august 2020 update

A Revolving Door for Food, Games, and Fellowship 😁

September 14, 2020

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Greetings! We trust every one of you is doing well, resting in the costly grace of God offered to us all in Jesus!As many Covid restrictions have lifted here in Dubai (making it possible to meet in person with students in small gatherings), life and ministry have picked up the pace once again! 

🥳

Here are some highlights from August: 

• DINNER GUESTS •We've begun inviting different households over for dinner once a week to seek to bless, encourage, and learn from the diverse beauty in our church. Here's a household of girls (3 students, one working) in our church who Brittany has been discipling during quarantine through Zoom conversations and Bible studies. 

• PRACTICING PARENTING •We got to "play parents" for a few days for our friends, John and Brooke, by watching their two kids while Brooke gave birth to their third. It was so much fun talking, swimming, singing, and dancing with these cuties!

• CHAI BREAK! •One of the unexpected highlights of moving to the UAE is Karak Chai, an Indian black tea, heavily spiced and sweetened, and mixed with milk. It's delicious.

• GAME NIGHTS •A game called One Night Werewolf has become a favorite of ours (Thanks, Russells, for letting us take it with us to the UAE!!). This picture was taken before a very intense round. 

• TEAM RETREAT •For a couple days we participated in a team retreat with the other members of FOCUS (including 4 new interns!). It was SO good having everyone together since Covid hit back in March. We studied different passages on how Jesus is our good shepherd and what it looks like for us to follow His example as we minister to students.

• RECONNECTING W/ FRIENDS •Sharon interned with us for FOCUS this past year. She has been a faithful friend to me (Brittany) during the adjustment to much change! I'm consistently encouraged by her desire to please the Lord and disciple those around her. 

• PRAYER MEETINGS •Every Tuesday Todd leads a prayer meeting with students in our region of the UAE. It's an opportune time to check in on students, envision, and intercede for ministry on their campuses.

• DUBAI WEST RETREAT •

We had a very encouraging time on a two day retreat for the students in the Dubai West region. We did an inductive study of the book of Jonah, covering topics like obedience, self-righteousness, and the mercy of God. I (Brittany) got to make all the food for the event and Todd gave a talk on perseverance in evangelism. With the addition of students from two universities that have moved into our region, Dubai West is now a thriving group of students passionate about spreading the gospel on their campuses!

• JOIN US IN PRAYER •

  • Pray for the students. As the semester begins there are many uncertainties related to Covid restrictions and we're all feeling the need for creative wisdom in how to reach unbelieving students. 

  • Pray for Michelle (Joy's sister) as she needs to find a job in the next few weeks so she can stay in Dubai, and thus, in strong Christian community. 

  • Pray for David - that in the midst of difficulty God would renew in his heart a hunger for the Word and fellowship of God.

  • Pray for the FOCUS team to not lose heart as we face a variety of difficulties and discouragements this semester. Also, please pray that we would be unified as a team.

  • Pray for Covenant Hope (our church) that God would provide a place for us to gather together for corporate worship soon.

  • Pray for us to seek to be understanding and to bear with one another in all humility and love.

• THE GREATEST HINDRANCE TO MINISTRY •

Todd and I have been finding more and more that the greatest hindrance to ministry that we face here is not social opposition, cultural differences, or difficulty in communication. It is the same hindrance that all Christians face: our sinful hearts. We are naturally self-centered, lazy, proud, and fearful. The less dependent on Christ we are, the weaker we are to fight our sin and the more we see one another as the enemy.We have been talking together a lot about the importance of accountability and humility, and have found so much grace in these conversations. Our prayer is that each of you would experience (and fight for) the same "unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind," (1 Peter 3:8) especially during this particularly divided time in the US. This life is so short, and then we will be forever with the Lord! Let us labor on, side-by-side, for the honor of our most worthy Savior.

Who are these like stars appearing,These before God's throne who stand?Each a golden crown is wearing;Who are all this glorious band?Alleluia! Hark, they sing,Praising loud their heav'nly King.Who are these of dazzling brightness,These in God's own truth arrayed,Clad in robes of purest whiteness,Robes whose luster ne'er shall fade,Ne'er be touched by time's rude hand?Whence come all this glorious band?These are they who have contendedFor their Savior's honor long,Wrestling on till life was ended,Foll'wing not the sinful throng;These, who well the fight sustained,Triumph through the Lamb have gained.These are they whose hearts were riven,Sore with woe and anguish tried,Who in prayer full oft have strivenWith the God they glorified;Now, their painful conflict o'er,God has bid them weep no more.These, like priests, have watched and waited,Offering up to Christ their will;Soul and body consecrated,Day and night to serve Him still;Now in God's most holy placeBlest they stand before His face.

Heinrich T. Schenk