Zaghouan
Zaghouan is in the northern third of the country. It is off the beaten tourist path, unless you are on a quest for the best of the Roman sites. Zaghouan has a claim to Roman grandeur in the aqueducts that originated here, supplying water to ancient Carthage. Additionally, the remains of an impressive temple built to honor and celebrate the gods who sourced this water has recently been restored and protected by the current government. The ancient acclaim and obeisance for these water gods has echoed through the walls in the words written on a modern placard, acknowledging to whom the ancients accorded the source.
During the 3rd century, a strong Christian presence was documented in the area of modern Tunisia. The Zaghouan region seemed to have several established fellowships of significant strength. There is a heritage of biblical faith alongside the foundations of Roman worship of false gods.
Zaghouan once held the power of North and South relations in the trade industry, and represented water and wheat–the power of life and death.
Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost (Isaiah 55:1). And as they do this, recognizing God as the giver of this gift, may they also find His One and Only who came with this promise: Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but those who drink the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life” (John 4:13-14).
There has been some response to the Gospel in this region, but fellowships have not been established. Pray that the powerful forces of Life will flow through the hills and valleys of this region and bring the water of God’s presence bursting forth. There is only one thing that makes a human eternally outstanding: the knowledge of the one whose Living Water is a gift given with grace–at no cost. Pray that the people of this region will recognize and give honor to Jesus, the source of that Living Water.
As we pray this blessing over the land, asking for miraculous breakthrough, let the image of Hagar, weeping beside her dying son, both perishing for lack of water–suddenly confronted with the presence of God and the revelation of a living well at her side–inspire us with faith for this nation belonging to the “sons of Ishmael”. Pray also for the believers that are living near here or living in Tunis. May they be able to bring Jesus back to their cities/villages and their extended families.