I am so excited about our recent opportunity in Dearborn, Michigan—to reach out to our friends and partners in the area, as well as to the Muslim community there. We were thrilled to be able to pray together and to minister in one of the most influential mosques in the country and express the love of Jesus to many people of different faiths. Imam Elahi, founder of the Islamic House of Wisdom, graciously welcomed us and participated in the event with me.
Our evening healing service was a time of sharing our faith and praying in the name of Jesus for any in the crowd who were sick. It was awesome to see Christians and Muslims praying for one another! Our international update videos on Pakistan and Sudan were especially meaningful as they showed our sincere love for Muslim people around the world.
At a special dinner the following evening, we met many local leaders, including a Catholic priest who is born-again and spirit-filled, a Jewish Rabbi who loves God, and many other Muslim leaders. It was a night of divine connections and favor! We believe this was a monumental, bridge-building event for this ministry and for our country. Please continue to pray for open doors into other Muslim nations around the world, and that we can show them the love and compassion of Jesus as we continue to cover the earth with God’s Word.
Update from Marilyn’s Executive Director of Global Ministries, Stephen Kiser:
The night before our visit to Gaza, Dr. Hickey and I were contacted with the news that Israeli Secret Service approved my entry into Gaza, and they were still working on Dr. Hickey’s paperwork; we heard that though approved, one can be denied entry even during passport stamping at the border. The whole day before we stayed at hotel in prayer and know at least 300 others were agreeing with us.
Then we arrived at border at 9:00 am which is the time arranged for my crossing, but we kept pushing for Dr. Hickey’s to join me. After more than two hours, Dr. Hickey sent me on in as she wanted to get things going. All the while she kept speaking the Word and saying she would get in! I entered Gaza at 11:30 and was on my own with our video camera…
Passing through was very much like passing through a prison movie and it was shocking to see the drastic change in landscape from a hundred feet away in Israel on the other side of massive concrete wall. I went on to tour the very sad, war-torn, barren area, on my way to meet with members of the Mid-East Council of Churches, including the Bishop of the Greek Orthodox Church, as well as Christians and Muslims.
There were grave needs but the relief they all agreed is most paramount is: freedom.
This is one of the saddest places God I’ve ever been. They are held literally as prisoners within this small area of land with less than 3,000 Christians, ruled by the sword of Hamas.However, it was encouraging to hear that Muslims and Christians live together as families. Gaza has around 70% unemployment and approaching 70% of population is under age of 25. These young people have no hope without God’s intervention. Just rising over 50% now is a population suffering from mental issues from the stress of constant bomb attacks and living in such oppression, fear and physical danger.
The greatest news of the day was when I received word they were letting Dr. Hickey through. The main concerns were about her presence in Gaza as a high-profile person that could make Israel look bad if something happened. She stayed for 1.5 hours before we had to cross back over before border closed. She was able to tour and meet with Muslims and Christians and share God’s word and her mission, and hear their hearts. I’m sure she will share more on her experiences later…
We were not able to meet on this visit with Hamas Prime Minister as planned, due to us not getting into Gaza early – but those inside believe this will happen on our next visit. We are believing with them. We must pray for breakthrough for these people! They need to hear that the outside world cares…and that we have not forgotten them. Most importantly they must know that our God has not forgotten them…if we do not go and tell them, who will?
What a perfect time to be in Israel…and what an impact we are having! While the future of the Israeli state is being discussed, debated, and possibly even decided, we are here inside the borders, walking and praying. We believe God sent us here at this strategic time not only to pray from the inside…but to encourage ALL our friends and partners to pray from the outside. This CBN news story details what went on Monday between President Barak Obama and Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu and how you can best pray for the situation. Remember, you don’t have to just watch the news; you can CHANGE the news—through prayer.
Pray for us also, to be led of the Holy Spirit while we are here in Israel.
Today, we started the approximately 10 hour drive to Eliat. Much is planned to see and experience on the way.
We stopped at the site of an excavation of an ancient synagogue, drove by the ancient city of Jericho, saw the mount of temptation, Gilgal, the Qumeran Caves, where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered, En Gedi, where David hid in the caves from Saul, and many other sites of biblical significance.
A stop was made at the Dead Sea, and the travelers piled out to enjoy the salty waters where all you can do is float, as well as the black mud which God loaded with minerals for healing.
Then on to Eliat, where Sarah joined us and shared something God put on her heart. We are excited to be reunited in Israel and see what God is going to do through this trip.
Keep praying for open doors of opportunity to go to places we’ve never been and to impact the people of Israel in a powerful and lasting way.
The story behind the Jesus boat is that in the mid 1980’s, when the Galilee was much receded, a boy was walking in the water and discovered a nail from the boat. From that small beginning the whole boat was discovered. Their dilemma was that if they exposed the wood to air, it would disintegrate, because it was so incredibly soft, like mush, after 2000 years of being immersed. So their solution was to coat it while still underwater with thick polyurethane foam before raising it. What an elaborate process that must have been, because of the delicate nature of preserving it. It is now on display in the nearby museum.
We started the day with breakfast, worship, powerful prayer and then into the tours for the day. First we toured the Mount of Beatitudes on the Sea of Galilee, where we could see many biblical sites, such as where Jesus fed the 5000 men plus women and children with only 5 loaves and 2 fish. From this place, we could also see across the sea to Gadarene, where Jesus cast the demons into the swine, walked on the water, where He told Peter that ‘upon this rock I build My church.’ We also saw the Golan Heights from where we stood.
The Galilee is the largest source of fresh water in Israel, and is steadily receding, and so Israel needs our prayers for rain. Having enough water is key to the survival of any civilization.
We then went to Capernaum, the home of Peter, and looked at the synagogue a mere stone’s throw away, in which Jesus probably preached often when he stayed in Peter’s home. From there, we went to where the ‘Jesus boat‘ (more on this later) sits on the Galilee.
After that, we boated across to the other side of the sea, worshiping, singing and dancing all the way, to the restaurant where they prepared and served tilapia fish freshly caught from the Galilee. Then, what was anticipated for so long finally came to fruition! We went to the Jordan River baptismal site and with a core team of about 12 people, baptized all who wanted this experience. The travelers were visibly moved and with anointed worship in the background, all enjoyed and were enriched by this experience!
Tomorrow we head out to Eliat, stopping at the Dead Sea and other historically significant sights… anticipating another long and equally amazing day!
Please pray for opportunities to reach out to those we encounter and for powerful prayer times.
As you read this, Sarah and I are both out of the country. I’m in Israel with my team, and Sarah is in Ethiopia and then travels to join us here in Jerusalem. As you know, we are holding a two-week Prayer Pilgrimage in Israel. Although we are not allowed to openly evangelize, we believe God is going to do great things through our time spent on Israeli soil. You must know how seriously we rely on your prayers! Please pray for us between May 14th and 25th—I’ve included our top five prayer needs below!
Marilyn and Sarah’s Prayer Points:
Safety, health, and protection of body, mind, and spirit for me, my staff, and all the travelers
For Sarah to have great favor with leaders and officials, great response at her church meetings, and open doors for further outreach in Ethiopia
That God’s presence would surround us and help us impact the nation of Israel
That our prayers would be effectual and fervent and that we would really connect with what God wants to do through us
That no violence or conflict would affect us as we travel
We appreciate your prayers! Check back this weekend for LIVE updates from our trips!
The night before our visit to Gaza, Dr. Hickey and I were contacted with the news that Israeli Secret Service approved my entry into Gaza, and they were still working on Dr. Hickey’s paperwork; we heard that though approved, one can be denied entry even during passport stamping at the border. The whole day before we stayed at hotel in prayer and know at least 300 others were agreeing with us.
