IN THE NAME OF JESUS - IMMANUEL

In The Name Of Jesus - Immanuel  As the plane neared Male, the capital city of the Maldives, the team gazed out its windows. The water was even more beautiful than imagined, the white sand almost blinding. “Is this really a mission trip?” was the question that was etched across all of their faces. Passports in hand each team member nervously waited alone in the customs line. Thinking if one was caught, the rest might still be able to escape exposure; they separated and silently prayed. Tom was the first to approach the counter. The customs official asked him to unbutton the top buttons of his shirt and pull his collar aside. A small cross on a chain lay flat across his chest. The official requested that he remove it, assuring him that he could claim it when he exited the country.  As the team assembled outside the airport they were grateful that each person had safely entered the country, although every outwardly reminder of Christianity had been taken from them. “No problem,” the leader said, “our prayer trip begins now! The first thing we can do is to pray for the items that were taken from us – that they will fall into a person’s hand, who is seeking Jesus.” They all smiled. Their materials did get in! No way were they going to claim them upon departure. “Thank you Jesus!”   One With Them These remote islands, surrounded by turquoise blue water and glistening white sand beaches, is a dream vacation destination. This is the picture that Maldivian authorities want to give to the outside world. The harsh attitude the government takes towards Christianity is less known. Every citizen has to be Muslim. Churches are forbidden, evangelism is banned and the import of Christian literature is prohibited. “Immanuel,” Hebrew for “God with us,” seemingly does not apply to the Maldives as no visible evidence of Him exists. But as you pray during Ramadan, pray for a divine knowledge of salvation, through Jesus to be known to its citizens – for this country to be claimed by Immanuel! 2013.07.23 The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel. (Isaiah 7:14)