Two Rivers Ministries

A siege of
Love Against Hate
Life Against Death
Light Against Darkness
Freedom Against Captivity

What is “The Siege” and why are you doing it?  Good question!  Below is a letter sent out by Heather that does a wonderful job of explaining “The Siege”.

To family, friends, or acquaintances, made in the image of God, 

God is good.  I have been a prayer missionary in a small impoverished African American community called Cairo. IL almost three years and I have reaped more from being down here than I ever hoped or imagined I would.  God has given me the one thing I truly wanted…to know him better.   

I spoke in front of a church 6 hours north of Cairo last Sunday.  My declaration was clear and from my heart.  “I stand before you telling you there is no loss in His kingdom.  If I never marry in Cairo, if I never live the American dream, if I never save a penny, if I never establish my own home, it has all been worth it…He is so worth it.  Do not fear loss for the sake of Christ, you will only gain when you seek his kingdom first.”   

The riches of my heart are currently at a place they have never reached before.  He has allowed me to walk a crazy, sometimes hard, sovereign journey and on this side of it I am confident of His Faithfulness, His Goodness, and His Nearness.  For me, there is no turning back…I’m having way too much adventure, purpose, and fun. 

So why after all this, am I writing to you?  I want to share with you what God’s unfolding for my ministry team and I down here this summer.  Through much prayer, Two Rivers Ministries (the organization that invited me down and that I currently work for www.tworiversweb.com) is embarking on new territory.   

Up until now we have established a community deeply-rooted in love amongst our staff; regularly hosting and welcoming people, visitors, volunteers, and drop-ins in our midst; we have kept open a prayer room that is staffed and is a place for rest and worship and study; provided service and compassion to the poor; run a computer lab; and lead bible studies with youth, poor, elderly, the addicted and/or mental handicapped. 

Here where the new territory comes in.  We are inviting reinforcements.  We have prepared and organized a kingdom advancement project called The Siege (www.thesiegecairo.com).  We are sending out recruitment materials to Houses of Prayer, internships and prayer groups all over the nation to invite those who would prayerfully consider coming here for a season of prayer and fasting.  Up to 50 people will be joining us on staff this summer for 50 days of night and day prayer and worship in the streets of Cairo. 

Our mission: to love God and love other people; to bring worship and love before him in the second darkest city I’ve ever been to (Cairo, Egypt being the first); and to love people with relentless kindness, unwavering forgiveness, ceaseless patience, and unconditional acceptance (talk about being empowered by the Holy Spirit). 

I am writing you this because I want you to have the option of taking this journey with me.  I’ve never heard of anything like this or seen it walked out in such a small town with the focus of the city being the prayer room.  We understand that we, as Two Rivers, do not have ability to walk this out in our own strength but we are stepping out onto the water so to speak, fixing our eyes on Jesus. 

I am asking you to partner with us in your heart, to pray and stand in the gap for us on behalf of the light of the gospel going forth in Cairo, Illinois.  Understand that it’s not a work of our hands.  Seeing God the Father and understanding his love for us and his overwhelming goodness is nothing we can conjure up in others hearts.  It is truly a work of His Spirit, a miraculous work of real relationship between Father and child.   

I love watching the heart of the Father transform hurting, broken, and depressed people.  I love watching the light in their eyes return; the countenance of their face lift, and the hope of their heart return to its rightful place.  His children were destined to walk in His Freedom.  God really is good and He really does love them and care for them and does not desire us to walk as victims of our own and other’s sin.  The Great Healer knows how to heal us and redeem all that has been lost. 

I desire your prayer.  This summer I will be leading a six-hour prayer watch 6 days a week with approximately 10-12 adults and a co-leader.   

My life is the testimony and my love is the evidence.  I am asking that you will pray that: 

1. The foundation of the Father’s affection for me will forever be unshakable.
2. I stand on the ground that Jesus’ blood FULLY covers me.  Shame, defeat, doubt, unbelief, condemnation, guilt, performance, discouragement, and rejection are not from the Father and I AM FREE!
3. That I could HEAR the one I love clearly, walk in the Spirit, and stay in the Word.
4. That I would have discernment and a Spirit of wisdom and revelation. 
5. That I would speak the Word of Truth boldly and with clarity. 
6. God’s kingdom would come to Cairo and that His will would be done in this city. 
7. Pray that the youth and teenagers of Cairo, IL would encounter the heart of the Father.
8. The light of the gospel would go forth, and the city’s destiny would be released.
9. That we would find favor with the community, city and government officials, and churches.
10. 2 Chronicles 7:14, Joel 2

I am also extending an invitation to come.  You could come for a visit, retreat, or adventure and see this tiny town in the middle of nowhere that God is absolutely in love with and has mighty plans for.  Or you could pass this info along to some other person who is as crazy as we are that might want to come and join us for the summer.  The application is on the website (www.thesiegecairo.com).  

I want to give God praise in the area of finances.  He’s already got that all covered for me!  I got a phone call in November of last year and I am being fully supported for the year of 2008.  And another individual already added on top of that.  Praise God that he desires people to be loved in Cairo and for us to join in with the Great Intercessor, Jesus as he is already praying.   And since coming to Cairo I have been able to pay $13,000+ on my school loans.  I will live debt free. 

Blessings on you, your family, your faith, and your future. 

“But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ. For he himself is our peace, …for through him we have access to the Father by one Spirit. Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God’s people and members of God’s household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit” Ephesians 2:13-22. 

Forever by His side, wherever He takes me,

Heather A. Amundsen