The Women of Kyrgyzstan-
Strong.
Independent.
Creative.
Brilliant.
Entrepreneurial.
Bold.
Gentle.
Fierce.
Warriors.
Bring people together.
Compassionate.
Graceful.
Dreamers.
Loving.
Caring.
Nurturing.
Fearless.
Zealous.
Brave.
Sacrificial.
Servant hearted.
This month was amazing. We stayed in Osh, Kyrgyzstan. The second largest city in Kyrgyzstan.We joined people in sharing practical knowledge of leadership, business, sports, and culture. Afterwards we could gather together with the students and spend time together. God taught me a lot in the area of boldness throughout this month. My biggest fear in the world is public speaking. Well, this month I casually volunteered to speak on cultural acceptance at a small round table gathering. A few curveballs later, I was speaking on cultural tolerance in front of a room, a little bigger than round table style, filled with students and teachers wearing suits studying international relations, alone. But as we know, with God we are never alone. I thought it would be funny to ask God for the words to speak on a topic as secular as cultural tolerance… but then I thought, why not? God is central to all we are and all we do, why wouldn’t He be involved in this area as well? The night before I had so much fear I reacted by shedding a few tears. It was, “I can’t believe I volunteered, I’m not qualified for this…” type of tears. Not only was I not qualified, I am by no means a public speaker, and don’t know much more than this years experience on cultures. So on the drive over, I prayed for peace, words, and steadiness. Thankfully, God showed up as He tends to do when we ask. I had no nervousness, in fact I didn’t feel fazed at all. That’s when I started learning the measure God can give us boldness when we ask. It just required me stepping out of my comfort zone and putting a theory into action. Throughout the month, I shared the gospel, shared my testimony, and was able to grow in the team as well. Gods been speaking about boldness, but this month required action in it. He is teaching about being truly confident in Him. No fear of man. For even if we are alone in things, He is always with us when we step with Him. Many times I felt the world was against me on things God was teaching me… as if the devil was using the world to bring doubt and insecurity into my mind. Waves were rippled, but throughout God has enabled me to remain standing even when it seems all of my feeble attempts at stepping out are being trampled on; sometimes even by those we love. I get what it means not to have fear of man. When we are confident in what He says, and confident in what He wants us to do or say, even if there is opposition we can remain just as confident as when we started. So whether we are telling people about cultural tolerance, or sharing with them the mystery of the gospel, we can have full confidence in the Lords help.
As I was learning about this, I was able to witness the boldness in the women of Kyrgyzstan. The boldness of the people here has greatly impacted me. I saw women who against all odds, put themselves in risk because they knew what they were doing was right. They had to sometimes go against their family to receive Jesus. They were attacked with shame from others, shame from their own family, threats from those they love and care for… but throughout it they remain secure in their confidence of God. I saw the way that the women of Kyrgyzstan step out in boldness and chase after dreams, education, experiences, growth, and the missing piece of this puzzle of life. They asked questions about everything. They are leaders for the men around them, but are seen by culture as second hand citizens. They are told who they should marry, and if they don’t comply they are shamed. But they know what they want and a few know who they are in Christ. God moved my heart for these women because they are something to be admired. They are determined to bring justice, determined to become more than what society tells them they can be, but they do all these things in humility, with a servants heart, with gentleness and compassion. They aren’t striving out of bitterness or anger, but out of a passion to see the right things take place. And I believe God is going to reward them for that heart. So pray with me for this beautiful place, the beautiful people and the culture of shame to stop demanding submission. Pray for strength through the oppression and shame; to be strong, confident, and discern what the right move is. Besides the decision to follow Jesus, it’s never black and white.
Proverbs 29:25-26 (boldness and justice)
Fear of man will prove to be a snare,
but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe.
Many seek an audience with a ruler,
but it is from the Lord that one gets justice.
Hebrews 13:6 (confidence)
So we say with confidence: “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?”
