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| Hi << Test First Name >>, in this issue we are continuing to celebrate and honor some Somali believers, whom I believe should be added to the Hebrews 11 account of Heroes of Faith. Knowing God, I believe He has already given them this honored status. Allow me to introduce Mohamed. |
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| Jesus Confronts Mohamed in Dreams
Mohamed, a Somali living in the neighboring country of Djibouti, certainly finds his place as a viable candidate for the Somali Faith Hall of Fame. He grew up in a typical Muslim family, committed to the Qur’an and its teachings. Life was normal until one night in a dream he heard God speak to him, telling him that he should get a Bible and read it. He knew he had to obey this voice, even though it would bring great persecution if it was discovered that he was reading this book. His family and friends would believe he had become a Christian if he was seen with a Bible. He had no idea how he would obtain a Bible. He didn’t know even one Christian. One day as he was considering how he might safely obtain a Bible, he passed a stranger on the street. This man placed a book in his hands and told him, as he was passing, to read it. He told him that it would change his life. When he looked down at what the stranger had placed in his hands, Mohamed was shocked to see that it was a Bible. He knew that it must have been God that arranged this transaction.
Mohamed was fascinated as he read. Every night he spent hours in what he came to believe was the Word of God. He made a covenant with God to follow Jesus wherever it would take him. Shortly after becoming a Jesus follower he had another dream. In this dream God spoke to him again. This time telling him to leave Djibouti and go to the neighboring country of Ethiopia. God gave very specific instructions in this dream, calling out the city to which he should go, the church he should find, and two men he should look up when he got there. The faces of these two men were burned into his memory. Although his family did not understand why he was leaving home, Mohamed made this journey the very next day.
On arrival to the Ethiopian city of Dire Dawa he searched for the church until he found one that looked exactly like the one in his dream. He entered the church and found that a worship service was underway. He sat down quietly in the back until the service was concluded. Before anyone left their seats, he stood and relayed the whole story to the worshippers there. He told about his dreams and how he was led by God to this very church. He also talked about how he saw two men in his dream that he was supposed to talk to when he arrived. Then he pointed out these two men. They were both in the front of the church. They appeared exactly as he saw them in his dream. One of these men was the pastor of that church and the other was a Somali global missionary that happened to be visiting the church that very day.
He met regularly with these two men. They discipled him and gave him training in leading Muslims to Jesus using an underground strategy. Eventually, he left for another Muslim country, equipped and burdened in reaching Muslims wherever he might go. He was certain that God would continue to speak to him and guide him in the days ahead, just as he had been doing up until that time. By faith Mohamed followed the voice of God without knowing where it would take him. |
| EVERY DAY 100+ SOMALIS ARE COMING TO CHRIST |
| There are many more Somalis, just like Mohamed, who are turning to Jesus Christ! Through the ministry of the Somali Bible Society (SBS) and their local church partners, there are over 100 Somalis coming to Christ every day.
Rahma is another one, who has chosen to follow Jesus Christ because of a dream! |
| << Test First Name >>, Rahma (whose name means Mercy) recently graduated with a hard-earned college degree. She first contacted the Somali Bible Society (SBS) in March 2023. Initially, Rahma was very hostile, accusing the SBS leadership of “converting children and ignorant Muslims to Christianity.” (Her words, not mine). However, she eventually accepted an invitation to read the Gospel according to Matthew. By October 2023, she had also read the Pentateuch (The Law). In November 2023, Rahma apologized to her SBS contact, and began studying a catechism produced by SBS for seekers and new believers. She made a decision to follow the Lord in June 2024. She is deepening her Christian faith by continuing her engagement with the Bible. Rahma is an active member of her house church. |
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|  | Rahma (1st from right) (Name changed & face blurred for security reasons) |
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| When asked why she chose to follow Jesus, Rahma responded, “A few months before I followed Jesus, I had a dream. At first, I resisted the dream, but it made it clear that following Jesus was the right choice. I could not resist anymore. I followed Him, and I have never been happier.”
Rahma was recently employed in a very influential position. She wants to be used by the Lord in her family, among her friends, and at her place of employment. Pray for Rahma. Pray for wisdom and safety as she lives as a witness for Jesus Christ in this Gospel-resistant country. |
| To My Somali Muslim Friends
Mohamed and Rahma have both discovered the truth about Jesus when they searched the Gospel in the Somali Bible. You can find the Truth yourself, if you read the Somali Bible with an open mind. Remember, the Qur’an proclaims that the Gospel and the Torah are the Uncorrupted Word of God. Many Muslims believe that the Gospel that was given to Jesus has been corrupted and cannot be trusted. This belief, however, flies in the face of what the Qur’an teaches. Read what the Qur’an says in Surahs 3:3-4; 5:46; 18:27.
Surah 5:46 - We made Jesus, son of Mary, follow in the footsteps (of the earlier Prophets) and confirm what existed in the Torah in his time. We gave him the Gospel containing guidance and light, as a confirmation of the Torah and instruction and advice for the pious ones. And again in, Surah 3:3-4 - He has sent the Book (Quran) to you (Muhammad) in all Truth. It confirms the original Bible. He revealed the Torah and the Gospel before as a guide for the people and now He has revealed the criteria of discerning right from wrong. Those who reject the revelations of God will face the most severe torment. God is Majestic and capable to revenge.
The Qur’an proclaims that the Gospel (Injil) is the Word of God.
Surah 18:27 - Read whatever is revealed to you from the Book of your Lord. No one can change His words and you can never find any refuge other than Him.
The Qur’an verifies that the Word of God cannot be corrupted.
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| | | | Click Link to Somali Bible |
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|  | Scan Somali Bible QR Code |
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| A $58 DONATION THAT WILL HELP RAISE THE LEVEL OF EDUCATION IN SOMALIA |
| |  | Omar Muhamed Name changed & face blurred for security reasons |
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Omar Muhumed, a graduate student in Somalia, recently faced the setback of failing a significant research paper essential for his graduation. He shared with the Somali Bible Society (SBS), “My research paper fell short because I lacked access to quality resources.” He emphasized, “The absence of effective libraries is crippling our education system.” |
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| The highest priority project for the SBS is the Good Samaritan Center (GSC). When this ministry center has been constructed, we will be developing in this center an effective library for public use. This library will be instrumental in empowering Somali university students with the resources they desperately need and will provide another open door for the Gospel. |
|  | Future Good Samaritan Center (Not an exact likeness for security reasons) |
| The Good Samaritan Center (GSC) aims to establish a membership-only library that will primarily serve university students in Somalia. Unfortunately, there is currently no accessible library that meets the needs of students from various universities. This deficit in library resources significantly undermines the quality of education nationwide. Recent public debates have highlighted the urgent need for better library facilities in the country. When the GSC is completed, it could enhance the quality of higher education in Somalia. |
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We are currently raising funds to purchase the building site on which we will build this ministry center. Donors so far have given enough to enable us put a $20,000 USD down payment on the property. |
|  | Secure GSC Building Site 4306 Square Feet |
| You can be a part of purchasing this secure building site in the heart of Somalia by purchasing one square foot (or more) of this strategic location. Although the cost of this property is nearly $250,000, the cost of one square foot is only $58 USD. For a donation of $58 you can be a part of providing a library for Omar and other students like him. And the library is only a small part of the life-changing ministries that will flow out of this ministry center. The GSC will act as the artery through which all SBS ministries will flow. |
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| | The Somali Bible Society wishes all of our subscribers a very Merry, Christ-centered Christmas!
“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6)
“The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”). (Matthew 1:23)
"And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth." (John 1:14)
"Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!" (John. 1:29) |
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|  | Many of our subscribers have given sacrificially to the Somali Bible Society this last year, making it possible for us to reach the Somali people with a holistic ministry. Because of your giving, we have seen 100+ Somali Muslims turn to Christ every day, widows starting small businesses so they can provide for their families, children getting help to attend school, persecuted Christians receiving trauma healing, camel herders finding the Lord, the illiterate learning how to read and write, a new and improved translation of the Somali New Testament, and the list goes on. You have made a difference!
Thank you! |
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| | Consider an end-of-year gift to the Somali Bible Society by giving a tax-deductible donation to the Good Samaritan Center or any one of the other life-changing ministries, taking place among the Somali people in the nation of Somalia and globally in the Somali Diaspora. |
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| God is up to something in Somalia. We invite you to be a part of the transformation of a people and nation in crisis.
You can give $58 to purchase one square foot of the Good Samaritan Center, housing a variety of life-changing ministries, and yes, even a state-of-the-art library, or you can give to any of the many projects bringing the Gospel of Jesus Christ to a lost and chaotic nation.
Click the link below to find a listing of all SBS projects. All end-of-year donations, whether large or small, are greatly appreciated!
Thank you! |
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| IS GOD CALLING YOU TO SERVE? |
| | Is God Calling You? << Test First Name >>, the Somali Bible Society is currently recruiting missionaries to serve in various countries around the globe. We need missionaries in the major cities of the USA and in most world regions outside of the USA. If you, or someone you know, would like to discuss the possibility of involvement in a mission to the Somali people in some region of the world, or even somewhere in the USA, email me:
howie@somalibiblesociety.org |
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| | PRAYER REQUESTS
#1 Pray for Rahma and Mohamed (who came to Christ because Jesus confronted them in dreams). Pray for wisdom and safety as they live as witnesses for Jesus Christ to a very Gospel-resistant people. Pray also for the many other Somalis who are risking their lives daily as they too witness to Somali Muslims.
#2) We have received to date donations totaling approximately $34,000 toward the $250,000 purchase price of the building site for the Good Samaritan Center (Project # 102852). This ministry center will become the artery through which all SBS ministries will flow. Pray for the balance owed of $216,000 to complete the purchase.
#3) Our open platform is reaping a harvest of souls but is also increasing the risk of persecution for our leaders. Pray for the security and safety of our leaders and our volunteers doing Bible translation, literacy training, compassionate ministries, church development, and other various ministries.
#4) We are working hard at reaching the Somali people, but it is God’s intervention in this extremely Gospel-resistant country that will make the difference. Pray for the hearts of the Somali people to be open to receiving and understanding the message of the Bible.
#5) SBS leaders are collaborating with some international mission partners in planning an annual Fellowship and Training Conference in the West (Europe and North America). This is to encourage and train Somali Christians living in the West to reach the Somali Diaspora. Pray for these leaders as they raise funding for this important outreach to the Somali Diaspora. |
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|  | PRAISE REPORTS
#1) SBS recently completed an excellent conference in Africa, where 50 Somali evangelists and church leaders received advanced training in ministry to Somali Muslims. An international ministry partner (along with local Somali ministries and local churches) covered all of the expenses of the conference for the SBS. This international partner committed to fund an Annual SBS Africa and Middle East Conference for the SBS. This annual conference is called “Udub,” which means center pole in Somali. Udub is the equivalent of “Cornerstone” in English.
#2) Many Somali Muslims and seekers are contacting SBS to know more about Jesus. The Church is on the move in Somalia and throughout the Horn of Africa.
#3) Somali evangelists and church leaders are leading many Somalis to Christ. There are over 100 Somali Muslims making decisions to follow Jesus Christ every day.
#4) The SBS is distributing the Word of God not only in book format, but also in soft formats that are available for smart phones, iPods, computers, and other audio options. This is extremely important in an Islamic society where people can own and use a Bible that is password protected for security reasons.
#5) Open Doors (Norway) interviewed our General Secretary about the amazing, sacrificial work of the Somali Church in reaching a Gospel-resistant people. This interview was broadcast on YouTube and other social media platforms. The January issue will highlight this interview and introduce an exciting new evangelistic effort to increase the number of converts in the Somali Peninsula.
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| | Somali Bible Society (SBS) Somali-registered Non-profit Making Christ-like Disciples Thru Bible Engagement
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| Somali Bible Society Network (SBSN) US-registered 501c3 Non-profit Developing Financial & Human Resources for SBS |
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| | Click on links below for websites and social media platforms. |
| | AVAILABLE FOR SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS |
| Dr. Howie Shute is available to speak in Mission Conventions, Faith Promise Services, Local Church Missionary Meetings, Sunday Services, and Breakfast/Lunch Meetings to raise awareness of the exciting possibilities in the mission to Somalia. |
| If you would like to schedule Howie for a speaking engagement, email him at howie@somalibiblesociety.org or scan QR Code for Howie’s Contact Info. |
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