The opposition is real … WE NEED YOUR HELP.

God is moving in the Mediterranean Rim (MedRim). Exciting things are happening. Muslim people in Greece are coming to know Christ by the droves. Lives are being changed! And we have YOU to thank.

But, the opposition is real in North Africa.

I recently heard a story from one of our workers in North Africa (who I will call Mark for safety reasons). He shared that as he was prayer walking around the city after another difficult day, he was reminded of the wall of Jericho (see Joshua 6). No matter how hard he prayed, or how hard he worked, nothing seemed to penetrate the invisible barriers. Every day felt as if he was hitting his head against a wall. 

The spiritual heaviness is so real that when seekers begin reading the Word of God, they are overcome with fatigue and have to stop reading. Other workers have also mentioned this same type of exhaustion when interacting with locals. 

“Mark” mentioned this correlation to his North African friend who is also a believer, and he said, “No, these aren’t walls we are dealing with. God has given me a vision of a dome above the entire country. And the dome is held up by pillars scattered in spiritual places around the country. Those pillars represent the strongholds of the enemy and they’re holding up the dome that is preventing the Gospel from penetrating. There are cracks in the dome. God is moving. People are having dreams and visions of Jesus. But the dome is always there. Those pillars must be smashed in order for this country to be won. Until the pillars fall and the dome shatters, nothing will be able to fully penetrate the hearts of the people.”

You see, while our workers in Greece have more freedom in what they share with the Muslim people they encounter, our workers in North Africa have to be very careful with how they approach people and what they say. In fact, most have changed their names out of protection. If too much is shared, not only will they be kicked out of the country, but they are placing their North African believers at risk. 

One North African who helps our workers with language training was severely beaten at the beginning of this year after coming to Christ. This violent assault caused nerve damage to the right side of her face, severe pain in her ears, loss of hearing, broken bones, and loss of sight in her right eye. She's seen many doctors and the prognosis does not look good for her hearing to be restored. As a language teacher, you can imagine how difficult this is for her. But her faith has stood firm and she continues to praise God for any improvement in her health.She is using this as an opportunity to testify to her family.

You and I cannot even begin to understand what our workers must be going through. Living in a country where freedom of religion is allowed has provided a comfort unlike what our friends in North Africa know.

To put it in perspective, while you and I can swap names with our barista, share a verse of Scripture with a stranger, and even offer to pray for a co-worker—that is virtually impossible for our workers in North Africa. Each word shared must be carefully calculated. There are people watching and waiting to turn them over to the authorities. They wake up wondering if today is their last day.

Because of the opposition they are facing, we are realizing we have to up our care for our friends on the field and send even more workers and resources their way to provide the tangible and spiritual support they need.

You can help in one of two ways:

• The first is through prayer. The only way these victories are going to be won in the heavenly realms is through prayer. Any disciple making movement is first preceded by prayer. Without it, we have no hope. We have created a MedRim Prayer Guide that you can download and hang in a prominent place in your home as a daily reminder to lift up your brothers and sisters in Christ. We also encourage you to share what MRN is doing with others so they can stand in agreement and join the movement. Will you commit to praying for our workers?

•  And the second is financially. We feel impressed to raise up 30 new workers in 2019 in the MedRim. We have 18 new people in training right now ready and willing to go. We are SO close to our goal. Will you help us achieve that by providing the financial support necessary to train these individuals? Your gift today will also help us provide even more resources to our friends on the field. 

At the beginning of this year, I felt impressed by God to theme this year “United Pursuit.” As God leads us into a unified story, we can do this mission together. God is on the move, but He is not unopposed. By linking arms together with one common goal in mind, we can accomplish so much more. Friend, we can’t do what we do without you. 

We are in unchartered territory. What’s going on in the MedRim is unlike anything we’ve ever seen before. People are hungry for the Giver of Life. And we need to be there when they come looking. The work is overwhelming, the workers are few, but we know we serve a God who loves to do the impossible.

“With man this is impossible, but not with God;

all things are possible with God.”

(Mark 10:27)

In the book of Joshua, God challenged Joshua to take his men and march around the city of Jericho seven times and the walls would fall. He took on a crazy mission and watched God show up and show off.But before he took on that mission, he entered into prayer: Then Joshua fell facedown to the ground in reverence, and asked him, “What message does my Lord have for his servant?” (Joshua 5:14). 

In Joshua 6, we see the promise fulfilled:

“Shout! For the Lord has given you the city! The city and all that is in it are to be devoted to the Lord”… When the trumpets sounded, the people shouted, and at the sound of the trumpet, when the people gave a loud shout, the wall collapsed … They devoted the city to the Lord(Joshua 6:16-17, 20-21).

The evil one has set up something through the power of Islam that has created a dome over North Africa. The only way those pillars can be smashed and the dome lifted is by sending more workers filled up, prayed up, and ready to do battle. We must continue to stand behind our brothers and sisters in Christ and be faithful to pray. We are believing in faith that the nations are going to be healed and won for Jesus. 

Whether it be spiritual barriers or physical opposition, we know our God is in control and desires for His people to come to Him. Help us bring the Gospel to the unreached people in North Africa. Help us bring grace where only law exists. These people need to know there is hope in Jesus.

Your gift today will support the workers who continue to persevere on the field and help change lives all over the world. Thank you for joining us in a united pursuit. 

Grace and peace, 

Dan Bouchelle

To make a donation, simply click here. Your gift will make a difference! And remember to place your prayer card in a prominent place so you can intercede for your brothers and sisters in Christ.