Hi Family!
It has officially been 1.5 years that we have been on this journey together! It has been filled with highs and lows, challenges, growth, laughs and tears. The best part is that it is not over yet! We still have 6 months to go. That’s half a year. I know it seems like a long time, but trust me, from my end it’s nothing longer than a blink. Please continue to persevere in praying for the rest of my time here. I assure you, the time you are spending on your knees on my and this peoples’ behalf is not in vain.
Visa
Thank you all for your prayers regarding my visa. Last month I went to Singapore and was able to get a privately sponsored visa which, God-willing, will last until the end of my time here. Although it’s not what we originally planned, at the end of the day I am still here and God is still good.
Vision Trips
Last month I got to spend 2 weeks visiting other teams who are serving in different parts of SEA. The goal of my visits was to get a better idea of the work done in other parts of this field so that I can better encourage more and more people to come out and serve. The time spent was rich with stories, vision, and information I will be able to look back on for years to come. They are all doing amazing things for the sake of the kingdom. As you’re praying please remember to also pray for my fellow workers. Here are some prayer points:
TiBlm Team - Most of the team members serve at at English community center. They have contact with cousins who are very curious to know details of American culture, and the lives of the workers. Pray for smooth transitions as 3 team members will be returning home over the next few months. Also pray for breakthroughs in the relationships they have been building.
Sprk Team - All members have professional platforms related to their respective fields of work back home. This team is located in a big city where people do not put a high value on friendships (esp. with foreigners). This makes it more difficult to connect with people on deeper level.
Pray for more workers who have a gifting in evangelism. Also pray for more openness among friends in their workplaces.
Bch Team - Half of the team works at one of the major oil companies and lives on the campus of the company. The other half live about an hour away and they have a mountain bike business. In their contexts sharing the about the Holy Book is illegal and friendships between local and foreign people is really difficult.
Pray for openness among the few friends they do have. Pray also that fear would not be the reason local people do not ask questions about the Truth. The mountain bike family is requesting special prayer for people who want to come work with them next summer. They would like to go home for a few months, but can’t because there is no one to run the shop.
What I’m doing
For the past few weeks I have been volunteering at the language center where I studied during my first year. They give me small tasks like interpreting during meetings and translating documents. So far it has been a good experience and allows me to stay in close contact with my strongest relationships. I am very grateful for the language center, as it and the people there have become my home here.
I also fill my weeks with normal activities like going to the gym, swimming, attending weddings, and eating out with friends. It really it a good life out here, and I’m glad God saw fit for it to be mine :)