Thank you for joining with us through prayer and may the Lord bless you!
The Week of August 13th to August 20th
Last week, one of the Discipling Center believers enjoyed the visit of her twin sister and infant nephew in Almaty. To our surprise, the sister also came accompanied by her boyfriend. The little nephew and boyfriend stayed with our American worker and Phil entertained the group throughout the week. It was their first time in the big city and the visitors had the opportunity to hear the Gospel and speak with two of our national staff workers. We really thank the Lord for those conversations that resulted in both the twin sister and boyfriend praying to receive Christ as their Lord and Savior. Please join with us in praying for spiritual encouragement for them as they have now returned to their small hometown in northern Kazakhstan. Also that the Lord will direct them to a good Christian fellowship there.
Giving Thanks
We thank the Lord for His hand of protection over the significant amount of travel that Set Free staff have undertaken recently. This includes both travel to and from Kazakhstan as well as various long distance trips made. Whether by train, plane or automobile, the Lord has provided safety and positive experiences through it all. This has enabled successful investment of ministry time and resources in carrying out the routine and not so routine activities that form a part of the ongoing ministry to prisoners and those released from prison.
We welcome you to join in lifting a heart of gratitude to the Lord for answering these prayers during the Spring months and June 2007.
"You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar. You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways...You hem me in, behind and before, and lay your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high; I cannot attain it."
Psalm 139:2-6
During the third week of August, Heather, a volunteer from the U.S. is due to arrive and begin serving alongside our Kazakhstan staff. She already knows Russian, having served in Saint Petersburg for a term and now she desires to help with the believers at the Discipling Center and attend the local assembly. Please pray with us for a successful time of adaptation for her as well as for her interaction and relationships with the staff and believers associated with Set Free and at the small assembly.
Spiritual Power
In the course of carrying out their regular ministry, Set Free staff need spiritual power as they interact with prisoners in the spiritual area of life. This ministry is not simply casual conversation between people, but by bringing to light the truth of the Gospel to the inmates, it can make a great impact for the Lord in their lives. The forces of darkness do not like this. Please pray as the Apostle Paul did, "that...He may grant you to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in your inner being." Eph. 3:16
In the next few days a large order of Bible courses needs to be purchased to be able to continue the Bible correspondence ministry without pause. We will appreciate your prayers for the Lord's perfect provision for this significant need.
Kazakhstan Land Development Update--Earlier this summer Set Free in Kazakhstan received notice of the government's intention to develop the land where our Discipling Center is situated on, requiring us to relocate. After some investigation, we have learned that the government does not intend to carry through with this plan until sometime in the next two to five years. We thank the Lord that this gives us some "breathing room" to consider future ministry plans in light of this eventual possibility. Thank you for praying for the Lord's guidance on our future plans.
Along with the many special activities that take place during summertime, our Discipling Center residents are also already looking ahead toward the beginning of the new school year in early September. We all need guidance as we consider which academic or vocational programs will be best for each of the eight residents. Please pray with us for the Lord's help and direction on making these important choices during June, July and August.
During the first week of August, Julia a volunteer from Germany arrived and has already been showing a very good work ethic and humorous side to the believers at the Almaty Discipling Center. We thank the Lord for enabling her to arrive safely. Please continue to pray for her personal growth and relationships with the folk in Kazakhstan.
A six member missions team arrived in Almaty, Kazakhstan on July 22nd and served for a week alongside Set Free staff, participating in various gospel outreach activities. We thank the Lord for a successful and encouraging time of ministry together. Official permissions were granted for the team to minister inside both the women's prison and the teen men's at a time when obtaining permission has become increasingly difficult. The six mission team members also ministered at an orphanage and to the believers at the Spiritual Freedom Discipling Center. We praise the Lord for the many lives touched in this relatively short time through the love and service of these devoted ladies.
Praise the Lord for Susi's safe return to Germany after ten months of service at the Discipling Center in Kazakhstan. She was a real blessing and will be missed. We know the Lord has great plans for her future and please keep her in your prayers in the days ahead for a good transition back to life in Europe. To read the article she wrote before she returned to her homeland "Fairy Tale Change", Click here
Here in Kazakhstan we are thanking the Lord for the summer job that one of the Discipling Center believers was hired for recently. She began working in early June as soon as she finished her first year at high school since being released from prison in May of 2006. She is now taking care of a family's house and children that is located not too far from the Center.
"How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news,
who publishes peace, who brings good news of happiness,
who publishes salvation, who says to Zion, "Your God reigns." Isaiah 52:7
