Women’s groups in Central Asia share stories of struggle and introduce the grace of God.
Central Asia
"Is it possible to show God’s love in this culture in a real way which touches the heart of the receiver, from a distance and with a mask on?" wonders Beth.
Jamal disciples men, many who never experienced a real relationship with their fathers, and teaches them to share with their own families.
Beth shares how people in the community, whom her team reaches out to, are responding to the challenges of coronavirus.
Leaders in Central Asia cancel an annual short-term missions event but look for ways to encourage churches to mobilise believers to share the good news.
“As we visit homes in the village and meet with children with cerebral palsy and their parents, the memory of this boy in pain gives me energy and impetus to keep going, to keep teaching and showing and training as much as I am able, so that other kids can have a chance to be well cared for and helped,” says Beth.
Our experience with this boy encourages us to keep smiling, to keep telling people that besides what the culture tells them – they are loved by God, not cursed, and their love is seen by their children.”
Our experience with this boy encourages us to keep smiling, to keep telling people that besides what the culture tells them – they are loved by God, not cursed, and their love is seen by their children.”
"If you are starting out on the language and culture learning journey or if you have been at it a while and are feeling tired and despondent, I encourage you to persevere. To stick with it and pray for strength to continue. Keep asking questions and keep learning about the culture," urges Beth.
“I love hearing from the local people here about the workers that have gone before us who have now returned to their passport countries,” shares Beth. “I hear stories like: ‘She taught me to quilt’ or ‘She gave me this recipe’ or ‘She taught me how to set a table for foreigners.’ And, of course, the best stories begin: ‘She taught me about Jesus.’ These are the things those who have gone before us have left behind.”