Update from Central Asia

Wow! What an incredible month it has been in Central Asia! It is always an awesome blessing for our Creator to use us to spread the life changing news of His Son to others! He has given us so many opportunities to do just that this month!

Student Meeting

On Friday afternoons we have a “social club” for students to come
hang out and listen to presentations on different topics. At the
beginning of November, Branden was asked to speak about
relationships at this meeting. After sharing stories from his own
life he had each table discuss their thoughts to three questions.
There were four tables of about eight students and one of our
staff, who led the conversations. We heard afterwards that three
of the tables were able to share the gospel as a result from the
questions Branden presented.

At one table our staff girl asked her group, “Do you know anyone
who would not just forgive their enemies, but would die for
them?” To which several responded in astonishment, “No, why would anyone die for their enemies?!” Another believer responded, “I know someone who would; and actually did die for their enemies.” The entire table was intrigued. The girl continued and shared what Christ had done on the cross. Because of this, the staff was able to set up a time to show this group of girls the Jesus Film the next week.

English Club

Annie started teaching an English club one day a week beginning this month. During her second class she played an introduction game in order for the students to get to know her better. After the game she allowed the students to ask any other questions they wanted to know about her. To which one girl asked, “What is the highlight of your life?” Annie had the opportunity to share that the highlight of her life was when she accepted Jesus as her personal Savior and friend and that she continues to have a personal relationship with Him daily.

Ministry on the Universities
Branden has also been going to the universities on Tuesday afternoons with Nate (named changed for security), our team leader. They have had several opportunities using the tool Soularim to have life conversations with students and present the love of Christ to them. This past week he and Ethan (named changed for security), another staff guy, were able to sit in
the cafeteria with five students for over an hour and discuss the meaning of life. Branden
shared his personal testimony of how God changed his life and what Christ means to him.
Before they left he challenged them that if what he had said to them were from God and not just from him they would know in their hearts it was truth.

These are just a few of the stories from this month of the opportunities we have had to spread the news of Christ to this city in Central Asia. It still amazes us that for many of these students it is the first time they have heard that there is someone who loved their enemies enough to die for them. A fact that is so common in our country comes as a surprise to many here.

Our director challenged each of us to share the gospel with fifty new students before the end of the year. We have not yet reached that goal, but between the two of us we have had the privilege of sharing with forty seven students in the past two months! Continue to pray for the hearts of these students to be enlightened to the Truth. We love you and are incredibly thankful for your prayer and financial support! God Bless!

Branden and Annie

(Branden and Annie are serving with an unreached people group in Central Asia. They are supported monthly through the Go Change the World Funds of Thompson Station Church.)