Central Asia--Bishkek via Moscow

Sunday the 15th of June 2008—Father’s Day

Life with a warrior woman... We happily arrived in Bishkek and were taken to CW’s apartment in town centre. She’s a single American 31 year old who has been in place here for about 5 years. She’s kinda like the connective tissue in the body of KZ believers for Y-Company. Her phone doesn’t seem to stop ringing. People come; people go; most go thru her apartment or call her to fix something, arrange something, help in some way. She’s amazing. Often lonely. Wishing for a husband. Health problems. We met another team member, M., about 50, single, very serious and dedicated to her work; she has a pretty strong overly-responsible depressive streak inside of her. I think we will talk more before the week is over.

Last night some Azerbyjani team members arrived at about 1:30—one 40 year old single woman from Montana and a national couple from that country. We had breakfast with them this morning. Wonderful people with ready smiles, eager hearts, resilient backbones that can take a licking and keep on ticking. One couple described the Muslim faith in their country as being more secular, token believism than the devout or extremist variety. R, the husband, is the youngest of nine and he was the first to convert to Christianity; now all of his family are believers. Soon they and Christy, with seven others that arrived this morning from various places, were off to the Lake Issykul about four hours from here. We will follow tomorrow with Kelly and Michelle when they arrive in the morning.

Hey folks, this is a war.... Over and over it has been impressed on me that the larger body of Christ is composed of so many braided streams; so much diversity in skills, talents, gifting. They each have something unique to give me and Bethyl. And we also to them. Eldridge’s words from Waking the Dead come to mind here:

“You awake to find yourself in the midst of a great and terrible war. It is, in fact, our most desperate hour. Your King and dearest Friend calls you forth. Awake, come fully alive, your good heart set free and blazing for him and for those yet to be rescued. You have a glory that is needed. You are given a quest, a mission that will take you deep into the heart of the kingdom of darkness, to break down gates of bronze and cut through bars of iron so that your people might be set free from their bleak prisons. He asks that you heal them. Of course, you will face many dangers; you will be hunted.

Would you try and do this alone?

Something stronger than fate has chosen you. Evil will hunt you. And so a fellowship must protect you. Honestly, though he is a very brave and true hobbit, Frodo hasn’t a chance without Sam, Merry, Pippin, Gandalf, Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli. He has no real idea what dangers and trials lie ahead. The dark mines of Moria; the Balrog that awaits him there; the evil orcs called the Urak-hai that will hunt him; the wastes of the Emyn Muil. He will need his friends. And you will need yours. You must cling to those you have; you must search wide and far for those you do not yet have. You must not go alone. From the beginning, right there in Eden, the Enemy’s strategy has relied upon a simple aim: divide and conquer. Get them isolated, and take them out.”

Father's Day from a mom's perspective. Yesterday, as we walked through some of the town center of Bishkek, I asked “Do you have much rain?” I was told “no, it hardly rains and we need it so badly.” Guess what it’s doing today, on Father’s Day? It’s raining…a light rain on and off…and the residents just walk along, laughing and enjoying hanging out. One young woman walked past, smiling, with her hand up over her head like a little umbrella. “Thank You, Lord. You were listening and said “yes, why not sprinkle the Bishkek earth with My reservoirs.”The wind has blown strongly throughout the afternoon, even causing a few large branches to crash to the ground. Police and army personnel are in full sight throughout the city. We’re alone for the remainder of this day until Kelly and Michele arrive in the early morning. We’ve been blessed to meet some of the conference goers as they have traveled in and out of the home where we’re staying. Stories are shared, our ears and hearts are welcomed. People are appreciating just a few questions that say “we’ll listen. We have the time.” Into the ears they pour their hearts and hurts. Thank You, Lord, for bringing us to them. Make us worthy stewards of the talents You’ve entrusted to us.

To all Dads, A gracious Happy Father’s Day! I’ll always remember a CD given to me, “The Forgotten Christmas Carols.” In one song, a woman recognizes Joseph and says, “HE was your son.”. Joseph’s message is “Who was I to father the Son of God? I made so many blunders and mistakes.” Jesus responds telling Joseph “You did just fine.” Joseph says “I was not his father, He was mine.” A beautiful message of grace and truth to Dads.