AROUND THE TEAMS
Updates from cross-cultural workers serving with Global Interaction teams among least-reached groups.
Cambodia
Catherine’ s friends Maly and Sokchea are two incredibly funny, compassionate and strong Khmer women. They deeply yearn for truth and transformation in their own lives and in the lives of their families. They have both grown up in families influenced by Buddhism, animism and the memory of ancestors. They have a Khmer cultural heritage and worldview but have many questions; they want to know and understand how to live wise and positive lives.
As the three women share together, they talk about many things like politics, education and Khmer customs, or what they’ ve been up to. They also talk about Jesus and how He cared for others, stood up against injustice and called people to a different way of living.
One evening last month when the three women planned to catch up, Catherine arrived home late. As she turned the corner to the front door of her apartment, Maly and Sokchea were patiently waiting for her, laughing at the foreigner who seemingly didn’ t understand that‘ foreigner time’ meant being punctual. When they went inside, fine wood dust from sanding and repairs the landlord had done that day had settled over the floor and other things in the room. Since the floor is the place where they sat, Maly and Sokchea simply told Catherine to go and have a shower, freshen up, and let them deal with everything else. As Catherine protested, Sokchea laughed and said,“ When we talk about Jesus, we talk about how He showed people how to look after one another. Now we are looking after you!”- Catherine
Central Asia
Kevin’ s former language tutor Bb was a young man from the H people group who moved to Europe to further his education. Recently Bb contacted Kevin to ask if he could stay for a week as he had job interviews with two universities. Kevin’ s apartment is within walking distance of both universities. Kevin felt honoured that their friendship was such that Bb could ask to stay. Bb is a former English student of some of the Global Interaction team and has had many discussions about faith. We pray that through Kevin’ s friendship Bb will come to follow Jesus.- Kevin
Silk Road Area
David and Eliza spend time each day learning the culture and language. As they do this they build relationships and have deep conversations with their language tutors. Eliza has been learning through sharing stories, including those from the Old Testament. It has opened up conversations about creation, identity and Jesus. From this her language nurturer has developed an interest and now takes the initiative to read the Bible for herself.- David and Eliza
Malawi
The Yawo Men’ s and Women’ s Bible study groups are growing in number and meeting regularly. Upon learning about God’ s generous love they decided to look around them and ask God to whom they might show His generous love.
Mama Gift is a widow whose father also recently passed away. She lives in a small house with her four children. It has a leaky thatched roof and dirt floor. The groups decided to help her by not only giving her some food, but also building her a new house! Everyone pitched in and gave what they could. The new house has brick walls and an iron roof.
This has changed Mama Gift’ s life. She was so overwhelmed and thankful. Her son’ s worked side by side with the men, wanting to be part of this incredible gift. Mama Gift now comes to the Ladies Group and wants to learn more about God’ s plan for her life.- Tim and Mel
8 GLOBAL INTERACTION