a full month (of bloglessness)

So we haven't updated here in a while but that's not been because of nothing happening....  It's been quite an amazing 3 weeks here recently.  I will post an update very soon of a very surprising, exciting new possibility for our family.... a big change that we learned about from a weekend gathering we asked you to pray about in mid-Sept.  More on that soon...

For now I want to update you on our dear friend Hanna, again.  She cooked a beautiful batch of polo (rice and carrots and meat) for us this week and while the kids played outside and Dad and her boyfriend took care of them, the two of us talked and watched the pot boil.  We chatted about the real reason for some Uyghur girls wearing head scarves.

Is it for modesty, a heart to honor God or is it simply a matter of looking "Uyghur?"  I admitted to her that I have a very hard time with idea that a head scarf pleases God when all the other clothing that's worn defies modesty in no-uncertain terms.

It's such an issue of The Letter of the Law.  It seems so official and Uyghur proper to wear long pants that cover the knees, but they can be as skinny as can possibly be.... and shirts....  a tank top would never do for wearing solo, but cover it with a scrap of lace and let your bra hang out and shine it's fluorescence wide open across your back..... that's an approved Uyghur style nowadays.

So I told her I just can't see that as Modest (as honoring God and honoring brothers), but I will credit it as being a valid way of associating yourself with your people.....  It just doesn't kill two birds though.  Only one.

Somehow, this seemed to click in her heart.  She got it.... that we really ought to be a people that know what we mean, that mean what we say, that choose things that matter and truly honor God.  Very soon after this part in our discussion, she asked me to help her download the English Bible.... because, she said, she'd already downloaded the New Testament in Uyghur.

Friends, will you pray with me that the Word of God would stir and spark in her heart.  Pray for her and for the several thousands of Uyghurs that have downloaded the scriptures recently?  May God's word till the hard soil in their hearts.    I'll let you know when I hear more form her about this...