World Snippets

Progress

In Thailand, Cathy’s friend Boom has been asking questions about God for some time. Until now though, she had been of the opinion that prayer was not important, and she was not comfortable with the idea of “asking God for things”. However, recently Boom has acknowledged the praise, confession and intercession components of prayer, and then prayed with Cathy for the first time!
She gave praise to God for giving her more work, and for his forgiveness. She has also made encouraging progress in her understanding of the human struggle with sin, and our need for a saviour. She also says that studying the Bible with Cathy is the most fun that she has all week!

Perseverance

Ian and Wendy sometimes joke that the only spiritual gift they regularly exercise in Malawi is perseverance. However, after eight years of working with a local friend, Harry, they think this might be true!
After arriving back in Malawi from Australia last year, Harry told them that God had been speaking to him in different ways and that he wanted to follow Jesus and be baptised.
So, late last year, they called together some local believer friends and baptised Harry in an old water tank in their backyard.
They say, “it was a great moment for him, us and the other believers who have been giving of themselves in order that he understand about the grace, hope and love of God that is found in Jesus.”

Sandbars and schools

Development project staff in South Asia sometimes have to deal with more than just the “usual” problems of working in poor rural areas. One project in particular is in an area with no electricity, and where flooding and river erosion are common occurrences.
In spite of these difficulties, staff have continued the project’s activities, and have even relocated the project’s office twice due to river erosion. As a result of their persistence, the project’s activities are increasing and local government representatives are now throwing their support behind the program.
Praise God for the faithfulness of the local project staff, and the example that they are providing for those with whom they are working!

Dreaming

In Thailand, Inn is wheelchair-bound, and suffers from poor health. However, she has a growing faith in God, and has recently been encouraged by God speaking to her through dreams. Recently she dreamed that she was out with friends and had been separated from them. She was then walking with a man in white, who showed her many rooms filled with people and things one needs for life. Each room was full.
Then she was shown an unoccupied room with white covers on all the things. It was her room.
She woke up excited that she had been shown a glimpse of heaven, and was encouraged not only by the provision of “things”, but also that she was walking and healthy!

Flickers of hope

The Life Groups program in Malawi is providing hope for many local people, as Scott was recently reminded by these words from a local woman: “Life Groups really helps us. It helps us in bringing us the word of God. After teaching us the word of God, many things in our lives have changed. We now fear God and respect other people. We no longer gossip nor do we do other evil things. We also help orphans, when we have something to help them with.”
“That’s because we fear God and are applying the teachings that we have received. Once we didn’t know these things but now we do. It is as though our eyes have been opened. We now know God and fear Him.”

Dinner conversations

Darcy and Lola are settling into their new city in Central Asia, and were delighted to receive their first invitation to a meal at a “H Cousin” home. During the course of the meal, each adult excused themselves to go to another room to wash, bow and pray. This led to a significant discussion of the importance of cleansing one’s mind and heart before a holy God. Darcy and Lola were able to gently share the difference between the outward symbol of water cleansing and the inner cleansing they experience through the blood of Jesus.
Darcy and Lola were privileged to host these friends in their own home a week later. They are looking forward to continuing this discussion as their friendship grows deeper.

Hungering for more

Paul meets regularly with some local “orange” friends in Thailand, and from time to time, has the opportunity to travel further afield to visit others in different areas. On returning to one of these areas recently, Paul was pulled aside by a friend he had only met a few times before. He eagerly asked Paul “where have you been, because I have been hungering to hear more about the gospel?”
This hunger became more intense as they talked.
Paul is now praying that God will open his friend’s eyes and heart as he remembers the words they shared, reflects on the Bible he has begun to read, and begins to pray to the Living God.

In the family

In Central Asia, Geoff and Chris have many local friends with whom they share life. One such family has recently made some changes in their lives. First Doris saw something in Chris’ way of life that she wanted to know about and Chris shared the gospel with her. Then Doris’ sister noticed a change in her little sister and Chris again was able to lead her.
Now Doris’ niece has seen a change in her mother (Doris’ elder sister) and told everyone that she now believes in the Jesus that Mum knows. The local language has two words for “know” – one is that you know of him, the other word is that you know because you have met him.
Praise God for the way He is moving within this family!