ccm Cross 0188 Aboud Elementary School, Aboud, Holy Land

ccm Cross 0188
Friday September 21, 2018

Aboud Elementary School
Aboud, Holy Land
ccm Cross 0188

GPS/DMS 32°0’57.46″N 35°3’56.92″E

Additional Photos after Testimony

4702 cdd Jumped Off The Pages
Cyber Daily Devotion
Volume 19 Number 211

Today’s Author: Pastor Bill

Scripture: Mark 15:21
“Then they compelled a certain man, Simon a Cyrenian, the father of Alexander and Rufus, as he was coming out of the country and passing by, to bear His Cross” NKJV

Hello, my name is Suhaila Khoury the Headmistress of the Church of God Elementary School, in Aboud, Palestine. I was born in Aboud the oldest of ten children. My dad was a farmer and mom helped as she was the main ingredient in raising us. Dad was a clerk in the Orthodox Church and mom was very active. Our family was well trained in church things. Every night before we went to bed our grandfather read to all of us from the Bible. It was a very special time in all our lives.

Right out of the high school, I met Headmistress Margaret Gaines the founder of Aboud Elementary School. We Liked each other, and she asked me to help with teaching. I was young and wanted to explore what life was about, but I sensed Jesus wanted me to be a teacher in the school.

I started teaching the children and was challenged by what I was doing. The work was easy enough, but I desired to do other things. But Headmistress Gaines was good to me and I stayed. This went on for several years. I was not very happy but adjusting as best I could.

I then decided to quit and wrote my letter of resignation. I left my office to walk down the hallway toward the administrative office when a large curtain fell from the ceiling and blocked my steps. A curtain that was never there before! Several hours later I walked that hallway again and the curtain fell in front of me once again. Later I tried one more time and the curtain fell again. I returned to my office and fell om my knees. I knew for sure my Lord wanted me to stay teaching. I gave my heart and my life to The Lord Jesus Christ to do His will. I never saw the curtain in the hallway again!

I immediately began reading my Bible in Arabic and English. I struggled at first, but it wasn’t long before I started to understand the verses. My pronunciations needed work, but I was making process by the help of my Lord Jesus Christ. I started teaching Sunday School and became the Youth Leader.

Then one evening when I was preparing my next day’s lesson of Bible verses, the verses began jumping off the pages. I was clearly understanding every verse as the Holy Spirit was opening my eyes. The Scripture of Simon carrying the Cross for Jesus saturated my heart. Mathew 27:32 “They found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name. Him they compelled to bear his cross”.

It crushed my Spirit when I understood what was being asked of Simon to do for Jesus. Simon didn’t want to be there, carrying that Cross. But once engaged with Jesus he had no choice but see the carrying of the Cross through the end.

If Simon could carry of the Cross of Jesus I could too! I would be faithful to anything Jesus Christ wanted of me — to the very end! The more I read the Bible the more I fell in love with My Lord Jesus Christ.

My whole countenance changed. I became a light for Jesus. Headmistress Gaines saw it. I had a new bounce in my step and no longer did I struggle to be a teacher. I excelled in every area. I did it for Jesus. It was my Cross and I would carry it all the way for Him. It was the power of the Cross in action for my life.

Headmistress Gaines in her later years transferred the School to Miss Arlene Miller, a 20-year missionary to Aboud. The three of us continued, praying and teaching the Word of God for adults, youth and children. Headmistress Arlene Miller returned home to USA in 1993 and transferred the School to me. I became Headmistress and together Miss Margret Gaines and I continued to carry on the work by the help of our Lord Jesus Christ. 35 students turned into 50. 50 into 65 and even more were added.

Miss Margaret Gaines became ill. She could no longer carry on the duties at the school. She also returned to the USA. She asked me to pick up the Cross of the School. The transition was tough and challenging. We live in a war zone where as I look through my window periodically it erupts with troubles.

One night I looked outside my window as the army appeared in big tanks in the streets. There was shooting, but as I looked through my window I saw an army of angles protecting us in the school. Another time I was walking out of the School to the nearby church as bullets began flying over my head. I asked the Lord for help and the angles stepped in again and protected me. Another time I was walking and there was no one around on the street when a man appeared and said, “Don’t go that way, let’s walk this way.” I heeded what was said and later discovered there was trouble in that area and I ended up walking home with Jesus.

All of this reminds me of a dream I had when I was ten years old. I’m now in the later stages of my life and I still do not drive. I have never driven a car. When I was ten, in my dream, I was in a car driving and Jesus came to me saying “You don’t know how to drive around the curve. I’ll drive your car and He did drive it. Certainly, after all these years it is clear to see that I’m the passenger and my Lord Jesus Christ is driving where He wants me to go.

Headmistress Margaret Gaines went to be with Jesus November 20,2017 and it is no coincidence that you have come here today, in 2018, to plant this Cross. For you see when Simon stepped up and was given His Cross for Jesus he carried it to the end.

With this Passing of Headmistress Margaret Gaines into heaven, it is clear, that the Lord has passed her Cross on to me — for me to carry it to the very end. Thank you, Pastors Bill and Carol for coming all the way from America and planting this Cross to show me how much My Lord Jesus Christ loves me and loves the work that needs to be done here at the Aboud Elementary School. I accept this Cross of Jesus Christ and as the Hymn says, “Where You go I will follow.”

My favorite Bible Verse John 3:16, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” NKJV

The Cross means to me the Love of God; the Power of God for healing, liberation, salvation, justification, peace and joy. And as Simon did his part for Jesus, it is my responsibility to do my part as the Lord directs. My part is here at Aboud Elementary School and all these children.

This Cross planted is a reminder to all who see it that Jesus Christ is alive. The Cross is the Power of God. My prayer is that each one who sees this Cross will experience the Love, Liberty, and Healing Power of Jesus Christ.”

Prayer: Father thank you for the Cross of Jesus Christ. Simon helped You when You needed it and help me to do likewise when and wherever you desire. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen!