Since I seem to be bringing this blog up-to-date tonight. Let me report the joy it has been to have Sara and Jonathan decide (August 15, 2009) to marry (October 17,2009). I expected Sara to marry someday...was a little shocked when they started dating in February after she had just turned 19. Over the months of their courtship I became adjusted to the idea and as I got to know Jonathan it became a joy to think Sara found the soul mate she had been missing all her life. They are a good match. They love the Lord and are dedicated to Jesus and the kingdom of God. I was happy for each of them to have each other. They planned their wedding and it was beautiful.
What I didn't realize was how neat it was going to be to have a son-in-law! Since the newlyweds live in Texas and are only 2 hours from us we get to be with them once in awhile. It is a blast!
Friday, December 11, 2009
Prayer Walking in Central Asia
For two weeks this past summer (2009)I had the incredible experience of a trip to Central Asia to pray and serve. It was a team of 8 of us. We met for the first time for team orientation and the next day we were off to CA. The way I described the trip to the two congregations I serve when I came home follows: Imagine none of your neighbors know Jesus. No one near you on your street or in all of Garwood/Eagle Lake have a relationship with Jesus. Imagine that no one in Colorado county knows Jesus. Imagine no one in Texas knows who Jesus is or has a relationship with him. That is what this country is like. No one knows Jesus...well, a few do. In a country a little bigger than the size of Texas there are 5,000 believers in Jesus (stat from a book I read). We were in that country to pray that the way would be prepared for Jesus to be known to the people.
The other senario I described on coming home was to imagine that you believe in Jesus and you live in a country that persecutes people who believe in Jesus. So, to save your life you left your home, extended family, and livlihood and go to another country as a refugee. In the second country you can't work. You have to wait for the UN to tell you what country will take you. Then I tell what I can about the 30-40 people in one city our team met who are refugees. They have a house church. They worship, pray, study, and fellowship together. They wait for the UN to find permanent placements for them.
This prayer journey was a wonderful experience. It was brief. I trust God for the effects of our work there. It continues to effect my life, I know that. I would like to do such a thing again someday, God willing. I continue to pray for the country we visited and the people we met. I miss the team I traveled with. I think it would be good to spend a longer time another time,but I don't know how that would work out.
The other senario I described on coming home was to imagine that you believe in Jesus and you live in a country that persecutes people who believe in Jesus. So, to save your life you left your home, extended family, and livlihood and go to another country as a refugee. In the second country you can't work. You have to wait for the UN to tell you what country will take you. Then I tell what I can about the 30-40 people in one city our team met who are refugees. They have a house church. They worship, pray, study, and fellowship together. They wait for the UN to find permanent placements for them.
This prayer journey was a wonderful experience. It was brief. I trust God for the effects of our work there. It continues to effect my life, I know that. I would like to do such a thing again someday, God willing. I continue to pray for the country we visited and the people we met. I miss the team I traveled with. I think it would be good to spend a longer time another time,but I don't know how that would work out.
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