And Some More Testimonies

It's so amazing! The stories I've begun to hear from Iran are so deep and powerful - so quickly!

One thing we did different this year was to focus on shame instead of guilt. As Carolyn and I flew over there, I read a book entitled "Honor & Shame." It's about how different cultures are defined by different basic needs. All of this is based on the 3 major emotions felt by man during the fall in the garden.
:7 - guilt
:8 - shame
:10 - fear

Cultures that are haunted by fear see spiritual beings in every occasion and circumstance. They seek power to ward off evil spirits. Our culture is more guilt and innocence based. We look for right and wrong in situations. Even our movies are basically hero defeating villian. Right triumphs over wrong. But the Middle Eastern cultures are more honor and shame based. It is about preserving honor and avoiding shame.

The author of the book challenged the church and missionaries to learn and use paradigms that related more to honor and shame rather than our typical guilt and forgiveness theology and stories. And the Bible is full of these models and stories. For example, the son who runs away from the family, taking his inheritance with him. This would be an intense experience of shame for his family. And yet his father welcomes back this son of shame immediately. And the first gift he gives this prodigal son? A robe! To cover his shame! It's all there in Scripture, page after page.

So this time our prayers and teaching focused more on shame and recovering honor. I thought the Lord moved fast and deeply before. That was just the beginning compared to this trip. Hear some of the stories of what God continues to do in Iran. Again, thanks for your support!

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(When I asked a leader how his timothies were doing, here is his brief answer)

"They are doing great, especailly Na. She is so different. She had a lot of issues. We are so amazed in how she has changed. She has real joy. Your ministry is awesome - very powerful. You did awesome – and your team. Thank you for doing this!!!!"

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Here is another one from a leader whose Timothy is already putting into practice what we taught)

Na love you so much and she was blessed so much. She went to new level - I see it!! It’s amazing!! During this 2 days (since being back) God use Na to help healing 2 people, baba. And also she start to training 2 people for healing prayerrrrrrrrr. Na sees pictures also when she pray for people and Na is wonderful!!

I believe Na and T are so great in this inner kids ministry and other people start. But Na and T are more powerful because started before other!! I am so happy.

N

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(And here's another one from one of my best students in Iran)

Tuesday I went to Ar's home and met her, A and A. I taught them a little about what I learned and then we started to pray. I started to pray for them and use the anointing oil that you gave us. For one of them I sanctify her eyes and hands (she felt guilty because she saw bad pictures and did some bad things with her hands) after praying she felt so good. THANKS FOR OIL. (we gave all of them gifts of anointing oil)

Again, thank you! This is the church working at its best! Blessings!!!

Baba Mike