ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — Raheem left his wife and two children in Pakistan almost three years ago to make a better life.  He found work in the United Arab Emirates, a small, oil-rich nation of federated Arab states located in the Middle East. Upon arriving at the labor camps, he met men and women [...]]]>

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — Raheem left his wife and two children in Pakistan almost three years ago to make a better life.  He found work in the United Arab Emirates, a small, oil-rich nation of federated Arab states located in the Middle East. Upon arriving at the labor camps, he met men and women from India, the Philippines, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Indonesia.

Like other workers, Raheem sends nearly all of his paycheck home. This worldwide economic climate has the workers on edge. Everyday many are fired and told to leave. Forced onto the streets, they make temporary homes in the park, scrounging to gather enough for a trip home.

Raheem becomes a statistic, losing his job. He has nowhere to lay his head. In the park, he joins a group gathered around a small black box. He begins listening to dramatized stories about another wanderer who teaches about God, love and faith.  Raheem’s heart warms as he realizes that this Jesus knows where he’s been.

“In the middle of the desert, a harvest is being reaped,” said Malcolm Montgomery, a Faith Comes By Hearing representative.

Through partnerships with the Bible Society in the Gulf and local pastors, Faith Comes By Hearing is discipling immigrant workers with God’s Word in audio.

“Local pastors use Audio Bibles in their outreach and discipleship efforts among the immigrant laborers,” Montgomery said. “Less than 20 percent of the 4.8 million people there are citizens. The rest are workers.”

There are workers from roughly 200 different countries in the U.A.E.

“Jesus said ‘go into all the world and make disciples,’ but He has brought the world [here]. These workers come to the Gulf to find jobs, and then more than jobs, they find Christ,” said Babu Ganta, a Bible Society in the Gulf representative.

“Our ministry is to bring God’s Word to these people,” said Ranjini Ganta, a Bible Society in the Gulf representative. “We are always looking for new tools, new means. The Proclaimer has been one of the most important means by which we are presenting the Gospel to them.”

The Proclaimer is a self-powered audio player that is pre-loaded with the Audio Drama New Testament in the heart languages of people around the world.

Pastors are using 150 Proclaimers, but Montgomery said they could use up to 1,000 each year.

The United States of America was founded 231 years ago on strong Judeo-Christian principles. From our founding documents to our courts to the eventual printing of our currency, the reverence of God, in government, was [...]]]> As the United States of America turns 231 years old today I want to pose the question Can God Bless America?

The United States of America was founded 231 years ago on strong Judeo-Christian principles. From our founding documents to our courts to the eventual printing of our currency, the reverence of God, in government, was everywhere.

The blessings we Americans have enjoyed have made us a shining beacon of freedom and prosperity.  We live in a land where anyone regardless of race, gender, class or creed can rise to be anything they set their sights on.

America has turned away from reliance on God to self-sufficiency.  It reminds me of when Israel turned from God and did “what was right in their own eyes”.  Is it a coincidence that as we turn from God our economic prosperity, and with it, the world’s disappears?

America is also consistently abandoning Israel in favor of Palestine and other Arab countries.  Remember in the Bible, God says to to Abraham, “I will bless those who bless you, and I will curse him who curses you; and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” (Genesis 12:3)  To be blessed by God, it is vitally important to stand with Abraham which are the Jews of today.

It’s not too late to turn back into the country that God wants to bless.
What can I do to make a difference today?  Pray, pray, pray:

• Pray today and every day that the leaders of this country will turn from their own ways and seek God’s guidance in every decision they make.
• Pray that Godly men and women will step forward and run for public office and vote for them when you find them.
• Pray that our leaders will stand with the land of Israel.

Happy birthday, USA, have a happy July 4th weekend and may God, once again, bless America.

by Bill Rozmiarek
bill@gatheredtogether.org