Uzbekistan: God’s power and provision through prayer and friendship.
Since my last post…
I’ve flown back to Georgia (the country), took a train to Baku, then set sail on a ferry for 2 and a half days across the Caspian Sea or the Caspy in these parts. We stayed two nights in the port city of Aktau Kazakhstan, then took a three day train ride to Tashkent, Uzbekistan where we are staying until the end of March.
CAPTION: Plane from Greece
CAPTION: Train from Georgia.
CAPTION: left to right – Me, Gina, and our friend Ogey at our Hostel in Baku, Azerbaijan for debrief.
CAPTION: On a Cargo ferry crossing the Caspian with Tajik Truckers.
CAPTION: We were on a train to Tashkent for like three days. Some of my favorite people from that ride.
CAPTION: A meal from the Lord called Osh. Consisting of Beef, Rice, Quail eggs, dried fruit and Horse Meat.
We have many God stories for this period of time. We had a debrief with our whole squad, and have seen God provide for our team here in Uzbekistan in a way none of us ever have before.
We are the first ever team to come here to Tashkent with the World Race and we hope to see and hear of many more teams coming after us. The people here are so open to the Gospel and the border has just opened up with the new president of the country’s reforms. It’s becoming easier for Americans and other Westerners to visit.
That means it’s easier for M-workers like our team to come and share the love of God and the good news about Jesus. In our first few days here the family where we stayed with Airbnb met Jesus and they are now following Him! We have met many local believers to pray with them and encourage them in their faith, and man they too have blessed our socks off!
We got to work in a school one day teaching English. We’ve visited house churches and Korean churches. Participated in a YoungLife night. Played many games of ultimate frisbee with young disciples of Jesus. We’ve been fairly non-stop. Yet, Jesus has been with us and will be to the very end (Matthew 28:18).
CAPTION: Me and an Uzbek classroom. So fun!
Not only that the Holy Spirit has moved in power among us. We’ve prayed against sickness and heartache. What’s clear to us is that God really cares about us and the people we are here to serve, love, and share with.
CAPTION: Celebrating Navroz, so many people!
What’s been most impactful for me here has been the power of prayer. I’ve been praying for Uzbekistan since October when the Lord first put it on my heart to come here. Since then, people have joined in with me and the vision the Lord gave me for our time here. Others have been praying too. It’s good because I only had a glimpse of what God was gonna do and the people He was going to put together with me here! God has really outdone Himself blowing my expectations up. No dynamite needed. My squamate Gina who is not even here, has been participating in intercessory prayer for our group, she sent me a long encouraging message that was so spot on. What she has been praying for for us is literally like what we have experienced!
The team I’m blessed to be here with are rock stars at giving me Grace and rolling with the punches. They have a ‘yes’ in their spirit and God is doing so much with just that from each of us. One day, we literally thought we were just going to visit a sister in the faith for donuts and to look at an apartment then maybe a simple dinner. We did all those things but the at the dinner we were met with traditional greetings, gifts, and an evening of games planned, also the food wasn’t just something small and simple but food that took her mom hours to prepare and a dessert that literally gets stirred for 24 hours plus. Then the girls were invited back for a sleepover! We ended the night with prayer. Lots of prayer. We left so encouraged and empowered to let God work through us. So joyful for His provision and plan to be with brothers and sisters across the world. We literally spoke the whole night through Google Translate yet we had everything in common, especially what’s truly important.
There is so much more than I can write in this one post that has happened and that God is showing and teaching me. I’m learning about deeper intimacy with Him. I’m learning about Grace. I’m learning about Trust vs. Striving. About partnership with Him and dreaming with Him. I’m also learning to keep everything in day by day perspective. Mostly, God is just good. He works even the most terrible of things together for His good purpose. He’s flooded me with possibilities and hopes for the future. I’ve been reading Matthew 6 and 7 over and over and I’m seeing that God provides everything. With Jesus as the foundation what we build on the rock with Him will stand. We will face storms and distractions, yet it will stand. If only we hear and obey what God is speaking to us! He is speaking! We faced so many trials even getting here and having a place to stay. Early on, Emily almost didn’t get her visa and we didn’t even know what we would eat when we got off the train. The last day Em’s visa came through and for our first three days here after the train not a member on my team had to pay for a meal.
I could go on and on, and God is worthy of it. I hope it’s encouraging to you, but also this blog is the highlight reel. One last thing I’m learning is about authenticity. I’m peeling off masks. I’m letting God into my junk. Others need to be let in too, this isn’t the place, I have a really good community who loves me for that, but it needs to happen. I say that to say there is a messy side to all this that isn’t as glamorous, but is all the more necessary. We can’t love others like Jesus if we can’t live like He lived. We can’t live like Jesus unless He lives through us and with us. When I was taught the Gospel for the first time it was like there was me, a pile of sin, then God who I have no access to. I kept adding to my stack of guilt and shame till it was all just unbearable for me. Also, others sin against me hurt me and it just added to the weight of it all. I was orphaned alone and blind to my need for a Savior. Jesus paid the ransom to purchase me a sinner, broken and empty, from the wages of my sin. The death I deserved, He died instead. He overcame the penalty by rising again to life. By knowing that He did that and believing that Jesus could save me with the power of His resurrection I trusted my life to Him. He crossed over my sin to be with me. The cross was like my bridge to God, but He came to me. I didn’t have the power or ability to climb over the chasm of my own darkness. He came for me. He found me there and promised to bring me out of it and into His Kingdom.
Yet, since knowing that I’ve still dealt with the effects of sin in my life. My circumstances around me didn’t change. I am changed forever because of what God did there and then with me while I was still a sinner. In my heart I carry God and His love. He declared me righteous. So, I am. How is it then possible for me to do something unrighteous and struggle with committing sin?
The penalty of sin is ultimately paid for, but the effects and existence of sin aren’t yet completely abolished. Not presently anyway. We are being made perfect even if we aren’t yet. I’m reading a book called The Cure by John Lynch, Bruce McNicol, and Bill Thrall. I now realize Jesus stands with me on the my side of the “chasm between me and God” called sin. He doesn’t look at me with disappointment when I fail or ‘do enough’. Romans 7 & 8. 2 Corinthians 5:21. The Gospel I’ve heard and believed is still true. Yet, God never left me at the first sign of my rebellion. He still doesn’t desire sacrifice, but repentance and fellowship. I have to come to Him in authenticity and humility, so I admit: I’m as the book says a saint who sins. I’m not perfect. And all good that comes through me and my life is the Holy Spirit working through my life because I confess my need for God. For the saving power of Jesus to change me forever. My need for authentic relationship with Him, and the community of His Kingdom. That’s what I long for and that’s what I’m chasing after. That’s why I’m here. That’s what I’m doing. I’m seeking Him in His Kingdom, and trusting that everything else will get taken care of despite myself and the trouble that comes my way in this life.
Let Him love you. He really wants to show you that He is a Father who doesn’t want to withhold anything from you. Like me, He doesn’t want to love your mask. But love you in all of your mess. Despite all your junk. He forgives you. He loves you. He has come for you. Will you go with Him? Let him lead you to the gift of repentance from sin. Let Him carry that overbearing load. Let Him see you. No need to hide anymore or anything from someone with a love so pure. Cry out for Him. He will meet you. He met me. It changed everything the first time. Now… it still changes everything.
CAPTION: The square, in Tashkent. Also yes, I wear this hoodie as much as it looks like I do.
-Daniel
