NW China

We arrived in NW China by plane (Praise God, we were not able to take the 24 hr. bus route!) on sunday afternoon. We didn't have any trouble with customs or visas and our friends were waiting for us at the door. We have been staying with them in their very modern and spacious apartment and have been treated like royalty! I'm not sure how much longer than can continue this treatment, but we are thoroughly enjoying it!
Our first night here we got to meet some wonderful believers and taste the local cuisine. We tried things like lotus root, sweet potatoe noodles, and things I didn't recognize but tasted great! We also tried Uygur food! The Uygur people are a minority here that have a completely different culture, Islamic backgroud, with their own language that looks like arabic and their faces look almost turkish.
On wednesday, I spoke at a small women's gathering about relationships (at pastor javid's request). I just gave a few points that I thought are important and relevant to all relationships. First, it is not wise to be unequally yoked. Second, before we can have healthy relationships, we must have a personal understanding of our identity in Christ (we are loved, safe, valuable, secure, perfect in Him). and Lastly, we must keep the Cross between us at all times (Gal.2:20, we are crucified in Christ...) so that nothing can get between us. It was a sweet time with these wonderful young women who really needed to hear how Christ can be their all in all. They just soaked it up and received every word.
More to come from China!

The Three Lepers

Roger and I had an amazing time in Central Asia, even though it was only 3 days. During our time in Bishkek, we got to spend alot of time with the Post family who have been living there as missionaries for about 8 years. They are an amazing family who blessed us so much with their lives and their hospitality! I was so humbled to see how they have chosen to live such humble, simple, sweet lives for the Kyrgyz people.
There was a conference planned there in honor of Pastor Matti's visit, so people from Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan were there. We had a women's meeting on Saturday afternoon at one of the ladies' houses. We ate, and sang, and shared together. It was really a wonderful time to be able to get to know these incredible believer's! I shared a little of my own testimony about how I knew that I wanted to be a missionary (not just b/c my parents were). I used the story of the 3 lepers in II Kings 7 to illustrate the way I think God wants us to view life. The 3 lepers were outcasts from the city, living outside the walls waiting to die from either starvation or disease. There was an army that had attacked the city and put it under siege. So the 3 lepers thought "why should we sit here until we die?" Their only possibility for life was to go surrender to the army and hope they would have mercy on them. To the naked eye, this seems like a suicidal thought, but really, if you think about it, it was the ONLY logical thought. I feel the same way about walking by faith. If we choose to live our lives for ourselves, we are just waiting to die, with no real ETERNAL and lasting purpose in our lives, each day void of meaning. It may seem like its the easier, less dangerous option - but in reality, its foolishness not to give all we have for God! We can sit quietly and safely and never present ourselves as available to God, but what joy is there in that? What eternal reward is there? I cannot imagine a sweeter sound than to hear God say at the end of my life, "Well done, My good and faithful servant."

Some pictures from our time in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan

Aizhan - Grace Face

Aizhan - Grace Face

Name: Aizhan Tynalieva
Nationality/Home Church: Kyrgyzstan

Testimony of Salvation: In 2003, I was living in my home village of Saru with my family. I was struggling with depression, fighting with my family, and feeling very empty. A group from Greater Grace came to my village on a small missions trip (with Pastor Pamir and Eija). On my way to go visit my friend, I prayed to God, "God if you really exist, you must show me!" When I got to the cafe, the Greater Grace group was having a little rap there. One of the girls from the group came up to me to ask me where the bathroom was...and then she said, "Do you know that God loves you?" It was such an answer to my prayers! I stayed with them for the rest of the two weeks that they were there, I was at everything, never leaving them! I received Christ at one of the meetings and only a few weeks later, I left my village, my studies and my family to go to Bible college in Bishkek. Now my sister and brother have also received Christ.

What has encouraged me lately: I recently moved to Almaty, Kazakstan to be a part of the small team here. Its so great because I really feel like I have a place here and I am so motivated to study the Bible more and go on outreach!

Vision: I want to start a children's program here in Almaty.

Thanks and Greetings to: Marcia and Bruce Merriman, Eija, Liza and Barbara Stevens.

Kazakstan, Kyrgyzstan and China!

We are about to walk out the door of our little apartment, but I wanted to just let everyone know that we're going on a trip so that you can pray for us.
We are going with Pastor Matti to Almaty, Kazakstan (by plane) for a mini conference there, then on to Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan (by bus) and then to Urumqi, China (24 hr. bus ride!!) and we will be with our friends there for about 2 weeks.
Please pray for our safe travels, also for Pastor Matti's visa (he still doesn't have one for China). We just want to go and be a blessing to the believer's in these countries and pour out whatever we can to bless them.
Your prayers are so important, and we are so thankful for them!

Happy Valentine's Day!