Unlocking the Gospel Door With the Key of Medicine
	June 2010

Mixed Signals
The news from Nigeria is mixed and unsettling. On the one hand, our friends there tell us that things have returned to a relative state of normal tenseness between the Christians and Muslims. However, they along with the media report the ongoing evidence of secret killings as fresh graves continue to be found in areas around the Central Plateau city of Jos. Jos itself is a divided city according to religious beliefs with members of both religions fearful to venture into the enclaves of the other no matter how innocent their errand lest they be attacked. The curfew that had been imposed on Jos and the surrounding area since this wave of violence began in January was recently lifted only to be celebrated by, with the murders of several Fulani herdsmen. How stressful it must be to live in such a chaotic environment where you never know when you may encounter a random act of violence against you or your loved ones or someone you know. Not like here in America (with home invasions, drive by shootings, car jacking, road rage, etc..,) where we live in peace and harmony with one another! Why can we not just all get along?

Perhaps you too have seen the bumper sticker that encourages us to COEXIST. However, it seems to me that the people who most often promote peace and harmony with the theme that we should all just ‘Coexist' only want to do so if we Christians compromise or renounce our beliefs and values. The scriptures tell us in Romans 12:18 "If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men" I do not believe that this means we are to indulge in the world's practices to make the world feel more comfortable with us so that we can gain their confidence. Again the Bible tells us in Hebrews 12:14, "Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord". We are "in the world, but not of the world". If ever there was a time for us to stand up and be counted for our values and beliefs and convictions, it is now. Now is not the time for appeasement and compromise.

European Example

We can see what that has gotten the people of Europe. Their appeasement policies for the Muslim immigrants in their countries have led to constraints regarding their own freedoms and feelings of security. For just as in Jos where there are religious enclaves that you do not venture into, so it is in many European cities today where the Muslim immigrants are the majority and live by their ‘Sharia' law, not the law of the land. Muslims do not want to melt into the societies that they move to as the immigrants did in America in the late 1800's and early 1900's. They want to dominate society with their Islamic beliefs and there is no compromise!It is a belief system that controls every aspect of a persons life putting them in total submission.
 

What do we do?
1) PRAY - Earnestly for our leaders - local, state, and nationally, our pastors and church leaders - that they would stand for Biblical teachings and doctrines. Conviction, not Compromise;
2) VOTE - Be informed and vote intelligently for the candidates who stand for your convictions and beliefs;
3) LIVE - Your convictions. Be the example.

I hope that you will take the time to read the article at the following link. It is where I have gotten some of the information that you have read in this newsletter. The article is quite lengthy, therefore I did not try to print it here in its entirety, but I believe it is well worth the time and effort to read. If you are unable to pull it up for some reason and would like to read it, just let me know and I will send you a copy.
http://www.snopes.com/politics/soapbox/wilders.asp

Nigeria - What's Next?
I am still planning the Fall Outreach to Nigeria in October/November. In fact, like a friend of mine, I wish I could be there now to encourage and support the brethren personally rather than just via phone calls, texts and emails. As of this writing, I have nothing in my spirit from the Lord but to GO. I covet your support and prayers and would welcome your participation on this outreach.

Mission Budget: $4500.

Your Servants In Christ,
                  Larry - Sarah

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