Answered Prayers

Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.

Mark 11:24-25

I'm don't think I can say it enough: Thank you for your prayers! I know I had a lot of prayer requests along the way and didn't send updates about all of them. Now I'll share a few praises.

Praise God that I was able to learn the O. language! I learned to communicate well through a few words and a lot of charades. I really felt like learning O. in D. was an immersion program. I was forced to learn the language quickly because I couldn't communicate with most people if I didn't speak their language. In an earlier post, I shared that one of my goals was to learn how to pray in the language, and I did. I learned how to say a prayer of thanks for food. Unfortunately, I've been forgetting a bit of the language since I've been home. It's pretty hard to remember such a unique language when no one around you speaks it. At the very least, I know I'll remember my O. name.

Praise God that I was able to have good conversations with people even while they were fasting for Ramadan. Being a visitor, I think I was given more grace and leeway as I asked questions about why people were fasting and if they really understood why they were doing it. People explained as well as they could, but at some point, they all hit a roadblock where they could not explain their religion any longer. What they believe truly looks like a religion to me. The people follow a set of strict rules to live by and don't always know why these rules exist. As I asked questions, I also shared about the forgiveness that Jesus freely gives. My salvation is not dependent on my good works but Jesus has already paid the price for my sins. I only have to believe in him. I pray that this message did not fall on deaf ears or hardened hearts but that people will see the Truth.

Praise God that I had an abundance of opportunities to share the Gospel with people. I have to admit that I was a little nervous at first because I didn't think people understood my English or they wouldn't want to listen to me. However, when I was a guest in a house, people were very respectful in giving me time to speak. I was honored to be invited into homes and Christ-centered conversations with people.

Praise God that a date has been set for a meeting with the missionaries and the elders of the village. It will be September 22. This is also a prayer request that a few disputes will be settled and that hearts would be turned to Jesus Christ.

Praise God that the boy with the knee problem is doing much better. In one of my earlier posts, I shared about a boy who had a swollen knee. Later, two of his other family members showed a similar knee problem. We weren't exactly sure what the cause was, but the boy is doing much better. His knee is no longer swollen and the last time I saw him, he was not walking with a limp. I hope to receive another update soon on his whole family. I am very hopeful that the problem has been totally eliminated from the family.

Praise God that the man that I invited to church came again. He only came twice while I was there, but his attendance at church opened up opportunities for me to talk to him more about Jesus Christ. Since he was an English-speaker, he became a good friend. He seemed  interested in knowing more about Jesus Christ. I pray that he continues to seek the truth and decide for himself who Jesus Christ is instead of blindly following a religion.

So you can see that I deeply appreciated, and still do appreciate, your prayers. Thank you for praying with me throughout this mission. God is so powerful in hearing our petitions and requests, and responding to us, regardless of where we are. Glory be to God alone.