Prayer

God has really been teaching us about the power of prayer and the need for us to rely on Him fully through prayer. We have been challenged by stories of missionaries who spent hours in prayer each day. While we aren't there yet, we are spending more time in prayer daily. And God is answering those prayers and opening doors for us.

On Sunday we had our Portuguese meet-up to practice the language. Six people--including 2 Portuguese--came. We spent 3 hours talking. This was truly a great time to meet people, and we had a couple of opportunities to share about our faith.

On Monday, Bethany met  a girl she met the week before on the Sky Train for coffee and English practice. As they talked, she was able to share with her the basic gospel message and tell her about the Bible, which she had never heard of before. She definitely wants to meet again and asked if she could bring a friend with her.

On Tuesday Jonathan was able to meet with K again, and he talked about why he no longer likes Islam and why he is an agnostic trusting in science now. Jonathan was able to share the gospel clearly and answer some of his questions about how the Bible does not contradict science. They plan on meeting again soon.

Today, we had several great conversations. Bethany was able to talk briefly to a girl in a coffee shop about spiritual things. While she wasn't able to get her contact information, the girl said she comes to the coffee shop a lot to read her book on meditation and journal and perhaps they could meet sometime. After missing the opportunity to fully share or get contact information to meet again, Bethany prayed and asked God to give her more opportunities today. On her way home on the Sky Train, she met H., a man from Zimbabwe. They were having such a good conversation that was moving toward spiritual things that she passed up her stop so they could keep talking. It turns out he is a believer and gave her his contact information for Jonathan to follow-up with him.

Bethany finally got off of the Sky Train and got on the one headed back home. She sat by a girl who moved here from Taiwan three years ago. They exchanged numbers, and Bethany will follow-up with her in a few days. Pray that she is willing to meet for coffee soon.

When she got home she was able to meet a neighbor for tea and pray for her friend who is about to have surgery as well as our neighbor who wasn't feeling well. She prayed boldly. Pray God answers these prayers.

During this afternoon while Bethany was on her way home, Jonathan was at Joe's Cafe. He met with some of the men he's been meeting there occasionally, and he met the only barista there that he hasn't met yet. He also called Elvis, the man he met on the bus last week, and set up an appointment to meet with him on Monday. He called H., the man Bethany met on the Sky Train today, and made plans to meet him for coffee tomorrow.

As we grow bolder in our prayers and learn to fully rely on God through prayer, please join us in these prayers. We know that we can do nothing without His strength. We want to make a big impact while we are here in this city for our internship. We would love to see a movement happen. We are also praying for Portugal and our future work there.

"We know that through your prayers and the help given us through the Spirit of Jesus Christ what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance." Phil. 1:19. Pray for us. Pray bold things for us.

But also pray for yourself and the people in your circles of influence. Truly rely on God. He can and will do big things!