Hello family and friends!
I hope you guys are gearing up to have a wonderful Memorial Weekend! I know I am and wanted to sit down and update you all on the last few months of happenings.
Squad Updates:
My squad just finished a month in China and another in Mongolia! Both months were stretching and exciting for all!
China:
In China our teams were set up with contacts who either had English schools or an English club (English club usually meant a gathering of students at a cafe to learn English). In a country like China, the focus of ‘teaching English’ is our primary mode of entry. Our teams were able to share their faith by talking about their lives in Christ through English lessons, dance lessons, and athletic activities such as soccer. A few of our members were able to pray for their host families and saw God’s miracle of healing right there- which then led to more prayer for other family members and friends.
Overall while in China, my teams were amazed at how much work God is doing in the supposed non-religious closed country of China. Below are words from Parker Graham’s blog about experiencing the underground church in China:
“What I can tell you is that the Lord is working in incredibly deep ways with the Chinese people. I have rarely seen such fervor, passion, and faith amongst a group of believers. My team and I were humbled and blessed to be apart of the revival that is happening in China. All my life I have heard the persecuted church of China spoken about and referenced, but it always seemed to hold a mythical place in my mind, as if it happened long ago, as if it was something only great men and women of God were privileged to see. Being in it and seeing first hand changes your perspective so immensely on how we as westerners live our days for Christ. The month highlighted the passivity and apathy that I live my American Christendom in. My prayer over the month was to never forget what it looks like to risk everything, everyday, for the name of Jesus. Of course it goes much deeper than this and I have countless stories of the miracles God did during our time.” — Click here to read his full blog post!
Mongolia:
At the end of China we had another debrief in Beijing before traveling by land into Mongolia! For the month in Mongolia our teams were not set up with a host. As an organization we do not have many contacts in Mongolia to work alongside. We call these “Open Ministry Months”. Months where we don’t have a lot of hosts in the area so we ask God to be our hosts. We ask Him for His divine plan and placement for these teams. We rely on Him to introduce our teams to the right people and set them up well to do whatever His will is for that month. And oh boy, did He provide! All of our teams met people that set them up with connections in some way. Two out of three teams ended up meeting and traveling with translators who were Christians. The translators agreed to travel into smaller villages with the teams so that the teams could bring Bibles in Mongolian to the people, pray, and share the gospel. So many cool things happened! Lots of prayer, people receiving Christ, and a beautiful heartfelt baptism of a new brother in Christ.
Emily’s blog talks about the faith of their translator, Shilo, in praying for the salvation of her husband, Shoogi. Emily shares her experience of witnessing Shooi’s transformation and baptism. It’s truly a touching story found HERE!
Shilo (translator) then asked the team if she could write a blog and shares her experience working with the team. Here’s a portion of what she wrote:
“The next day we are praying for Shoogi and he say he’s ready to get baptized! The team prayed a lot for my husband. I can recognize a change in my husband. He’s been touched by the World Race team. The team then prayed for my auntie Nyamdavan. My mothers younger sister. She is a beautiful woman. She likes the World Race team. The team and my family are staying at her place. The team was all there and Shoogi was baptized in the tub of Nyamdavaas house by Jacob. I could feel the presence of the lord. Shoogi was so excited! The team really loved my husband and family. It was special. At night my cousins Gankhuyag & Munkhsoyol had a dinner of sheepshead. The team thought is was very good. It was funny to watch them eat it. This team is very powerful and the prayer is amazing. This team is full of Holy Spirit. I will miss them and so will my family. We have been added the team to my family. We will continue to pray for them. A lot of good memories for my family and the whole team will be forever in my heart. At the beginning I was wondering if it was God’s will to take them and people said back home it was a bad idea. I stayed obedient to God’s will. God is never wrong! It was a great time spent with Emily, Jordan, Jacob, Heidi, and Ari. I love the World Race Team!”
— To read the full blog she wrote, click here.
Where are They Now?:
Right now my squad is in two different countries: Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan and are split into teams based on genders this month. We have one female team in Kyrgyzstan and two teams of males in Uzbekistan. The girls team is working with a local hosts focusing on reaching the woman of the community. They are putting on woman retreats and events. I am very excited to see the fruit from their time with the ladies within the community. Uzbekistan has recently opened its border to US tourists only a few months ago! We sent the two boys team into different parts of Uzbekistan to meet believers and form lasting partners with the local churches there. Uzbekistan is exploding! The believers are growing like crazy there and the teams have meet a lot of great churches to partner with! God is on the move people! 😀
For ME?:
Well my sweet little sister got married last week! I was in California for her wedding which was sooo fun and beautiful! I am now gearing up for another training camp that starts next week with another of MY SQUADS! I have been asked to take a second squad this year. This means that I will have two different groups in different countries. This means twice the work and twice the travel BUT it also means twice the influence and impact into people’s lives all over the world! I am excited and also a little scared. I know that this will stretch and challenge me that will force me to rely on God in new and deep ways!
Prayers:
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For the girls team in Karakol, Kyrgyzstan. That the women in the community will feel the love and presence of Holy Spirit. That they will walk in new healing and closeness to him.
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For the boys team in Uzbekistan. For protection, provision, and divine appointments to point people back to Jesus as their Savior.
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For me, strength, rest, wisdom, and discernment as I train my new squad to prepare them for a Kingdom living lifestyle, cultural understanding, and inner healing.
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For my new squad, Y-Squad, prepare their hearts for Training Camp. That they will be open to new things with Holy Spirit. That they will say ‘yes’ to all that God will require of them. Healthy conviction from the Holy Spirit to live a Kingdom centered lifestyle.
Love you all and appreciate you!
Blessings!
<3
Steph
