And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full (1 John 1:4).
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Update from Katie's Mission Trip
We just got this update from Katie, our friend who is on a mission trip.
Merhaba! ("Hello")
Well, it has been about five days here in XXXXXXXX and I must say I am loving this city! There are so many people, and lost people who don't know our Lord at that. Our team is starting to really see the need for the gospel in this city. Today was our first day of outreach on the numerous campuses here. Sadly my project leader, Tristan, and I were turned away from a campus because of security reasons. We sat and prayed for a while and we have others coming back tomorrow to try again... Others on our team were able to get into conversations with students today and even got some phone numbers to hang out with them again. It seems as if making a decision for Christ among the students takes a great amount of consideration and time. It could possibly be a couple years after hearing the gospel that most of them will make a decision for Christ. However, God is capable of anything and He may change this trend that other missionaries have witnessed over the years. We are making connections with them so that they can get connected with Christians who are staying here long term. SO I'm excited to see the students God puts in our paths this week, and telling you about some of the conversations and how God is moving in XXXXXXX!
Our team I believe is getting even closer and we are enjoying each other's company as well as challenging each other in our relationships with one another and the Lord. We have the same goals and we are able to work toward it together.
We are asking for prayer for the students and among our team we pray that we can share the gospel with at least 200 students. We are praying that God will go beyond what we imagine and we are dreaming big! Please pray that God would prepare the hearts of the students so that they will be receptive to the gospel message. We would like prayer for our team that we can be bold in our conversations and allow students to understand His grace-filled salvation through the truth of His Word! We praise God for placing us in this city and giving us hearts for the people and for God's eternal Kingdom!
Well, we continue to have adventures like taking the wrong bus and thus causing us to have a 2.5 hour travel time instead of 1.5 hours, and standing most of the way with one very heavy grocery bag...! Live and learn! Or getting lost on our way to the boys' apartment a couple of miles away, we couldn't find the street. It would probably help if we could learn the street names. My team member Lauren just informed me how she was sitting in our flat (a very nice one) listening to worship music, eating a massive whole carrot, reading her Bible, sitting next to me,... and this will probably never happen again! I had to put some randomness in here somewhere! Oh and I had "doner" today...if you get the good stuff, it is one of the best cheap meals. A hogie with shaved meat, lettuce, tomato, ketsup, mayo and french fries (yes, I said french fries!) and it is only like 1-2 US dollars, for a whole sandwich! And I believe I had a very unique experience while sitting in an outside cafe, next to an abandoned house, listening to a lamb baaaahing in the yard, me drinking coffee and having quiet time, in the scorching sun, with no sunscreen for 2 hours, would be one of my most interesting experiences!... Well, no more randomness...!
Tesekular! (thank you) for all your prayers and support! More updates to come...!
In Christ,
Katie
Well, it has been about five days here in XXXXXXXX and I must say I am loving this city! There are so many people, and lost people who don't know our Lord at that. Our team is starting to really see the need for the gospel in this city. Today was our first day of outreach on the numerous campuses here. Sadly my project leader, Tristan, and I were turned away from a campus because of security reasons. We sat and prayed for a while and we have others coming back tomorrow to try again... Others on our team were able to get into conversations with students today and even got some phone numbers to hang out with them again. It seems as if making a decision for Christ among the students takes a great amount of consideration and time. It could possibly be a couple years after hearing the gospel that most of them will make a decision for Christ. However, God is capable of anything and He may change this trend that other missionaries have witnessed over the years. We are making connections with them so that they can get connected with Christians who are staying here long term. SO I'm excited to see the students God puts in our paths this week, and telling you about some of the conversations and how God is moving in XXXXXXX!
Our team I believe is getting even closer and we are enjoying each other's company as well as challenging each other in our relationships with one another and the Lord. We have the same goals and we are able to work toward it together.
We are asking for prayer for the students and among our team we pray that we can share the gospel with at least 200 students. We are praying that God will go beyond what we imagine and we are dreaming big! Please pray that God would prepare the hearts of the students so that they will be receptive to the gospel message. We would like prayer for our team that we can be bold in our conversations and allow students to understand His grace-filled salvation through the truth of His Word! We praise God for placing us in this city and giving us hearts for the people and for God's eternal Kingdom!
Well, we continue to have adventures like taking the wrong bus and thus causing us to have a 2.5 hour travel time instead of 1.5 hours, and standing most of the way with one very heavy grocery bag...! Live and learn! Or getting lost on our way to the boys' apartment a couple of miles away, we couldn't find the street. It would probably help if we could learn the street names. My team member Lauren just informed me how she was sitting in our flat (a very nice one) listening to worship music, eating a massive whole carrot, reading her Bible, sitting next to me,... and this will probably never happen again! I had to put some randomness in here somewhere! Oh and I had "doner" today...if you get the good stuff, it is one of the best cheap meals. A hogie with shaved meat, lettuce, tomato, ketsup, mayo and french fries (yes, I said french fries!) and it is only like 1-2 US dollars, for a whole sandwich! And I believe I had a very unique experience while sitting in an outside cafe, next to an abandoned house, listening to a lamb baaaahing in the yard, me drinking coffee and having quiet time, in the scorching sun, with no sunscreen for 2 hours, would be one of my most interesting experiences!... Well, no more randomness...!
Tesekular! (thank you) for all your prayers and support! More updates to come...!
In Christ,
Katie
Please continue to keep Katie and her team in your prayers.
Declare his glory among the heathen; his marvellous works among all nations (1Ch 16:24).
And the gospel must first be published (preached, proclaimed) among all nations (Mar 13:10).
Labels: discipleship, God, mission, MSU, prayer
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Katie's Summer Mission Trip
We have a friend, Katie, who is making a mission trip with Campus Crusade for Christ (CCC) this summer. Katie is very active with CCC, and here is her letter explaining her upcoming trip:I am a student at Montana State University majoring in Animal Science, Equine Science option, with a minor in Psychology. Graduation is still a year and a half off, but I'm enjoying my current classes. Although challenging, I am working hard to get the most out of them! I am continuing to enjoy leading Bible study in the dorms through CCC. It has been a blessing to be in the lives of freshman women and to watch and encourage them to grow in Christ, as well as everything God has been teaching and revealing to me about His faithfulness, love and grace!
I have recently been accepted to participate in an international summer project with CCC, called Acts 29. Acts 29 takes place in the largest city in the Middle East and is geared towards reaching more than 400,000 university students in that city.
Our primary focus during the summer will be to reach Muslim students with the Gospel through various large group outreaches, building relationships with students, and also building our own relationship with the Lord through fellowship, weekly meetings, and Bible studies.
In order for me to take advantage of this great opportunity to grow in my faith, I need to raise $4,850 to cover the cost of my portion of the summer project budget. I'm asking people to consider partnering with me in two ways: one, by praying for me regularly, and two, by supporting me financially.
Would you prayerfully consider partnering with me to reach students in the Middle East this summer through prayer and giving financially? I'm trusting that God will raise up partners who will invest in my life and the lives of the students I will minister to this summer. Would you invest to help reach Muslim students for Christ?
If the Lord is asking you to give, please make the check payable to Campus Crusade for Christ. All of my support is due before our briefing on May 13th; I would appreciate if the Lord is leading you, to send your gift soon.
I want to thank you very much for your prayers, encouragement and support. I greatly appreciate you!
If you are interested in helping support Katie, you can contact us here at Training for the Cross.
Labels: discipleship, God, mission, MSU, prayer