Jonah The Reluctant Prophet

      It was 2015 when I was introduced to the Yazidi people They   were part of the Kurdish region of Northern Iraq called Ninevah. You know   when someone mentions a name you start hearing that name all over. Yes, the   Yazidis were in the news as ISIS was attacking them and doing things to   them that I can only liken to what happened in Nineveh in Jonah’s   time. I found myself broken for these people. They had separated   themselves from the world so they could keep their customs and traditions   intact but after Isis invaded and was slaughtering them they started to reach   out to anyone on social media who would listen. Their government didn't   really do much to protect them. The pictures and stories were gruesome and   graphic and found myself praying for them and learning all I could about   their religion. They are not Muslim. They feel Muslims only want to convert   them or kill them. 

 The more I heard the more I tried to push it aside in my mind, after all, I   had to find me a husband because I was convinced that was going to make   me happy. Lol. I’m embarrassed just confessing that. The truth is, the more I   learned about the Yazidi people, the more I was feeling compelled to GO help.   Help?!  What can I do?  I thought my calling was to be married   and share the gospel with the Jewish people here in the USA. The bible does   say to the Jew first! No, Lord, I’m NOT going to the Middle East!! and Oh   yeah and where’s my husband, didn’t you say it’s not good for a man, or   woman to be alone?
 The next thing I knew I was on a plane to Greece to help the Refugees that   were pouring out of the Middle East. It was my first missions trip and the   first time I met the Yazidis people trying to get to Germany where they would   be free and safe. I truly felt the Lord was allowing this to happen so   the unreached could be reached.
 

 After that trip, I went home and immediately Immersed myself in   missions’ classes with this strong calling to help the Yazidis always on my   mind. I realized that Jesus really loved these people. They said they loved   Jesus but they only know him as a kind prophet.
  I was also speaking to Ahmed on messenger, a young Yazidi boy who was   teaching me Shingali Kurdish and I was helping him with his English.
 In 2016 I got connected to an Asian medical missions team out of   California. Finding we shared the same burden for the Yazidis and their need   for someone who knew about water, they asked me to join them on their   upcoming trip to Kurdistan. In October 2016 I flew to Turkey, met the Asian   American church team and we continued on together to Iraq.  I was so   excited, wait, what? Excited? Iraq was never on my bucket list! Everyone   kept telling me this is dangerous. I don’t know what happened but somehow, I   was skipped over when they were giving out ‘fear” genes.
 I finally got to meet my Yazidis friends face to face and We were able to use   Ahmed as an interpreter. He was so eager to please me he would come to my   hotel early in the morning and wait for us to go and set up a clinic in   remote areas where the medical need was the greatest. At the makeshift   clinic, after the Yazidis received medical treatment, I had the   privilege of praying for them. I was in awe of the answered prayers and knew   that God has no boundaries or geographical limits. Working together with   Ahmed brought a rich and rewarding relationship with him and his huge family   that I have had the honor of meeting and trying to remember all their names.   There are 10 brothers and sisters, all with 9-10 in each of their   families. 

 I also was able to take a tour of the "water plants " and inspect a   well where the water tankers filled up and then transported it to each   family's water tank. I realized that is why the people were getting sick. I   was able to resolve an issue that at least helped with one tanker truck   contamination problem. There is definitely a need for sanitary conditions and   clean water.

 Fast forward to December 2020, I went to Kurdistan for Ahmed’s wedding to a   beautiful young woman whom I love and cherish as my Yazidi daughter-in-law.   She is now pregnant and wants me to be there in Dec 2021 for the birth of her   baby. During that trip, I was able to meet many other American field workers   and have many contacts. This August 2021 trip is what the Lord had prepared   me for during the last 5 years. I had three obstacles holding me back from   moving to Kurdistan full time, My dog, My job, and my house. My dog was 21   when I put him to sleep in January, I just retired from my City government   Job where I worked in many different capacities with water and wastewater,   and my house which I believe will provide shelter for someone who wants to   rent it.
 

  I also am bringing my manicure/pedicure equipment ( i did nails for 16   years) to be able to wash some feet. Many of the women there work full time   taking care of their large family that eats 3 meals a day and several tea   times. No one has ever given them a pedicure or massaged their hands and feet   and I also promised two American field workers pedicures. The Lord   willing,  I also have a few projects in the works to help rebuild a   church that was destroyed by ISIS in Sinjar. and a project for the children   in Kurdistan to come up with ideas to recycle water.  
 

 God is awesome in how he prepares us for our future. Jeremiah 29:11. If you   would live to sow into this Journey please click on the support the ministry   button below. We are raising money for our expenses for   accommodations, travel, and transportation. I am grateful to have you come   along on this journey to see where Jonah was sent. The land of the   Assyrians, Medes, and the Persians. The land where Abraham was   born.  Iraq is the second place most mentioned in the bible.  
 

  I’m asking for 100 people committed to praying for me before   I go. So, if you could respond to this email that you will pray,   and then text me anytime that you’re praying that would be so encouraging   i would love that. Of course, I'm not going to keep track but I've seen   where people received a text while they were in a bad situation and it just   super energized them. Keep in mind, we are 7 hours ahead of you in case your   ask for a response. I think with Apple you can do regular text, but I’m also   on Telegram, Whats app, Signal, and Facebook messenger.

  I truly believe it is the prayers and support of the saints that engage   and put the great commission into action.  
 I would be proud and honored If you would like to be a part of Jonah’s   journey You can help in two ways, giving and praying and oh yeah, a text   would be nice too (wink).
 

  In His Service,
 Louise