Jalal-Abad

After having spent the past two weeks in Jalal abad, God did more  than can be told. From the divine appointments, developement of unity in my team, healing in my own heart, opportunities to share the gospel, many spiritual conversations, the gift of so many memories, challenges that shaped me, freedom from so many anxious thoughts, building of my faith and just pure delight in the love of God. But I hope to give you a glimpse into the goodness of God that I have experienced as an encouragement to your own walk with God.

Initially, the transition from Osh to Jalal Abad was a bit of a wrestle because of the deep relationships I formed in Osh. I was fully convinced that good couldn’t get better. But the Lord graciously reminded me that He is the God that not only makes bad things good, but also makes good things better. Despite having to pack up and leave every two weeks, His grace enabled me to adjust to rhythms and form deep relationships regardless.

For one, Skylar and I made it a regular part of our routine to go to a nearby coffee shop. Little did I know this would become a main point of ministry. I tend to find comfort in knowing my purpose in a place or with a people. But my lack of vision for Jalal-Abad was an opportunity for me to trust in His plan instead of what I could understand for myself. Let’s just say His plan prevailed and He was so kind to show me His hand at work.

The first day in Jalal Abad I met one of the teachers at the university where we were going to teach English. Icoot was one of the kindest people I’d ever met. I immediately turned to Nick and said “we got to get this man in the kingdom of God” kind of lightheartedly, but really meant it. I just saw such greatness that the Lord had for him. During my time in Osh, I was humbled by the fact that God does not need us, but WANTS us. So I carried that same spirit into this situation. Fully surrendered to Gods timeline for Icoot.

I continued to press into forming relationships with the students, Axanna being one. She told me (through translation) that even though she couldn’t speak with me, she felt such deep connection to me, despite the language the barrier. Relationship is far beyond speech. She proceeded to lavish me with gifts and affection that was completely undeserved. I’m beyond blessed to call her my friend. The following week we met for tea and talked about family, relationships and religion. She mentioned how at one point she started reading the Bible but the priest at the mosque told her to stop and she stopped out of fear. By the end of our conversation she decided she will start again and walk in freedom from fear. She is so curious about the God of the Bible and His love for ALL people.

God wasn’t limited to just encountering the students with His love. One night, my team went out for dinner and the waitress and I just hit it off. Another moment where despite the language barrier, I just formed an indescribable bond with a someone. After our meal, we were leaving the restaurant and I hoped to say goodbye, but unfortunately couldn’t find her. The following day, Skylar and I walk into the coffee shop and I immediately see her sitting down where we usually sit. We had an entire conversation over google translate and I testified of my faith. She was so excited and giddy over the ways I was talking about Gods love for me and my love for Him, you would think I was telling her about my crush. It was awesome to see her respond to the gospel and simultaneously just have fellowship with one another. Truly a divine appointment.

All the while, there’s countless things God was restoring in my heart, team and just in the more “background” events of life. I was blessed to have one of my closest friends from Osh visit me in Jalal Abad. Meerzat is someone who showed me a different kind of friendship. Completely free of expectation, genuine connection over simple truths, and expressing affection often. She spent the day with us to visit the Jollywood sign (yea exactly what it sounds like), get lunch and just walk the town together. Saying goodbye to her was one of the hardest goodbyes I’d ever experienced. Partly because I have no reassurance that I will see her again. But also because I feel like the Lord imparted a portion of His heart for her to me. I saw her so completely separate from her struggles and desired her to experience the love of Jesus in the midst of those struggles. That was just the beginning of the Lord giving me eyes to see every person through that lens.

It took some more time to get to that point with the people nearest to me. One person in particular challenged my ways of thinking in regard to righteousness. The love of God is so completely unreasonable that our human minds are tempted to put reason to it. It’s true for myself. I credited myself according to my own “righteous” deeds as a reason for His love. Surely He couldn’t just love me for the sake of loving me?! But that’s exactly it. The more I come into alignment with that truth, the more I operate from a place of unconditional love for my neighbor. Just when I thought my personal hurt and my distorted way of thought was too much for God. He came in and gave me and new heart, mind and eyes. That’s it. It sounds abstract, but that’s the reality. I can’t explain it any other way. I didn’t come to any profound thought, I came to Him and he changed me.

In that space, was when God inviting me to share with the man I met at the very beginning. The very last day, during our last visit to the coffee shop, Icoot walked in. He sat with us and proceeded with a series of questions… “What do you think about Muslims washing themselves before prayer?” “Can homeless people pray?” “Why do people still sin after they believe in God?” I shared about the work of the Holy Spirit in my life and His power to change and convict. His eyes were lit up with complete astonishment and curiosity. It was a complete act of Gods goodness to allow me to be apart of that moment after putting it on my heart at the beginning but knowing it wasn’t time yet. His timing is perfect. His ways are perfect. He is perfect for us.

To Him be all glory, praise and honor!

Next stop… Turkey! ✈️