Hi All!
Incase you missed my last blogs, I have spent the rest of the month of March in Almaty, Kazakhstan! Being able to spend all of my time with one team, in one city, was incredibly restful for me, as I am usually on the go every couple of weeks! Almaty is such a beautiful place, & we got to experience it as winter, & as the beginning of spring. Here are some photos of the city!
The team I spent my time with this month was juggling several different ministries & contacts. I want to share a few of the stories that I haven’t had the chance to yet, & give you a taste of what our time in Almaty was like!
We met with some of the most incredible women who are currently in Almaty fighting against human trafficking. One of the girls on my squad, Elaine, has worked as a missionary in Vegas for four years, teaching & equipping people within the church to find solutions to end human trafficking. She was able to share her experience & knowledge with these women, & was able to help them take their work to the next level! It was so incredible to be a part of!
Partnering with YoungLife was such a blast last month. Along with all of the activities, english classes, games & time we spent with all of the people who regularly attend, Adrian & I were so blessed by a family in Almaty during a house visit. Some of the students visit this house every couple of weeks, love on them, pray with them, & share chai & lunch. We were invited to join! They are not yet believers, but they are learning more about the love of the Father overtime as these students come & build relationship with them. House visits are one of my favorite things! This family was so thoughtful to give us chocolates as we walked out the door! Hospitality & gift giving on this side of the world always blows me away!
One of my favorite ministries that we worked with was with a local pastor that we met in line at the best soft-serve ice-cream in all of Kazakhstan! We struck up a conversation with him on a whim, & ended up being able to come to his new church that was opening the very next day! 15 people ended up giving their heart to Jesus that night, in a country that is closed to the Gospel! My team was able to meet up with the pastor & his family, & also connect with all of his students to help out for several events through out the month.
I was also able to put my photography skills to work this month, & bless a coffeehouse with images for marketing & advertisements. It was such a blast to get a little creative, & to connect with a man who is impacting his city in so many positive ways.
The countdown is officially on! It is crazy to me how fast time has flown by. I will be returning home to Salem in just a few short months & I am already beginning to reminisce all of the amazing things God has done, & that I have been so blessed to be a part of. Thank you all for being my support team & running alongside me through this journey!
Love love,
Emily
