David's Weekly Perspective

Greetings from Kyrgyzstan,

One of the things that I have said and taught for many years is that spiritually and emotionally healthy people are able to adapt and adjust to changing realities and circumstances. Unhealthy ones, on the other hand, cannot do so and therefore live in a constant state of confusion and anxiety.

Well, this theory as stated above has been a test for me and for Jayne. We usually have a pretty good idea of our day’s schedule before we leave our apartment around 7:15 each morning. By the time we return home some ten to twelve hours later, the earlier schedule bears little resemblance to what actually happened.

We have learned to go with the flow and look for God in the disruptions and constant change. For instance, yesterday, July 1, Jayne was scheduled to meet with 18 child welfare workers here in Tokmok for training as she had done the previous four weeks. When she and her assistants arrived at the site, they were greeted by an apologetic director. Something had happened, he told them and the social workers were called out. Just two or three remained so they rescheduled the training.


What appeared to be a disappointment turned into an “incredible” appointment. As they were walking out, Jayne (through her translator) was invited to another meeting at a local orphanage to discuss some needs there. Attending that meeting was one of the directors of social services in the Tokmok area. During the course of conversation, Jayne mentioned that she had hopes to someday soon meet the Director of Child Welfare (a brand new department at the national level), but was not quite sure how to get that to happen. The social service director sitting in the group laughed and said, “That’s no problem, he is my son-in-law. When do you want it to happen?”

Other very important things happened during that meeting, Jayne told me, and perhaps some of the most important things were the laughter and relationship building that took place. After the meeting, they all sat around a table enjoying tea and one of the participants commented how she saw God’s hand in the day. Jayne and her group all agreed.

From Sunday Morning, June 29

Allow me to share a few thoughts with you regarding my message last Sunday morning. I have been on a theme regarding the power of words that have the power to kill or heal. (Proverbs 18:21) This morning I discussed the life- changing potential of just two words that Jesus spoke to Matthew in Matthew 9:9. Jesus walks up to Matthew and simply says, “Follow me.” We are told Matthew simply stood up and followed. There is no record that he asked, what to me, would have been obvious questions such as, “Where are we going?” “What are we going to do?” “Is there any money involved?” No questions. He just followed.

In the verses that follow we get a glimpse of where this journey would go and what it would be like. Verses 10-13 say “it will involve sinners and sick people; salvation and healing.


Verses 14-15 let us know that this following Jesus was not just about starting a new religion. Jesus came to restore our broken relationship with God – not start another religion. We have far more religions with their rules and regulations than we will ever need. To think that God would send His son Jesus to go through what He went through and to suffer what He suffered to just start another religion borders on absurdity. No, is absurd and tragic. Christians are not religious people, they are people in whom Christ dwells, lives and has His being. It is a relationship—not a religion!


Verses 16-17 indicate that where Jesus would lead and Matthew would follow would be a new thing – new wine in new bottles. No old bottles, no God in boxes. God is an active, creative, ever-expanding God that needs to be released to be just that. What Matthew would later see on this journey are things he had never seen before—nor even knew could see happen.

“Follow me.” These two words, once heard, once obeyed, changed a man’s life and history as well. In the same way, Jesus walks up to our table and says the same thing, “Follow me.” It is an invitation – not a command. It is “yes” or “no.”


Blessings and thank you all.


The journey continues.....

Chicken Pox, Graduation, Elenya, Baptism - Every day something new

Each day we get up wondering what will happen, what we will see and experience. No day is the same. A very small thing in the light of all we see and experience right now we are experiencing electricity rationing- meaning we have electricity 3 hours on and 3 hours off during the day and off at night. We were told this may continue through the month of July. When the electricity comes back on and the fans go on....we really appreciate that!

The week in review
Tuesday: We always look forward to our time with the Tokmok orphanage kids. When we arrived on Tuesday evening, we were greeted with the news of a chicken pox outbreak. We were disappointed for the kids because the entire group was to leave for the mountain camp for the month and now none of them can go. We will try to make it up to them by being there more often during the month. Tiff and Bekah, these are some of the beautiful kids you will be working with when you come.

The way of keeping the itching down is to apply a green antiseptic. It definitely adds to the look of chicken pox. This is Vania, next to David, Nastya and Eulia.

Wednesday: We have the privilege of attending the graduation of the first senior class at the School of Blessing, the first school founded by Elder Yang. The young people dressed beautifully for this very special occasion. It was a joy to be there.

Fourteen young people graduated June 28th.



Thursday: We went to Bishkek to visit Pastor Elenya prior to her Friday surgery. She came through surgery well, however, we do not know the full extent of her surgery, her prognosis or need for additional surgery. We should find that out soon.


David gives a gift from Christa to Elenya.


Sunday: David had the opportunity to preach at the Chinese Church. It looks like he will have this opportunity most Sundays until we leave, due to personnel changes. There will be a number of additional speaking opportunities during the week and evenings at local churches and groups. This past Sunday he had the opportunity to participate in the baptism of four new believers. It was a real privilege.

David and Pastor Steve Wade baptized four new believers.

Pray Needs:

• Pastor Elenya and her recovery
• John and Christa Tsai leave on Wednesday morning. They are returning to the US for medical treatment for Christa. John is the president of the Foundation.
• The work ahead to open the Professional Institute on August 25th. Many are looking to David for guidance and direction here.
• Work with orphanage staff consulting with them on the serious needs of their children
  

We appreciate all your emails, comments, etc......we love and miss you

The journey continues

David's Perspective

Greetings from the Republic of Kyrgyzstan

Even though I am out of the country, I am aware of what is happening in the US. We are able to keep up with news via dial-up internet that is slow and somewhat unreliable. But, we are so thankful to have it as it is our only connection to the rest of the world.

We often speak, in a non-judgmental way, about the difficult conditions and situations in this country. However, the condition of our own country is very difficult as well. Many signs point to troubled times ranging from economic to the strange and devastating weather patterns that not only cause property damage and human suffering, but will cause shortages and inflation as well.
Some years ago, just before 9-11, I received a prophetic word which stated, “Get Ready.” The message had two parts. The first part pertained to the West Carrollton Church which I was pastoring at the time. The message to the church was fulfilled completely. The second part of the message had to do with “the coming social upheaval” that was yet to come. September 11 was only the beginning.

I have shared this message literally many places in the world and have found little interest in it from those with whom I have shared. However, the events have a way of imposing themselves on all of us.

This past Sunday, the 22, I spoke at a church about the fierce winds that will and do blow across each person’s path. They will blow-that is not in question. The question is “will we still be standing after they blow?” Many have been blown away by the contrary winds no longer to be seen or found.

The message was given to remind the people present that there is a sound, solid place to stand that will enable each of us to sustain the blasts and remain standing today, tomorrow, and forever. The outline I shared was this:

1. Remember who we are – John 1:12 – a child of God
2. Remember what we can do – Philippians 4:13 – all things through Christ who strengthens us
3. Remember what we possess – Philippians 4:19 – all that we will need for our journey will be supplied

The congregation at the Chinese/Russian/Kyrgz church

I reminded them that these truths have been tested and not in the classroom- but in the winds. They are a safe and solid place to stand.

Interestingly enough, after I finished preparing this message on Saturday to be delivered the next morning, the president of Mercy Foundation called me to inform me that his wife had just been diagnosed with cancer. Christa was present Sunday morning with her husband, John, and heard the message. She testified as to how it gave them a place to stand as this new wind blows across their path. They also testified Monday morning, at the gathering of Mercy Foundation employees concerning the diagnosis and that they now know they have a very safe and solid place to stand. Christa has been a tremedous help to us. This is our very first day in the country, April 22.


I sincerely urge you to pay attention to what is happening in your world and that you listen towhat God is saying and have a very safe and solid place to stand.

Thanks for following us here and look forward to seeing you upon on return.

The Journey Continues....

Natalia - Our Translator and Her Important Role

We just got home about an hour ago from dinner with Natalia, her mother and brother. It was wonderful to meet them. I have been thinking alot this week about Natalia, her work and what she means to the ministry here. Actually, without her, not much could happen. It is such a blessing to have such a competent, commited, trustworthy young person with us. I don't want to miss an opportunity to tell her publicly how much she is appreciated.

Natalia, to my left, her mother, her brother, Jenia on Saturday night.

We have been here two months and from the first day, she has stayed right with us. She works hard, loves the kids and goes right in with us to difficult places. I made a mental list of the jobs she has done and the places where her help has been crucial just this week. It is like this most every week!

Here's a short list and this doesn't reflect our entire week :)

On Monday, she translated David's teaching, went with me to translate a meeting with a social worker in Orlovka, went home to work on translation work and came back to help with the ESL class.

On Tuesday, she translated David's teaching. We left there for our social worker training, which lasted three hours. She went home to work on translation, came back to help with the ESL classes and then went with us to the orphanage to help with crafts, etc.

The children absolutely love her. When we go home, part of Natalia's job will be to teach English a number of days a week at this orphange.

On Wednesday, we are at the Red River orphanage observing the incredible work of John and Julie Wright as they distributed shoes and sports clothing to the children. Natalia jumped right in and helped the kids sort out what they wanted. We came back from that to speak at a cell group meeting, which lasted two hours.

Natalia helping some of the children sort out their choices of shoes at the Red River orphanage.

On Thursday, we stopped at a home to pick up a burn victim. A young woman with at least 2nd degree burns on her face, head, chest and arms. She had many infected spots, but Natalia stepped right up to translate for her. It was difficult for me to see, but Natalia did what was needed. The hospital option is so scary, we couldn't get the woman to even consider going there.

On Friday, she helped us get around Bishkek, a huge city and find our way to the cancer hospital. She helped David minister to Pastor Elenya at the cancer hospital and has made numerous calls to check on her for us.

David is praying with Elenya and Natalia translates in the background.

On Saturday, Natalia translated for a counseling session and went home to finish the translation for my training needed by Monday morning.

On Sunday, we start all over again.

I wanted to share this with you to let you know about one very important person to our ministry here. We thank God for her - for her character, her commitment and her care of the people we meet.

Update on people you've met

Mariana and her brother

We have great news about nine year old Mariana and her little brother, who were hiding in the dump the day we visited there. She and her little brother are now in the foster home of the village social worker, Larissa. Their mother gave custody to Larissa last Sunday. The children are confused and sad, but safe and couldn't be in better hands to nurture them. Larissa has participated in our trainings the last two weeks and the material we covered on attachment, separation and placement couldn't have come at a better time for her. She was very grateful for the support.

Pastor Elenya

We have shared with you regarding Elenya and her need for dental care. After visiting the dentist, he referred her to the cancer hospital for a possible jaw bone tumor. It appears now that is the case. It is hard to get the complete story. We do know that she was scheduled for extremely serious surgery today, but it could not be done because someone stole the oxygen equipment from the hospital. It is possible that this complex surgery will be done tomorrow. We plan to be there tomorrow and hope to be with her before surgery. We are very concerned for her, how they will do what they will do and her prognosis. Please pray for her needs - physically, emotionally and financially. She is the single adoptive mom to these two beautiful children.

Saying Good-bye to Nastya

On Wednesday morning, June 18, Nastya leaves for America. She is being adopted by a family living on the East Coast. It was sad and exciting both to say good-bye to this precious 12 year old. Her life, her future will be forever changed as she steps off the plane in New York.

Gulya, the orphanage director and Nastya

We met Nastya at the orphanage where we go each Tuesday night. John, Julie, Emma and Bekah Wright have been going there each Tuesday to prepare dinner for them, do a craft or play games. They invited us to come, but they didn't tell us we would fall in love with these awesome children. It is absolutely one of highlights of each week. We soon heard of Nastya's pending adoption while there one evening. We had hoped to be able to meet the family. That won't happen due to the schedule of picking her up tomorrow. We were not able to find out much information about where she is going and exactly where she will be living. From what we understand, she doesn't know much either.

If we had met her parents, we were have told them that the little girl they are adopting is a young person with a promising future and a sweet, generous spirit. They will enjoy being her parents.

The Wright family, Gulya and Nastya

So, Nastya, we had our final hugs tonight and for you the journey is beginning. May God bless you, protect you and guide you.

David's Perspective

Greetings to each of you. Thank you for being there and sharing this journey with us. A fellow pastor friend of mine in Ohio asked in an email, what it felt like entering into, and living in, a different culture.

That is a good question, but not easy to answer- at least not for me. I guess you could say one experiences all of the emotions, in one way or another. The one thing that I do know is that these are beautiful people and something of importance is happening.

I teach and counsel at Mercy Foundation and its many employees nearly every day and speak somewhere nearly every Sunday. Interspersed with all of this is as much time as possible spent with the people, though they are in orphanages or adult invalid home or any number other places.

Jayne is making amazing connections with governmental officials, local and national, who have great interest in and need for, the very things she has spoken about and written about for many years. Her trainings have begun and continue to grow.

I would like to take a moment and share my sermon outline with you from this morning, June 15.

My text was from Proverbs 23:7 that says “As a man thinks, so is he.” My point was to demonstrate the truth of this passage. How a person thinks sets the direction, quality and affect of his life. The receiving of Christ is to be followed by the renewing of the mind.

I used as an illustration the life of Paul in Acts 26:9-13. Verse 9 indicates a belief system that determined his behavior, v 10, and created inner rage and destructive conduct in verse 11. As Paul believed, so was he, and so did he to the detriment of many others.

Of course, after he received Christ, his mind was renewed, the direction of his life and the affect of his life changed. From rejecting Christ to accepting Him; from hating believers to becoming one of them; from hurting people to healing people.

Later he spoke of all this with a much younger man named Timothy, in I Timothy 1:12-15. He never forgot what he was, what he had done, what Christ did for him and how his life changed.
What a transformation, wouldn’t you say? “A man thinks, so is he.”

You are important to us, deeply appreciated and missed greatly.





Children gathering for dismissal to Children's Church.