Missions at First

Day 5: We went back over old ground in Walkden again doing more surveys, gathering more information, and meeting and praying with the church planter. It will be exciting to see how God will put together the church planting team and core group and what God does in Walkden and Worsley over the next few years.

People of Central Taiwan
June 19 is Taiwan’s Dragon Boat Festival, held on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month (May or June). There are many dragon boat stories, and the festival is celebrated with races in dragon-shaped boats with two rows of rowers in communities, villages, and cities where there is sufficient water. Eating zongzi (sticky rice with savory meat fillings wrapped in bamboo leaves in a pyramid shape) and contests balancing eggs on their narrow ends are regular parts of the celebrations, making it a fun time for everyone. However, the Dragon Boat Festival also carries deeper significance, as it includes less obvious rituals meant to ward off disease, evil spirits, and bad luck during the coming summer months, especially around water. Please pray that Christians will take advantage of opportunities to minister in these communities by sharing the gospel and the hope found in Jesus that overcomes fear and uncertainty. Pray that participants and spectators will experience the joy and peace that only He gives, and that one day these facilities will be used by local churches for community-wide baptisms, celebrations, and worship that exalts Christ above all gods and spirits across Taiwan.

Day 4: Today, we spent our time in the picturesque area of Worsley on the Northwest side of Greater Manchester. Part of the spiritual need of the community is evident in the coffee shop where we met and had lunch. The building is a church that a potential church planter calls the last church to exist in Worsley. The large pulpit and organ are still there. We walked the paths around the canals and parks conducting surveys to collect information that will help the church planting team know better how to reach the community. We talked with 30 or so people today. Pray that seeds planted will grow and pray that a gospel-preaching church will be established soon in Walkden and Worsley. Tomorrow, we will meet with the church planter and pray around the area.

Punjabis of Pakistan
(pun-JAH-bees) – Pray that believers will have a mighty Kingdom impact among the Punjabi people this summer, and ask that through their efforts, many will hear the good news of Christ. Pray that the believers will be the hands and feet of Christ during this time.

Day 3: What a day! Some team members walked as many as 10 or so miles as they engaged people in conversations to learn about the area, what people thought of the possibility of church starting near them, and looking for the possibility of sharing the gospel. Things we learned will help the future church planting team know better how to serve and reach the community. Pray for us as we continue this endeavor in different neighborhoods tomorrow.

Twin Cities of North Africa
Zainab’s boyfriend of many years recently told her that he met a believer, heard the gospel, and has now chosen to become a follower of Jesus. Surprisingly, Zainab responded by saying, “Convince me, and I will believe in Jesus, too.” Please pray for this new believer, Mahdi, to be strengthened in his faith and to continue telling Zainab and other friends and family members about his new life in Christ. Pray also for Zainab to be convinced that Jesus is “the way, and the truth, and the life” (John 14:6 ESV). In Acts 26:17-18 (ESV), Paul recounts the Lord saying to him, “I am sending you to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.” Praise God for how He is at work bringing people like Madhi from darkness into light! Pray for believers to have boldness to proclaim the Good News. Intercede for Zainab and millions of others like her in North Africa who remain in darkness.

Day 2: We attended two church services and had lunch at a Turkish Restaurant with Ukrainian waiter plus visited a few stores and got orientation from of IMB host missionary. Tomorrow and much of the week, we do surveys in an area of Greater Manchester where a local church planter hopes to start a church next summer. Not only will we collect valuable data for him but we also may have opportunities to share the gospel. We would appreciate your prayers.

Getting to know Manchester today.

All nine team members are aboard for the flight from Atlanta to Manchester. Looking forward to the week ahead.

Tajiks of Tajikistan
(TAH-jeeks) – In Tajikistan, believers face persecution in different ways. Some are excluded from family or friends, others are monitored by the authorities, and still others face threat of death. It is especially difficult for new believers to share with their family — and yet, a family member is much more likely to follow Christ when they see that another member of their family did so first. Give thanks to God that many Tajiks have told their family the Good News already! Pray for boldness for Tajik believers. Ask that they will see that their identity and eternal hope is in Jesus: “For the Lamb in the midst of the throne will be their shepherd, and he will guide them to springs of living water, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes” (Revelation 7:17 ESV).