A long and exciting day. We drove into the neighbouring country, border crossing in was quick, getting out even late at night was quite slow. Our first port of call was meeting up with a dear brother and family we have been praying some time for. They have been prolific church planters, united in a special way they have shared the many highs and profound lows.
THE FOCUS ON A PARTICULAR GROUP OF PEOPLE IN THE CITY.
After 4 churches planted in this country, and numerous others in other countries the focus is switched to reaching children and families in a nook of the capital which is unreached. Others have pointed out to us that there as many as 65 churches in the capital, why would another one be needed when there are so many unreached in the rest of the country? However, unreached can defined by culture and people group not just geography. Half the population of this country lives in the capital area.
Currently these precious folks are focussed on a 4 week children's mission based at church, in their newly (mostly) finished building. Pray for them in this strategic work. High rise and urban business swamps the neighbourhood, but community is so much more than a collection of people. This seems a golden missional opportunity. Maybe you would like to join us next year for 1 week (or maybe longer) on a short term team here? Fellowship over lunch was precious. The facility offers meeting space, teaching and meeting room, some guest accommodation for teams coming on mission, a bright media space for podcasts and broadcast, all run from the recently installed solar. Praise God for all that he is doing in lives of children hearing the gospel.
We then met up with UK folks who have been doing the hard yards here for many years. The story charted (with some regret) how in the earlier days following the fall of communism opportunities abounded for open conversation about Christ. Now there are several challenges.
THE BRAIN DRAIN / MIGRATION: Notably young people leave rural areas making training the next generation of leaders / elders hard in those places. Rural churches have been planted but many have disappeared even within the last generation.
THE EASY LIFE IN THE SUN: This country is so beautiful. The beaches are packed. A measure of prosperity from tourism has brought a culture seeking more of this world and less consideration of eternity and the meaty issues of existence. People live for today. Sadly they work 2 or 3 jobs, make hay whilst the sun is shining. For many churches trying to build gospel community this is an issue. When do you meet with folks for fellowship. Several stories emerged of pastors being requested to put all the meetings on Sunday to serve all the churches needs so that other days can focus only on business. This is not a healthy model. Yes there are practical challenges. Manic traffic make bringing the church community together hard. Yet the predominant drive for many has become making money and not seeing kingdom increase. The prevailing culture seems to be the business and tourism environment many work all hours in. Pray for this.
Praise God for the pastors , leaders and their families who set a model of the simple life, travelling light as they travel to the eternal city, forever home, sold out for the kingdom. A consumer driven model for church is starting to emerge in the cities. Pray for those who are burning themselves out trying to feed this monster. Pray that eyes will remain on the biblical model of new community and that The LORD will continue to give wisdom to those who apply this in faithful mission.
We are so encouraged. God has special people here who see the issues. There is also great need for support (pastoral, strategic, relational, teaching, mission teams. next generation influence, financial). We see so much why we are here at this time.
Thank you for your prayers, it is very evident that you are faithful intercessors. We are so humbled and so grateful,
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