Filled with Joy

For Young People

The news in Asia has carried many stories from different places about how young people are taking to the streets to protest against corruption. There seems to be energy and desire for fairness and a hope for the future. We have seen how that energy can be really positive for church life and mission.

In September we spent four days giving training to young people in Rajshahi. Their regional Pastor had seen how many churches were missing their Sunday service, because they only have 7 Pastors for 28 churches. His plan was that we train the young people, so they could lead a simple act of worship. Twenty five took up the challenge and we practiced a range of leading skills, how to prepare, how to speak, how to read and pray, preaching and even standing still. We listened to them preaching their first mini-message and had the joy of watching them lead worship services in different churches.

Last week a different group of young people joined our Action Team training in Dhaka. After 4 days of preparation, they are now out in Jessore and Rajshahi doing mission and outreach work. We were so impressed with their energy, collegiate approach and desire to be involved in mission. Pictures we have seen, show them putting their newly practiced skills into action running outreach programmes with children. We look forward to welcoming them back for a debrief this weekend and sharing the joy of how God has used them.

For Family News

We woke up on a Saturday morning in August to a WhatsApp message showing two smiling faces and a hand with a new ring on it. Calum proposed, Imy said “yes”, and we have another wedding to look forward. We feel deeply blessed and happy.

For Four Peaceful People

A chairman, a religious man, a Hindu woman who likes a good story, and a Muslim woman with a generous heart – all providing a peaceful pathway for God's work. These are the people God has been using in one of the new outreach areas where a BMTC couple are working. We had an amazing day as we joined them in the village where they are sharing the gospel. The local chairman has been impressed with their work and has guaranteed them safety. The religious leader arranged a welcome in the village and gives them the freedom to pray with people and run Sunday school. Then we passed the home of a Muslim woman who waved at us happily and gathers people to show the Jesus film in her house. And then we sat with a Hindu woman who read the children's bible and loves the stories so much, she reads them out loud to the children in the village. This profound work of the Holy Spirit has given the outreach workers the opportunity to visit and pray with 27 families regularly. Our hearts were filled with joy by the time we left.

For Opportunities to Travel and Speak

We rarely feel joyful sat in the back of the car, bumping along a road at 40km an hour with another 5 hours left to go. But when we get out of the car and breathe in the peace of green fields, gentle waterways and village life, it is always worth it. The season is changing and so all the speaking events are starting. Opportunities to speak always feel a challenge, but is also a profound privilege.

Last week, Lou did a session on safeguarding at a children's camp and this week she goes to a woman's camp. Pete is going to speak at a youth congress and the following week we will go together to speak at a woman's and children camp. The change of scene does us good, but we know we would really struggle to manage life full time in rural Bangladesh. We meet so many dedicated people, serving the children, youth and women, and we know that in comparison our contribution is miniscule. But we also feel the joy at these events, a chance to worship, dance, teach, see God at work and do drama and have fun together.

Please pray

With joy and thanksgiving for the good work that God is doing.

Please pray for the work of the outreach workers, that relationships will stay strong and that hearts will be turned to Jesus and lives transformed in each village

For the young people that God will protect them as they come back from the mission work. Pray that He will keep His hand of calling upon them, and for an increase in opportunities in the local churches and outside.

That despite the uncertainties in Bangladesh, all these young people will have a hope for the future that is good for them

For us as we travel and speak, that God will give us the right words and messages for each place and occasion.

As always - a huge thank you for reading, praying and for your support.

Love from Louise and Pete