June 2016

Dreamsalive:
The Arab-American Alliance

Countering Hate with the Love of Christ Throughout the Middle East & North Africa

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It's summertime in the
Persian Gulf

The temperature just went o ver 41 degrees Celsius today, that’s
105.8 degrees Fahrenheit. No more sitting in outdoor coffee shops for a few months! For Sue & I that’s not so awful since we have a decent fully air-conditioned home. We are mindful of the many refugees living in abandoned buildings, tents, and sub-level housing.These refugees are still coming from war-ravaged Syria & Iraq with
no sign of the violence and war ending. We’re doing our best to alleviate suffering for as many people as we can, mainly focused on Christians, but not exclusively, for bombs and bullets do not stop to ask a persons religion, age, or gender. There has been far, far, far too much killing in the region. In February 2016, the New York Times
reported that the five-year-old war in Syria has claimed 470,000 lives. Of those killed more than 12,000 were children. 4.6 million Syrians are refugees that have fled to Jordan, Iraq, Lebanon, & Turkey and 6.6 million are displaced within Syria. Over half of the refugees are children. These children are at risk of becoming ill,
malnourished, abused, or exploited. Millions have been forced to quit school. In response we have opened “The ABC School” in Marka, Jordan. This school is designed to teach primary aged Syrian
& Iraqi children how to speak English in preparation for immigration to Australia or North America.

BACK TO IRAQ

In June I travelled to Iraq to
visit friends of Dreams Alive
and see if we could help with
their work. One of the
projects was in the Nahla
Valley near the town of
Dohuk, close to the Turkish
border. It was really off the
beaten track! We’ve been asked
to assist Elizabeth, a Syrian
friend who had lived in
California. She serves full time
in the Nahla Valley and the
Lord really shines through her,
resulting in her receiving much
love from the local people and
the refugees there. Elizabeth’s
ministry covers five villages of
Assyrian Christians. She has
asked us to help improve the
water supply that has become
inadequate with the influx of so
many refugees. My friend Paul
Saager, a water and sewerage
engineer, travelled with me to
advise everyone on the
feasibility of the project.

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ABC SCHOOL

We have a need for certified English
teachers at the school. If you feel called and
qualified to serve let us know. This is a self funding ministry with a minimum one-year
commitment. Another opportunity is for your
church group to give a 5-day VBS style ministry
to the kids. Medical and Dental teams are also
needed on a short-term basis. If you can give a
week we can make all of your housing and travel
arrangements. Recently the UNHCR declared the
refugee crisis around the world to be the worst in
human history! The most destitute area is Syria
& Iraq and their neighbors that have absorbed
the refugees. Galatians 6:9-10 reminds us “Let us
not grow weary in doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.” Please pray to see if the Lord would have
you serve the refugees.

NAHLA VALLEY

You may recall that last November we put a roof
on the only school in the Nahla Valley. It was a
real treat for me to see that roof, meet the
principle and receive home made ‘thank you’
cards from some of the young students. I must
admit the cards brought a few tears to my eyes.
As in Jordan, we can also receive individuals and
teams to do medical, educational, building, and
spiritual ministry among these dear brothers and
sisters in the beautiful Nahla Valley.

SPEAKING IN THE NJ-NY-PA AREA

Sue & I will be in the States between July 23rd and Aug 19th visiting friends & promoting the ministry.

In you live nearby come out & say hello!
7/24 Gateway Church, W. Deptford NJ;
7/27 Calvary Chapel North Jersey, Passaic NJ;
7/31 CC Northfield, NJ;
8/7 Leidy’s Church Souderton PA;
8/10 CC Finger Lakes NY;
8/14 CC Kearney NJ

THANK YOU FOR BEING PART
OF THE TEAM!!!

Thank you for your enduring friendship & prayers.
Sue & I continue to be thankful for the privilege of
serving in the Middle East. There are so many
opportunities to bless people through friendships, the
church, & all of our relief work. If you feel led of the
Lord to serve with us, please write via email:
pastor@saarfellowship.com

Absolutely none of the ministry we do would happen
without you, our friends and support team. We thank
you & look forward to seeing you soon!