All the more

Spur One Another On

"And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching." (Hebrews 10:24-25)

The last two months have been spent visiting churches here in the UK, and we are amazed that we have such a unique opportunity to visit so many congregations in so many different parts of the country. Each church visit is different, but for us a bit of a theme has been emerging as we share what we bring from Bangladesh and as we receive from you.

When we are in Bangladesh and talk about the way the church in the UK prays for them, we always see how that support blesses and encourages them. Being a minority is hard, and to feel encouraged by the love and prayers of those you have never met in UK churches is really significant for people - it spurs them on. Then equally, as we have shared on our travels on Home Assignment about the challenges from the past year in Bangladesh and have shared the stories of the people we spend our lives with, we have seen that this has in turn inspired folk here in the UK - it has spurred them on. This feels like it is how the global church should be - a mutual source of encouragement and challenge.

Family Update

Of course the highlight for us on this trip has been spending Christmas altogether and in one place. It was good to worship together, eat together, and to have the opportunity to get to know Northumbria better. We feel blessed to have such a supportive family and we are so very proud of how they have navigated the challenges that come with having us away in Bangladesh.

Watch and Pray

As it is not possible to visit all our churches and 24/7 partners in one home assignment - we thought it might be good to put in here the main thought we have been sharing.

This is a critical time in the history of Bangladesh. Politically the future is uncertain and for the Christian community it is a time of both vulnerability and unknown opportunity. We have been asking all of you in the UK to “watch and pray” for the nation and church of Bangladesh. In the same way that the personal, political and religious were inextricably intertwined when Jesus spoke those words in the Garden of Gethsemane (Matthew 26:36-46) – a similar conjunction of the personal, political and religious is evident at this historical juncture for Bangladesh and so we want to ask you to pray. This is not the time to sleep or to fail to be alert to what God is doing. So we want to thank and encourage you in your praying – and provoke you to pray even more – or as Hebrews puts it – “to spur one another on … all the more as we see the Day approaching.” (Hebrews 10:25)

Prayer Points

So, it won't surprise you when we ask you to:

Please pray for the nation of Bangladesh, that the new government will bring greater freedom and security. That communities will be safe places for everyone.

Pray for the evangelists and Pastors, that they and their families will be safe, that they can act as peace builders in their community and that we will see new followers of Jesus.

Pray for all the ongoing ministry of the churches and SHED board, for the children, women's and family work.

Pray for wisdom and strength for the leaders of BBCS.

Finally, a big thank you for all your prayers, kindness and support for BMS and for us personally. Pray for us as we return to Dhaka on the 20th February – and we will look forward to keeping you posted on all the news of what God is doing. Please forgive the slightly self-indulgent pictures of family and Northumbrian pathways. We can call it a metaphor.

Love

Louise and Peter