Multicultural Camp

Our annual Multicultural Camp is coming up in just a few short weeks, and we couldn't be more excited. After a lot of prayer, preparation, and hunting kids down for camp applications, we're pretty much set to go! We currently have 115 campers (ages 10-18) coming, and will potentially have a few more we're waiting on. These campers are from the apartments we live and do ministry in. The theme of camp this year is "Can't Quit." Joe, our team members, and the camp counselors will be talking to the students about relevant issues they deal with in today's society, as well as presenting the gospel with an urgency to them. These campers are either currently being discipled, were once discipled and have fallen away, or are new connections we have made this past year. Please be praying for minimal distractions, for all of the leaders to be guided by the Holy Spirit as they listen to and pray over their campers, and most importantly, for students to respond to the gospel either by making a first time commitment to Christ or recommitting their lives! Also, pray with our team that we will be led to potential first generation disciples who are leaders in their friend group to start disciple making movements here in our apartments!

Taw Reh, our new brother

Joe recently has been able to lead Taw Reh to Christ. Taw Reh has a hard life as his wife passed away and he is left to take care of his daughter who is mentally handicap. Well, their relationship started with Joe stepping in to help with and issue that kept popping up with his daughter. She wanted to go to hospital because she enjoyed the attention that she got there, however without a need or insurance, she could not be there. Because of her lack of understanding of the situation, she would put herself in harm's way by throwing "tantrums". Joe stepped in to help in those times, and through that help Joe and Taw Reh became friends. After a couple of meetings Joe was able to share the Gospel with him, and he said that even though he grew up Catholic, he never really knew who Jesus was. He decided to accept Christ into his life! Now, Joe and Taw Reh are trying to set up a discipleship relationship as it can be difficult at times with his daughter. We are praying that he becomes a faithful disciple and is they spark to launch a movement through the Karenni men!

Preparing Abrahim for the Kingdom

A couple weeks ago, Chris and Keegan – along with a couple members of the Rejoice team – went to an Iraqi home in Los Arcos. Our team has known the guys that live there for a while now, and this visit was mostly to continue building deeper relationships. The guys there, Muslim young adults, were celebrating Eve (at the end of the month Ramadan), and once our team walked in Chris noticed a new guy there.

They started talking, and Chris immediately felt a deep friendship with the man. Although this man, Abrahim, was Muslim and surrounded by Muslim friends, he showed great potential in becoming a disciple of Jesus. Abrahim went on to tell his story. Apparently he had just arrived in Houston, having ridden a motorcycle for 4 days from Philadelphia. He says he had sensed God telling him that there is a better life for him in Houston.

He also explained some tragedies he went through back in Iraq. Within a 4 month period of being a leader of the special forces in the Iraqi army, his two brothers were killed, then his dad was murdered and his soon-to-be wife killed by a bomb in a market she was shopping at. She was shopping for items for their wedding which was to take place just a couple weeks later. All of this happening so quickly caused Abraham to become suicidal, and he went on an army mission which he planned to die in.

After killing many ISIS members in retaliation for his family that had died, Abraham was shot in the stomach, went unconscious and ended up in the hospital. After his recovery, Abraham’s mom urged him not to fight ISIS anymore, saying that he is all she has left. His mom also asked him to take her to the U.S. to start a new life. Abraham agreed and moved to Philadelphia with her. After spending 3 years here he remarried and decided to journey to Houston.

Chris shared a bit about his faith that night. And every time he talked about Jesus, Abrahim listened intently and curiously. They finished the night agreeing to spend more time together, and they exchanged numbers.

A couple days later, Chris and Jerome took Abrahim out for dinner. Abrahim shared a bit more about himself and explained a lack of peace he’s had in his heart for a long time. Jerome and Chris took this opportunity to share their testimonies, and Abrahim kept saying things like, “This is why God brought me to Houston; for this moment.” It was also encouraging for him to share some other supernatural events that led up to his move.

Having spent a few more evenings with this man of peace, it’s clear that he desires Jesus and wants more of him, but at this point he doesn’t quite understand all of the Muslim beliefs and traditions that he would have to give up.

Please join us in praying this man into the Kingdom and vision. Pray first of all that the power of Islam in his life would be weakened and that Abrahim would take up Jesus as his stronghold and mighty fortress. And pray that Chris and other teammates would have great wisdom to know next steps with this man. Thanks!