What a day of travel

Home at last! I have finaly made it home and I am glad to be there. I am not sure though whether it is night or day. I see the day but my body says it is the night. Funny how those things work. Anyway our journey began on Monday morning we awoke and spent the day recapping and shopping. Our one day to tour without an agenda. We then had dinner and began packing for our ride home. At about 1:30 AM Tuesday September 8th we headed for the Erbil, Iraq airport. We boarded and flew to Amman Jordan. This flight left at 4:00 AM and arrived in Jordan at 5:30 AM. We then had a four hour thirty minute layover. During this time I noticed that I was not feeling well.

Let me just say that when our plane left from Amman to Chicago it was a thirteen hour thirty minute plane ride from I consider hell! I dry heaved so much that I may as well have been seated in the restroom rather than seat 14H. The plane was full and I was not having any fun. Yet finally we arrived in Chicago. Traveling with me were Terry Law, Joel, David and Rob. All these men work for World Compassion. They were sympathetic but each has had that same thing happen to them over the years. It is the part of missions trip that happen yet you believe for it not to.

We hung around in the Chicago terminal for about three hours including eating at Chilies. By this time I was feeling a little better and decided to eat some chicken noodle soup. Not a good idea! Oh well live and learn. I then made it home where Jaida was waiting for me at the Nashville airport.

The great thing is when you are not feeling well there is nothing like your own bed. Does not matter if you cannot sleep, it is your bed and it is where you can recover without the whole world, or at least a plane load of people, knowing you are sick. I am thankful to be home. It was good to see Kylee, Joel, Will and Jaida. As Dorothy on the Wizard of Oz said "there is no place like home"!

The Final Two Days

Yesterday was a unique day. I had the privilege of going with a team of people from the Kurdsman Church to a village in a remote area of the mountains in Kurdishstan. We were 50 kilometers from the Iranian border. We took shoes in to give all the kids in the school as well as a story about Jesus booklet. It was so awesome. We gave out over 200 pairs of shoes and stories of Jesus. They were thrilled to receive both the booklet and the shoes. After giving these out we went to the home of one of the leaders and eat lunch. He treated us to a wonderful meal and then we had the privilege of praying for some of the sick children. This was all done in a Muslem village. Jesus is wonderful and gave us an open door of opportunity to minister. We have witnessed a great move of God and believe that this day will impact this village for years to come. Both the village leader and his Uncle are now believers. Rachel, Bob, Joel, Rob, David and myself are very satisfied with what the Lord has done!

Today I woke a little tired and finding myself excited about what we have accomplished. I have enjoyed working with Terry Law and World Compassion Ministries. Terry and Joel do a wonderful job and have a great network of people to help them accomplish God's will for this area of the world. Today another shoe distribution took place and we did not make that event. About 100 kids recieved shoes, bibles, and the story of Jesus. Today was historic in that this is the first time a bible had been printed in a certain dialect of the Kurdish people. The bible in this dialect has never been printed before and today they received it with gladness.

I am in my room readying to leave and I am somewhat sad. God has moved in such a great way and I am glad to be a part of this ministry. Bob Rodgers, Rachel Rodgers, Rob, David, and myself are all glad to have been here these six days. In about three hours we will leave for the airport and begin our long journey home. It will be bitter sweet. I will be glad to see Jaida, Jacob, Joel, Will and my little granddaughter Kylee. But at the same time I will miss my new found friends and this ancient land called Iraq.

Last Few Days

I have been so busy in Iraq that I have forgotten to blog. Let me catch you up on the last couple of days.

On Day four we taught at the Kurdsman's Church in the City of Erbil. They are registered with the Government and we had about 1-200 in attendance. Bob Rogers began the day teaching about the Holy Spirts baptism and I taught on the healing anointing. We broke for lunch and then that evening Phil Nordin taught on healing and we prayed for the sick. It was a great day and the Kurdish people responded to our teaching. While praying for the sick I prayed for a lady who had knee issues and she was immediately made whole and began to jump and run. She had not been able to do this for many years. We had other notable healings that took place.

Then next day (five) we were back at it teaching at the church. Did I mention that every day it has been about 110 plus? Well it has. Thank God we are staying in a nice hotel with air condition. I have been off on my sleep so the days are long and the nights are short. Anyway we I opened the next morning teaching on faith is necessary on having confidence to pursue the promises of God and then Bob Rodgers taught on prayer and fasting. That night we came back and Terry Law ministered on vision. We prayed for the leaders of the church and then the conference ended. It was a great day and the ministry was off the charts.

I am honored to be with these men of God. Rachel Rodgers and David the step son of Terry Law also provided some good teaching and testimony for the Kurdsman to hear.

Tomorrow we will be on the road to distribute some shoes and bags to kids. Can't wait to see what God will do.

Day Three in Iraq

We have just completed our third day in Iraq. I am so excited about being here and being able to meet the Kurdish people. We ministered tonight in the Charisma Church with a city offical in the meeting who was not a believer. He was muslem and he enjoyed the service. There is no doubt that God is moving in Iraq. Pastor Phil Nordin from Calgary, Canada of New Jubilee Ministries, ministered to the Pastor's and congregation to believe God to do more than they could ever imagine.

We also visited the Old City today. The Citadel, which are the remains of the ancient city, which is 4000 years old was a great site to see. We shopped for a while and saw how life in Erbil takes place. It was a very interesting day and ended on a great note with a meal with all our new found friends. Our only draw back is that Brother Terry is still not feeling well. Well, be blessed and I will let you know about day four.

Day Two In Iraq

Well another day has come and gone. We have completed the first shoe and bag give away in a Kurdish village. It was amazing. While there some of the group met 20 US soliders there for the first time on patrol. It was great to see them and they were elated to see our group. We have met many Kurds who have left their Muslim roots for a relationship with Jesus. This is area is so beautiful. Bob Rodgers, his daughter Racheal and myself went about the city yesterday shopping. It was a lot of fun to find that shopping here is a lot like in the States. This is the first country that I have been to, other than Chile and Costa Rica, that had shelves full of food and other items.

Today we are to meet with church leadership, kick off our conference and enjoy the sites of Erbil. Terry Law is suffering with some type of sickness and we do desire your prayers for him. Bob Rodgers, Phil Nordin and myself have just sat down for breakfast and so we will see you later!

Dreams Come True

Well, I am here in a land I have never been before. After about 16 hours of travel I have landed in Amman, Jordan. It is a beautiful city that is heavily populated. I have traveled about 8000 miles to have the opportunity of a lifetime in ministry. We are moving on tomorrow to Iraq. There we will be ministering to Pastors and villages with shoes and bags. I am excited. Two of my heros in ministry are here. They are Terry Law and Bob Rogers. This is truely a wonderful opportunity for me and my church. Thank you to Trinity for empowering me to go and preach the gospel here in Iraq. My great grand mother Sally Moore told me once I would be able to minister in places around the world and I am living out what she prayed out. This is a dream come true and God is the designer of dreams.