Praise & Prayer Update

Praises:

• Praise the Lord for safe travels. We made all of our flights despite chaos at the one airport and being pressed for time at our next connection. It was a stressful day of travel from Europe to here, but when we arrived we were greeted by one of H's friends at the airport.
• We have a place to stay, rent free! We need to pay for our utilities only. The Lord has surely sent us to a man of peace. We stayed one night with H's friend near the main part of the city, and the next day we met a friend of a friend who had the top floor of his house just laying empty. His wife and children are in Russia (He is a doctor born in P who spent most of his life in Russia) and he is waiting for some time to settle his family over here. In the meantime, we can stay at the house without paying any rent. The servants have been very helpful getting us moved in, helping us buy ACs, moving my fridge, and telling us where to buy everything. We were also given food for the first week since we didn't get our stove set up until yesterday.
• Sweet reunions - we have been enjoying connecting with friends, both Muslim and Christian
• Our time in Europe was really a blessing. In D's country we were able to share the gospel and spend time in interession for the islands. In our next stop, I connected with my friend Vera (an exchange student who stayed at my house during high school) and her family. Last time I visited, over three years ago, only her brother was a believer. This time I was able to hear the testimonies of how Vera and her mother had come to know and follow the Lord! God truly draws near to those who draw near to Him.

Prayer:

• That we would finish getting settled (internet hooked up, bank accounts, jobs, etc) and be able to focus on what the Lord has for us here
• That in the light of the recent bloodshed in the capital people's hearts would be open and their eyes would be enlighted to know the one true God
• That we would become a couple who is strong in prayer and in our spiritual gifts so that we may better serve the church here and boldly share the reason for the hope that we have
• That the Lord would guide us to believers in our city who we can fellowship with, partner with, encourage and be encouraged by