Encouragers

I thank my God every time I remember you. Philippians 1:3

Team of the Day: Farm Community Intern

Country of the Day: Southeast Asia

Pray for team members to be an encouragement to their national partners.

Prayer Requests from the Farm

We have been sent out in the Master's field in Southeast Asia, but everyone reading this is also an active part in the His kingdom work here!

Please, earnestly pray for our local co-workers who lately have been held back by intense fear. It plagues this place and holds them back from experiencing Christ's pure love. Their families and friends often live in darkness, falling into drunkenness, apathy, and fear. Fear grips them all, and it easily creeps into the lives of believers here. So pray for them, and for us as we minister alongside them!

As a team, pray that prayer would take priority in our daily lives. Our schedule fills up fast and prayer can become an oversight quickly. But half of the battle is fought through prayer, and we have the Victor on our side! Praise Him for never letting go, and for always sticking with us.

Your friends,

Farm Community Interns

Our Family

Our team has the privilege to work alongside some radically committed long-term workers, both locally and from the States. They have taken us by the hand and ran, throwing us into the harvest literally and spiritually. As time goes on, we feel more a part of the family. Small conversations become secret handshakes and prayer requests. We share food, the basketball court, and the burdens that weigh us down. 

In 1 Thessalonians 5:11, Paul reminds the church at Thessalonica to "encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing." Our team is here to do just that: helping to encourage, equip, and strengthen the local believers. Even when we lack faith, the Lord is faithful to work in mighty ways, as we have already witnessed.

-Farm Community Interns

Sometimes Flies Won't Stick (Part 2)

A couple of weeks ago, I was late for our taxi van ride. I apparently didn't get the memo that I shouldn't have gotten that 3rd bowl of rice for lunch, and I was holding everyone up.  I saw each person's face in the car as I ran down the little farm road toward the taxi. When I got in, I saw two nationals already sitting there, and I sat next to them. They knew a little English so we got to know them and they agreed to come to dinner with us in the city!

Passing dishes and smiles, we swapped stories for an hour or so. A friend that works on the farm with us speaks the language fluently, so we decided we would share a Bible story with our new friends and she could translate. We decided on the story of David and Goliath, and we watched as it was translated, their eyes widened with every sentence. Their necks craned to be sure to hear each word.

During the story, the rest of us prayed. We had two girls with us who had been to the region before and were visiting for a while, and as we prayed, one realized that they recognized one of them! She had shared the Gospel with him a year earlier, and now both were hearing it! We hoped maybe this time it would stick. Neither of them made decisions for Christ, but we prayed when the story was over, swapped contacts, and we parted ways encouraged!

The night ended as our team danced with hundreds of nationals by the city lake. The moves took a while to master, but with time we got them down. With time, it finally stuck.

Pray for the seeds that have been planted with these who shared our taxi. Pray that they will continue to be watered & a harvest will come.

-Farm Community Interns

Sometimes Flies Won't Stick

Fly paper is a wonderful invention, especially on a farm. Set down one, two, three, and BOOM!... problems go away. Or so it should be. The reality of the situation is that sometimes, flies just won't stick. Welcome to our world for the summer, minus the flies.

We've almost been a month here in Southeast Asia, and our team has been hard at work! Some days we are trenching or scooping manure or picking weeds or milking cows till the dinner bell rings. On others we are trying our hardest to communicate with those around us. We study language for 1.5 hours a day, but some things just don't stick. So many words, so many faces. Every one holds weight, and every person carries a story worth listening to. If one wasn't careful, they could drown in frustration working overseas. Thanks be to God that He triumphs over fear, bridges language barriers, and provides strength for the fatigued. It has been an incredible encouragement to see how our meager plans can change in an instant to show us God's greater one. 

-Farm Community Interns

Boldness to Overcome Fear

Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel. Ephesians 6:19

For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love & self-discipline. 2 Timothy 1:7

Team of the Day: Farm Community Intern

Country of the Day: Southeast Asia

Pray for team members to seek the leading of the Holy Spirit in word and deed as they share the Gospel. Pray they would be emboldened by the power of the Spirit dwelling in them.