February was an amazing month! First of all, Sarah and I were blessed to connect with and share about our ministry with many people during Missions Week at Fellowship. As member of the church prayed for international students, for us and for this ministry, we were strengthened and encouraged. Specifically, we shared during the 24-hour missions prayer, Cheers, and CYC. Thanks so much to those who prayed and fasted during the 24-hour prayer. As we visited the Cheers community group, we were amazed at the peace manifest in that community! It was so comforting to be able to update our home group, CYC on our ministry. Finally, we co-facilitated a workshop on cross-cultural ministry called “Lost in Translation.” While not specifically about our ministry, we brought in one of the students in our ministry to share with the class. Each of these experiences presented opportunities to make new contacts and to invite more people to participate in outreach to internationals in this community. We are so grateful to those who opened doors for us and welcomed us to share. I also had the opportunity to help host a group of future leaders of Brazil during the month of February. A brief video snapshot of their time in Knoxville can be viewed on You Tube by searching for “Student Leaders Brazil” – They really enjoyed learning to sing “Rocky Top.” Please join us in praying for the following this month:
- Praise God for his continued financial provision. Each month additional partners are joining us and we are getting closer to full funding. We currently need to raise an additional $1600 monthly
- Pray that God will put a desire to know Him intimately in the heart of my friends Vic, Xinan, Xiaojun, Min, Omid, Mahdy and Faete.
- Please pray for my Nigerian friend, who is experiencing nagging problems with his car and for him to get over a hurdle with his immigration paperwork so that he can continue his studies.
- I am hosting a Bible study on Tuesday evenings for men. Please pray for 2 or 3 additional students to join us who want to learn from the Bible.
- Pray for Sarah and I as we balance family, ministry, part-time job and church commitments.
A final note of praise. I have a Chinese friend who is a new believer that I meet with each week. In spite of his struggles with a relationship and his learning of several troubling things about American culture (in contrast to his all positive experiences initially), he told me that he learned something wonderful about God during the past two weeks. He said, “Though many people may not see it, the Bible is a book of love AND it is powerful.” He reminded me that I had shown him Hebrews 4:12 a few weeks ago. “That verse is so true!” he said. Praise God!