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I wanted to touch base with you again about the people we’ve been interacting with.  I have loved that many of you have been emailing me and asking me about my trip and the constant question is about the people we are meeting.

While at this conference, I’ve been able to digest and think about the times we’ve had and the guys we have met.  We met several guys, most of them students, who attended the two prestigious universities in Beirut; American University of Beirut and Lebanese American University.

One day, we were praying around the city literally asking God do we go right or left?  We found ourselves on the Lebanese American University campus and came up to a group of guys.  Kenny asked, ‘think we should talk to these guys?’  In the span of 2 seconds I said, “Sure…” then “Hello” then Kenny said, ‘You guys speak English?”  It was as easy as that and we were talking about the University, girls, English curse words, and the Kingdom of God.  The leader of the group, “Mark”, specifically really looked up to Kenny and we could tell some of the things we were saying was resonating with him in particularly.  We decided to meet again to watch a World Cup match at some place called “Starbuzz.”  Don’t think Starbucks, think Espn Zone crossed with a Night Club.

We met at Starbuzz with Mark’s friends and found an Italian style table where we could see everyone else.  It is always tough to steer things in a spiritual way, so constantly dodging talking about women’s butts etc was something we had become accustomed to in our interactions with Mark and his friends.  So our goal was to figure out what would really be good news for Mark.  Although it’s clear he wants to make a lot of money, we continued to probe to figure out if there was a God-given dream that we could speak to.  It turns out he’s always wanted to be a director.  But he gave up that dream a long time ago because Lebanon is not known for their movies they put out.  Kenny specifically discouraged this thinking and told him a couple stories of other internationals getting scholarships out of nowhere- only because of the favor of God.  He was amazed and hooked on this ‘good news.’  Kenny explained that when you truly begin following God, submitting your life and trusting Him in ALL things, God begins to make a way where there was no way before.

From here a real discipleship relationship has formed.  He called us several times while we were at the conference and we’ve met a few times since then.  Kenny has even had a time of prayer with Mark.  He brought Kenny and another guy to the Mosque and showed them how he prays and recited from the Qur’an- something he probably hasn’t done in quite a while.  Kenny shared from the Bible and gave Mark a gift of brand new Ingil (New Testament) that included the Gospels and Acts all translated in Muslim-friendly language.  One huge change is that it inserts “Word of God” where it says “Son of God.”  Muslims will eventually realize this as they grow, but it is such a stumbling block for them and is one of the main reasons they say the Bible has been corrupted.  This is a Biblical solution (John 1:1) that honors Muslims in their walk and pursuit of something that is contrary to everything they’ve ever heard (the idea that Son of God denotes God had sex with Mary- obviously a miscommunication).  Mark was honored, confessed that he had never read the Ingil,  and promised that he is going to tell us what he thinks.  Be praying!

Last night, we went to a concert event with Mark and his friends.  Students and young people from Beirut were performing classic rock songs from Hendrix, to ACDC, to Coldplay even.  For this event, the university actually hired a crane to take students up and let them bungee jump for the equivalent of $20.  Instigated by Mark, his friends, and the cheapest price ever- I went to sign up.  I later reconsidered, realizing that that wasn’t the way I wanted to go out.  If I’m going to take some big risks on this trip (and we will)- I don’t want it to be for bungee jumping.  No offense to avid jumpers out there.  Kenny preferred not having to explain anything to anyone back home.  I’d like to take this particular time to give a shout out to my dad and mom!  I love you and I know you enjoyed the decision I just made.  Happy Father’s Day, Ron- there is no one like you and your support means the world to me.  Call your dad’s or recognize you have a perfect Father who is for you more than you are.

We’re in currently in Tyre (see your new Testament).  More good to come.  Should be able to post by Wednesday.  Pray for Mark and his friends!

HKC

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