Manistry.
This is a month focused solely on the men for our team. All the men, all 6 of us, are together here in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. We’re taking time out of the normal ministry to develop ourselves. We have focused a lot on ownership, my favorite word ask the men, and what it looks like being a man of God. What are we called to? Where have we been falling short or succeeding? And what areas can we grow in? When I saw the vision for what I wanted to come from this month it focused more on the men than anything. How can we become vulnerable, men of God, willing to do the right thing even when it hurts so we can take that into the next seasons of our lives? These are some of the thoughts and some of the questions that have been brought up in discussion and reflecting on ministry.
Being a man of God is a difficult task. We’re called to stand on the wall and fill in the gaps that so many men have not stepped in. We are constantly under attack, constantly being pushed to be better and to be bolder. Being a man of God is taking action when we are afraid. It means owning our faults and owning the correction of them. This month has pushed me a lot.
I immediately noticed when I got with the men that something has changed. I realized quickly some of the areas I had fallen short in were the areas that are most needed. First of all, spending quality, unrushed time with the Lord. I have been learning that hurry is the enemy of prayer. I often fall into the trap of getting through my quiet time, meditation, prayer, scripture so that I can say it’s done. That’s hurrying. That’s not what we’re called to. I’ve taken some time off of coffee because it puts me in the checklist mindset. And I have become aware of how much I have missed. When I’m spending time in worship or meditation solely for the purpose of being with God I hear so much more. I feel so much more. My spirit is refueled daily. Not because I have to do these things but because I get to do them. I also realized that something switched because this is my passion. My purpose you could say. To bring together a group of men who wouldn’t usually be together and see what can come of it. I spent last month in three different cities with three different teams the majority of them consisting of solely women. I caught myself not being on fire. And there’s nothing wrong with any of the women. God used that time to stretch me and grow me. I developed some very incredible relationships that I am grateful for. But when I got with the boys something flipped. I felt like I was finally in my calling. And God started us off quickly.
Since our time started we have had many different opportunities. Our first Sunday in town we went to a church some of the guys heard about back in Khazakstan. Divine appointment is the only word to describe this. We met three couples. One from the states, another from America and the Ukraine, and another from Paraguay. They just so happened to be there only this week. The couple from the states had a dream that they were supposed to come here. So they did. Not only that but they had a dream a while back about Paraguay and sent missionaries there. Those missionaries they sent actually know the other couple who are hear and spent the previous fifteen years working in China. After the service we got to talk and all of the sudden they started prophesying over our group. The words that these men and women were speaking about us and to us were not only incredible but so true. The things they knew about us could have only been revealed by the Holy Spirit because they brought a few of the men to tears. They shared not only my giftings with me but also my dreams of a multi generational change (discipling and foster care programs). After that we got to go eat lunch, which they paid for, and ask some questions and just fellowship with other believers. It was incredible.
One of the couples has been here for a year. They believe in missions through business. Their plan currently is in the milk business. The milk here in Kyrgyzstan could be better and apparently the cows are not always treated by symptoms but just shot with antibiotics as general rule of thumb. So they see a need in the country and they want to make a change. The way they are doing this is by creating a dairy farm in the villages outside the city. The villages are completely Muslim. Almost all Christians who become Christians outside of the city actually end up having to go to the city due to persecution. So the rural areas really have no one to minister to them but have so many opportunities. So they are using the farm to create one of the first Christian villages outside the city. Hopefully as the farm takes off they can not only create healthy milk but can employ and minister to the local community. We had the chance a few times to go out here and do some manual labor. We also got to know Rouslan and spend time worshiping and sharing our stories with him. One of the things I realized out here was that actually everyone here doesn’t have the argument of is God real or not. The majority of the people out here know there is a God they just have been led a little astray. I find it so interesting because back home so many don’t believe in God. But here that’s not really a thing. People all over Asia believe in some sort of god or spiritual realm and it fuels their world views. Anyways cool side thought.
Another opportunity we had was to get plugged in with a missionary from the US who’s been here over 20 years. He’s apart of a team that uses teaching English as an outlet to minister to locals. We got in contact through our organization and met up with him. He really just wanted us to hangout with the men and bring men around so we did. We got invited to their bible study and when we showed up we weren’t ready. There were five men. A Chinese man, Korean, and three Kyrgz locals. We got to hear some of their stories and it’s heartbreaking. One of the men Kuba, shared with us about his persecution. He became a believer but kept it secret because of his family. Eventually his mother found his bible and threatened to tell his father. She did. Then everything changed. He told us of how he told them he would return the Bible but ran away for a while. When he eventually was asked to come back home he did but only to a home full of family members questioning him as to why he could or how he could do this to his family. He was then locked in his room for three days hoping he would change. But he didn’t. He stumbled a little bit he didn’t cave. He still is a Christian even though it almost cost him his family. They don’t hate him but they do not talk about it at their home.
The guys and I have also been playing some basketball. There’s a local university gym that about 20 or so men go to every Saturday to ball for a couple hours. Great ministry for us because people love basketball with Americans. In fact last Saturday after our first win they asked if we could split and be captains because our team was really good. So we did and we got to build some pretty cool relationships. The coolest thing is what happens after though. Last week, about three of the men joined us for dinner afterwards. Through that one of the younger ones was asking me so many good questions. And I’m so thankful because there were some moments of silence and I just kept praying, “God please let this guy just ask the right things. I don’t know what to say right now but just have him ask me so that it’s easy and flows from you”. And did he ask. He first asks me “so in 26 years what have you learned?” Lol. Holy Spirit is moving. So I then took a small portion of my story and shared it with him. I knew he was here alone separated from his family, he was actually from Siberia. So I could connect with his sense of loneliness that I had always felt growing up. I also just shared some of the hard times and how God brought me through it. He then asked me “what three advices for life do you have?” Again another question that just gave me another chance to share. I told him some things but the last was that no matter what happens, you can always remember that someone named Jesus came here and died for you because he loves you that much. And I don’t think anything else needed to be said that night. I could see his wheels turning and the seeds had been planted so pray for God to water and grow them. This past Saturday we went again to ball. This time we left the university with about 10 men from the country. That was an incredible feeling. Just seeing how God was moving and the huge impact that all of these guys wanted to come eat with us was awesome. I felt like an actual team walking out of that place ha. Gods so good
There’s been a lot this month. I know Grant has been playing with a local church and building relationships there. Hudson and Jason did some English at leadership school. TJ also taught some English on Saturday during basketball. We got to be apart of a game night and open mic night where we’re just constantly meeting people. We have another friend or two we’re trying to catch up with this week and share the news with. A lot of stuff. But my favorite is what’s been happening with the men.
I have gotten to see each one of these men grow so much this month. We do a bible study almost every morning. We do check ins and feedback every other day. And I have seen so many intentional one in one conversations happening. Which is what I really hoped for this month. During our check ins I have seen some incredibly vulnerable moments from these men. I have heard and listened to feedback that is hard, truthful, constructive while at the same time encouraging and full of love. The men have been pushing each other to a higher standard in the way we talk and act and it’s stinking awesome to be apart of. They are taking ownership of where they are falling short and asking for help. Taking ownership of not being passive men but being active in the kingdom and acting when they see something wrong. I’m truly blessed to be apart of this group and to continue this month with them.
Please pray for us to finish strong. For the things we learned this month to carry over into our next teams and seasons. For us to not be passive but to take action in the fight. Also I would love prayer for some sinus issues I’m having. The whole squad comes together next week. Then we fly out to Ethiopia to meet up with another squad for a few days then go to ministry. This will be my last month “on the field” if you call it that. The field is wherever I am and wherever God wants to use me but I will be returning to the states in about a month and a week (Jan 3rd).
Hot Lemon pepper wings, my new Godson Davis whom I’ve never met but can’t wait to meet, my family and friends I will see all of you shortly. I love you all and so does God. He’s good. And he loves you.
