August newsletter

I really don’t like computer games, but friends got me hooked on one. Gives me the chance to chat with lots of folks that I don’t know, and introduce them to ‘Kazakhstan’ (just 2 *stans north of Afghanistan), sometimes answering all kinds of questions about what life is like here. Sometimes I have the opportunity to share about my ministry and what God is doing in Central Asia. Responses vary, but I saved my favorite, “Interesting – v v v cool. U rock – rock on.” Through this one avenue I have been pleased to add more prayer partners, all around the world – Australia, the Philippines, Afghanistan, Iraq, North Carolina, Indiana, California, Canada, Alaska, and more. What fun!

Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us in
answer to the prayers of many.
--- 2 Corinthians 1:11

But life isn’t always about fun. And it isn’t always about having our plans turn out the way we thought.

Angela called from the airport, “We’re having a little trouble, something about our flight information being invalid or something. We’re kind of having trouble going home.” From the beginning to the end their trip has been one of “nothing going according to plan.” Nothing. Except that someone came. That much was planned. What changed? Only the group coming, the location, the in-country travel, the projects to be done, their arrival and departure dates, and more. I’m really glad that they came. As it turned out, Angela, who was adopted from Almaty, was able to meet with her sister and a number of friends and renew relationships with them. Amanda and Angela led an English club twice a day, three days a week, for three weeks. Wow! They built friendships with a number of people, shared contact information and Christ’s love. These relationships are likely to continue. Through it all Amanda and Angela learned things about God’s ways and His care. They both learned things about God, themselves, their church and what is happening in the world. When everything seems to be ungrounded around us, all we can do is hang tightly to God’s hand. It seems that His plan all along was to draw us to prayer.
And it’s not just ‘outsiders’ who have their plans changed.

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you
and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call
upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and
find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you,” declares
the LORD.
--- Jeremiah 29:11-14

Elmira was sharing with me about Nurbahit and her husband Saiman. When Nurbahit came to Christ, Elmira discipled her and made sure she was comfortable in her group. Then as Nurbahit matured, it was time for her to have her own group. So Elmira went to her apartment and helped lead a group. The plan was for Nurbahit to meet her new neighbors, invite them for tea, get to know them, invite them to group, and all that began to happen. And of course, for Nurbahit to grow so she could lead her own ladies’ group. But then a change of plans – the family moved into military housing because of Saiman’s role in the military. And in his work he must be non-religious. Absolutely. And now that they are in military housing, surrounded by military who know he must be non-religious, it is clear they cannot just invite people to hear about Jesus. A new plan. Pray. Pray. Pray. So they have been praying, Nurbahit, Saiman and Elmira. Now they’ve noticed a neighbor who might be interested in spiritual things, and they are working through how to share that with him. So they continue to pray. Praying is always part of God’s plan.

Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the LORD’S purpose that
prevails.
--- Proverbs 19:21

Vision and plans help to focus our energies and attention. They help us to know what to do next. Presently our team has reworked our vision. And to be sure it is bold. Extreme. How very like our Father! And each person is being challenged to work through their own personal visions, seeing how they align with the overall vision, seeing what if anything needs to change about who, what, where, when, how or why. Good challenges. Good opportunity to re-align, to make adjustments, to move out. We’re seeing more and more of our team move out “on location” where they believe God wants them to be. That means more challenges in communications. And that’s my nickel – communications. So that means I will also be going out on location to get the stories first-hand, to offer encouragement from an old hand to those now branching out, to guide others toward praising God in all things and all places.

Refocus the Vision:
ONE LORD FOR ALL CENTRAL ASIAN NATIONS
Within our life-time to see Central Asian nations recognized as Christian nations
(no longer as Muslim nations).

Please pray for our team as they are going out more and more “remote”, pray they would not feel alone, disconnected or discouraged, pray they would be able to accomplish all God has planned for them without being distracted by establishing new routines and life-styles. Please pray each one of our folks will be in tune with the Holy Spirit such that they would be able to respond in immediate obedience to His prompting.

In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his
steps.
--- Proverbs 16:9

Pray for me as I plan to be traveling a great deal this year, visiting each of our team on location. Pray that I will have the stamina, energy and health to keep up with all that I need. Pray I will have wisdom and knowledge to communicate with people in each area and deal with whatever may come.

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel
you and watch over you. --- Psalm 32:8

And pray for me, as I trust God with the details of my life. Pray for my relationships and that God would multiply my efforts here. And please continue to pray that I could speak the Kazakh language.

Thank you for partnering in this ministry.
Take care and God bless,
-- Linda B.
2 Cor.1:10-11