Raising Up Eastern European Leaders
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THANKFUL TO GOD FOR FAITHFUL MEN
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The Apostle Paul wrote to his trainee, Timothy, “And the things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, these entrust to faithful men…” (2Tim 2:2a) This also I did with my Albanian trainee, Nikollin Dodaj (picture on the left), who himself reminded me of his two year training with me just a few day
s ago while here in Hungary.
Paul continues to write Timothy, “who will be able to teach others also.” (2 Tim 2:2b) This also Nikollin (my Timothy :-) did being used by the Lord to help a Kosovo Muslim named Nazmir to come to Christ. Nikollin poured his life into Nazmir who himself became a “faithful man.” Nazmir is now following hard after our Lord Jesus Christ in the face of opposition and rejection from his Muslim family. The Lord used him (Nikollin’s Timothy) to “teach others also” in sharing the good news of Jesus with a Kosovo Muslim student named Arton.
Nazmir “taught” and discipled Arton (Nazmir’s Nikollin Timothy) who in turn brought his best friend, a Muslim, to a missions project this last summer.Yes, Arton’s friend was STILL a Muslim, when he was coaxed into coming along to “a sort of” summer vacation spot… a project that was committed to reaching Muslims for Christ! Would you believe it? Arton’s friend was so moved by the unique bond of unity among the Christians, and by the love demonstrated there that he too gave his life to Christ!! (Arton’s Timothy), to raise up “faithful men…” men who face challenges and yet follow hard after Christ.
Arton is now in full-time ministry with Campus Crusade for Christ and, as such,
was in the training I recently conducted from the book of Romans. As I spent individual time with these new laborers for Christ there in Albania (picture on the right) I was moved particularly by my time with Arton. As he shared how the Lord had worked in his life, and that of his best friend, a Muslim, I was reminded of our Lord’s faithfulness to raise up “faithful men…” men who face challenges and yet follow hard after Christ.
What a privilege for you and us to be part of God’s transforming work across cultures and generations!
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SERVING WOMEN IN MINISTRY
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(Bety Yulia Lena Ana)
As a mother with small children, being a national missionary is fraught with challenges. Sometimes such mothers experience spiritual drought and so need the encouragement centered on God’s Word. This is an opportunity for me as a mother to serve!
As a part of raising up women leaders, I have been leading a Bible Study Bety, Yulia, Lena Ana with participants of a one year BUILD leadership project. We are going through the book of James. Discussions about the nature and power of temptations, how we can come alongside those who are suffering, how authentic faith leads to good works, all have taken us deeper in our walks with the Lord, and allowed us to speak into each others lives. I pray that these potential leaders would experience the riches and spiritual refreshment of studying God’s Word together with others. I pray that these women would then bring back to their national ministries a passion and deep conviction for God’s Word as a source of refreshment in times of spiritual drought especially for mothers in ministry.
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Family Visit: Valentina, Yulia’s mother, is visiting us for Christmas all the way from Belarus. Please pray for many Christ—centered conversations to be as seed falling on fertile soil sprouting into faith and new-life in Christ!
Ministry Preparation: Keep us in your prayers as David prepares to teach Principles of Biblical Interpretation (January) in Bulgaria, and Theology of Missions (February) in Croatia / Bosnia, the latter being predominately Muslim. Understanding the proper Biblical perspective concerning missions is fundamental to our national missionaries working among Muslims (cf. email about Azghan and Arta, Albanian Missionaries safe in Bosnia).
Furlough Plans and Finances: Late February 2012 to May 2012. After three years in Hungary we now need to return briefly to the States to visit family and connect with ministry partners and friends like you! Our current plan is to visit GA, IN, IL/WI and VA. The cost of overseas travel for a family of four, and transportation while in the US is significant. And the logistics of finding lodging is challenging. So, please pray for God’s provision and guidance!
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“,..Let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe,..” Hebr. 12:28
Wishing You a Thanksgiving Filled with Gratitude to Our Faithful God!
DAVID AND YULIA
