Please see the timely announcement at the end of this email.
As Americans we seem to need a boogeyman: A big, scary nemesis, on whose demise we pin our hopes for security, prosperity and a happy ending. These days Iranians and immigrants occupy the top two slots on our Boogeyman Top Ten. You can imagine your way down the rest of the list. (If you’re not American, can you tell me, does your country do this?)
A prayer letter from a friend today prompted an arresting thought for me: On the one hand, Iran is a leading recipient of US ire, while on the other hand, it is likely Iranians are turning to Jesus from Islam in greater numbers than anywhere else on the planet! (Read more here.)
Certainly correlation does not equal causation, but in this instant it should be cause for contemplation. As Christians, let’s be careful to distinguish between the rulers and the ruled. Iran may be our enemy, but Iranians are not. In fact, maybe a million of them are our sisters and brothers in Christ.
Since most Iranians follow the Shia branch of Islam, this weekend is a good time to pray for them. July 5th and 6th marks the Islamic celebration of Ashura, the annual Shia commemoration of the martyrdom of Imam Hussein, Muhammad’s grandson.
For info and ways to pray check out this helpful one page prayer guide. This video offers an on the ground look at some of the unsettling customs associated with Ashura.
In other news:
Our family is planning to go to Guatemala this fall with my org, Healing Nations. We’ll spend a week seeing eye patients (mostly Dr. Anna!) and caring for overlooked people. This will be our first family cross-cultural experience.
Over the past three weeks I’ve invited you to consider a gift to help cover the cost of this trip. Thank you to those who’ve given. This is at the last of those requests. I invite you to partner with us in this effort which we expect will have life-long impact on our kids, ages 11, 13, and 16. If God leads you give, click here, select “Healing Nations Trips,” type in “Bennetts’ October Trip.” Thank you very much.