this isn't America

We have a little more than 2 weeks left with our friends in our home.  (Actually, the boyfriend will move to another nearby home sooner, since the folks he's housesitting for are returning, but I imagine we'll still see lots of him.)  Here's the latest to update you on for prayer...

In discussing with friends here- coworkers who we labor with in this vast harvest field- we have seen a common disinterest in the Savior because of what seems to be a very nonchalant attitude about sin.  They're basically good people, never have done "the big" sins, and they're generally so nice that in the end... what's the big deal, God can forgive people like that?  The Prayerfuel husband has shared his example: So if your life is like a glass of water, mostly all clear and clean, but then there's just one drop of, say, poop water in it, or maybe the saucy drink mixture at the bottom of the kitchen trash can, one drop of that stuff in the glass.... would you offer that glass of water to God for Him to drink it down?  James 2:10-11 is clear enough on this point.  But it seems like there's been very little "getting it" so far...

So we've been praying for a deep conviction of sins in these two and in more friends' lives in this city.  I can't say that I've heard any encouragement from them specifically.... but there is this one work of God that is perhaps directly connected, in answer to these prayers?  H, the girl in our home, has shared with me quite a bit of the total crap that her culture dishes out for her....  the future that she has to look forward to as a daughter-in-law one day, the past that she grew up in that was twisted with pain and lies and neglect.

Lord continue your work to show these friends their need for you, whether it be for their own sins or for the brokenness of their culture.... continue your whole work of kindness to lead them to repentance. It seems like that, for now, perhaps they might begin to see their need for a Savior as they face the reality of the brokenness that their culture perpetuates.  (I'm hoping to write another post soon about the future of a daughter in law in Uyghur culture.  Stay tuned, anthropologists and prayer warriors and friends!)

Now there's one more thing that is on my the tip top of my heart in prayer for these guys:  I'm yearning for them to see that learning about Christianity- that thing they've been so happy to get to learn and hear more and more about all summer long now- is not like learning about America, some far away place, they'd like to go but will never be able to get to, but it's just nice to hear about the people that really are from there.

This isn't America, folks!  This is Christ!  The truth of God, the gift of God, for us who all.  really.  need.  a Savior.  I kind of want to look straight into their eyes and lay friendly hands on their shoulders and tell them this has nothing to do with where we're from and everything to do with what is true.  It seems like they are trying to beautify their lives and relationships, their intents for a family one day, their character and problem-solving skills.... with what they've seen in our home and add it to their surface-level Muslim lives and be applaudable Uyghurs.

Maybe we can speak to them tonight.... as we'll be gathered around a big pot of polo and veggies at our table... and we can ask how his time at the mosque was this afternoon.....  Oh God open doors for your Gospel to penetrate and bring faith into their lives, their blind eyes seeing Christ for the very first time!  May it be today, tonight, by the power of God that raised Jesus from the dead.... raise these friends to new life in Him too!

Thank you for praying dear friends!