Friday, November 16, 2007
Egypt was amazing. I'm going to post my letter here that I'm sending out to those who supported me but for you all who actually read this blog, you can have a sneak peak. To sum up though this last week, it's that God is beautiful and it's seen in the Egyptian people. God moved in mighty ways and the Egyptians will have a mighty roll in reaching the Middle East with the love of Christ. Here's the newsletter:
There’s so much to say, so much to put into this letter I’m not sure how to fit it all in. It’s almost so much that words cannot contain all that God did this last week. I felt going into this that God’s glory would be shown and mighty things would happen but never did I imagine I would come away from the week with all that I saw, felt and experienced. I do want to start by telling you thank you. Thank you for allowing me to be your hands and feet to Egypt, to be the messenger and encouragement to the people there. We had a saying while we were there that we came there to be the Aaron and Hur to their Moses. However, when I look back I can see that they encouraged us so much more than I realized.
Many of you remembered that originally I was to be speaking to the youth there and towards the last moment that all changed as there was a need to teach another class. But God is just so good, all those that signed up for my class were young people. It was such a pleasurable moment to be able to speak into their lives. We taught them how to go out and make disciples. Not only was that accomplished, but they also made stronger commitments to the Lord. We found out after that some of the young men in our class came at the last moment cause they heard that their other friends were going and there were girls in attendance (we saw many similarities in the young people there and those in the states ). But once they arrived and heard that we had traveled so far to teach them, they told one another that they all really better listen because what we had to say must be very important for us to come all this way.
One of the young men shared with us afterwards that when he was called upon to teach one of the small groups (we allowed them opportunities to put into practice what they were learning) that his life wasn’t where it should be. As he was preparing, the Lord touched his heart to lay aside many things that were distracting him from making a full commitment to the Lord. He explained that his pastor had been trying for months to get him to turn his life around but the Lord touched him in this one moment when he realized he was called to be a leader and he needed to open all of his heart to the Lord to accomplish it.
In one of the lessons we talked about forgiveness. Come to find out, this is a difficult thing for the Egyptian culture. After teaching it, they had many questions in which we allowed the word of the Lord to deal with. At the end of that session, I had 2 young women come to me and explain that they hadn’t talked with each other in 3 months! And these are both believers. One of them said that they felt distant from the Lord these past few months, like He couldn’t hear her prayers. Well after the lesson we taught, God moved upon both of them to forgive one another and as soon as they did, all bitterness and unforgiveness left immediately!
Beautiful are the feet of those who bring the good news. All those we spoke to and taught were so beautiful. These are the current and future leaders that are going to be putting themselves in harms way many times for what they believe. My interpreter Usama explained that while he was in the army he would always be put on the front lines in dangerous places because believers are considered lower than dirt. But still the love of Christ comes out in them all. And just like Daniel in the lion’s den, Usama in every dangerous situation came out unharmed, always giving glory to our God.
Monice and Nancy, servant to the servants. They certainly have been blessed with the gift of hospitality. They always made sure our team had water or tea and were made to feel at home there. One night at our 11pm prayer meeting (boy that wouldn’t go over well here in the states let me tell ya), they asked me to pray over them. The wanted guidance from the Lord on their place in the kingdom. I prayed over them and the Lord brought to me to encourage them in their hospitality and that God was going to use them to bless others in this way. Afterward Nancy shared with me that in this prayer the Holy Spirit had confirmed with what I said that they were to help other missionaries as they come to Egypt, to open their house and family to them. They want to give of their very lives to help foreigners feel at home in their country to help them share and spread the love of Christ. How many of us would open our homes to total strangers and take care of them? It takes a very special heart and strengthen from the Lord to do this.
We prayed for and equipped so many current and future leaders this last weekend. The impact may not be fully known until we all reach heaven. We encouraged and strengthened the body of believers there and now, they are prepared and equipped through our Lord God to fulfill their place in the kingdom.
After this last week, more doors have opened for more encouraging and equipping. We have now scheduled a women’s conference in March 2008 and a youth conference in July 2008. After spending most of my time with the youth there, we see the great need to nurture and guide these young people. Please keep me and those remaining in Egypt in much prayer. I know I will be returning as God has given that passion in my heart. I’m currently working with the leaders there and here on the youth conference in July and getting materials lined up. I know that as God provided for me to go this time, He will be able to send me again for the youth conference. If you feel God tugging at your heart to give again, please don’t hesitate. You can send donations to: e3 Partners at 16787 Bernardo Center Dr. #7 San Diego, CA 92128 to my attention (the checks can be made out to e3 Partners as there will be an account for me to hold any funds for my 2008 trip) or online at www.e3partners.org using my name as reference.
Thank you again for allowing me to be your hands and feet. All the testimonies from this last week are yours as well. Share them with all that you can and remember to keep our fellow believers in Egypt in prayer. God has an amazing and powerful plan for them in reaching the Middle East with Christ’s love. God bless you all exceedingly and abundantly.
In His Grace,
Frances Lowry
Romans 8:38-39
38For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,[a] neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
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