Thank you for your welcome and your interest in our work here.  Currently, it is "Ghost Month" where folks are actually setting up food sacrifices to their gods and burning "spirit money" so their dead relatives will have money in the afterlife.  There is much oppression in our area and many temples to idols all around.  It is so much like the Old Testament stories.

This religion is engrained into the culture.  It is difficult to break through, but certainly not impossible with our God.  We are just now this year seeing people come to God.  So many don't want to the first in their families and fear isolation from their relatives and guilt from not taking care of dead relatives.

We are teaching English as a way to get to know people.  We are socializing and just being friends with them first.  Like I said in another post on witnessing, Luke 10 is our guide, of wishing them peace, asking God to answer their prayers, etc.  

We'd appreciate prayers that the people we are witnessing to this week will have open hearts and be willing to accept Christ.  New converts need boldness too.  

In His service...

I think butterflies are cool.  They are a symbol of a new creation which Christians certainly are.  

I am really glad I found this site.  I like the format of forums where we can go to check various topics without having our email boxes cluttered with topics not of interest.

My husband and I are missionaries in Asia.  We are trying to build relationships so more house churches can be formed.  Many are coming to know the Lord right here in our little town.  Learning the language is extremely difficult, so we are being realistic that most witnessing has to happen with those who know some basic English or when we have a friend translate.  Prayers appreciated.

We certainly miss our family and friends in the US, but we know that God wants us here.  Our country only has about 1 % who proclaim to know Jesus.  Much work is needed.  Only God can bring the increase.

Thanks for letting me join.  I already find the discussions encouraging.  

The reason you'll be seeing my posts at 2 am, etc. is that I live in Asia as a missionary.  I felt that the USA had plenty of churches and opportunities for ppl. to hear the gospel if they chose to, but so many areas don't really have the chance.  My area only has 1 % Christian of any kind!  The need is great and the harvest is happening.  

We are learning their language and trying to build relationships.  We are seeing people come to accept Jesus as their Lord!  Praise God.  Today we invited a family over for dinner and they were shocked!  Why would we want to have them over?  To be friends!  They'll come just because they are curious about the Americans....

I encourage others to go overseas even for a short time and be open to God's calling.  

Why do I doubt such a mighty God?  Last month I wasn't sure how we'd pay our rent and I whined to God about it, and within a few hours some friends brought by a love offering...the exact amount we  needed for rent!  

Sometimes I think that Israelites were such whiners and were so awful to not remember how the Lord delivered them over and over, and then I remember I do the same thing!

The Lord is faithful!  He delivers us, even in our doubt.

I have a new Christian friend who is reading II Samuel and having lots of questions.  One motivation for me recently is that I wanted to read the prior books again so I could discuss Samuel more intelligently with her.  I found that I could read the whole book of Joshua in one sitting, etc.  I think I was reading for about an hour a day too.  I took notes in a journal as I went along too, which really helped me absorb more and connect ideas.

The first several books of the Old Test. are amazing, aren't they?  So packed with stories and the awesomeness of God.

I am finding that the best method for witnessing is just telling my own testimony in a very simple way.  People want to know what Jesus has done for us, before they decide if He is for them too.  After sharing, then we "earn" the right to share the gospel.  

Luke 10 is our guide:  Go to someone and declare peace.  Fellowship with them.  Tell them about the kingdom of God.  

In His love...