Returning with Songs of Joy
15/05/2019 12:00:02 PM | Andrea Fleming
“While our various team members were from very different backgrounds and situations, as a group we enjoyed a wonderful sense of camaraderie, encouragement and support. We shared a common calling and heart desire for the Lord to see His work advanced in the lives of those to whom we had come to serve.” — Rev. Bruce, Intercultural Worker, Central Asia (2003 – 2009)
There is a powerful sentiment in Bruce’s words that reflect the heart desire of all Global Interaction intercultural workers, “… for the Lord to see His work advanced…” So beautifully do these few words encapsulate the calling of all of God’s people.
When Global Interaction’s work first began in Central Asia in the late 1990’s, our team of intercultural workers were sent from churches in South Australia, Victoria, Western Australia and Singapore. This team set the foundations for this ministry during a period of communist control, and their faithful service bears witness to God’s desire to reconcile people to Him regardless of the situation or challenges.
Kevin has recently returned to Australia following four years of faithful service among the H people. Pete and Nomes, with their children Ryan, Abigail and Jacob, are currently the only team members living and serving long-term in Central Asia and Team Leader Walt, based in USA, continues to support them. Relocating family and life to a new country poses various challenges, Kevin said, “They have met the challenge bravely and the Good News will continue to be shared in this place”.
Kevin returned to Australia with many encouraging stories to share. He said, “I was approached by a student from a nearby academy to assist them with their English. They had a part-time job and had been given a beautifully leatherbound Bible by their employer, which included an English translation. One afternoon, the student read the story of a young slave-girl whose master had a hideous skin disease. God enabled this humble slave-girl to bring about her master’s spectacular healing.”
Kevin was able to share with the student that, through faith in Jesus, God often empowers ordinary people to do extraordinary things. To Kevin’s delight and to ours, this young student who had been exploring faith in Jesus, later that same week, gave their life to the Lord.
For our readers who received the Global Interaction Crunch the Numbers Donor Appeal letter, you were updated on a remarkable story of God’s hand at work in the life of a local authority seeking Jesus. In finalising the Sheep Loan Project, Kevin met with a local authority who enquired of Kevin why so many people in Australia would care for people in her country. Kevin shared with her “… we are followers of Jesus, and this is what he would have us do”.
The conversation led to a faith sharing conversation. The woman had a copy of the Bible, and over the following months they met up to read and study passages together. The Sheep Loan Project provided a platform for many families to generate a sustainable revenue. Global Interaction projects often respond to a local need and for the H people, this project has set in motion a program for sustainable farming.
The H people are a minority group with most identifying as Muslim. We know that God is moving among the H community and He is working through our team. Our small team in Central Asia is even smaller now that Kevin has returned – is it possible that God is calling you? We believe that the harvest is plentiful and that the workers will come...
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