The Memory
As we have been in Kazakhstan for just over a week now and I found myself looking back to when I was a kid. When I was around the age of 7 or 8 I distinctly remember looking at the map and seeing Kazakhstan. I said to my dad, “I am never going there!” When my dad asked why, I responded with, “It looks like a big scary place.”
Its amazing how following the Lord, He changed my heart from fear to adventure. I couldn’t imagine serving the Lord in any other way than partnering with what He is doing throughout the world!
Living and walking with Jesus I have seen Him eliminate the fears I’ve had over the course of life. Whether that was traveling to Kazakhstan as a kid or stepping into the unknown of the World Race, God has walked me through each one of my fears. Knowing this, what do I have to fear in the future? The answer is nothing. I know God will take care of me and be with me through it all even through death.
“‘Where, O death, is your victory?
Where, O death, is your sting?’
The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
-1 Corinthians 15:55-57
Entering even the biggest scares places knowing the Lord is with me is far greater than staying in the smallest safest places feeling alone and unsure of my calling. God has blessed me with the grace and strength to say yes to Him. Being obedient can be difficult, but it will be rewarding.
Ever since training camp last July the question asked was, “Do you have a yes in your Spirit?” This is simply saying yes to what God is calling you too, even if it is the biggest and scariest places. Saying yes is the start of the obedience God is look for in us and as we are obedient, He continues to show us more and more of His faithfulness.
The Work
We got plugged in really quickly here in Almaty working with college students. We are hosting an English club, having game nights, and other gatherings in order to build relationships and share about the Good News.
Personally, I have had a desire to focus on loving my team well and supporting them in prayer and encouragement. This month taking a deeper look at my priorities and focusing on them. What I came up with is my relationship with God, my Team, the fellow Believers here doing the work, and finally the Unbelievers. I see God doing a tremendous work through our team to the ministry workers here. I am believing that through our encouragement and blessing they will better be able to go out and be effective for the gospel.
God has provided over and abundantly and is continuing to take me deeper and deeper.
The Answers to Previous Prayers
I know it has been awhile since I shared the answers to the prayer requests I posted, so here is what I have:
Prayer #1: My team. Team dynamics. Team comradery and connection.
Answer #1: Teams have been changing left and right since Lebanon, yet I have to say as a squad we have become more unified. Recently I have seemed my intentional relationships being built among my team members as well as that sense of comradery.
Prayer #2: Lebanon. The people of Lebanon as many are on the verge of accepting Jesus and being transformed. No one can come to the Father draws them.
Answer #2: While I was in Lebanon, I saw many people hear the Gospel again and again. I do not know if any of them have accepted Jesus, but I am believing as time goes on more and more come into relationship with Him.
Prayer #3: More workers in to the fields here in Lebanon. There is classrooms filled with 50+ kids, yet nothing can be communicated because everyone is talking over each other.
Answer #3: This is another prayer where I haven’t seen the answer, but I know there is more believers and they are being trained in the ministry such as my friend Hasan.
Prayer #4: My calling and for clarity as I continue the rest of the race.
Answer #4: God has brought so much clarity over the last month and a half with renewed desires for ministry and business. I have a direction and a passion and I am excited for the doors the Lord will open after the journey of the race comes to a close.
Prayer #5: Safety as we head to Israel for a week over the new year. Also, for all of us to enter and exit the country smoothly. There is lots of security and we have to be on the same page.
Answer #5: We have been safe in every country! No incidents other than a few minor injuries for the squad. As far as entering the country of Israel, we had a little trouble because of our Lebanon stamp. We were held and questioned for an hour or two. However, everything cleared up and we entered and exited just fine.
Thank you for praying for me!
The New Prayer Requests
1. I bent my knee in the wrong direction skiing with our contact here in Kazakhstan. Pray for a fast recovery and for no long-term damage. I’ve been trying to rest and ice it and the swelling is going down already.
2. Continue what the Lord has going here. There is ministries under the radar with English and some people have been spreading the rumor that it is cult. Please pray for the devil not to have any type of foothold here and that the Truth would win out.
3. Josiah and Gulzhan who are working so hard to love students here. They need energy, wisdom and strength.
4. Our team to continue to be unified and to take steps together towards growth and maturity in Christ. Sometimes it feels like as we take steps together the devil tries hard to fight back.
Love you all thank you for investing in what God is doing in the nations and in my life!
