During our hostel stay we got to know some of the people running the place as well as some of the other guests. We decided to have a team dinner potluck one night where each team member was responsible for one dish. This got a little interesting as they don’t carry all the ingredients we are used to at home. We went into it thinking that we were cooking for 6people. Our teammate Kailey decided to invite the people we have met here. There was some concerns about not having enough food for everyone as there was now 11people coming to dinner!!! So we prayed that Jesus would multiply the food and make it last! And he did!!! There were leftovers!!! But that’s not even the cool part of story. The entire dinner conversation consisted of us sharing Jesus with our new friends. Everyone was very engaged in the conversation and asking some really good and hard questions about why we believe what we believe and why they are hesitant to believe. I walked away from that dinner so encouraged and joyful for what God was gonna do next in their lives with the seeds that were planted.
In the mornings we would do our team Job bible study. This particular morning we went into their office room as no one was in there. Halfway through 3guys walked in to do some work. They asked us what we were doing and we told them. They began asking a lot of questions about Jesus and God and why he does certain things and why we do certain things. We spent the next hour sharing scripture and our beliefs with these guys. In the end Megan challenged them to pray to Jesus and ask him if he is real and to reveal himself to them. Praying that they will and even if they don’t that Jesus would still be faithful in revealing himself! 1Peter 3:15 But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.
We are now working along side a local church and it’s youth group. We were asked to come early to be able to go on a camping trip with them. So we arrived and set out for camp. There were about 15 kids that night. It was a mix of Christians and non Christians. During the evening we had a campfire and roasted some marshmallows. During this time they asked if we would share part of our testimonies and explain what we are doing and why. We asked how freely we could share as this is a closed country. Their response was we are in the middle of nowhere no one will know! Haha. So we shared how Jesus has impacted each one of our lives and how that brought us to this place of wanting to share his love and goodness with others. After each testimony the kids would ask follow up questions and they were really good questions (as a former youth worker I know that kids don’t always listen). Once we finished we were telling them how good their questions were and one kid said I like to talk. So I said, “then you should share your story with us.” He did he is Muslim and seemed very devout yet curious and asking questions. After him a couple of the Christian kids shared their testimonies. It was such a powerful night and so encouraging!!! We stayed talking till 1am.
Any conversation can be used to glorify God if we let it. If we take the opportunities he provides for us and create opportunities when able. We are not just called to “go”. We are called to “go and TELL.” Who have you shared Jesus with recently? Let’s not be silent anymore! The love of Jesus is too good to keep to ourselves! Mark 16:15 He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation.”
FYI to answer some questions that have been asked:
- Yes it finally happened, I got sick :/ please send prayers for a speedy recovery so I can get back to ministry!
- Yes there is someone missing from our group photos. Our teammate Victoria chose to leave the race and return home, we wish her all the best and are praying for her.
- Yes I did in fact get a root canal in Kyrgyzstan, not an ideal thing to do on the race but it’s done and hopefully won’t have any further problems
