We have several exciting things to share with you this month.
Last month there was a volunteer team that came from the USA to help us work on some projects. We focused a lot of our time on the streets, in the local parks, and at a H*ndu temple. Our method for connecting with the community was providing family activities for those who were enjoying their local parks. We had face painting, balloon animals, beads, bubble wands, and games. Providing these services gave us some great opportunities to m*nister to people. We also spent time using pr@yer walking as a tool to start up conversations about our Father in some of the local markets. The highlight of our time came when we visited a community m0sque. We attended their evening pr@yers. Afterward, they invited us to stay for some tea and snacks. They led us to an upper room where six men were waiting to serve us. We had at least an hour conversation talking about various spiritu@l topics. Many of the questions they asked were intended to demonstrate their objections to our message. As we were answering their questions, I had a strong sense that the Father was speaking through us. I believe the L0rd used us to represent His kingdom and to proclaim His Word. During the debrief the team was full of wonder and amazement at what the L0rd had done. In total, we were able to serve around 400 people in one form or another. We had spiritu@l conversations with 200 people. We got 18 contacts from our efforts. I have been following up with these contacts over the past few weeks.
I have been leading some trainings for a South Asian fellowship in the north. These sessions have been awesome. The people are really embracing the tools that are being offered. My goal in these sessions is to help them become better d*sciples of J. The trainings are focused on being doers of the Word. They learn how to become d*sciples by setting goals and by reporting on how the Father is using them. Each week we learn a new skill, set goals, and report on our activities. My pr@yer is that the L0rd would raise up leaders from this group who will do big things for the kingdom. In the near future, I will be leading this group through a B*ble story set. Through this exercise they will learn key truths from the Word. I will also be modeling how to lead a B*ble study. I will be encouraging them to start B*ble study groups with their family and friends. The groups that they start will also focus on training people and raising up leaders. The intention is to disciple people who make disciples who in turn make disciples. I believe we have a great start with this group and I am very optimistic about our direction. The success we have had with this group is already opening up other doors for us. I am meeting with a p@stor this weekend who has heard about the work we have been doing. I am hoping to start a training group in his fellowship as well.
Lena has been leading a storying group with some Musl*m ladies on the East side of our city. They have been meeting in a ladies only lounge in a mall. This is the location the ladies themselves chose to meet in. Our new approach has been to offer to have B*ble studies with people while giving them the power to determine where we meet and who attends the group. This approach helps the people of the group to feel less threatened as it helps to ensure that the meetings will be discrete. This provides an environment where people can truly open up and talk about what is in their hearts. The first time Lena met with this group there were 3 women who attended. For the second meeting, those 3 invited 5 others and the group increased to 8 ladies. Lena told them the story of the woman at the well. She emphasized that only J can provide living water. These ladies told Lena that they want to know more about why J is the only one who can provide s@lvation. We are pr@ying that J will be exalted in these ladies‘ hearts.
Silas has started Kindergarden. Simeon will be starting pre school where he will be working with a speech therapist everyday.
Pr@yer Requests:
- I will be traveling to South Asia in two weeks. Please pr@y that I would have a safe and smooth journey.
- My mother will be visiting us in a few weeks. Please pr@y for our safety as we travel.
- Pr@y for our training groups. Pr@y G0d would do great and wondrous things through those we are investing in.
