AROUND THE TEAMS
Updates from cross-cultural workers
serving with Global Interaction teams
among least-reached groups.
Yawo
On a recent visit to Malawi, Ian reconnected with a good friend
and village chief, Mr S. One evening they had a meal together
and had a deep conversation about the Holy Spirit before
Mr S brought up the passage of 1 Timothy 3, where Paul
writes about the characteristics of a leader. Through Mr S’s
observations of Yawo leaders, he believed them to be religious,
though not living out what they teach. He felt that their
actions didn’t reflect their words.
After a long conversation about this, Ian asked Mr S if he
aspired to be a leader in the faith community, if he aspired
to being a leader who lived out the characteristics Paul wrote
about. Mr S replied, “Yes, very much!” and Ian then anointed
him with oil and prayed for him, asking specifically that God
would lead him and equip him more for his role as a leader in
the Yawo faith community.
H people
Local H students often connect with ex-pats so
they can help each other with language. Recently
two students expressed to Kevin an interest in
reading the Bible. One of them had a copy (including
an English translation) which she shared with her
male friend. Kevin agreed to regularly meet them
over coffee and read from the Bible so they could
practise their English. Kevin checks pronunciation
and explains the meanings of words.
Through the studies they have commented on
the life-changing experiences that occur through
encounters with Jesus. Kevin’s new friend has
recorded on her phone the passages they have read
together. What a joy to hear those recordings!
8
GLOBAL INTERACTION
K people
In K culture, the youngest daughter-in-law is
expected to carry out all the housework, meal
preparation and child-rearing duties. For four
young mums on the Silk Road, they support
each other by heading to a cafe once a month
to eat lagman noodles, salad and drink Pepsi
and milky tea. They chat about their husbands,
parenting and life sharing how they are feeling
for a couple of fleeting hours away from the
burdens and expectation of family duties.
Recently they invited Eliza along to their special
tea-time where they shared their experiences of
being mothers and supported each other in life’s
challenges. Eliza hopes that as their friendships
deepen she will be able to share the source of
her strength and hope.
Ethnic Thai
Luke and Belle have begun meeting weekly with some of
the teenagers from the faith community at their home.
One of the teenagers, Jarm, is enthusiastic because she
feels it’s the first time she has truly studied God’s Word.
Luke and Belle believe that the Holy Spirit is revealing
Himself to her. One of the other teenagers is Frank, who
is the son of one of the faith community leaders. He has
talked about seeing ghosts and running away from them
in fear but Luke and Belle are encouraging him to ask for
God’s comfort and help when he is afraid. They are praying
that Jarm would respond to Jesus as her God and Frank
would know Jesus’ authority over all spiritual things.