The following update was sent to us recently by L, a student currently serving in South East Asia with one of our teams. Because of security reasons, the names will be represented by first initial only.

Dear Friends -

I want you all to know I am so thankful for you all and your prayers. I am lifting you up. I love this country; the stars, the mountains, the taxis, the culture, it’s all so laid back. It is a blessing and honor to get to work with and know the missionaries here - they are wonderful people. The local Christians are another blessing I cannot believe. To get to hear their life stories and the things they have undergone for the sake of His name is incredible.

Father has led us to meet some great people and has given us amazing opportunities. Be in prayer for P, a monk in a temple we have visited. Father is moving in this man’s heart. O is also someone specifically to be praying for. He is a friend of the missionaries here and there are great things happening in his heart as well.

And then there is S, someone Father led us to directly. The team was on our way to a temple but somewhere along the way, we got lost. After checking the map we finally found our way, or so we thought. After making it to the temple we realized that this particular temple was not even our map, we had made it to a different one by mistake. What a blessing it turned out to be! Here is where we met S and an entire group of people eager to learn English. They asked us to come and teach them everyday. This seems to be a wide open door for the team here to share the gospel and we are praying about what this should look like. Father is so big and so good.

Don’t be mistaken however; this is a country of darkness trying to resist the light. Tomorrow 300 youths will be ordained as Buddhist novices, on their way to becoming monks, and there will also be 4 monks ordained. A novice told me today that one of his precepts to follow is that he is not allowed to sing! Oh that the Father would put a new song in his mouth! Pray for this generation. Pray that this generation would not walk in the way of their fathers but that they would be a generation set apart to Him.

In John 14-16 Jesus says over and over again that whatever we ask in His name, He will do it. Please join me in asking Him to faithfully direct yours and our paths daily to the people He would have for us to share with. He will do it. He will do it for His glory and for our joy! (John 15:1-11)

We will leave in a week to go trek. We will be out 3 weeks. I anticipate this being hard for me in every way. But I also anticipate it being good in every way. Please pray for me, specifically pray 2 Corinthians 12:9-10. I really do need your prayers during this time. Thank you.

- L