Highlights.
- Our End of Year party was great. There were ~10 of us and we went to the pool at the apartment of one of the students. All but 2 are heading back to their home countries for the summer so it was also a nice farewell party for them! It was good to end the year with a hug for everyone :)
- You know how Mark has been referred to as 'Mark the Evangelist' in the NT? Well, he has some serious competition with my wife 'Jane the Evangelist.' I don't think a day goes by without my wife sharing the Lord with someone. Lately, one of her girlfriends from work just became a Christian and we went to her baptism. It was Sunday and so we brought Megan* with us after church. She is fascinated by this Christian observance. This is actually the third one she has gone to! Once again, she videotaped the whole thing and sent it to her husband in Iran. I think this is one of the greatest arguments for why we should be baptized. The message it sends to unbelievers is powerful!
- As mentioned in our last newsletter, I have been asked to take on more technical support duties over the summer (which I love, though not as much as being with the students). I have already done 3 projects for my RFD. Here is a sample of data mining and producing a Prayer Calendar for Returnee Visits 2017. What a blessing to use my programming skills to create something to help ISI pray for our summer missionaries. Though you don't know these people please feel free to use the link above in your quiet times and pray for them and their countries with us over the next 2 months! I know all of these folks and they are indeed godly individuals and are being sent out to strengthen their students who have accepted Christ and have returned home.
Lowlights.
- Not exactly a lowlight but I talked with my RFD and we decided that I didn't need to go to Japan this summer. I would have gone with some of the other ISI staff to encourage a few of the students I had ministered to at UC Davis. We decided the $ would be better spent next year and I could visit more students then (Lord willing).
- I was sad to see the school year end and the students return to their home countries for the summer.
Story 1 - Nand* and Mypha*
Ngan* is from North Vietnam and Mypha* is from South Vietnam. At our End of Year party I heard them discussing how it is normal for the North and South Vietnamese to 'hate' each other. Then they laughed and started sharing how they both liked and cared for each other. They then said- I believe Erv is a Christian and the other replied- yes, and I am Catholic. It was just heartwarming for me to hear that in our group God is breaking down any previous cultural barriers as well as any other possible ones in the US. I was also happy to hear that on their own initiative they brought up what being a Christian is.
Prayer Requests
- Megan* has decided to return to Iran for the summer to be with her husband. She now knows so much about being a Christian pray that she share with her husband and God would draw him to Himself. Pray for her safety! She is very open on Facebook that she does not want to be Muslim and has been going to a Christian church. I know of people there who have been killed for such things.
- Plans for the summer. Right now, I am pretty busy with technical projects for ISI home office. Still, I have 2 students still here for the summer and there is a large number of Christian student leaders at each of the 7 campuses that I know well and would enjoy discipling. Pray for wisdom and direction.
- As mentioned above, pray for the ~28 ISI staff doing Returnee Visits to > 10 countries this summer.
- God would prepare the hearts of the new students that will come to us in the Fall!
- Pray that my technical work will not be an end in itself but will translate directly into building up the kingdom of God. I see it much like this present day parable.
- For Megan*. That God would continue to show Himself to her and build on the experience she had with Him at Easter. That she would know for sure she has found the relationship with Him she desires. Pray for my wife to be able to follow-up with her soon and say the right things. <<Ongoing>> <<As noted above, please pray for her over the next 5-6 weeks as she attends the 'What is a Christian?' class at the Farsi church!>>
- For Ana* and Zoey*. Like Megan* that God would start drawing them to Himself and making them aware of their need for Him. They are both great friends with Megan*. That perhaps Megans* seeking will inspire them to seek also. <<Ongoing>> <<Zoey* was recently given a Bible by one of her peers :). Ana* seems to be a little suspicious of Christian activity lately>>
Admonition
“But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that you should show forth the praises of Him who has called you out of darkness into his marvelous light" - 1 Pet 2:9,10
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