A Miracle in the Middle East.

Introduction

Ramadan is in full swing, meaning Muslims across the unreached world are submitting themselves to a daily routine of prayer and fasting in an attempt to draw near to Allah. 

This month-long observance brings a shift for our missionary partners too. While friends and locals around them worship, they wait for open doors to have spiritual conversations—because our God is not hindered by a season of spiritual darkness. 

Garret and Lily Esparza have seen these doors open in their two years of serving unreached people in the Middle East. And this Ramadan, they’re hoping God will do it again.

Just weeks ago, a miracle happened in a Middle Eastern city. 

Garrett and Lily have lived in this city for 2 years now. Their work has allowed them to tangibly serve families experiencing immense physical suffering*—an incredibly unique opportunity for global workers in the Middle East. It opened the door for Garrett to start visiting a local believer, J*, and his family in the city. One of J’s family members had been in a coma for months, and he invited Garrett to visit with them. Still young in his faith, J wanted Garrett to pray over his family. 

But as Ramadan approached, that was set to change. Many locals the Esparzas had built relationships with would turn inward for the celebration—J’s family included. Additionally, any healing within J’s family during this time would be attributed to Allah, not our God who can truly heal. 

It would be hard to know if God answered their prayers for J and his family during the celebration of another deity.

Thankfully, Garrett managed to get in one more visit with J’s family before Ramadan. In front of J and his whole family, he prayed that God would heal their family member and wake him from this coma. This prayer was big. It was bold to pray for a miracle in front of J’s entire family! But it reflected a truth the Esparzas hold tightly: “As we wait, pray, and lean into what He is doing; we are eagerly expectant for great things.” 

A few days later, J’s family member awoke from his coma.

God answered Garret’s prayers in a way only He can—a miracle J and his family will never forget. It impacted J so deeply that he shared a desire to be baptized and share his faith with his family! The Esparzas are eager to help him pursue that. 

Garrett and Lily are in awe of God’s goodness and perfect timing. He’s working in miraculous ways unseen, every day, across the nations! You’re part of it, and we can’t thank you enough for supporting the Esparzas in this great work! 

Happenings at AIRO.

We’ve had hundreds of conversations with our community trying to answer a big question: how do we make our generosity count for eternity? 

Through those discussions, we’ve seen generous believers put their money to work for the Kingdom in all sorts of ways. Today, we’re excited to announce a workshop focused on one option that is both impactful and personal: helping you create your own executable will, for FREE! 

You read that right. We’re partnering with Christian Foundation of America to host a 90-minute virtual workshop that will walk you through building an executable will at no cost—no matter your age or stage of life. Join us on April 29th from 5:00 PM – 6:30 PM (PT) to build your will for free and make your generosity count for eternity!

We send with great joy.

It’s our greatest privilege to help send missionary partners like Garrett + Lily to the field and to keep them there long-term! We don’t want you to miss out on it.

Want to get in on the action? Make a gift today and advance the gospel to the unreached!