Sunday, March 31
Some points of clarification: Failed to explain that the ancient stone bridge we walked to yesterday is the site where the Jews were relocated after the Northern Kingdom of Israel fell to Assyria (2 Kings 17, especially verse 6). You also may want to look up Nahum 1:1, which says "Nahum of Elkosh" now spelled Al Qosh. That is why this village claims Nahum was buried here. During our morning's devotion, we shared many thoughts about our visit with Dr. Paul. He is alone, fighting incredible odds, living full time (alone) among the unwanted Yazidis. All of us were so awed to meet this man. Here is a living model of a man who gave up everything to follow Jesus to a distant land like Hudson Taylor, living by faith for his needs like George Mueller. Yesterday, Dr. Paul pointed out the vast valley below his compound and mentioned that the Garden of Eden was probably somewhere around here. He said Noah's Ark is in the distant hills, that the original translators mistranslated RRT as Ararat, and that even as late as the fifteenth century, many travelers broke off small pieces of the Ark for souvenirs. On a different note, Dawoo never showed up at the Friday night service in case you were wondering.
Johnny and Willy left to go to Zakho Hospital while the rest of us (see photo) went with Kaizak to Darkar camp, located close to Berseve, but further up the hills. This is a smaller community of 4000 and the camp is actually a lot nicer. The families live in trailers instead of tents (see photo), and the community center we went to has working electricity, but it is raining quite hard continually since we arrived, so it has limited our activities. Dr. Glenn is the only doctor working until Dr. Johnny arrives. At noon, we were surprised to see Dawoo here. He did not come to the Friday night service as we had hoped, but somehow he found us here. Again he requested prayer and this time he came with his dad. Since Willy had not yet returned with Johnny, Kenny and Marshall talked to them with Aram and Araz translating. Actually, Aram and Araz did all the talking, encouraging Dawoo to receive Jesus as his only God, no angels, nothing else but Jesus. It was good to see the local believers step up to minister. This time Dawoo took off his amulet, gave it to his dad, and Kenny led Dawoo in the sinner's prayer (see photo) while Aram translated. Then Kenny prayed for healing and release from all oppression for Dawoo in English. On the bus ride to Zakho last Sunday, Aram had given Kenny a microchip memory card containing the Scripture in several local dialects, the Jesus film and some Bible stories. Kenny was now able to give it to Dawoo (what divine provision). Dawoo and his father promised to go home and burn all the amulets. They thanked us as they left and we rejoice we had this divine appointment. Willy and Johnny finally returned to eat lunch and resume treating patients with Glenn. Amy is teaching children and Sharon, Mei and Civa (translator) had tea with a local lady living in a nearby trailer, the rain finally abating. After returning, they started a knitting group with some of the Yazidi ladies and Christine led them in some exercises while we had a few more short visits to different families. Since we are invited to another Sunday evening service, we closed shop early - about 4 PM, having seen 50+ patients.
We attended another Arabic service, this time at the Free Methodist Church, the only other evangelical church in Zakho (the other was the church we attended Friday night) quite different in style but with equally enthusiastic worship singing. We sang Psalm 121, John 14:6, and The Name Above All Names, and Kenny gave a few words of greetings and encouragement. We returned to our hotel and ate a home cooked meal of rice porridge with tea eggs and veggie soup made from the leftover chicken and beef from yesterday's lunch and veggies we bought during our walk to the bridge. At debriefing, we praised God for a great day - for anytime someone c9mes to Christ is a great day. Brandon seems better from his cold but Christine might be coming down with symptoms similar to Brandon's. We thank God no one is seriously ill and we are able to do our ministry in spite of the sore throat and tickles.
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