Gateway Educational Services' Prayer Update: March 21st, 2009
Ahmet and the Messiah
This Sunday after E. in Beytel East joined Beytel West's worship via internet. A local barber named Fuat that we have been sharing with dropped by E.'s home unexpectedly. He brought his 25 year old cousin Ahmet with him. Fuat began to explain to E. that his cousin Ahmet who he had brought with him has had a love for the Messiah and wants to learn all he can about the Messiah. Fuat told his cousin that there is a man named E. that also loves the Messiah and has knowledge about the Messiah. (E. now has the reputation of a Hodja (religious teacher) in the area so Ahmet and Fuat showed E. great respect during their conversation.)
When Ahmet came into E.'s home he began to look at the books he asked E., "What is this book the Kutsal Kitap (Holy Book) there?" E. began to explain that the Bible is God's word that contains the writings of Moses, David, the Prophets and the New Testament. Ahmet noticed that E. did not mention the Qur'an being part of God's word as E. explained and he asked E., "why did you not include the Qur'an as being God's word."? E. then began to explain the prophecies of the Messiah and how Jesus the Messiah was the one that fulfilled all the Old Testament and was the completion of revelation. He said, "either the prophets were lying or Muhammad was telling the truth or Muhammad was a liar and the prophets were truthful." The conversation moved to the trustworthiness of the Bible and again why E. did not accept the Qur'an. E. began by explaining the many verses in the Qur'an that speak of killing the Mushrik (any non-Muslim) and infidels. Ahmet couldn't believe his ears and told E. that it was the first time he had ever heard that anything like that was in the Qur'an. E. told the man, "roj baş (good morning!) to the man, and said "This is one of the reasons that I am not a Muslim and I cannot accept the Qur'an."
E. described Ahmet's reaction to the truths of the Qur'an this way: "The man didn't know what to think after hearing the truths of the Qur'an. It was like all that he had believed before were torn down before his eyes. His face dropped and even of the color of his face changed. It was like he lost himself."
The subject later turned to sin. Muslims believe that all prophets were sinless and have no concept of what God's view of sin. E. began to explain sin from the Garden of Eden and Adam and Eve. He said, "if we do something contrary to God's will are we sinning against God?". Ahmet replied, "yes". E. then said, "Adam and Eve in the Garden when they disobeyed God they were cast out of the Garden, if they did not sin against God why were they punished and cast from the Garden and the presence of God?" Ahmet then said "They were punished then they must have sinned."
Ahmet began to explain to E. more about his love for and interest in the Messiah. He began to want to learn all he could about the Messiah because when he read the Qur'an he saw that the Messiah will return to earth and when he returns he will invite all to salvation and those who will not listen to the Messiah will be judged and destroyed for their unbelief. Ahmet said, "The Messiah is very important." He told E., "Here in the East I have not been able to find anyone who has any interest or knowledge about the Messiah and I feel so lucky to meet you." Ahmet asked E. if he had any books concerning the Messiah which E. was happy to provide him with. Fuat also told his cousin Ahmet, "that there are others who come here who have a love for the Messiah one man named, J. can come and explain Him too."
Pray that this man Ahmet would come to know Jesus as the Messiah and that his cousin Fuat would also come to faith. Praise the King for such a great reputation that E. has among the unbelievers and open doors among the Kurds in the East. Especially that they would bring their relatives to us to hear about the Messiah! We have conversations like this almost on a daily basis with those whom we meet with. Pray that the Lord would soften hearts, convict of sin and have mercy on the Muslims we share with.
J. of G.E.S.
To support Zacchaeus Projects, Beytel and Christian Resources in Turkish:
Attention all supporters: EFT Online Donations Now Available All donations can be made online through New Horizons Foundation: http://newhorizonsfoundation.net/index.php?option=com_dtdonate&Itemid=5
More detailed information about EFT transfers: EFT Bank transfer Credit/Debit Card Donations. The 15th of every month donations to Gateway can be electronically withdrawn. One can decide in giving if their electronic gift will be a one time gift or monthly. The transaction date for monthly gifts is on the 15th of every month. What is needed is the credit/debit card information (Name, Expiration date, Card Number). If the transfer will be made from a Bank account; a routing number and account number will be needed. Remember the project of the donation is Gateway Missions.
Checks can be made out to: New Horizons Foundation Inc.
(FBO Gateway Missions) Sent to: New Horizons Foundation, Inc.
4570 Hilton Parkway, Suite 203
Colorado Springs, CO 80907
To check out the latest pictures and info please go to our Face book page.
Face book: http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/profile.php?id=1376664116&ref=profile
Website: www.gatewayeducation.org
No comments:
Post a Comment