PEOPLE GROUP UPDATE
SHINING GOD’ S LOVE
The Global Interaction team in Central Asia are seeking to empower the H people to develop their own distinctive ways of following Jesus. Lulu has served in the team for the past 16 years. We’ re thankful for the love she has for God and the H people.
In 1999, Lulu responded to God’ s call to serve in Central Asia with Global Interaction. She taught English at a university and supported her students in any way she could. It was a time of great joy and happiness and she credits her longevity in the country to her students. They were her lifeline when she was learning the customs and practicalities of everyday life, such as banking and posting her many hundreds of letters. Her students were helpful, caring and loving and this allowed her to develop friendships, many that will last a lifetime.
Teaching in a university allowed Lulu to come into contact with people of all walks of life, many of whom were H people, a minority least-reached people group spread throughout many parts of Central Asia. She discovered much about the H people and found them to be a kind, loyal, hospitable and gentle people. These qualities inspired Lulu to open her home to her students in ways that enabled them to feel safe and comfortable. It was these small acts of kindness that helped to shine God’ s love and remind them that Lulu was someone they could turn to in times of both happiness and tears.
It was a common question that she received when meeting new students and people,“ Do you miss your family?” to which she answered,“ No.” There were confused looks until she let them know that they were her family too. It was this Asian family that helped Lulu’ s Australian family find peace with her mission work and know that she was being well looked after.
Lulu has hundreds of stories of experiencing God’ s grace during her time in Central Asia but it is the prayer for a student’ s mother that comes quickly to her mind. The student was worried about their mum; money was tight and they could not afford to go to hospital. Lulu and her student prayed and committed the situation to God. A few days later, the student told Lulu that her mum was much better. The student then spent many evenings with Lulu in her home and saw many answers to prayers for the sick and needy. Over the years she witnessed God’ s glory and gave her life to the Lord.
One of the biggest challenges Lulu faced was that it is very rare for the people she lived among to remain single. She shared her life journey to help her students see she was more than just a‘ single woman’. She is like a mother, a sister, a daughter, an aunty, a dear friend and a devoted woman of God to many people. When her students heard her story they understood and respected her all the more for her dedication to her extended‘ family’.
Prayer is a central part of Lulu’ s life. She prayed continuously for a radar that would show her which students were searching for God and the words to say to them. Her church, supporters and family in Australia were active partners in Lulu’ s ministry, praying and taking an interest in her work.
Lulu hopes that those who were called to faith through their relationship will continue to grow, share their faith with other H people and remain faithful. For the many Muslim friends who don’ t know Jesus, she prays that they would encounter Him. For those who don’ t have a faith, she hopes her Godly principles may help to keep God at the forefront of their minds and one day spark a fire.
Lulu has recently begun the next phase of her journey here in Australia. Last year Lulu’ s younger brother was diagnosed with a terminal illness that called her home for some quality time and they were blessed with six weeks together. While she was in Central Asia, her family supported her ministry and Lulu stayed as involved as she could but she has run her‘ overseas’ race with steadfast faith and it is time to retire. Lulu returned to Australia having impacted the lives of many, many young people.
A New Chapter
Following a short-term mission trip Sydney-siders Pete and Nomes both felt called to cross-cultural ministry. Over the past 10 years they have married, had two children and developed a passion for sharing the Gospel among least-reached people. They are now preparing to join the team in Central Asia, continuing in the footsteps of Lulu and others.
More team members are needed- will you consider serving God in this exciting way?
6 GLOBAL INTERACTION