Karman is on her way home...

Hi prayer team... I'm on my way home today, so here's my last update. I think it would be better not to post a picture for privacy and security reasons. Wow, was that exciting to read what was posted for Dana about India!!!

Another airport...Istanbul this time. The NLT conference ended last night around 10:30pm. We have been worshiping God in Arabic, Armenian,Turkish, Russian, and more! It often brings tears to my eyes even to be in the same room with these people. What they have given up for Christ... Family, houses, land, personal security for themselves and their children...

Mark 10: [29] And Jesus replied, "I assure you that everyone who has given up house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or property, for my sake and for the Good News, [30] will receive now in return, a hundred times over, houses, brothers, sisters, mothers, children, and property-with persecutions. And in the world to come they will have eternal life.

Yesterday I was speaking with a Palestinian woman. Her church has been helping a couple of young Christian women (Muslim converts). They are being hidden in in various homes of church members because their Uncle and other family members suspect them of Christianity. Several male family members have decided to kill them... But another idea now on the table is less harsh. Disfigure, shame and ruin them by throwing acid on their faces. It is not an unusual story in this part of the world.

But these national ministry leaders are not stopped by hardship. I love their adventurous spirits - they come together in this difficult spiritual climate not to huddle together in fear, but to raise the bar on intimacy with Jesus and effectiveness in ministry! Woohoo for the heroes on the front lines of our faith!!! You inspire us to pursue a life with God way beyond our current boundaries and capabilities. I will follow you as you follow Christ!