Terry Law and I have returned to Tulsa safely. We had another update from a high level official in Kurdistan, Iraq today informing us that Pastor Jamal’s appeal for private amnesty is now with the legal department and will be passed on to top ranking government officials this Sunday.

Please continue to pray with us that Pastor Jamal will be granted private amnesty and that he will be released from prison very soon.

God Bless,

Joel

Anxiousness causes us to force things and make rash decisions. It gets us away from following the leading of the Holy Spirit and the peace of God.

The Holy Spirit is a gentleman. He won't force the lead, but He is always there to guide and direct us. When we allow anxiousness to dominate our minds and emotions, it fuels our flesh resulting in fleshly decisions. Anxiousness screams making it difficult to hear the leading of The Lord.

Philippians 4:5-7 says, "Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."

No matter what you’re going through, whether it’s a "positive anxiousness", seeking direction or a stressful time don't become so anxious that you force things. Instead still yourself, acknowledge God with your situation and follow God's leading. We can do this by filtering our thoughts through Philippians 4:8 for then we will be of a sound mind, living in His peace and in stride with God's perfect timing.

Favor has certainly surrounded Dr. Terry Law and Joel Vesanen in their petition for Pastor Jamal’s release from prison in Iraq. Thank you for continuing to follow this process and see it through in prayer.

Dr. Law was able to meet with the high ranking government official who took valuable time from his schedule prior to leaving the country. Through the course of 40 minutes (the meeting was originally scheduled to be 10 minutes) they discussed the severity of Pastor Jamal’s medical condition and the urgency of his release from prison. The official took an interest in Jamal’s case and said he would do what he could to help Jamal obtain “private amnesty” from his prison sentence. His response gave us great encouragement and hope that Pastor Jamal could be released.

Like any legal process, it takes time to walk through each step. However, with the help of this government official, Dr. Law was able to move through almost every step required in a matter of hours including another visit with Pastor Jamal who continues to share his gratitude for the support of those who are praying for him.

The final step in this journey requires the President of Iraq to sign off on the pending request for Pastor Jamal’s release. We ask that you continue your prayers for Pastor Jamal and that this case receives favor in the sight of the President. Also keep the Iraqi and Kurdish government in your prayers as they have continued to help us throughout this process.

God Bless.

Additional Praise Report:

On Dr. Law’s return to the prison to see Pastor Jamal for a second time, Jamal told us a story that continues to reveal God’s power in this situation. He said that after Dr. Law had left the prison the first time, he was in so much pain that a guard needed to assist him to his cell. As they made their way through the prison, an individual who had noticed the favor that was on Pastor Jamal's life, said, “Please, tell me about the Bible.”

Jamal felt refreshed by the Holy Spirit when the question was asked. He was allowed to spend an hour with this man telling him the message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. After this encounter he was able to make his way back to his cell without the walking assistance of the guard.

Thank you for your prayers.

Thank you for your prayers regarding Dr. Terry Law and Joel Vesanen as they petition the government for the release of Pastor Jamal from prison. We are fully aware that this battle is not against flesh and blood but against adversaries in the spiritual realm (Ephesians 6:12). So we urge you to continue praying.

Terry and Joel were welcomed by the government and prison officials who allowed them to visit Pastor Jamal without supervision. Joel shared with us over the phone that it was a terrible sight to see Pastor Jamal’s poor condition. When he came out he wobbled forward, bracing himself against the wall to keep balance. He has been experiencing excruciating pain from what we believe to be a brain tumor that was operated on a few years ago.

In spite of his constant pain, he was surprised and thankful to see Terry and Joel at the prison. He had no idea they were coming on his behalf.

Prime Minister Barzani has read Senator Inhofe’s letter, but due to other pressing national concerns, he will not be meeting with Dr. Law. However, he has passed this matter to the next highest level official in the government, and we understand that this man has the authority to make the decision to release Jamal from prison.

This is where we ask that you focus your prayers. The meeting with this government official (due to security concerns, we cannot release his name) will take place tomorrow morning Iraqi time (during the night here in America). Remembering that this battle is not against the government but against spiritual forces, please pray that God gives Dr. Law the right words and for them to find favor in the eyes of this official resulting in the release of Pastor Jamal.

This is a grave matter, and we are positioned to see it through. Please take time to pray for the meeting tomorrow. God bless you as you invest your time in prayer.

Thank you for your ongoing prayers for Dr. Terry Law and Joel Vesanen as they travel to Iraq to petition the Prime Minister of Kurdistan, Nechirvan Barzani, for the release of Pastor Jamal, who has been imprisoned for almost two years. Dr. Law and Joel Vesanen have had productive meetings with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Religion concerning the release of Pastor Jamal. Currently, leaders from the European Union are also in the country so Dr. Law has been unable to speak with the prime minister so far.

Terry and Joel were able to meet with Pastor Jamal’s wife and bring her comfort and reassurance during this very difficult time for her family. Within the next 24 hours, they hope to see Pastor Jamal, encourage him, and hear from him directly about his critical health situation.

Please continue to pray that Dr. Law will be able to speak with Prime Minister Barzani and that he will have wisdom to move forward with the right steps so that Pastor Jamal will finally be released from prison and be reunited with his family.

As soon as we have word about Jamal’s situation, we will update you via Facebook and Twitter.