Issue 42 - 5 October 2007

• An 89-year-old widow finally decides to accept the Gospel after watching our programs and seeing two visions of Jesus
• The second series of Tunisian programs are completed…without the producer!
• More and more programs… Series on parenting, mentally handicapped children, testimonies of Arab women and a new one for Morocco this week

Dear friends,

The increasing division in our Anglican Communion is sad and hard to comprehend.  I was glad with the words of Bishop Mouneer, presiding bishop over the historic patriarchates of Jerusalem and Alexandria.  His focus on the need for our churches in the Western World to listen to the united voice from the Church in the old heartlands of the Christian faith, was God-given. 

The direction of the Episcopalian Church in the Western World is painful for us, as it hurts the missio dei in this world.  We should be able to spend our full energy for reaching those outside the church, instead of falling over each other internally.  There is every reason to proclaim the historic Gospel of Jesus Christ as understood in the whole world from the early days of the Church.  It is truth, and people respond to it!      

It’s never too late…even for the most stubborn!  We heard a report last week about an 89-year-old widow whose daughter became a Christian after watching our programs.  She began to share her new faith with her family, including her mother.

“How can you destroy me in my old age, my dear daughter,” the mother complained and refused to listen. However, she was curious enough to check out what her daughter was getting from the Christian program. She watched herself and was touched by what she heard, but it was not enough.

Later that night, Christ appeared to her in a wonderful light illuminating her dark room. Even that was not enough to change her mind, so she got a second vision of Christ! Now she worships Jesus with her daughter and her wrinkled face has become radiant because of Christ's life in her.

The Gospel is changing lives in the Arab World!  God is using TV programs to reach many Muslim homes with His love.  To read more stories from our viewers and translated excerpts of their testimonies, visit our website – www.arabvision.org and click on the ‘Lives Changed’ link in the top left menu.

There is evidence of change in Tunisia as well.  Reports of the initial responses to the first ever Tunisian series we produced earlier this year are very encouraging.  A number of viewers, who have secretly become believers in Christ, expressed their joy and relief upon seeing fellow Tunisians openly proclaiming their faith in Jesus on TV.  They had feared that they were the only ones!

Others say that they watch the program with their friends and discuss things together afterwards.  “They have so many questions and want to meet someone to discuss many issues about the Koran and the Bible,” reported a team member who answers the phone calls from viewers.

Last week, the second series was recording with the Tunisian presenters, even though the producer could not be there because of health reasons.  God was there in the studio though, and His presence was sufficient. 

The Tunisians reported the following: “We would like to thank you all for your precious prayers that accompanied us during this time. We felt the presence of God among us. We were all full of energy and strength to achieve the work.”

Much is also being achieved at our other production centers, including a series of 12 documentaries on mentally handicapped children, 26 episodes on parenting, a special documentary on the tragic lives of street kids, and another series in Moroccan Arabic being produced this week.

The stories of Arab women in various parts of the region have also been produced in an interview format.  During one recent filming with an Iraqi woman, the recording had to be halted because members of the production crew couldn’t hold back their tears when they heard her heart-breaking story.

The Arab World is in desperate need for something to smile about.  Too many are suffering due to poverty, fighting, political turmoil and hopelessness.  What a privilege to share with them the Good News of Jesus Christ.  A 39-year-old man writes, "I got to know Christ a month ago through your program, and I would like to come and share with you what is happening in my life.  I also want to get baptized." 

God is at work in the Arab World!  Join us – we need your prayers and support.
 
Abu Banaat
International Director