“We were shocked.”

Ansar (name changed for security reasons) lost his dad last year in a car accident. Losing such a close family member is something that would shake anyone. In times of both joy and sadness, like many in his country in Central Asia, he goes to the mosque and prays five times per day. “It’s my best way to help my mind in troubling situations,” says Ansar.

Allah, however, is far from humanity, a completely “other” god who is unknowable. To be with Allah, one must go through a lifetime of religious activities and rituals to get into paradise. Yet, even then, one can’t ultimately know whether they’ll be with Allah until he arbitrarily forgives or punishes people on judgment day. If I’m honest, this far-off god doesn’t seem very comforting and helpful in times of need, times that Ansar has experienced.

The Bible, however, provides hope. Yes, God is far above us, and his thoughts are not like our thoughts, but he is also close to his people, being the God of all comfort and comforting us in our affliction (2 Cor 1:3-4). Furthermore, Jesus left heaven and entered into suffering, experiencing suffering and death himself. This God wants to know us deeply. “The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.” (Psalm 34:18)

I (Jeff) have shared the message of Jesus with Ansar in conversations this semester. Pray that he would come to see Jesus as his God and savior.

Thanks for partnering with us to bring the message of comfort to the brokenhearted like Ansar, both locally and across the world!

PRAYER REQUESTS

• Pray for Jesus to bring Ansar to himself.
• The number of people that follow Jesus in Central Asia (excluding the tiny country of Armenia) is most likely less than .1%. Pray that Jesus would bring many of the roughly 300 million people there to know him.
• Please pray for our staff team as we prepare for our various summer assignments.  Pray for refreshment and energy. 
• Pray for our family’s health as we continue to recover from sickness.