AROUND THE TEAMS
Stories from our Global Interaction
cross-cultural teams serving among
least-reached people groups.
Khmer
For just over 2 years, team member Scott and
a Khmer friend and follower of Jesus, have
been travelling along a northern road. On
these journeys, opportunities naturally arise
to connect with people. In God’s timing both
have found ways to share the Gospel. Da, a
father who lives about 1 hour’s drive away has
deeply engaged with these conversations and
over time has received Jesus. Scott has been
discipling him and rejoices in Da’s witness
to others.
As God works through Da his faith is clearly
evident as he shares the living God. The Khmer
worldview is very spiritual and Scott is often
‘awestruck’ by Da’s response to the Holy Spirit
during their prayers. Please pray for Da and his
family and give thanks for Scott’s faithfulness.
K people
Arriving to the Silk Road Area in late winter;
icy, cold, grey. This was the experience of team
members Ben, Petra and their young family
when they first arrived early last year. Aware
that their home was labelled ‘the foreigner
house’ and unaware of the connotations
of this, warm wishes of welcome were not
initially on this neighbourhoods agenda.
Even the gesture of a wave sent their elderly
neighbour running to shut her gate.
With the change in season, so too the
circumstances. Now 18 months on the
gates that were once promptly closed shut
are opening. There is nothing quite like the
experience of being rejected and then in time,
welcomed. As the coldness of winter dissipates
we anticipate the blossoms of spring. In time
these blossoms will bloom as does our witness
rely on the right time and season.
7
GLOBAL INTERACTION
H people
A local city in Central Asia is named after the
legend of a bird who lived to bring happiness
to the people. The legend speaks of a greater
story of sacrificial bloodshed and symbolic re-
birth. For team member Kevin, understanding
about this legend in conjunction with a local
festival celebration was an opportunity to
share Jesus.
In conversation with an H friend about the
festival, they agreed that without the shedding
of blood there could be no forgiveness for
wrongdoing. Kevin and his H friend were struck
by the similarities of the local legend and the
story of Jesus’ sacrifice enabling us to be born
again. As this story has come to light, please
pray that this light grows until it is shining
brightly in this H man’s heart and this region.
Yawo
Mr J is a young man with a devout faith. He is the son
of a local mosque leader and a respected ‘go to’ man
in his community. He exudes a high level of confidence
and has been pleased to develop a friendship with
team member Scott. Trust between them is growing
and their conversations are helping to develop Scott’s
understanding of the local culture and language.
Scott has shared that his friend is now earnestly
wanting to know more about Jesus and God’s truth in
the Bible. Mr J has openly acknowledged to Scott that
his faith does not hold all of the answers he seeks.
Join us in praying that the Spirit will be prompting
Mr J to continue his search of the Truth and that Scott
will also be sensitive to the Spirit’s leading as he
journeys with Mr J.