I am nearing the end of my three months in Central Asia. I realized the other
day that this part of the world is where I have lived the longest outside of my own continent. I have had the opportunity to play on the national level for basketball and receive second place in the whole country with my team. God has also given me the opportunity to officially teach English in a foreign country and to help launch two business enterprises while I've been here. These opportunities have allowed me to build relationships to share the Gospel with people that have never heard the simple Gospel before. That hit me hard the other day. I have shared the Gospel with individuals who have never heard the real story of Jesus. They have heard much but not the truth. I stood in a lit classroom after the working d
ay had passed and shared for at least an hour with a Muslim friend the truth of Jesus and what He has offered to us. His question at the end was, "Can I be a Muslim and Christian at the same time?" The sad but true answer was "no". I knew I had to say it but I could see in his eyes that after hearing this News for the first time, he desired it and I wish h
e could have it. The difference here is that being a Muslim is not only a belief, it is a way of life and not being a Muslim anymore means much more than it would for a Catholic not to be a Catholic anymore. I've heard so much about the unreached and the difficulty of reaching them and here I was, standing in front of one such "unreached". What a privilege! I've also heard much about the "Back to Jerusalem" movement from the Chinese Church as they move into the m
ost unreached part of the world through the old "Silk Road" route. As I traveled and lived in this region, I was again incredibly privileged to be able to share Jesus with those who are in one of the most unreached and increasingly difficult areas of the world. I count it all a privilege and my hope is that many others would have this privilege in the near future who haven't had it. What do you think? Would you count it a privilege?
day that this part of the world is where I have lived the longest outside of my own continent. I have had the opportunity to play on the national level for basketball and receive second place in the whole country with my team. God has also given me the opportunity to officially teach English in a foreign country and to help launch two business enterprises while I've been here. These opportunities have allowed me to build relationships to share the Gospel with people that have never heard the simple Gospel before. That hit me hard the other day. I have shared the Gospel with individuals who have never heard the real story of Jesus. They have heard much but not the truth. I stood in a lit classroom after the working d
ay had passed and shared for at least an hour with a Muslim friend the truth of Jesus and what He has offered to us. His question at the end was, "Can I be a Muslim and Christian at the same time?" The sad but true answer was "no". I knew I had to say it but I could see in his eyes that after hearing this News for the first time, he desired it and I wish h
e could have it. The difference here is that being a Muslim is not only a belief, it is a way of life and not being a Muslim anymore means much more than it would for a Catholic not to be a Catholic anymore. I've heard so much about the unreached and the difficulty of reaching them and here I was, standing in front of one such "unreached". What a privilege! I've also heard much about the "Back to Jerusalem" movement from the Chinese Church as they move into the m
ost unreached part of the world through the old "Silk Road" route. As I traveled and lived in this region, I was again incredibly privileged to be able to share Jesus with those who are in one of the most unreached and increasingly difficult areas of the world. I count it all a privilege and my hope is that many others would have this privilege in the near future who haven't had it. What do you think? Would you count it a privilege?
nathan, God has truly blessed
ReplyDeleteyou in your travels. what amazing
opportunities and adventures!
yes, i would definitely count it
privilege.
can't wait to see you.
phil
Nathan,
ReplyDeleteI'm assuming one of the reasons you haven't been in touch is cause of security issues in your country. But have been checking back at your blog regularly. Thanks for selling yourself out to God, and seeking to serve Him, and going where He's called you.
Many blessings bro,
Gareth, Belfast
Nathan,
ReplyDeletethanks for sharing this. The sharing of His story is as great a blessing as the leading of one to Him
Dad
Nathan,
ReplyDeleteIt is a privelage to know Jesus so in depth...what a joy to share just a bit of Jesus with the lost. It is such a deep desire of my heart I break at reading this. How awesome is our God! Thank you for blogging, it is an encouragement, brother. Peace to you.
Kate and Matt
London