Nagaland Team Update 2

Nagaland Team Update #2

3.12.2014

            It has now been one and a half weeks since we have been in Nagaland. It seems like longer as our days have been long and full. We are enjoying getting to know the city of Kohima and the people who live here on a more personal level. Researching and talking to people before we came gave us a great sketch of Nagaland, but being here is like adding full color. There are just some things about a place and a people that cannot be described until you experience it firsthand.

            This past week our average schedule was two speaking engagements a day. We started our first week of Bible Study with Kohima Baptist Mission Church which we will be continuing throughout our time here three days a week.

We got to spend two days with a group of kids who are all the children of police officers. The families of police here live in community together, much like the military. The range of kids was from under 10 to 20 years old. We were blessed by the heart of those leading this youth group to take the time to disciple and invest in these kids’ lives when they could so easily be living under less desirable influences. We saw such a heart for God that was being developed in them.

            This weekend we spent three days at the Kohima Bible College and got to know the students there. The people of this college have a focus on missions and really have hearts that are seeking to know the heart of God personally. In an area that is struggling with a lot of complacency in their Christianity it was good to see that God is actively raising up young people passionate about him. Getting to spend time worshiping and talking with the students was a big blessing of refreshment for our team!

            Our favorite part so far has been getting to build relationships with the people here. They are very welcoming and love to talk! Often, after teaching engagements we had tea and get to spend time talking. We have been finding that teachers, especially foreigners, are given a high amount of respect and often their word is taken as truth without question. We’re realizing how much of an influence we have just through our words and the way we live. As well, how important it is for us to be using the teachings about studying the Bible to encourage them to study and know God for themselves, rather than just taking other people’s word as truth.            

Praises and Prayer Requests:

·      Praise - After a lot of waiting, Junell is joining our team today!!

·      Pray – That we could break the barrier between the people and their perception of us as teachers.

·      Pray – That we would be able to continue to build relationships with those we have met and be an encouragement to them

·      Pray – That the people of Nagaland would grow in personal relationship with God and realize that he is worthy of their lives. That they would be inspired to not just believe this for themselves, but also to take it into the world.