by which many measure their lives and values, resulting in divided families, broken friendships, destroyed reputation and livelihoods.

Realizing the focus of this article, Thanksgiving, a concept almost forgotten, is far more relevant to the growing intensity of our culture war today than then, I decided to reprint the total article.  Those of us who belong to Jesus Christ are the counter culture, and as such, should demonstrate a different attitude. Let us pause in the midst of our busy lives, meditate on these Scriptures as we count our blessings, and openly give thanks to God for all His marvelous gifts… even life itself!

Would you consider, as an act of Thanksgiving, sending an extra gift toward our Harvesters abroad who labor to bring His Love and Light to those who have not yet heard the Good News!

Support for Persecuted Christians — Overview of Bishop of Truro’s Independent Review for the Foreign Secretary of FCO

FROM R.K.’S CORNER:  In 1983, The Bridge was born during one of my visits behind the Iron Curtain while providing suffering Christians, persecuted under the oppressive atheist regime of the Soviet Union, with Bibles and other resources.  Intercession and prayers for the persecuted Church throughout the world has therefore always been at the core of our ministry, especially as most of our Bridge Partners live and serve in nations hostile to the Christian faith.

Governments in Western Europe and the Unites States have traditionally been on the forefront in supporting liberty and freedom of expression of faith.  However, in later years as the wave of secularism and cultural pluralism have greatly increased, the voice of the suffering church has been silenced, both by governing authorities and most church leaders in the West.  However, change is happening!  On Monday, Sep. 23, during the week of the annual United Nations General Assembly, President Trump will be hosting and speaking at the Global Call to Protect Religious Freedom.  The U.S. Administration is taken a stand on behalf of those persecuted for their faith.

Earlier this year, in an effort to inform governments and the general public about the alarming increase in religious oppression, especially among Christians, a comprehensive Independent Review of current Persecution of Christians worldwide, done under the leadership of Bishop of Truro in London, was presented to the Foreign Secretary of The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) in England.

Due to limited space on this website, I have published only a brief overview of the Report.  In its entirety, it is a great resource for you, your church leaders, and prayer groups. Please download the .pdf file of the Report from this link, read it, and distribute it to others, and— PLEASE PRAY:

https://christianpersecutionreview.org.uk/interim-report/

OVERVIEW — THE SCALE OF RELIGIOUS PERSECUTION

Persecution on grounds of religious faith is a global phenomenon which is growing in scale and intensity. Reports including that of the United Nations (UN) Special Rapporteur on ‘Freedom of Religion and Belief’ (FoRB) suggest that religious persecution is on the rise, and it is an “ever-growing threat” to societies around the world. Though it is impossible to know the exact numbers of people persecuted for their faith, based on reports from different NGOs, it is estimated that one third of the world’s population suffers from religious persecution in some form, with Christians being the most persecuted group.   This despite the fact that freedom of religion and belief is a fundamental right of every person. This includes the freedom to change or reject one’s own belief system.

The UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) in Article 18 defines religious human rights in this way: “Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience, and religion; this right includes freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship, and observance.” (The Universal Declaration of Human Rights)

Despite the fact that the UDHR is foundational to the UN Charter which is binding on member states, and that ‘the denial of religious liberty is almost everywhere viewed as morally and legally invalid’, in today’s world, religious freedom is far from being an existential reality.  The Review Terms of Reference called for ‘persecution and other discriminatory treatment’ to be researched.

In the absence of an agreed academic definition of ‘persecution’ the Review has proceeded on the understanding that persecution is discriminatory treatment where that treatment is accompanied by actual or perceived threats of violence or other forced coercion. 

Why a focus on Christian persecution? The Report argues that a focus on Christian persecution must not be to the detriment of other minorities, but rather helping and supporting them. However, research consistently indicates that Christians are “the most widely targeted religious community”. Furthermore, the evidence suggests that acts of violence and other intimidation against Christians are becoming more widespread. The reporting period revealed an increase in the severity of anti-Christian persecution. In parts of the Middle East and Africa, the “vast scale” of the violence and its perpetrators’ declared intent to eradicate the Christian community has led to several Parliamentary declarations in recent years that the faith group has suffered genocides according to the definition adopted by the UN. Against this backdrop, academics, journalists and religious leaders (both Christian and non-Christian) have stated that, as Cambridge University Press puts it, the global persecution of Christians is “an urgent human rights issue that remains underreported”. An op-ed piece in the Washington Post stated: “Persecution of Christians continues… but it rarely gets much attention in the Western media. Even many churchmen in the West turn a blind eye.” Journalist John L Allen wrote in The Spectator: “The global war on Christians remains the greatest story never told of the early 21st century.”

There is widespread evidence showing that “today, Christians constitute by far the most widely persecuted religion.” Finding once again that Christianity is the most persecuted religion in the world, the Pew Research Center concluded that in 2016 Christians were targeted in 144 countries – a rise from 125 in 2015. According to Pew Research, “Christians have been harassed in more countries than any other religious group and have suffered harassment in many of the heavily Muslim countries of the Middle East and North Africa.” Reporting “a shocking increase in the persecution of Christians globally”,  Christian persecution NGO Open Doors (OD) revealed in its 2019 World Watch List Report on anti-Christian oppression that “approximately 245 million Christians living in the top 50 countries suffer high levels of persecution or worse”, 30 million up on the previous 23 year.

Open Doors stated that within five years the number of countries classified as having “extreme” persecution had risen from one (North Korea) to 11. Both OD and Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) have highlighted the increasing threat from “aggressive nationalism” or “ultra-nationalism” in countries such as China and India – growing world powers – as well as from Islamist militia groups. According to Persecution Relief, 736 attacks were recorded in India in 2017, up from 348 in 2016.  With reports in China showing an upsurge of persecution against Christians, between 2014 and 2016, government authorities in Zheijiang Province targeted up to 2,000 churches, which were either partially or completely destroyed or had their crosses removed.  

The Report shows not only the geographic spread of anti-Christian persecution, but also its increasing severity. In some regions, the level and nature of persecution is arguably coming close to meeting the international definition of genocide, according to that adopted by the UN. The eradication of Christians and other minorities on pain of “the sword” or other violent means was revealed to be the specific and stated objective of extremist groups in Syria, Iraq, Egypt, north-east Nigeria and the Philippines.  An intent to erase all evidence of the Christian presence was made plain by the removal of crosses, the destruction of Church buildings and other Church symbols. The killing and abduction of clergy represented a direct attack on the Church’s structure and leadership. Where these and other incidents meet the tests of genocide, governments will be required to bring perpetrators to justice, aid victims and take future preventative measures.  The main impact of such genocidal acts against Christians is exodus.

Christianity now faces the possibility of being wiped-out in parts of the Middle East where its roots go back furthest. In Palestine, Christian numbers are below 1.5 percent; in Syria the Christian population has declined from 1.7 million in 2011 to below 450,000; in Iraq, Christian numbers have slumped from 1.5 million before 2003 to below 120,000 today. Christianity is at risk of disappearing, representing a massive setback for religious plurality in the region. 

In its 2017 ‘Persecuted and Forgotten?’ report on Christian persecution, ACN stated: “In terms of the number of people involved, the gravity of the crimes committed and their impact, it is clear that the persecution of Christians is today worse than at any time in history.”

Given the scale of persecution, the response of the media and western Governments has come under increasing criticism. Former Chief Rabbi Jonathan Sacks told the House of Lords: “The persecution of Christians throughout much of the Middle East, sub-Saharan Africa and Asia, [and] elsewhere is one of the crimes against humanity of our time and I’m appalled at the lack of protest it has evoked”. This echoes the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Fouad Twal: “Does anybody here hear our cry? How many atrocities must we endure before someone comes to our aid?”

Due to the scale of persecution of Christians today, indications that it is getting worse and that its impact involves the decimation of some of the faith group’s oldest and most enduring communities, the need for governments to give increasing priority and specific targeted support to this faith community is not only necessary, but urgent.

South Asia

There the growth of militant nationalism has been the key driver of Christian persecution. The existence of Anti Conversion Laws,  Blasphemy Laws,  and International NGO  Registration Limitations  are key factors in the suppression of  the Christian faith.

Sub-Sahara Africa

While the 2014-19 period saw government crackdowns on Christians, notably in Eritrea, the most widespread and violent threat came from societal groups, including many with a militant Islamist agenda – the most serious being Boko Haram in Nigeria, where direct targeting of Christian believers on a comprehensive scale set out to “eliminate Christianity and pave the way for the total Islamization of the country”.

East Asia

The extensive persecution is driven both by the authoritarian actions of governments influenced by communist and nationalist outlooks and by Islamic militancy found both within the state and within civil society. Ideologies which aim to ensure complete control, turning the ‘other’ into deviants are prevalent, causing high levels of persecution.

Central Asia

The situation is bleak as governments and authorities have further enforced a widespread crackdown on churches and Christian activities. Protestant, Evangelical and Pentecostal Christians are more likely to be persecuted than Catholics and Orthodox Christians.

Latin America

The main drivers of persecution in Latin America are a combination of illegal organizations, state authorities and rival human rights claims by indigenous groups, especially in  Mexico and Colombia, as well as state-sponsored persecution in Cuba and Venezuela.Please save and print this image, keep it for you to pray and give it to others to intercede.

 

Update on Steve’s Health & Glimpses from the Mission Field

Dear Friends and Partners,

In most countries in the world, July is the main vacation month.  I trust you are taking a break from your daily routine and enjoying rest, and relaxing with your loved ones. We are doing the same, thus decided to send you an abbreviated version of  this month’s Bridge Report.

In a personal note, allow me to express a heartfelt, resounding THANK YOU to all of you who responded with prayers and intercession to the news in the March issue where I shared about my husband, Steve’s, seven year battle with aggressive prostate cancer.                        https://www.bridgeinternational.org/2019/03/           

In mid-March, Steve’s oncologist expressed that he thought Steve had only two more weeks to live; he was that close to death’s door. We were preparing for him to meet the Lord. Then, shortly after, most remarkably, Steve began to improve significantly, so much so that presently, he is almost back to normal life! We know that the main reason for his recovery, are the prayers for Steve by God’s people!  We rejoice—God has still more days for him to live on this earth!  Thanks, again, to you all!

In the midst of our personal trials, The Bridge is still here, continuing to serve our field partners in the various nations who faithfully keep laboring to fulfill the Great Commission in Matthew 28!

Summer is a slower month in receiving contributions.  Would you consider blessing the missionary or project of your choice, by sending a special summer donation?  Enjoy your summer, and find your place of rest!

Hebrews 4:9-11a:  “There remains therefore a rest for the people of God. For he who has entered His rest has himself also ceased from his works as God did from His.  Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest.”

GLIMPSES FROM THE MISSION FIELDYermek, a couple of decades ago decided to obey the Great Commission in Matthew 28 – to bring the Gospel to his own people in Kazakhstan!  – Here he is seen with some of the young Kazakh believers who are now followers of ISAH – JESUS!

One of our partners, a young Afghan believer in a Muslim country in Central Asia, is heading an International Fellowship of University students.  Many of these young people, coming from various countries and world religions, have come to faith in Jesus Christ. through our Afghan friend.  Here, he is introducing the Christian faith and teaching the new believers basic, Biblical truth. 
Matthew preaching to his congregation, Elohim Shalom, in their beautiful, newly completed church building in Juba, South Sudan, thanks to the financial contribution of our faithful Bridge partners.  Robert and Sandrina live and serve the Lord in the Muslim section of Sarajevo, Bosnia.  During a recent visit to the States, they decided to come and spend a couple of days with Steve and myself in our home in South Florida.  We thank God for close to three decades of friendship and partnership in reaching the Balkans for Christ!Sargon keeps expanding the number of fellowships of believers among the Iranian people in Turkey.  In spite of hardship and persecution, many young people are open to the Gospel and are coming to faith, also within the country of Iran.

 

North Africa — Digging the Wells through Prayer Walk Intercession

FROM R.K.’S CORNER

Intercession through prayer walking is a familiar concept in our Bridge ministry  During The Bridge’s pioneer stage in the eighties and nineties, when regions where there today are thriving churches, were completely closed to the Gospel, we would initially clandestinely send in prayer teams to strategically water the land with their fervent prayer and tears while entreating the Holy Spirit to visit the land!  The fruit was always remarkable.  When the evangelism team later would arrive, they were stunned at people’s openness to receiving Jesus Christ — especially among those who had never heard!  Prayer and intercession are at the foundation of planting dynamic churches!

Two couples, dear American friends of ours – one living in the States, the other in Europe, each with an international ministry – carry the mutual burden to see the Muslim dominated nations of North Africa again embrace faith in Christ. They joined forces more than a decade ago, whereby they travel together, or with teams, throughout North Africa, blanketing the region with strategic intercession, and ministry, to the underground churches.  For security reasons, I withhold  their identities here.

The couple who lives in the States, visited us a few weeks ago. The husband shared from their most recent trip, how they experienced physical manifestations in nature as a clear response from the Lord to their prayers.  We trust this report will edify you and strengthen your faith!

PRAYER WALK INTERCESSION IN NORTH AFRICA – by an Intercessor 

It all started in Rome ten years ago. Six teams had been involved in what we called “the North African Initiative”, which involved groups of people praying in Morocco, Tunisia, Libya, Egypt and Israel.  At the time we couldn’t get into Algeria but the team from Egypt was able to interface with a few doctors who were getting ready to go in there.  Our goals were to pray at an historic Christian site, pray at a government site, pray on the Mediterranean and then fly to Rome for a time to share, pray together and see what the next steps should be.  The theme or goal of this trip was to “DIG THE WELLS AGAIN”.  There had been so much Christian influence in these areas until the wells were stopped-up and the message of Christ buried.  Our praying would be part of the digging and replanting of God’s word in these areas.

We had all been convinced that we should go to Egypt the following year and call the dominance of Islam back across North Africa the way it had swept in.  However, the Arab Spring happened within a few months and we had not been able to follow through with this until 9 years later. Meanwhile we held true to our vision and went into Morocco once a year to pray and encourage the underground church and ministries that were there – many had labored there for years, doing their work quietly and faithfully.

In 2018, we felt the Lord would have us double our investment, so we went in twice.  This time we were able to split our time between Morocco and Egypt.  In Casablanca there is a huge mosque that is built half on land and half in the ocean.  The prophetic significance of this is a visual statement that Islam will go from there, cross the ocean, and take over the West.  It was initiated in 1993 by the father of the present king of Morocco. The problem now, is that the mosque has begun to sink, so it is actually closed.  We found it to be a very interesting dynamic.  

After praying there, we flew to Cairo to pray in Egypt for the domination of Islam to be drawn back from across North Africa and return to  where it originated. The Muslims believed that their prayers at this mosque would advance Islam toward the West, but we prayed for it to go back East! 

We had a strategy for where and how to pray in Cairo, after which we would go to the Mediterranean Sea at Alexandria, Egypt, and finally to the Red Sea.  We had planned go by train across Egypt, but the people who were hosting us in Cairo cut a deal with us that played into the overall work of God quite well.  Man makes a plan but God guides his steps!  They offered to drive us to our appointed places of prayer and join forces with our team IF we would minister at three planned meetings they would be conducting during our stay.  (Three former pastors can rarely turn down opportunities to minister!)  It was truly a blessing to have our national hosts guide us, as it not only made the travel easier but the prayers were definitely more solid.  At these agreed-to-meetings we were all encouraged and quite surprised.  The presence of the Holy Spirit was so thick, and the people were so attentive and hungry for everything we had to share!  If we had traveled this far for those meetings alone it would have been enough but, as usual, God had other surprises in store for us.

Two of us had to leave early, but our other friend stayed on and attended yet more meetings.  As I was  sitting on the plane, reflecting on all the intercession and those amazing meetings, I started having a little conversation in my head with God which went something like this:          “So, you liked those meetings?”  “Yes I did.  They were great.  Thank You for that wonderful surprise.”  “Well,” He continued, “the meetings were great because You obeyed Me and accomplished what I told you to do.  But, if you think the meetings were good, they didn’t compare to the effects of your obedience in prayer for these nations, which  I also assigned for you to do.”

I mused on that and realized that often we don’t comprehend the power of prayer or the pleasure God receives when we’re obedient TO pray!  We think dynamic meetings are the sign that He is at work and being pleased, and while we don’t want to diminish wonderful times of fellowship, there is so much more happening behind the scenes that prayer is affecting!

Meanwhile back in Cairo, the Lord was speaking to our friends through His creation because that morning it started to rain and continued to rain hard.  There were three odd things about this:   #1 — There wasn’t a cloud in the sky; only sunshine and blue sky.  #2 — It doesn’t rain this time of year.  #3 — The wind started to blow from the Northwest which was another oddity.  The people who live there exclaimed to our friend that they had never seen anything like this before.  “We live in the desert and it doesn’t rain like this especially when the sun is shining!   Plus, it only rains in the spring—and this is winter.  We get our water from the Nile–not from rain.  Also, the wind comes from the Southeast and rarely, if ever, from the Northwest!” 

It was time to inquire of the Lord and find out what He was saying through His creation.  This is what the Spirit made clear to all of us:  #1 — The sun shining is My face turned toward North Africa.  #2 — The rain is bringing My blessings and I will fill the wells of salvation, again.  #3 — The wind is blowing in the direction of your flight, back across North Africa where I will draw back the dominion of Islam.

Praise the Lord for His love!  Praise the Lord for His mercies and blessings!  Praise the Lord for using people to pray His love, mercies and blessings onto the earth for His glory and purposes.  Never underestimate the power of your prayers, for God is at work through them!  Amen and Amen!

An Update on my Husband Steven’s Health – a Personal Message from R.K.

Dear Brothers and Sisters, Friends, and Partners,

As I was preparing for the publishing of the March Bridge Report — an exciting story from Sargon’s ministry to the Turkish and Iranian peoples — I was reminded that I ought to share another story with you, this time from our family, which is of more personal nature.   The pre-planned article will therefore be postponed till next month, as my current time commitment on the home front prevents me from giving it my best, right now.

My husband Steve’s journey with prostate cancer began this month, seven years ago. At the beginning of March, 2012, he was diagnosed with very aggressive prostate cancer, needing immediate surgery. Without intervention (spiritual or medical) we were told his survival prognoses was grim: he might only live a few months.

Evangelizing is Steve’s Hallmark. Here he is Sharing his Faith with the Travel Team Leader in Alaska

In the April, 2012 issue of The Bridge Report, I shared the details of that ordeal for prayer and praise:

https://www.bridgeinternational.org/pdf/april2012.pdf

The surgery took place, and the surgeon rejoiced with us that it was successful—the cancer was contained in the organ, the cancer indication in the blood (PSA) went to zero; no further treatment of chemo therapy or radiation necessary. Once again, we were so grateful that Steve’s life had been spared.

Giving an Account for the Hope Within – on a Caribbean Cruise

Fast forward three years. Unexpectedly, the PSA began rising, indicating that cancer cells were indeed alive and on a destructive move in Steve’s body.  Scans showed nothing; nevertheless, in 2015, he decided to undergo 37 radiation treatments in the area where the doctors assumed the growth was located.  It was a hit and miss.  During the next three years, although the PSA kept gradually rising, even the newest and most sophisticated body scans could not detect any bone lesions at all.  The doctors were baffled, and his Oncologist in Miami called it “bizarre”.

Steve is a Passionately Giver to the Gospel Overseas – here with Dawa from the Himalayas.

A gene test showed that Steve’s type of cancer was based on a deviant gene. He agreed to be included in a country wide, three year clinical trial whereby 1060 men were enlisted in 60 locations to test a new medicine that might be a cure for this rare form of prostate cancer. Another scan was made to determine the cancer baseline. Again, no cancer was detected, which disqualified Steve from the trial, but the PSA was by now off the chart — between 1,500 and up; it should have been between zero and one! His Radiologist commented, “I have never seen such a high PSA without detecting any cancer cells anywhere in his body.”

Steve is Always Sharing what he has with Others – here Giving his Favorite Ax to Joes Sellars, Missionary to Germany

We were deeply grateful to God for His intervention, realizing that, once again, He had indeed moved the dial forward on the number of days He has allotted to Steve on this earth!

Then, the real surprise came.   In February, a routine checkup detected that the prostate cancer in Steve’s body had alluded the normal spreading into the bones; it had metastasized undetected  into soft tissue.  His abdomen is now peppered with cancer cells which are attacking the various organs from the outside—in.  It is causing fluid retention which was removed a couple of times. Seven years ago, the doctors who then gave him just a few months to live, are now predicting 3-6 months of life, tops!  As nothing humanly or medically can stop the advance of this deadly disease.  At this time, Steve is up and around.  Visitors are always welcome.

Sharing Words of Wisdom with a Young Mind

The doctors’ prediction was wrong before, they may be wrong, again. However, This is the situation at the moment… both Steve and I sense that the Lord will be calling him home soon.  In the midst of the ups and down on the difficult journey of terminal illness, the  anticipation of meeting Him in Glory in Eternity, gives us both that supernatural Peace that passes all understanding (Phil 4:7).  It is well with our soul.

The quote from the 2012 report  is as true now as it was then:

In Rehab – Encouraging one of the Helpers

“Steve is asking that your prayers be directed towards his hearing, trusting, obeying, and waiting on God. He  is not upset, bitter, angry, sad, worried, aggravated, or fearful, but enveloped in the peace of God, waiting on Him! Steve’s deepest desire in this is to glorify God and hear Him say, ‘well done, good and faithful servant.’”