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From Bernie Kunkel
RECEIVED FROM A FRIEND OF
MINE IN COLORADO.
.................................................................................
From a friend who is with a
team of missionaries in Doha, Qatar!
Sent: Saturday, March 27, 2004 1:22 AM
Subject: "The Passion of The Christ" Aired in the Middle East!!!
Friends,
Today very possibly was the most significant day we have seen in all our
years of living in the Middle East. To everyone's shock and surprise, "The
Passion" was released today here in Qatar. Just a few days ago when one of
our team members was praying for it to come to Qatar in our prayer meeting
(we knew it was opening in the United Arab Emirates in about a week), we
honestly had no faith whatsoever that her prayer would be answered. You
have to realize that until now we have only been able to show the Jesus
film in Arabic to a handful of Qataris in the secret of a home setting. In
the coming weeks, potentially 10's of thousands of Arab Muslims will see
this powerful portrayal of Christ's suffering and death.
Today at 4:30PM, our entire team went to see the debut of this film in
Doha, Qatar!
It was amazing--how many people get to see this film in a theatre ½ full of
Gulf Arab Muslims ? both men and women. In two short hours, more Qataris
heard the Gospel than we have been able to reach in 3 years! The Arabic
subtitles were completely accurate ? they didn't water ANYTHING down or
change any language that Muslims would not agree with. All of us watched
the film in absolute amazement in what God had done. The Muslims sitting
around us were being moved ? gasping, crying and reacting with disgust to
the brutality that Jesus faced.
Now ? if you have heard anything about why the Arab Muslims would want to
see the film, you know that it is because they 'heard' it was anti-Jewish
and since they hate the Jews, they want to see it. How interesting that
God is using this film to communicate the Gospel and the very opposite
spirit that might be motivating them to go and see it. The message to LOVE
YOUR ENEMIES, and Jesus praying for them to be forgiven while on the Cross,
perfectly subtitled in Arabic, would hit the Muslim theatre-goer in a
powerful way.
Just as Satan surely felt that he was winning when Christ began to suffer,
ultimately it was the plundering of his house and his complete defeat.
Muslims are going to see this film because of their hatred (and probably
out of curiosity as well) and in the end, the message they will hear is to
LOVE. Is it not just like God to do something like that? They mean it for
evil, and God means it for good!!
Below is an excerpt from the today's local newspaper:
"INTERNATIONAL blockbuster film Passion of the Christ will have a multiple
release in Doha today. Qatar is to be the first country in the Middle East
to screen the film?"
There is yet another motivation that Qatar had in releasing this film and
that was to be "the first country in the Middle East" to show the film.
Qatar is trying to change its image and portray itself as a tolerant Muslim
country. Little do they know that this film is exposing their people to
many truths that their faith categorically denies. (The Sonship of Christ,
the Fatherhood of God, the Atoning Death of Christ for the sins of the
World, and of course the commandment to "Love your enemies"?all
uncompromisingly translated into Arabic subtitles!).
We are all still shell-shocked by what has happened and what will happen in
the coming days.
Please pray for these urgent requests:
1. That this film will be allowed to be shown for a significant period of
time. It is being shown in 3 different theatres, up to 4 times a day.
Fundamentalists will surely be in an uproar about this unprecedented event.
Just when we thought Satellite television was going to be the most
significant way for the Lord to sow the seeds of the Gospel, this film
arrives in Muslim nations!!
2. That this film will cause a major shaking and stirring in the hearts of
Qatari Muslims leading them to salvation.
3. That God will lead us to men and women who have been/will be impacted by
this powerful film.
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