Latest news on the ministry from Daniel and Mary Shayesteh:
The Problem Is In the Root
(Number 2)

In our previous letter, we discussed how the nature of Allah is continually changing.  As the root of Islam, he has shaped the culture of Muslim nations in the world in such a way as to not allow his own people to experience any lasting peace and harmony.  His prophet, Muhammad, spent the majority of his life in warfare against those who opposed his way.  Is it any surprise, then, to find so much unrest within Muslim nations?  They were involved with shedding the blood of their own and others, as the history of Islam testifies from its beginning. 

A turbulent nation not only affects itself, but will also disturb the peace of other nations.  This is now especially evident in the contemporary era, when many countries in the non-Islamic world are growing increasingly dependent on Islamic nations due to their large oil reserves.  This has resulted in many leaders in the West to not only keep quiet towards the inhumane attitudes of Muslim leaders towards their own people, but, further than this, have allowed them to penetrate and influence western countries. Some extreme repercussions of this can be seen in the honor killings of Islam, its hate speeches and threats against critics, which have all taken place within western countries.  Even now, Muslim leaders are asking for the establishment of Shari’a (meaning ‘the Islamic way of life’) in the western countries.  They are offended by seeing ladies walking uncovered in the streets of America, London, France and others.  In achieving Shari’a law, they will be enabled to put in practice such punishments as amputation, hanging and stoning for those who break the law.  Their aim is for all countries to follow the example of Saudi Arabia in their fulfillment of Muhammad’s law.  Coptic Egypt, Zoroastrian Iran, Catholic Syria, Maronide Lebanon and Assyrian Iraq are clear examples of how they work to demolish others’ values for those of Islam.  In the same way, they will not rest until they have completely destroyed the democratic values of the West.

So, what is motivating Muslims in this?  Allah and his word.   One can ask, when confronted with this reality of Islam, why Muslims would choose to follow in this way.  Are they not able to see and observe the potential for peace in life and give up the misery and uncertainty Allah has left for them?  Not according to Islam.  Allah has closed their eyes; they are not allowed to search into other beliefs for fear of their lives.  You have only two choices in Allah; to obey him and destroy others, or to die.  Their dependence on Allah becomes stronger when the non-Muslim world keeps quiet against the inhumane values of Islam.   Already we can see some western leaders, under the pressure of oil and economic crisis, speak in favor of Allah and say that he is the same God Christians follow, undermining the Judeo-Christian values on which their nation is built.

What is the solution?

The solution is Christ.
 I wish every body knew this.

A few years ago, I received a phone call from an atheist man in Sydney, expressing that he would like to support my ministry.  This, honestly, worried me immediately as atheism says that religions are the opium of the world.  I thought that it could be a plot.  I told him this was the first time I had heard of a communist who wanted to support a Christian.  His reply to this was, “Honestly, you guys (he was also referring to the other two Australian Daniels) have opened the eyes of many to the threat of Islam.   I was shocked on how some communist leaders are united with committed Muslims for the destruction of Christianity, but I have realized that what happened to communists in Islamic countries has never happened to us in the western countries, simply because of their Judeo-Christian values.”  His words were so true and encouraging.  The reason that the democracy of the West does not exist in any other country, is because of the role of Christianity in its root.

We are responsible to help our communities to know Islam.  Islam will continue to subtly destroy the values of the West, unless we speak about the superior values of our root (Christ) and reveal the evil desires of Allah, the root of Islam.  If we do not know our enemy and do not create awareness in the community, the enemy will grow and dominate us.

Daniel and Mary Shayesteh 
 
Quito, Ecuador
On Tuesday, January 1st, our three daughters flew to Quito/Ecuador from the USA in order to partake in the Alliance Youth Mission Conference.  Janet, our eldest daughter, shared our testimony in the conference and was interviewed by local TV and Radio stations.  All three girls were moved by the work of God among the people in the conference, as they worked to serve the local community.  Mary and I praise God that our daughters understand the position Christ has given them in His Kingdom and they love Him.  The Qur’an believes women are inferior to men; they are nothing more than mute animals, as great Islamic scholars state in their commentaries on the verses of the Qur’an.  Unlike Muhammad, Christ’s approach to ladies is so different.  In complete contrast, they are princesses of the Kingdom.  Our girls are so grateful that the Lord Jesus has transformed them from the kingdom of darkness into His Kingdom of Light. 

Riverside, Minnesota
On Saturday, January 5th, I flew to Minnesota for ministry in Riverside Church. On Sunday morning, I gave my testimony in two services, and on Sunday evening I lectured about ‘Unveiling the Nature of Islam’.  The senior Pastor, T. Lundeen and his wife, knew us from Sydney when they were invited in 2001 to minister in our church, Hills Alliance, in Baulkham Hills.  They had also invited me to their previous church in Minnesota in 2003.  This was encouraging to us that after four years apart, they had not forgotten the validity of our message.  People were moved by the changing power of Christ in our lives.  They were also shocked when they heard the stand of Islam towards Jews, Christians and non-Muslims.  More shocking to them was when they discovered that some western people and politicians call Islam ‘a religion of peace’, simply because of political correctness.

Orlando, Florida
On Wednesday, January 9th, Mary and I flew to Orlando in order to minister in two churches as well the New Tribes Mission (NTM) headquarters.  Our three daughters joined us in Orlando while traveling back from Ecuador to the USA.    We were staying with our dear friends Charlie and Cherrie Case in the NTM Retirement Village.  They served the Lord in Australia, New Zealand, and other parts of the world for many years, and are now business advisers in NTM/Orlando.  We are so grateful for their beautiful care and hospitality and for the accommodation they provided for us.

On Thursday, January 10th, the family visited Disney World.  On Friday, January 11th, Mary and I visited ‘The Holy Land Experience’, which touched our hearts in many ways.  On Saturday evening, I spoke in Victory Baptist Church, the Cases’ home church, about our testimony in the first 1.5 hours, and then after a short break I compared Allah with the God of the Bible and Muhammad with Jesus for 45 minutes.  Two young Muslim leaders were present in the meeting.  I had an opportunity to talk to them and encourage them to be open and compare their Qur’an with the Gospel.  They asked me to email the verses of the Qur’an that I used as references, so that they may be able to check the history and context behind them.  On Sunday morning, January 13th, I shared our testimony in two morning services at Neighborhood Alliance Church.  On Sunday evening, I again spoke at Victory Baptist Church about “Influential Evangelism” and then answered questions from the congregation.  On Monday morning, January 14th, I spoke at the NTW headquarters on the following:

1. Pray to God in order to raise courageous men and women in the West so that they may rise and stand for the Judeo-Christian values in their countries,
2. Pray that westerners will experience a personal encounter with Jesus.

People in all three places were overwhelmed at how Jesus brought us out of Islamic radicalism into his loving Kingdom.  Through our visits, they were provided with the opportunity to read the verses of the Qur’an and the comments from Islamic doctrine and understand the harsh stand of Islam against non-Muslims.  They were also highly encouraged that the love of Christ changes even radical Muslims and that they have to continue praying for the Islamic world and focus and support missions even more fervently.

On Monday afternoon, we flew to Colorado.

Colorado Springs, Colorado
On Sunday, January 20th, I gave my testimony in the morning fellowship at the Harvest Downtown Church in Colorado Springs.  In the evening, I gave an introduction about committed Muslims’ conspiracy in the western countries and also the problem of political correctness that has jeopardized life in the West.  I then answered questions from the congregation for two hours.  People were amazed of the mighty work of God in our lives, and were shocked at how subtly the values of western societies are increasingly under threat.

We were so encouraged that the Spirit of God moved many people in the church.  A few younger Christians came to us and said that they were so encouraged and will keep us in their prayers.  People saw that our calling was wholly of God, and our warning and education on Islam was eye opening.  We praise God for these encouragements through His people.

Rothbury, Michigan
I flew to Rothbury on Friday, January 25th and had dinner with one of the pastors and the elders of the Rothbury Community Church, while answering their questions.  On Saturday, January 26th, I lectured for 5.5 hours in a seminar arranged by the church.  The subjects covered in the seminar were “The Basics of Islam”, “Unveiling the Nature of Islam” and “Christian Apologetics”.  On Saturday evening, I gave my testimony in a public school, also arranged by the church.  On Sunday, January 27th, I preached on “Influential Evangelism” in two morning services and answered any questions in the Sunday school class in between services.

We praise God that wherever He sends us, we leave a great encouragement and impact to people because of His amazing change and grace in our life.  Our brothers and sisters in Rothbury realized that radical Muslims are not only the reality of life in the Middle-East, but they are also at their door step, in Michigan.  A few cities in Michigan are now the hub of zealous radical Muslims in the USA.  If Christians do not stand for the Lord and do not show His love to their fellow citizens, including Muslims, Islam will take over and ax the root of their democratic values. 

2008 Calendar

February-March 2008, Europe
April 2008, South America
May 2008, USA
June-July 2008, Australia and New Zealand
October-November 2008, USA