A couple of months ago I had the chance to visit a town about 2.5 hours away from where we live. As I walked one morning, I stumbled upon this building which was the summer residence of a very famous family from this region of the world. I wanted to explore the palace so much, but it was cordoned off, and there appeared to be security guards in the area as well–the message was clear–no entry! I kept staring, wondering if there was any way to enter–could I ask a guard to let me take a look, or maybe I could just sneak in?

As much as I wanted to gain entry to this earthly, dilapidated place, how much more do I long for heaven? The most wonderful place, beyond my imagination, is open to anyone who follows Jesus. Many of my friends here think that there is a special pass, or a ‘No Entry’ sign on Heaven’s gate so to speak…May they know the truth that the doors are open, that they are wanted and welcomed in this family. May their hearts echo the lyrics of this song I learned as a child (do you remember Psalty the singing songbook??)

“Heaven is a wondeful place,
filled with glory and grace,
I want to see my sarviour’s face.
Heaven is a wonderful place. I want to go there.”

One of our friends recently started a new business–candle making! Our favorite one is in the shape of a local food. You can choose the color and scent (no, it doesn’t actually smell like a tasty dumpling. 🙂 Please pray for A as she continues this new venture–that she would know Jesus as the source of peace and her own creativity!

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Six of the team kids will be starting back to school this month. Please pray for them as they prepare for a new year full of fun and challenges.

“‘Consider how the wild flowers grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these.” Luke 12:27

When was the last time you let beauty stop you in your tracks? It’s easy to miss, but it’s so important to stop, to see, and to praise the One whose creativity is so splendid!

Please pray for GM as the Delta strain has really taken hold. Vaccines have been slow to arrive, so many people have no protection against this “4th wave” as it’s being called.

The medical system is already beginning to buckle under the weight of about 2500 new cases per day across the country. Most concerning are the reports that the children’s hospital is already out of beds. Please pray for those on the front lines, the sick, and their loved ones. Please pray that this will end soon, and that people can withstand another round of looming restrictions.

Two Sundays ago we had a visiting worship team at our church. The team of 4-5 young adults were from a small minority ethnic group, and their church is just south of our city. They led a worship chorus in 8 languages- English, our local language, their “mother tongue”, and several languages we didn’t recognize. What a beautiful sound!
“All the earth worships you and sings praises to you; they sing praises to your name.” Ps 66:4