What happens at a 6 hr ladies lunch...
Launching 2023: Jan & Feb
LADIES LUNCH TO GOSPEL SHARE
Choosing Christ costs something here.
Persecution can happen from the governments or with friends - but is often felt most severely from family. That's why we pray for entire families to come to faith together.
A colleague and I (Mandie) were invited to couscous (traditional Friday meal) by a local friend. We've been slowly building a friendship and praying for open doors into spiritual conversations.
As we carpooled to her house, we prayed for opportunity for us to share.
When we arrived, we were surprised to find her mom and one of her sisters were in her home. Her other sister (along with her kids) showed up shortly after we did. Our friend lamented that she had told them to come later, but they insisted on sharing the afternoon meal with all of us.
They asked a question that turned the conversation in a new direction.
Before we get into that, let's review some updates from January and February...
WINTER TRAVEL: Kenya & Qatar
Just after the new year, our family traveled to Kenya for the LD Winter Conference.
Our family looks forward to this yearly conference for training, prayer and community with dear friends for both us and our children. We are so grateful for the amazingly practical church planting and discipleship training.
After a very full and challenging fall season, we welcomed this time.
The Lord was so faithful to meet us where we were at and mend our hearts. We left ready to face our work head on, full of passion and zeal.
On our way home, we extended our layover in Doha, Qatar.
Some of Ryan's family (Steve & Dawn) live and work there. They invited us to stay with them for a few days. We had the best time catching up and making memories.
Our kids will never forget the time!
Pray with us: Thank you Lord for giving rest and renewal when we need it. Lord, may your name be glorified in our city & host country - plant your church where it does not exist.
BECK GOES TO THE ER
Even in unexpected challenge, the Lord is so faithful.
Beck, as well as another small child, ate a water bead in the childcare room. Unbeknownst to us, ingesting these beads can cause serious harm and even be fatal to small children.
After not seeing the beads pass on their own, Ryan and the other parents took the littles to the emergency room in a nearby village. Our colleagues were notified and took a moment to pray for them - asking the Lord to move miraculously.
After scans for both children, no water beads were found and were eventually cleared to go home.
We don't know if Beck passed the bead before we noticed or if the Lord provided a miracle. But we're grateful for friends and colleagues that at a moments notice, would stop and pray for our child. And for a good God that answered.
Praise: Thank you Lord for protecting Beck and preventing any damage to his body. We thank you also for our loving community and family of fellow workers - we are so grateful for their love and care during times of need.
HOW RYAN GOT HIS RABIES VACCINE
Our country has a host of stray dogs that enjoy a life of freedom on the streets. Unfortunately, they've become a bit too comfortable and frankly, a bit territorial.
Twice in the same week, while Ryan was walking home, local strays attacked him.
The first dog caught his pant leg, scraping his leg. Ryan said it didn't hurt, but I (Mandie) insisted he call a doctor. Ryan got his first shot. Most clinics aren't open at night but a local friend gave us the number of a mobile clinic that could administer the required shot.
The second dog was a bit more intense. While Ryan was walking our dog at night, a large dog charged from a nearby field. The dog got a good hold of his arm. A nearby neighbor was able to distract the dog and get her away.
She left a gnarly gash in Ryan's arm. This time, it required an actual hospital visit. Ryan got two more shots that night and two more in the following weeks. Plus side, Ryan's up to date on his tetanus and rabies shots - set for 5 years.
Praise: Thank you Lord the dog attack wasn't worse & we rejoice that Ryan's arm has healed well!
"FRIEND-CATION"
We were extra blessed this year because dear friends and fellow international workers celebrated a 40th birthday with a "Friendcation" (friend vacation) in our city!
Our friends enjoyed a stay at a local resort and their littles enjoyed a mini-version of day camp, along with our kiddos. Our family is so grateful for these life-giving relationships! And even better when our kids love each other too.
Pray with us: Lord, thank you for providing great friends for us and our children. Bless our kids with life-long friends that will chose to walk with you together. Protect our children, give them peace and sustain them through all things.
AN UNEXPECTED MOVE
We received a notification of a property available in another neighborhood.
We had no plans to move. But we saw a house with protected flat space outside for the kids to play. It is in a neighborhood that mostly speaks the language we learned in Tangier. Most of our current neighbors only spoke French.
We met the landlord and he was so kind. He loved our big family ...and offered to lower rent.
So, we prayed and began to prep our hearts for a potential move. We began organizing our things as we waited for confirmation and clarity. We had peace about the move and then received the call that he would lower the rent below our current amount. Praise the Lord!
While moving overseas has unique challenges, it also has many blessings.
Because consistent work can be sparse and the cost of labor is low, we hire as many locals as we can. And we did this for our move! Though I (Ryan) still have big, strong muscles… I realize it’s better to put work in the hands of Moroccans. The cost is low and it allows us to bless them with honest work, pay and another connection point with us.
We're grateful for our handyman with his crew of four, our house cleaner that helped us make our place look amazing after we moved, our childcare helper to keep kiddos happy while we moved and even some parking lot guys that “help” us park each time we arrive with another load.
God is blessing all these relationships still.
After a slow walk through with the kids, we said an official goodbye to our old place. We're already making friends in our new neighborhood. We're excited to see how the Lord will move.
Will you pray that the Lord will open doors to the gospel with these people in our lives? Pray they would be ready to hear the Truth and believe. Pray for our new neighborhood of "Quartier Dakhla" - may God make himself famous here.
(CONTINUED)...LADIES LUNCH TO GOSPEL SHARE
During our meal, they began asking what brought us North Africa. Were we Mu5lims? Our friend answered for us, "No, they are Christians. These are the friends that invited me to a Christmas party."
"Do you know what Christians believe?" I asked. They knew a little, so we shared. They listened and asked questions.
We stayed for 6 hours. Laughing, sharing stories and building new friendships. They've invited us back for another meal - next time, with their husbands.
Would you pray this whole family will come to know the Lord? Pray for hearts made of soft, good soil. Pray they would continue to be open to hear the Truth and believe.
One last prayer request & an appeal:
Our previous landlord is withholding our $3000 deposit. The real estate representative who helps both parties is embarrassed by the way the landlord is treating us because we took such good care of the property.
Please pray for reconciliation in this matter and that Jesus be glorified in it.
We are seeing fruit in our city & are fervently working to make way for more workers to join us in reaching the unreached. Along the way, some on our support team have found financial struggle and are no longer able to partner financially.
If you are already on our monthly support team, thank you. We are deeply grateful for your support.
We humbly ask you to continue joining us with an additional 10% or $25 more per month.
If you haven't joined us financially, would you partner with us at $25 or more per month?
You may do so here: give.buesgensjourney.com