December, 2004 Edition

 Volume 2  Issue 4  
Amman, Jordan National Conference
By Larry Schoonover, Puyallup, WA  

My wife and I want to loudly applaud the ongoing efforts of our Representatives  and Aimers in the Middle East for their courage and self-sacrifice to minister the Gospel under such oppressive conditions.  We recently returned home from speaking at the National Conference in Amman, Jordan and then additional services in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, Israel.  From the moment we landed in Amman there was an immediate and tangible spiritual oppression with such intensity like I have never felt.
Having ministered in several nations on various continents this pressure was to be expected, just not with such intensity. Fear and oppression dominant the region.  After crossing the Jordan back to Israel we realized the same oppressive spirit dominates all Palestinian controlled areas.  The spiritual conflict was as immediate as crossing a border checkpoint.  I would prefer to tell you how bold and confident we felt while being present for these meetings, however once the anointing lifted after each service we found ourselves in constant spiritual battle that never lifted.  Gary and Linda Reed have labored here for 24 years.  I applaud their courage, tenacity and persistence.
This first National Conference yielded much fruit from their years of labor in the region.  In one service we counted fourteen different nations represented by pastors and constituents.  Several received the Holy Ghost and were baptized, some were healed instantly while others were healed overnight of physical ailments and diseases.  Deaf ears were unstopped and fingers withered from crippling arthritis were straitened.  The power of God was truly manifested among these precious and hungry people.  The three Aimers present who have been working in the region showed a fearless boldness and would make any church 
or individual proud to support them on the field.  Adam Hunley, Darla Ford and Laurenza Cacciatore show a genuine burden for the souls in the Middle East and are actively working to assist our missionaries in their field of labor.  What a blessing to see a unified team of laborers with the kingdom of God as the central focus.
Great progress is being made with International Biblical College in Jerusalem founded by Robert McFarland.  This institute of higher learning will be a powerful vehicle for God's kingdom in the earth.  God moved in special ways both in Tel Aviv and in Jerusalem.
While touring the many landmarks associated with biblical history we discovered that men have made shrines out of these landmarks of where the Lord's presence was once physical.  I expected to make some kind of spiritual connection because of my relationship with God and spiritual walk.  It was not until we gathered with precious saints of God for worship that the Most High God manifested himself in glory and power.  When considering these landmarks I was reminded of the scripture where the angel spoke to Mary and said, "He is not here, for He is risen...".  When considering how much attention the Temple Mount of the old city is getting and how many visit the Western Wall I am reminded where the apostle Paul declared, " Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and [that] the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?"  Let us never forget where the living presence of God dwells.  He dwelleth NOT in a temple made with man's hands.

Additional Photos from our trip here

 

       

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