Hi from Kyrgyzstan! We have been here for the past 3-4 weeks. This month we were serving alongside a ministry host in a smaller city. He is a Christian who teaches English to local students. Kyrgyzstan is a majority Muslim country, but the host is open with the students about his faith, and he encouraged us to be too.
We got to spend several weeks building relationships with the students, and had the opportunity to be a part of and host several events where we were free to go in depth about our faith in Jesus. I titled this blog “it’s not rocket science” because that is one of the idioms that we taught the students in English class, and as I’ve lived in Kyrgyzstan I’ve realized more than ever that sharing your faith, having “salt and light” conversations, sharing your testimony, and telling people about who Jesus is and what He’s done is not rocket science.
For example, sometimes you spend every day at an English club, getting to know students and helping them to refine a language that they believe is important to dedicate time to learning, so you get to be a part of their lives. And then maybe you say to some of the girls “Hey, do y’all want to come over for dinner?” And then they do, and afterwards there’s hours of silly dancing and laughter and fun conversations. And also in the corner your team mate is sitting with a girl and telling her about Jesus changed her life forever. So simple! And then, you see those same people in class again the next day and give them a big hug around the neck and laugh and try to show them the dance moves that you just couldn’t figure out. And you teach some more English. And then Saturday comes and there’s a big hangout for the students, and you get to come and play games and have snacks and build friendships. And then you end up talking to one girl for almost the whole time and she asks you a question that opens to the door wide open to share your testimony, and you share it and then you get to tell her all about who Jesus, why He came, and what He’s done for us. Maybe she doesn’t decide to follow Jesus right then, but you know that there are long term missionaries in this city that will be following up with these students that you are connecting with.
And then maybe your host asks “Ok, so what else can we do while you are here?” And you all start thinking and your team mate starts running with the idea to host an event for young women to talk about worth and value. The team rallies around her, and maybe it doesn’t turn out exactly like you planned, but actually it turned into something better than you could imagine. And God opens the door for you to share your testimony about how He completely shifted your thinking about your worth and value, and how He radically changed your life, and now you follow Him and you love the fact that you are loved by the Creator, and you love telling other people that they are loved by the one true God too, and the 10+ girls are listening to you tell about the One you love. And you get to pray with them and you know that God has used you to show them His love. Wow, so simple. God opens all kinds of doors, and most times it’s probably not difficult to figure out how to step through in faith.
Your team decides to plan another event and it’s open to guys and girls, and a lot of unbelievers show up and an atheist comes too. And your team mates share their testimonies, and the 15 or so students are listening intently and have a million questions afterwards. One guy decides to follow Jesus that night! And there’s an in depth conversation about sin and how different religions try to solve the problem that humans stand guifly because of sin in front of a Holy God. Wow. Again, it’s not rocket science. Jesus makes a way for the Gospel to be shared even in (and i’d say especially in) countries that are closed. He sends His people to bring the Good News, and it’s not rocket science to follow Jesus as He leads the way.
I’ll have to share more about my time in Kyrgyzstan, it has been one of my favorite places. But I have to go now, we’re getting ready to travel. I hope all is well with you! Blessings!
