Prayer Request - Lasa

Nathan and Andrew will be working with the Lasa people. Their primary religion is Islam and they are very resistant to the gospel. Many of the people are not highly religious but the Muslim faith is mostly cultural for them. If they convert to Christianity, they are guaranteed total rejection from their families and excommunication from the church. We have been told there are only three known followers of Christ among this people group.

• Pray that the Lord softens the hearts of these people.
• Pray they begin to realize their need for a Savior.
• Pray that they have the courage to follow the truth, despite the inevitable consequences.
• Pray that the Holy Spirit gives Nathan and Andrew the words to say to the people.
• Pray mostly that whatever happens this week glorifies the Lord and furthers His name.

Prayer Request - Southeast Asia

Ranked number 19 among countries with highest number of unreached people groups with 56 unreached people groups. Islam is largest religion. The society faces a troubled and contested future as fault lines appear.

The largest, most dominant and most quickly growing population, are divided among themselves on a number of levels. Pray for changes in these realms:

• Economic. The ruling party’s affirmative action of the last 40 years has enriched a minority of the population, while increasing the gap between the connected elite and the poorer majority. Such discrimination and favoritism now hobbles economic progress as well as foreign investment.
• Political. The ruling party faces an opposition coalition comprised of moderates, liberals, Chinese ethnic parties and even Islamists. This indicates the level of disillusion with the government. The next election will demonstrate if the coalition’s recent strong showing is based on large-scale change or is just a protest vote against the party. Appeasing both the minorities and conservative Muslims, while holding the country together, is a difficult balancing act.
• Religious. Powerful and vocal Islamist agendas are resulting in passing legislations on state and federal levels that effectively introduce sharia law for the people and deepen the divide between Islamic radicals and moderates/liberals. Many rural people practice a folk Islam influenced by pre-Islamic Hindu and Buddhist elements as well as animist practices; they will inevitably be pushed into adopting a “purer” version of Islam.

Minority groups feel frustrated with discrimination and corruption as well as with changes to civil and religious liberties. Some seek legal and political solutions, but others plan for a future outside the country – a potentially tragic loss of diversity and economic clout for a land that has long prided itself on both.

Prayer Request - Rest

The boys are still traveling today but I want to focus on praying for rest.

They will be working hard once they arrive and they need to be well-rested so they can be as effective as possible.

The time difference from home to destination is 13 hours so pray they are able to make a quick transition.

They also have a 5-hour layover in Korea today so pray they are able to use that time wisely and get some good rest and food.

Pray that they are able to relax as I'm sure they are getting anxious as they get closer to their destination.

And it would certainly not be a lost cause to lift up the requests from yesterday as well since they are still traveling and will not reach their destination until the wee hours of the morning on Thursday (Texas time).

Prayer Request - Travel

Nathan and Andrew will be traveling a total of 31 hours and 40 minutes to get to South East Asia. They will likely go through customs twice and they have many important documents and items to keep track of. There are many things that could go wrong and plenty of opportunities for plans to change. Sleep deprivation brings emotions and tensions to the surface and can fog memories and reason.

• Pray that they sleep well when they get the chance.
• Pray that they don't lose anything and if they do that it can be easily replaced.
• Pray for safe travel.
• Pray for no delayed or cancelled flights and no schedule changes.
• Pray that they keep their spirits high and are constantly reminded of the purpose for their trip.

Easter and Mission Trip

I know I've been MIA lately, but what's new? I don't have a whole lot to share but I just wanted to mention a couple things.

1) We did actually try to get a video loaded on here of Lela hunting eggs at Easter but it must have been too big. But I can offer some iPhone pictures as a consolation (even though it's been more than two weeks since Easter!).

She did great hunting eggs. It was like she knew exactly what she was doing. But I must admit she had some practice prior to Easter Sunday so that may have accounted for her seemingly professional egg hunting skills.

2) I've decided monthly posts about Lela is a little strange past 12 months. But I will do my best to post about her because she is still changing so quickly. I will definitely post an update every time she sees the doctor (for well visits. I doubt you want to hear about every cold and ear infection).

3) Please remember Nathan these next couple weeks. He and Andrew are leaving for South East Asia next week to go on a mission trip. They'll be working with full-time missionaries there. Also, we recently found out they're going to lose two days because of a last-minute cancelled flight. It's kind of a bummer and changes their plans. But we know that God is still in control and this doesn't surprise Him. There is a reason for everything and God is not bound by earthly limits like time. Just pray that their time there will be fruitful. I will be posting specifics about the country and the people while they're over there so you can pray more specifically.