You may recall that in my last update I asked you to pray for me vis-a-vis "weariness of soul." I am grateful to God for so many of you who have prayed for me in this area, and / or have sent notes of encouragement. Thank you! Among the Mslms of River City (and elsewhere) one way the question "How are you?" ("Kya haal chaal hai?") is not uncommonly answered is by saying "aapki dua se," which literally means "by your prayer," but has the sense of "On account of your prayers for me I am doing well." So, if you should ask me today "Kya haal chaal hai?" (How are you?), I can hardly give a much better response than "Aapki dua se" ("On account of your prayers I am doing well!"). (Perhaps the one better response would be "Better than I deserve!") Thank you! I am confident one of the means God has used in taking away some of the "weariness of soul" I was feeling are your prayers. 
In addition to your prayers, God has used a number of other things to restore some measure of energy and strength in my heart, including his Word, time spent alone with him (my spiritual retreat was very restorative), friends, books, sermons, and some time away. Your ongoing prayers for ever-increasing joy in God, zeal for God and his purposes, and love for the lost are appreciated!
Last month I participated in some training (put on by the Southern Baptists / IMB). Overall, I found the training very worthwhile and helpful with regard to our work here. In this training we looked at a number of practices which have proven to be most effective (aka "best practices") in leading towards church planting movements among unreached people groups. One component of the work that was stressed significantly was the idea of training, equipping, empowering and mobilizing national believers to reach their own people. This is something I desire to do a better job of in the days ahead. I'd appreciate your prayers for wisdom and guidance in knowing how best to move forward in mobilizing and training nationals to reach the Mslms of South Asia (and specifically the Weavers of River City).
Another thing that was highlighted in this training was the need for "abundant seed-sowing." I'd appreciate your prayers that God would grant me wisdom, creativity, boldness, and diligence in getting the good news of the gospel into the ears and hearts and minds of the Mslms of this land (and the Weavers in particular). Even if in God's perfect timing, the time has not yet come for the Weavers and the Muslims of this land to turn from their sin and trust in the Savior, I want to be able to say, "I did what I could. I prayed like mad, and did everything I could to expose as many of them as possible in as many ways as possible to the reality of their need for Christ and the good news of what God in Christ has done for sinners." Please pray that because of my being here many Mslms in this land would be provided with an opportunity to trust in Christ for salvation; something they would not likely otherwise have.
"Rodney" is a guy I have mentioned before. I continue to sense that God is at work in his life in giving him an interest / desire to know more about the Bible. Please pray that God would use me and use his Word in this man's life.
That's probably enough for one update. As always - thank you so very much for "holding the ropes" through your prayers and support!!
in Him who loved me and gave himself for me,
Ch@d
