As you may recall, last May/June, CCK sent a team to Israel/Palestine. One of our duties was working alongside a church planting team. We went on visitations to rural villages and shared our faith to the degree that God allowed. Below is a report and prayer request from that team. Please take time to consider the price others have to pay for their faith and hold them up in prayer.
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On Friday, August 11, some of our team were in a city in the southern West Bank, speaking about the meaning of baptism to a new convert. Around the time of Muslim prayer we heard an explosion and found our ministry vehicle in flames. Someone had thrown a Molotov cocktail or other explosive through the rear passenger window, breaking the glass and setting the interior ablaze. We tried putting the fire out using a fire extinguisher, but after this failed all we could do was watch the vehicle burn until the city fire truck finally arrived and put out the fire. Everything that could burn, burned. We knew this was nothing less than an attack from the evil one.
The new believer we met with that day was taken in custody by the police force and questioned about who he had brought into the city. Later they went into his house and found his Bible. They began beating him, breaking his nose, and accusing him of changing his religion. Later that afternoon he was released, but people in his city still have a close watch on him.
This month, the 18th of September, this believer has to go to court over having changed his religion. This is no coincidence that the vehicle got burned in the same city where this new believer is from. We strongly believe that God will use this man to bring many people from the southern West Bank to the Lord. So we as a CP Team decided to pray and fast, one person each day until after this court case is finished. We have confidence that during court, it will be as Jesus spoke to His disciples, “ When they deliver you over, do not be anxious how you are to speak or what you are to say, for what you are to say will be given to you in that hour. For it is not you who speaks, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.” We adjure you to come alongside this new believer in this very trying time, and join this spiritual battle with us. If the LORD leads you to fast for a time for this situation, pray that God will be glorified in this, and that even those in charge of the court hearing will be cut to the heart and receive Jesus as Lord.
Also please pray for Isaac (another believer) and his family. They are in the midst of a very difficult month. Isaac’s brother was taken prisoner by the Army (he’s in court for possible release at the time this letter is being written). Also an intentional shooting last week as well killed Isaac’s cousin. Join us in prayer for the comfort of the Spirit and the salvation of all Isaac’s family.
Please pray for our CP Team’s protection and for good health.
Blessings
Phil for the CP TEAM
