Home Safe!

Good evening brothers and sisters! I am thankful and excited to say, I made it home safe today! Plane touched-down at the Philadelphia airport at 4:40pm. It was exciting to come home but a sad morning leaving Tunisia, my host family, and my new Tunisian friends. I will see them again one day. On the airport a guy from Delaware sat next to me, I didn't know him but I got an opportunity to share truth with him. He grew up catholic but now questions Christianity. I shared truths/proofs of Jesus existence, his miracles, death, and resurrection! He was surprised to hear so much proof and evidence. He was always taught a lot faith and a small amount of evidence. I told him that God does not want or require us to throw away our brains to believe in Truth! He says to love Him with all your mind, heart, and soul... he finished the scripture with me! It was a great conversation; afterwards I encouraged him to research and study the Truth!
Pray for the guy, his name is Nick.
Now that I am home, I am so tired because of the time zone difference. Its 7:30pm here, but its 2:30am in Tunisia, so I’d be sleep right now! I have to get adjusted. Also being home, ministry does not and must not stop. Without the language barrier it will be a lot easier to evangelize! So let’s get together my brothers and sisters and preach....
~Til The Nets R Full~

PS: Thanks for your prayers, support, comments, and love! I definitely appreciate it, this will be the last blog for "Spying The Land" IN closing, "We are well able to overcome" preparation and prayer will be made for the return... God told Joshua, there is no victory without purity of heart! (I'm paraphrasing) Bless you abundantly!!!

29Hours Before Departure!

Good evening saints of the Most High God! Last night was a successful night in the streets! I passed out all but 4 of my tracts that I plan to save for some friends I made earlier in the trip. Since I have no more Arabic tracts to distribute, I must rely on good old conversations [which are sometimes the best] about the gospel. We'll be praying for the individuals that recieved a tract last night. That God will take the seed planted/watered and bring increase for His Glory! So I've passed out about 100+ tracts, some say "wow" I say "the population is 10million!" Harvest is plenty but the laborers are few! Lord willing, we will return one day full force, see souls saved, added to the kingdom, establish some churches to continue after our departure, and encourage/rebuke/correct/challenge the few brethren that are already present!

Concerning ministry in the family host family. Part of my mission is to plant seeds and make an eternal impact on the lives of my host family. I knew it was not going to be easy, just like real family; they can be the most the difficult to share eternal truth with. [Although the opposite should be true because of the greater love we have for family members] I have not known them for a while, but in this short time we have gotten very close in our relationship! So today, I was walking to the store for lunch with my little brother (15years old), "1-on-1" You know what I'm thinking... "game-time" let’s go!!! I asked him if he knew what a Christian was. He is a bright kid so he began rattling off some things, some right and some wrong. I asked him what he knew about Jesus. Surprisingly he said that he was taught a story that Jesus was hung on a cross and burned because he destroyed statues that people worshipped as false gods. This was the 1st time that I've ever heard this and especially from a Muslim. So I asked him if I could share a story about Jesus with him. He says "sure." So I began sharing the gospel and how Jesus was crucified, pierced in his side (causing death), buried, resurrected, and seen of over 500 eyewitnesses! He never heard that before. I then explained to him the reason for his death to save all men and wash away the sins of men that will accept and believe his death and resurrection. And finally allow Jesus to enter their and heart and change them making them a completely new person that no longer practice sin (explained what sins are). By this time we were back home, closed the conversation saying that my belief of Jesus is true and different from what he was taught. He says "I never heard your idea of Jesus, but maybe I learned wrong and yours is the right way" I said to him, "You don’t have to take my word for it, study and let me know what you discover." He said ok. The end.... for now!

I still have to talk to my host mom and my older host brother. I have 29hours to take advantage of the open door. Pray that I will be sensitive to the open door and opportunity, the Lord is faithful to make opportunities. Tomorrow should be another journal entry.... stay blessed and thanks for your support brothers and sisters, and by now you should know what I am going to say! Preach the gospel and stand unashamed of the gospel, which is the power of God unto salvation to all men...
~Till The Nets R Full~

Its Not Over Yet!

Good-afternoon and evening brothers and sisters! Its coming down to the last 3-4 days of my journey in the foreign land. The information gathered, lessons learned, seeds planted, work started seems like a lot, but "Its not over yet!" I cannot get lazy or apathetic to the need for ministry here in Tunisia. Yesterday I was invited to dinner by some new friends here and at dinner I met even more locals. One guy (Aymen) began challenging me to speak only Arabic for the remainder of the evening. It worked out very well, I know more Arabic than I thought! The great part of this story is that before we went our separate ways I was giving an opportunity to speak to him "1-on-1" in english! Oh yes, game-time right? Exactly right, I asked him if anybody has ever shared Christian views and information about Jesus. He says "No, Never" WOW! [Side Note: Early in the day he was telling me the location of 3 different churches within in the surrounding cities. You mean to tell me that he knows where the churches are, but nobody has ever shared information with him? Thats a problem.] So I asked him if it was ok to share some information with him. [Side note: This question was not neccessary, but I like trying new stuff when evangelizing. It worked] He says, "Of course, go ahead." I started with Adam, sin, man's depravity, and then Christ's ultimate sacrifice on the cross to save all men! He interrupted here and said that Christ didn't die but God saved. [Side note: He is conveying a false doctrine written in the Quran] So I began explaining how historically documented that Jesus was crucified under the order of Pontius Pilate and buried. Then I explained the 500+ eyewitnesses of his resurrection found in 1 Corinthians 15! Then asked how could Mohamed write that Jesus was not crucified 600years later after more than 500eyewitnes confirm his resurrection and historical evidence says he was crucified! I told him to not take my word for it, but to go and do research for himself and see. The conversation ended there! Praise God for the seed planted! Amen!

My host brother has basketball practice tonight so I plan to walk around town and pass out some tracts and possibly get into some conversations! Please pray for brothers and sisters and pray for Aymen! Thanks again for love, prayers, and support! Looking forward to seeing and talking to everybody very soon!

7 Days til Departure from Tunisia!

Today marks 7 days before I depart from Tunisia! I feel like saying and I guess I have to say that part of the mission is accomplished! On the bus ride back to La Marsa I shared the gospel with the entire bus!!! It was not easy... so much so that 1 hour before we loaded the bus, I couldn't eat lunch, I felt discouraged, unsettled, uncomfortable, nervous, unsure, and fearful. I sat down to eat, got up after 4 or 5 bites and walked outside. I began praying and talking to my Father. I explained to Him how I was feeling and that I knew I could not back down or back out. The Lord's strength was made perfect in my weakness, glory to God! We loaded the bus, my professor announced our schedule for the last 7days, after she finished I approached the front and asked if I could have a few words. She says "it's all yours!" Bingo, lets go!!! In summary, I talked about how Jesus changed my life, the sin that they all commit and committed which makes them guilty before God and that they need Christ to wash away all their sins to enter Heaven and stand not guilty. Their response was not good, they were not happy; I gave them all a tract after I finished with my email address on the back. I pray God will bring the increase in their lives!!! Seeds have been planted in all their hearts and minds!!! Glory to God!!! As I took my long walk to the back of the bus, nobody looked me in the eyes, I could tell they were convicted. As I took my seat nobody smiled, but as hard as I tried to hold it in; GOD was smiling on the inside of me and I cracked a big smile praising God with my headphones on!!!! lol...

My brothers and sisters nervousness, uncertainty, and fear are all natural feelings but we must not let them paralyze us from being obedient to God. Paul said "woe is me if I preach not the gospel!" Let us lay aside those weights and sins and run this race looking to Jesus the author and finisher of our Faith. His strength is made perfect in weakness; preach...
~Til Nets R Full~

Just Chillin!

Good evening brothers and sisters! Pray all is well on the home front; I'm doing great here in Hammamet, Tunisia. It's a beautiful city (I took many pictures) right on the Mediterranean so the view from the hotel is amazing! Its a tourist type city and the hotel is like a resort with like 5 pools, a spa, fitness center, like 5 lounges, and a cafe! So I've been "just chillin." Relaxing, sleeping, eating, and just taking walks down the beach. It’s been a very refreshing 3 days and tomorrow we go back to La Marsa, with the host families. For that I'm excited! I know some people are thinking and asking "You are in Africa, have you seen any animals?" My response "of course, I'm in Africa!" lol... I've seen lions, tigers, giraffes, wild dogs, cheetahs, elephants, camels, horses, zebras, owls, and other animals that I didn't know the names of!
Oh and one thing I wanted to mention, we all know I am one that doesn't mind talking to anybody and trying to converse with everybody, as a result I've been asked a lot about our new President Barak Obama! I tell the Tunisians that we (Americans) are excited about the change in leadership and are hoping that Obama will honor his word and honor the people! They feel the same way. Tomorrow also marks the one week period before we return to the States. I love Tunisia, but I have to admit I'm excited about coming home! I kind of miss everybody!!!

Concerning Ministry: For the last 3 days I haven't had any personal conversations about the faith or distributed any tracts. But I've been in passionate prayer and preparation for the bus ride back to La Marsa! "Why" you ask.... Well this is the last trip away from the host families before we leave the country and there are still some students that I haven't talked to directly about sin, the death, the resurrection, and salvation of Jesus the Christ. They all know what I stand for and who I represent, but they all have not heard the gospel on the trip. SO, tomorrow as we are driving back to La Marsa, the Lord has prompted me to deliver the message on the bus microphone. It will not be easy and I am nervous!!! But it’s not about me or my feelings, this is part of my mission, I must obey the Great Commission! Please pray for me brothers and sisters... I look forward to see you all soon, in the mean time I continue to pray for you night and day that you will stand boldly and preach the gospel fearlessly...
~Until The Nets R Full~

M.I.A. (lol... a little bit)

Good-afternoon or good-evening my brothers and sisters! It was brought to my attention that my last post was on January 15. I apologize for the delay and I thank those that have been faithful to check the blog, concerns, and prayers! I assure you it’s not in vain! I've been missing in action when it comes to blogging because the last 4 or 5 hotels (10days) have not had accessible internet access. Lately we have been traveling through all the cities in the South of Tunisia. It’s extremely beautiful, the landscape, but the people are very poor. We have been doing a lot of different activities here though. So far, I’ve rode a camel through the Sahara, rode a horse alongside the Mediterranean , climbed a mountain oasis, ate quail, squid, lobster, rabbit, visited the site where "Star Trek" was filmed in the Sahara, rode SUV over sand dunes, and rode go-carts in the Sahara! It’s been a great trip to the South! I do miss my host family though! We have one more city to visit for 3 days and then we return to the host families for the last 7days! And then back to the States.

Concerning ministry: The Lord has been doing some awesome things in my life! It's not easy evangelizing in this country, mainly because my language skills are not that good. I was praying and the Lord began revealing to me that the people are not going to change, so for work to get done, a change must take place in me! I thank God because the change is taking place within me. Intimidation, fear, and doubt are coming subject to the power of God! I have been traveling to the different cities and passing out tracts in cafes, markets, and street corners! I thank God for working in me both to will and do of his good pleasure! The Lord opened a door for me to share the gospel with my professor, who is Muslim. I've been sharing faith and truth with students, confronting and answering their questions and doubts about Christianity. We visited this poor village/town named Douz, I prayed one prayer and overnight the Lord miraculously blessed this town with abundance of food and comfort!!!! It was amazing! I couldn't believe it! The Lord is so awesome! As I labor and toil for the gospel sake, continue to pray and work while its day...
~Till The Nets R Full~

To: The Saints in America

Greeting brothers and sisters; grace, mercy, and peace from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord! I greet you and I still abide across the Atlantic in Tunisia. I have been praying but have yet to find other laborers who name the name of Christ and serve God with a pure conscience. I have seen 1 Catholic church, which is currently not doing me any good because the muslims and Tunisians see catholiscm as a joke. A religious sect that has erred and worship saints and martyers. Of which I agree with the latter. I find myself having to uproot untruths about true Christianity and then plant seeds! Nevertheless, I am but a laborer and am nothing, let the Lord be glorified! My host family is extremely loving and hospitiable. I have been eating, relaxing, and sleeping very well with no burden about food, raiment, and shelter. I am still waiting and looking and praying for an open door to proclaim the gospel of Jesus to my host family. Serving Christ and believing He will wash away all your sins and make you a new person and restore you to a place of authority is great news and a relief to muslims who try to buy their salvation with good works.
They believe their good works will weigh more than the bad and thus allow them to enter into Heaven. In the context of when Mohammed wrote this section of the Quran, all currency was weighed. So he used the same idea in his doctrine of salvation, one would simply weigh in their good works to basically purchase their ticket to Heaven. But we know that one's good works are as filthy wrags to a Holy God! And we still couldn't do enough good works to bribe God to letting us into Heaven. Thats why the shed blood of Christ and his offer to ALL men salvation is a FREE GIFT if one will accept it and believe it! Thats why Jesus is so unique because he is the ONLY Savior the world has EVER seen! The world is looking for relief, peace, and security. Lets share with them the Prince of Peace, who has their best interest at heart, and offers True Salvation by his Own Blood= Jesus the Christ!!! Speak up...
~Till The Nets R Full~

PS: I've been sharing truth with other students on the trip. Some agree, some stand neutral, and others are offended. Pray for them all, seeds have definitely been planted, their beliefs have definitely been challenged, lies have definitely been exposed! God wants them saved!!! And pray for Ahmed. I talked with him at the mall/grocery store today, he is a security guard there. We talked for about 35mins in Arabic and a little English. I got tell him about sin, the death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ! It may have been the first time he has ever heard the gospel, because I told him I was a Christian and he didn't know what a Christian was! I left a tract with him that had arabic and french languages. Pray the Lord will bring increase in his life! God wants him saved!!! Farewell for now, walk in grace