David's Weekly Perspective - Experiencing God

Greetings from Kyrgyzstan and thank you for checking in.

I have read many times and many stories in the Book of Acts as to how the Holy Spirit led certain ones to go here, go there, do this, do that. This, I have found over many years of experiences, is not just what the Holy Spirit did, it is what He does – today – now. Sadly, to me, so much of our preaching and teaching tells and retells the story of what God has done and little note of what He is doing. As Terry Wardle says in his book, The Transforming Path, we have become accustomed to a “powerless faith.”

Jayne and I are experiencing the leadership of the Holy Spirit in a much deeper way here. We do not know where to go or what to do unless He shows up and directs us. He does and He is doing amazing, miraculous things.

Miracle One Update
Allow me to bring you up-to-date on three of these miracles. The first one is Pastor Elenya. She is home now with her children and pastoring her small church. She is doing very well after radical surgery on her jaw to remove a tumor the doctors were convinced was malignant. It was not. This surgery was paid for by you who read her story and responded to her need. She experienced God move - not just hear about how He can.

It was great to visit with Pastor Elenya and Veka today. She is doing well, with minimal pain. She told us today that she will not have reconstruction surgery because there are no doctors in the area who can do it. We didn't get to see Timothy. He was home taking a nap.

David prays a special blessing over Veka. She turns seven in September and really missed her mom during Elenya's month long hospital stay.

Elenya told us she was back to pastoring her church and working as the chaplain at the orphanage for disabled children. She told us everything is now normal for her. We rejoice!

Miracle Two Update
On July 11, we posted the story of Valera and Luba. Luba received emotional healing and Valera, seeing what had happened to his wife, asked me to come and see him. I did and had the privilege of leading him to faith in Christ. Two weeks later, during a training time I was conducting at the Foundation, Valera walked in grinning and much healthier. He had gotten a job at Mercy Foundation as a driver. We understand that he has not worked in years. His wife, Luba is so excited. We saw God move on this family – not just hear about how He can.

Valera and Luba both are rejoicing with God's intervention in their lives.

Getting ready to start the day's work as the newest driver for Mercy Foundation.

Miracle Three Update
Some time ago, we mentioned the village of Iskra which had been without water for five years. One evening while there with a group of other believers, we prayed that God would provide the resources to bring water to this village. The next day the answer came – a gift of money sufficient to dig the trench, lay the pipe and connect the line to a water source. On Friday, July 25th, the water started flowing. They experienced God move – not just hear about how He can.

John Wright gets ready to turn on the water in the village of Iskra. What a miracle that this all happened in less than six weeks.

On-Going Work

Jayne has held a number of seminars on child welfare issues for social workers in the area. When she does one, she gets asked to do several others somewhere else. We are looking forward to a busy month of August and September training in the area. Next week, we are going to Bishkek to meet with one of the national leaders regarding future training opportunities for the International Leadership and Development Center. All of this happens, not of our own effort, but by simply “showing up” and seeing what great things will happen next.

On a final note, we have a very special friend, Bekah Gibson, joining us for a month in the middle of August. We have known Bekah and her family for a number of years from our incredible days as pastor at West Carrollton Church of the Nazarene.

That this dynamic young lady would fly here at her own expense to work alongside of us is such an honor and privilege. I have studied the “power of presence” for many years and, truly, Bekah’s presence will make a good and godly impression.

What exactly will she, we, be doing? I do not know. That is yet to be revealed. We know that she comes with an open heart to allow God to direct her very special journey here.

Blessings, friends...the journey continues

May I Introduce

A few of my friends are aware of my magnificent obsession...to learn Russian. That deep desire, which really began 18 months ago, is a strong as ever and I work on it every day. Natalia, our translator works with me patiently, but we have gotten so busy doing other things, that our lessons became the least of our priorities.

About three weeks ago, I was introduced to a Russian teacher - Ludmela. She has taught foreigners for over sixteen years. She is highly professional and excellent! She is so wonderful and energetic and I look forward to our bi-weekly lessons.

I just wanted to introduce you to my new Russian teacher and newest friend - Ludmela.


I go to her home on Monday and to another teaching site on Thursdays.

Amy York

Hi Amy,

Hope you are checking out the blog.....we needed your email and cannot retrieve it. We thought this would be a good way to get in touch with you. We just needed to check in on the family....

Can you email us? Love to all, David and Jayne

Celebration Day for Social Worker Training!

On Tuesday afternoon, we celebrated the completion of six weeks of training for fifteen social workers in the Tokmok area. This was an historic day for us. The International Leadership and Development Center, the organization we serve under, is headed by Lynn and Ruby Johnston. They have completed other seminars over that last couple of years, but this one was our first!

We met each Tueday morning for three hours as we explored the issues of abuse and neglect on child development. They were so very appreciative and said they had never had training like this before. The wonderful part of extending the training over a number of weeks is that we got more acquainted with the workers and developed relationships that I hope will continue.

Another major two-day workshop is scheduled to be held at Mercy Foundation in September and we will reach out to other orphanage caregivers and social workers. The topic is one of intense interest for this group - Caring for Children Who Have Been Sexually Abused. The seminar will be held on September 10 and 11.


Here are some of the pictures from our celebration day!

Workers gather to finish up the seminar series. They are currently working here on a casestudy.



These social workers came in weekly from a local village and were committed to the entire series.
The gentleman on the left is the regional director and the gentleman on the right is one of the adoption workers. We asked the director to participate in passing out the certificates. He greeted us weekly when we arrived.



This is Valentina. She was always enthusiastic and a great participant.

Most of the group was present for the presenting of the certificates. The local newspaper covered the opening of the training series in early June and a photographer/reporter covered the certificate presentation. It will appear in the local paper next week with the story and pictures.

The director thanks our group for bringing this training to them.
Sharing in the satisfaction of hard work completed....you can't celebrate without cake!

We look forward to working with these social workers again in September and hopefully, next year when we return.

Watch for tomorrow's updates on people you have met along the way.

Work Day Readies Professional Institute

Saturday was work day at the Professional Institute. These old buildings and grounds, formerly a medical college, are being transformed into the Professional Institute of Tokmok, Kyygyzstan, and will open its doors to a beginning class of 80 students on August 25th. Much renovation has taken place over the last year with still much to go in the few weeks to opening day. Over 20 employees of Mercy Foundation gave up their Saturday to do major outside landscaping and clean-up. It is so exciting to see what they accomplished in just one day.

Six year old Caleb, son of the acting director helps clean windows in one of the new classrooms.

David helps sweep up debris left over from construction dirt and years of inattention.
I joined in debris sweeping.

Isaac, also son of the acting director carries away foliage.

Elenya, one of the Foundation accountants, joined the Institute work group.

Ludmilla, also an accountant, eventually grabbed one of the saws and went after the over-grown bushes.

Alicia, who does hospitality work at the Foundation and Gulnara, the Institute's new librarian weed one of the gardens.


Costa and David carry bush and debris from the front of the building.

Another work day is planned in a week or so, and there is much excitement as the professors meet each day and staff prepares for official registration day on August 4.

The journey continues....

Tokmok Kids Say Good-bye and Thank You To the Wrights in a Big Way

Friday Night July 18th - We Thank you

Saying "good-bye" is never easy, but the kids at the Tokmok orphanage wanted to say it in a big way to John, Julie, Emma and Bekah. They also wanted to thank them for a wonderful six months of being together. This incredible family, who has invested months of time, money and energy into these beautiful kids, leaves Kyrgyzstan on July 28. The kids have been planning this evening for two weeks - with everything from cards and small gifts, to learning how to say thank you in English to the Wright family.

Over and over again, we heard sweet, small voices in broken English say:

"John, Julie, Emma, Bekah, thank for you for spending so much time with us. God bless you." - Nastya -12

"John, Julie, Emma, Bekah, thank you that you cooked for us. I love you and I will miss you." Dema - 8

"John, Julie, Emma, Bekah, I love you and I will miss you." Victor -7

" John, Julie, Emma, Bekah, thank you for spending so much time with us. These are beautiful weeks. I love you and I will miss you. Anya -13

Each Tuesday night for the last six months, the Wrights have gone to the Tokmok orphanage to cook dinner for them and to have an evening of games and crafts. Tuesdays became very special days for these children. Besides Tuesdays, the Wrights provided many outdoor activities such as swimming, picnics, riding in a donkey cart, shopping, fishing,...the list is endless. What this family has done is no small thing. These children have experienced the meaning of love, caring, and commitment from this family. These children know they are valuable and treasured, not only in the heart of the Wright family, but in the heart of God.

PREPARING FOR THE PARTY

Dema and Vania work on John's poster, decorating it with memories of their time with them.

Nastya and Anya had special plans for the beautiful poster they made for Julie.

Slava, Yula and Victor work together on Emma's poster. These boys love Emma and Bekah!

Sasha and Ailbeck design Bekah's poster...playing baseball and other games were a great memory for them.

Kids eagerly awaiting the Wright's arrival for the surprise party.

The kids rush to the decorated entrance to escort the guests of honor.

The staff prepared a first class dinner for the Wrights. Everything from watermelon to lamb stew to ice cream!

One by one, each child walked up to the family and shared something in English from their heart. After they were done, they all ran up for hugs.

The entire group together for one last time until.....

The Tokmok kids are not the only ones who will miss John, Julie, Emma and Bekah. They have touched the lives and brought change to the lives of hundreds in this area. We will miss them, too. We have learned much from them....like with God, you don't draw the line of whom to help.You simply look for where He is working. He does provide the resources. We saw it over and over again. We also learned the power of flexiblity. We never know from day to day exactly what will happen.....but there is much peace in responding to the need in the moment and not trying to figure it all out.

John, Julie, Emma, Bekah....like the kids said to you, we do as well...May God bless you as you return home. I know from knowing all of you, your hearts will be here. We love you and will miss you.....

David's Weekly Perspective - Two Miracles - One Week

His New Life Begins

As I mentioned in my last Perspective, ministry involves three things: preach, teach and heal. The third component is a dynamic that cannot be easily explained, defined or taught. It is spirit-led and spirit fulfilled. There are many reasons people are not well and therefore there are many paths toward healing and wholeness – all Christ centered.

I have been granted permission to share the following story and picture with you. About a month ago, a lady named Luba came to me after I preached and taught in a morning service. She demonstrated extreme physical and emotional distress and discomfort. It was obvious for me to see before she shared it. This was a healing moment – not a preaching opportunity.

To make the story a little shorter, Luba had been angry for 25 years about something that had happened to her that many years ago. Using the principles taught by the Theophostic Ministry, she was freed from a quarter century of anger in a moment of time. I saw it go – she felt it go. It is gone.

She went home a different person. Her husband, Valera, saw the difference and asked what happened. She told him. He was very ill at 56 years old because of lifestyle issues over many years. She began to love him and care for him – something she had been unable or unwilling to do for a very long time.

After seeing the changes, he asked how it happened. Then he told her, “I would like to meet this pastor. I want what you have.” Jayne and I went to their home last week and after we talked a while he prayed to receive Christ. He told us, " my new life begins today - July 11." We saw healing on three levels: the emotional, the physical, most importantly, the spiritual. Preach, Teach and Heal.

Luba, Valera and David - Valera's new life began July 11

I often wonder why we are seeing God do so many incredible things here in Kyrgyzstan regarding healing. Could it be desperation? Could it be that there are few competent social services? I don’t know for sure.

While in Ukraine a few years ago, I preached at a large church and after I preached, I offered an invitation for any who would like to come up for me to pray a prayer of blessing over them. I thought that perhaps ten to fifty may come; I was soon overwhelmed by the hundreds that came. We did the best we could. Later that night I asked that pastor, “why did so many come?” He did not hesitate when he said, “God is all we have here. “ Maybe that is the answer.

A New School for Kyrgyzstan

The Professional Institute got its license from the government last Thursday. Everyone connected with the institute truly understands that it was a miracle of God to be granted such a license. We had only a two week window in which to get it done. And it happened! The school is now set to open August 25th. Thus begins the story of a high academic institution centered around and built upon biblical principles.

For reasons far too many to list, the Professional Institute contains the seeds of change for the totality of Kyrgyzstan. It is one of a kind here with an educational model unique to this country. I believe, if successful, it will become an oft-repeated model that will be used in many towns and small cities around the country. At the present time none exist like this anywhere outside the capital city of Bishkek.

The Professional Institute will offer degrees in languages, four to begin with. It will also offer a degree in business administration, having at its disposal, the latest in computer technologies. Other disciplines will be offered in following years. We believe we have the best academic consultants in the country who are helping staff the Institute with the best of professors.

Jayne and I are honored to be a part of this new work, supposed by the Mercy Foundation, and hope to return to teach at it in the future. We are currently working with the organizational team as the program is put together.

The staff of the Professional Institute - officially licensed on July 10.

These are exciting days in Kyrgyzstan.....The Journey Continues