Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia is the centre of the Muslim world. It is here that many make the long journey to Mecca to fulfil their lifetime religious longing. While Muslims dwell in relative peace alongside Christians in Western Christian countries, there is a different atmosphere in their own countries. In the country of Saudi Arabia it is a crime punishable by death (hanging) to spread Christianity. To live as a Christian, means you must keep your faith to yourself. It seems impossible to fulfil the commission of Christ to go and teach others around you; to let your light shine before men; to spread the good news that Jesus is coming soon; Jesus is a wonderful Saviour who died to save all mankind from whatever religious background they may have come from. Many flee these kinds of countries upon accepting the Christian religion. They flee to the West where they can worship in relative peace and safety. Who would want to willingly go and live in a country like this, especially if you are a true Christian?

Our dear sister Marlene Reid, who resides in Australia, decided to step out by faith and enter this country. Sister Marlene is much loved here in Australia and she, being a nurse, took a one-year work assignment in this country. She went, not seeking worldly gain, but seeking an opportunity to carry the message of salvation into this stronghold
of Satan. She went by faith, bringing as much literature as she dared. She has been in Saudi Arabia since October of 2003 and has already made a few experiences. She has found a Seventh-day Adventist sister who is interested in the Reform Message.

She is constantly receiving articles and studies to share with others, by e-mail. With e-mail nothing can be intercepted by the postal service and held against her. She needs our prayers so that the Lord will lead her to souls who are seeking the light of the truth, and sustain her own spiritual life. She has until October of 2004, and we pray that at least one soul can be found. She recently wrote an e-mail to Brother Andrade, whichhe asked to have published in the Messenger
so that the united prayers of believers around the world can uphold her in her work for the Lord.

“Dear Brother Andrade:
“Christian regards to all at home. Thank you so much for the Bible study I have received. I immediately passed it on to the lady who wanted to know about the topics you’ve sent over. The first diagram you’ve sent over did not come out so well, I tried to enlarge it with my glasses but did not have any luck. Would you be able to email me that first part only and enlarge it on your side? I am doing well, the Lord’s care and love is always over His people. Wonderful
was it for me to go through your study about the 144,000, everything sounded so new and fresh to me and my soul was much encouraged reading it. Will we ever be able to fully understand how much heaven has put in for us to be saved? All of the treasure house of heaven was emptied for us, nothing was kept back, and the Father gave all that He could give for us. Thank you for your words of encouragement. Yesterday I had a wonderful experience in Riyadh while doing my shopping. I met the owner of a shoe shop who told me he is from Sudan, a country in Northern Africa. He asked me if I am a Christian and I said yes. He told me he is a Muslim. He said to me he would like to know more about Christianity, I said to him, “in Christianity Jesus lives in the heart, filling it with love, peace, kindness and joy, changing the heart and life of man,” and he said to me, “I want to hear more, please sit down,” but my brother I could not do that, not in Saudi Arabia. Here the death penalty is hanging over your head when you spread Christianity. Something nice happened to me yesterday morning when I prepared myself to go on the bus trip out shopping, for the first time I took one of our books with me with the intention to read it on the bus, not knowing this book I had to take with me was for this man. While I was talking to this man, about Jesus, mentioning His wonderful name, in his shop a beautiful sensation came over me and it filled the room, and I could experience this man was picking it up, and it touched his heart, oh! The beautiful name of Jesus, how beautiful it sounded. I remembered the book and asked him if he can read English and he said, yes, but just a little bit. I gave him the book and he accepted it and with an open heart asked me to please come back next time. When I walked away from the shop I prayed that the Spirit of God may open the words in the book of E.G. White to this man. Oh! The wonderful joy it will be when Jesus shall come and we will meet with those like us who have accepted Jesus as our personal Saviour. Happy Sabbath Brother Andrade to all of the family. God bless. Say hello to Sister Andrade. Your sister Marlene”

We pray that our dear sister will be kept safe and we ask your prayers for her also. If you wish to send a message to our sister, please send it to Brother Eaton ([email protected]) and he will pass it along to her.

My prayer is that the Lord will inspire others to make sacrifices and go out to the far corners of this earth with the message of the gospel. Not just to the wealthy, comfortable, Christian nations, but to all nations, especially to those where Satan has a stronghold. Paul received a call “And a vision appeared to Paul in the night; There stood a man of Macedonia, and prayed him, saying, Come over into Macedonia, and help us” Acts 16:9, and he went. There are others also calling. When the Lord asks, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” May we answer like Isaiah, “Here am I, send me.” Isaiah 6:8.
AMEN

Wendy Eaton, Australia