Outside Church

Opening Doors

We had gone to NE Bangladesh to visit one of the couples who are part of BMTC (the Baptist Mission Training Centre) so we could get a first-hand feel for the work they are doing. It soon became apparent that we were part of something more than an observational visit, when we were sat in a home, with twenty people pressed around us listening and asking questions.

We were visiting a new potential outreach area and a local Christian was introducing us all to the community leaders to ask permission for Megh and Priya* to come and share the love of Jesus through children's, youth and women's groups. As we left the house, one of the young men, showed us the work he was doing on his house, pointed to his veranda and said – “this is where the children can be taught”. We felt the hand of God upon us as we continued our walk through the village. We paused outside a temple and a group began to gather – “shall we all sit together?” Megh asked for an invitation from them to come and visit with his wife and daughter. We sang a song with the children, Barnabas spoke the words the Holy Spirit gave him for that moment. Then from the group watching, someone came forward to share phone numbers. The door was opened. A meeting with the political leader confirmed this, he would give security to Megh and his family as they visited.

Our hearts were singing as we left that place.

Saturday School

Later that day, we travelled into an area where Megh and Priya have already been working. As we paused outside a house, children began to appear clutching a notebook and pen. Someone else arrived with a tarpaulin which they laid on the ground, and adults appeared, some carrying chairs until at least 50-60 people were all waiting. This was Megh's new Sunday school group, even though it was Saturday, in full view of all. We sang, we told a story about Jesus, Barnabas again felt the Holy Spirit give him the words to gather it all together. It was remarkable.

Then we walked for about 10 minutes, a little further on, and it happened all over again without any fanfare or warning – just a tarpaulin and the open air – and another similar sized group. This was Megh's second Sunday school group.

A Church With Three Walls

On Sunday we joined Ripon and Golapi in another village where the church is slowly growing and the new building is taking shape. It has just three walls.

We encouraged the group to worship in the unfinished building. Again we were struck by how good it was to be praising, preaching and praying, in plain sight of all who walked by. For those who slowed down as they went past, those who lingered by the wall posts, those who were working nearby, church was open to them.

We celebrated with them the blessing that through resource sharing, the church building is going up. And left them with the challenge and some ideas about how to keep that door wide open in the days ahead.

Prayer Requests

You may have noticed we are a bit out of sync with our prayer letters. We had put the wrong date on our calendar, but it was symptomatic of just how incredibly busy we have been over the past three months, so we praise God, that he gave us the strength to do all that was set before us.

Pray for Megh, Priya and their colleagues – there are many challenges and barriers to sharing the gospel and it will only be through the work of the Holy Spirit that their work will grow and last. Keep praying for the work of the Baptist Mission Training Centre, for us that we can facilitate the learning well and have all the right conversations to get it firmly established and housed, within BBCS. For Barnabas as he provides contextually wise teaching and at the same time supports workers in new areas.

For Bangladesh, daily, there are multiple protests and blockades. It is hard to see clearly what the future will look like. Pray for the BBCS leaders as these times may be our best window of opportunity, or a difficult transition period before better times. They need wisdom for each day and each decision.

Thank you for the birthday greetings! Louise had a memorable day, celebrating with our colleagues and friends with a big office outing. An all you can eat buffet is a place of great joy when you love Bengali and Asian food (and we do!). This coming Sunday we will be together with our family – and we can hardly wait.

Thank you for standing along side the church in Bangladesh and alongside us. We pray that as summer comes, your doors will be flung wide open, physically as well as metaphorically.

With our love

Louise and Peter

* names have been changed for sensitivity reasons