It's Official!

I am now OFFICIALLY a Resident of Kuwait! I got my Civil ID written in Arabic and I can't understand a darn thing. But that's ok! B/c I know the significance of that little laminated, light blue card. I'd take a picture of it BUT....I don't want to give out any personal info to any Arabic readers out there ;-)

So a Kuwaiti holiday just passed! These Kats had a whole week off! This past week many Muslims went to Mecca for the Hajj. That reminds me of this guy named Ali.

Ali (Turkey) - This Turkish man in bondage to alcohol saw Jesus in a dream and his life was changed forever. Desperate, he moved to Saudi Arabia — a place where alcohol
is forbidden. However, upon his arrival, he found liquor there. He then made the pilgrimage to Mecca, hoping to be freed of his addiction and to be led in the way of a true Muslim. To his surprise, he met Jesus Christ instead.

There's actually a short film made about him. You can watch it here: http://www.morethandreams.tv/ali.html

So have you guys heard all this ruckus about a woman named Asia Bibi? She's the woman in that picture. A Pakistinian who is sentenced to death for FALSE Blasphemy charges for 'defaming' Mohammed, the Prophet of Islam.

The Persecution that the Bible warns us about, with all it's realities & implications, were so conceptual as a Westerner. I was far away from archaic behavior and even when attempts of barbarianism did take place in the West, society around it rose up & against it all the way to the media with mockery & insults.

But here in the East- people are LESS educated, informed, literate, and aware. Villages look to terrorist organizations b/c Al Qaeda provides life's essentials for the impoverished people. The villages look to 'Terrorists' for protection, food, clean water, & medical help. So long as the people pledge their alliance to them, they're on the Terrorist's 'safe' list. It's completely manipulative because of it's twisted intentions.

Then you get a woman like Asia Bibi, who works for a Muslim family on their farm, surrounded by Muslim women who test, harass, mock, ostracize, and try to convert Asia to Islam- where generated lies put her in jail. JUST LIKE JESUS. Simply because she follows Jesus Christ. What a crown of glory she will get.

All world religions have had their dark times. People who did horrible acts in the name of Christianity are included. It's just so crazy how much I hear about someone being arrested, killed, raided, raped, etc., for their Christian faith. To some Westerner's surprise, when I talk about a "Christian," that includes the Catholic Church. Spare me on the non-essentials lecture as to why a Catholic may not be a 'real' christian according to your scholarly logic- but the truth is that there are CATHOLICS who sincerely believe Jesus is God (essential) and believe that salvation is by faith alone (essential) & are also risking their lives just to meet with other brothers & sisters to worship Jesus.

I have learned- at least for me- that as a Westerner, everything seems so cut & dry. Black & white. Very CONCEPTUAL but not REAL. Being AWARE of a certain reality, but not UNDERSTANDING.

The East doesn't get it and the West thinks they do. We live in such an un-equal world where we each want to make each other be on the same page & understand.

Well I pray that Asia (Pakistan) & Youcef (Iran), with all others, are strengthened by our God if this is the will for his people. God's ways & thoughts are higher than ours. Though I don't understand MUCH about life and the "why's" that come with it, I will trust in my God & believe confidently that one day EVERY KNEE WILL BOW & EVERY TONGUE WILL CONFESS THAT JESUS CHRIST IS LORD TO THE GLORY OF GOD. God will judge every man according to his deeds. But first I pray that God would save the wicked. That God empowers the weak.

And a special prayer for YOU, the reader. That if you have not met Jesus Christ- the glorious Creator God- may He capture your heart even as you read this blog entry. Lord give them sight & reveal yourself to them. Help them overcome their uncontrollable desires that keep them in bondage. Have mercy on every person who comes across this blog & save those who do not know you.