Joshua Project. . .

. . . Is an amazing thing for anyone ever wondering about the verse in Matthew 24 where Jesus says, " and this gospel of the Kingdom shall be preached in ALL the world as a testimony to ALL nations, and THEN the end will come.". Yes there will be the wars, the natural disasters, and other things that He said would happen, but He also said that these were NOT the end but the beginning. THE END is waiting on the gospel's proclamation. So how can that happen? Look at the Joshua Project and it will give you some insight. Maybe it will even encourage you to get involved.
One of the things I've been doing while being laid up on the m field is reading through some of the things in this wonderful web site. Not only does it give listings and info about people groups who have never heard, but it gives ideas for individuals, and churches on how to be involved with the Lord of the harvest in what He is doing right NOW. He said, " I came to seek and to save that which was lost.".
I have a friend who is busily engaging himself and others into this harvest field by posting a new people group to pray for on Twitter each day. They of course come from the Joshua Project listings.
When you remove the "I've got too much to do" log from your eye, you will find an amazing new world of what God is up to. Oh yes, I forgot, take away the 'entertainment log' as well. Yes, I'm on my IPad right now. I can use it for His purposes or mine. Sit down with Him for 30 minutes and do www on the Joshua Project and see for yourself. If you need, He can arrange for you to get off yor feet for awhile, but it's better to do it voluntarily.
One other very cool thing is that Udmurt people USED to be on that list of unreached, and unengaged, but not now. Yes, there is a long way to go, but at least we're going by His Grace.

Thanks for the prayer,
Jack

Baseball, cold weather, and Nikita. . . .

I came here to meet new people, and learn how to better help pray for what God wants to do in people 's lives. Jesus said " pray the Lord of the harvest, that He would send forth laborers ...". Now there's a prayer request, from the lord Himself. How are we doing on that commandment? I haven 't been able to do much traveling around, but I am meeting some new people.
One is Nikita. This one is about 9 years old. He can be as rowdy however, as the other one that some of you senior folks remember.
His answer to who is God was, " someone who lives on a cloud".
He lives mostly on the streets, doing what boys like to do, play. He doesn't eat regularly because of family conditions. But he did come to the Bible club last week and listened ( some) to Olga share about God's love for him.
It 's a good possibility that he will become involved with 'drinking' crowd early, because he is looking for something that can meet his most urgent need, attention. Olga can only hold him lovingly around the neck while she teaches the lesson for a short time.
Cold weather doesn't interfere with his desire to play. He will still do that; and with whoever will play with him.
Lord of the harvest, do you have anyone out there that would like to come and play baseball with Nikita?

Epaphroditus and I have one thing in common. . .

Even though I don't know WHAT his illness was, I can certainly sympathize with him being away from home without his normal caregiver and no such thing as tylonal. Thank the Lord for prayer and His healing power.
Having been down for two days, gives you plenty of time to work on talking and more importantly, listening to God. Isaiah writes for the Lord "is God's hand too short that it cannot save?". .. (no implied). . . But it is your sins that have separated you from Him. . . ".
Realizing how much we need to call on Him, and more so him speak to us is becoming so vivid here. Yes we can see the enormous task of reaching lostness. We can even realize our inabilities and helplessness. But, do we realize His power to break through the darkness.
"How do you know God has a special plan for me?", Elana, 14 asked. Then after hearing her friend Tanya read the promises and PLAN of God for her "in Christ" from Ephesians 1 she indicates her desire to have this. Pray for her to receive Jesus's great life for her.
She is just one of many desparately wanting to know is there hope. Pray for the others to find His healing power.

"all things work together for good...". ( Rom., 8:28)....

No one likes being sick,especially me and especially now in Udmurtia. But, the Lord can use anything to work in peoples lives. Yesterday I was able to share my testimony and a simple salvation message to the Bible club kids. It was fun. They were so receptive. Today I had a sore throat and wound up sleeping mostly. Tanya and Olga told the kids about it and several wanted to pray for me. Some who had never prayed before did. Tanya and Olga were excited that so many were eager to pray. We can pray with them that the Lord will use even this to bring them into His eternal life.