Monday, October 15
Tajikistan
As I left my language teacher's apartment, young voices called out after me, "boz bee-yo-yed!'' When I turned to look, I saw her young daughter and son smiling at me and saying enthusiastically, "Come again!'' It amazed me that even the son truly seemed to understand the heart of hospitality in calling for their guest to return soon.
My language teacher follows Jesus in a country where 99 percent of the people do not. She even shared with me that some of her neighbors are shunning her and think that she has "sold out her faith.'' On most Sundays this family attends a small home group in their neighborhood where the children recently prepared a short drama about the birth of Jesus. The daughter loves to sing the songs she learns there. But the loving, honest witness of my language helper often falls on deaf ears.
She was fascinated when during Advent I mentioned the lectionary texts for our international fellowship: a prophecy in Isaiah 7:14 and its fulfillment in Luke 1:30 that a virgin shall conceive and bear a son who is Immanuel. My language teacher wrote down the verses to read later. There are so many riches in God's Word! Another day, she asked me a hard question about how we know if we are chosen by God to be saved. (Fate is a powerful concept in local culture.) I'm not a theologian, but I encouraged her that God's grace and mercy are enough to save those who place their faith in Christ.
Let us join in prayer for:
Partners/Ministries
Please pray for people in mission in Central Asia.
PC(USA) Agencies' Staff
Sandy Sanders, Presbyterian Mission Agency
Theresa Sanders, Board of Pensions
Marisol Santiago, Board of Pensions
Let us pray
God, we praise and thank you that even in places where few seem to hear, your Word is bearing fruit in the hearts of believers and their families. We ask that neighbors near and far would have hearts open to the truth, grace, and love of Immanuel's light. Amen.
Daily Lectionary
Morning Psalms 135; 145
First Reading Hosea 11:12-12:1
Second Reading Acts 26:1-23
Gospel Reading Luke 8:26-39
Evening Psalms 97; 112
