Journey to South Asia, Journal Entry 3

One of our CMF staff members took a trip to South Asia recently with a group exploring the country and our ministries there and considering possibilities. This is a closed country where, because of political, social, and religious reasons, traditional missionary activity is not allowed, but where God is working in incredible ways. In this third entry in his journal, he continues to use nicknames for the people he interacts with.

It was a powerful moment.

15 kids, ages 4 to 11, filed into the room and headed to the front. Mr. Personality had just explained to us that, because the church believed in the power of prayer, they had spent a couple of weeks teaching the children why we pray for one another in the name of Jesus.

The worship band continued strumming and keying the chorus of Waymaker, which we had just sung in English and the local language. The faithful left their chairs, walked barefoot across the tile floor, and awaited their turn for prayer. When invited, the adults came forward and knelt in front of a child to receive prayer for their request.

"We want to encourage these children, that they will know that their prayers are powerful, and that the Lord listens to each word that they have to share, no matter their age. So, we have been teaching them the importance of praying for one another. Thank you for receiving that prayer. And now we will pray for them to encourage them in their walk of faith."

It was a powerful moment indeed - because this is how movements are born. The younger generation is equipped and encouraged to live their faith in a way that honors God above all and lifts each person up.

It is now day three of our visit here, yet that happened in the first six hours of our arrival in the country.

Since then, we visited The Musician at his music studio, where he is creating phenomenal reggae and rap music (and music videos) to reach youth with a message of hope.

Then together, we discovered more about God as we read Genesis 3 along with The Musician and three young men he has been discipling. What does this teach us about God, and about humans? How will we obey and apply it? And with whom will we share what we have applied?

The pace this week is brisk - and similarly, you get the sense that in the pace of this movement there is always something happening. Always a discipleship group, always a fresh idea for how to reach their neighbors for Christ, always a new person from a Hindu or Buddhist background who is starting to wonder if maybe Christ is the answer they've been looking for.

At God's leading, Mr. Personality, The Musician, Hospitality's Queen and the others are tapping into the pulse of this culture and getting better at it all the time. Their vision to reach their country is inspiring, a beautiful island of 20 million, with less than one percent Christ followers, and perhaps only 200 global workers.

Please pray with us for more workers, both local and global! And for God to continue to work miracles and to move hearts and minds here.