In less than three weeks, we will have a medical team on the ground in Jordan, establishing medical clinics aimed to bless Iraqi Christian refugees. 
Many of these refugees have been forced to flee their homes because of the violence against Christians in their home country, and are struggling to make ends meet in a new country.
I am very excited about the possibilities that this trip will open up for us. It is a follow-up trip to our Middle East survey trip last year, in which we were able to make contacts and meet some of the community that we are aiming to serve. This time, we have the chance to expand our ministry exponentially through the work of our doctors.
Nathan Glupker, Remember’s summer intern, has put together a very informative summary on the need in Jordan, and how Remember will be seeking to meet that need in early July. Read the Jordan Background Briefing here. (PDF)
Will you pray for us? We are in the midst of intensive preparation right now. Pray specifically for our medical personnel. Already they are working hard to make sure we have all of the supplies that we need, and they will bear the brunt of our work on the ground. Pray for them, and for all of us, as we prepare physically, mentally, and spiritually for this trip.
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From The Weekly Reminder:
Jordan is a country in the heart of the Middle East, surrounded by countries that seem to be either in constant war with each other, or fighting civil wars. Because Jordan maintains neutrality in these struggles, it has by default become a safe haven for refugees fleeing their own countries.
Many of those refugees come from Iraq. Since the Iraq war in February, 2003, several million Iraqis have been displaced from their homes—chased out, in part, by the war, but in large part because of the continued sectional violence, which often targets the Christian religious minority in particular.
In theory, there are three options for those fleeing Iraq: repatriation, local integration in the region, and resettlement to third countries. Most choose to resettle in other countries. Today, Jordan recognizes few Iraqi refugees as actual refugees; rather, they are considered “guests.” This new term results in their stay being less permanent, as well as the government’s ability to deny the rights usually given to refugees. The need among these “guests” is often intense, because they are denied the ability to obtain work permits or any public aid.
Remember had the chance to meet Christian refugees in exactly this circumstance last year, as a part of our Middle East survey trip. While on that trip, we were able to provide some blessing to these believers, purchasing blankets and propane heaters for distribution to the neediest among them. But our dream for ministry to these Christian Iraqi refugees was much bigger.
Because of that dream, we are taking a medical team to directly touch the lives of these brothers and sisters in Christ. Working through the local churches, we will be providing five days of mobile clinics, providing medications and diagnosis for acute medical needs.
And we’re leaving soon! Our five-member team will be departing the afternoon of July 4. We’re blessed to be taking two doctors, focusing on the needs of both children and adults. But not only is this trip designed to provide acute medical attention; we are also seeking to make a long-term impact as we interact with local doctors and health officials to create a foundation for even bigger work later on.
Will you pray for us? These brothers and sisters have lost their homes and their possessions, many having nowhere to turn but the love and compassion of their fellow believers. They have been targeted for their faith, and we want to provide the biggest blessing possible. Pray that God would open the doors to us to provide profound service to these needy believers.
ays ago, and has continued; pray for these Christians!