Well I’ve been in Bangladesh for about 2 and a half months so far. God has already taught me so much about obedience, prayer and love, but the biggest lesson of all is that there is SO much I don’t know :) Since living in such close quarters with my beloved Muslim neighbors I realize now more than ever my need for knowledge not only about Islam, but also at practical ways to share the Gospel with them. Before I left Michigan I knew that YWAM (youth with a mission) was a possibility as they have a discipleship training program in Bangladesh. I was not certain however, that was what God wanted for me. All I knew before was that God wanted me here in Bangladesh. Now, I have peace and excitement for this new learning phase of my journey. Thankfully, I will not be too far from Shompa and my neighbors, so I will be able to visit them on the weekends. I’m also praising God that He allowed me to find some of my old friends from last time I was in Bangladesh. These people lived in a slum that was knocked down by Police so I assumed the people were gone as well. But they are still there and still begging just in a slightly different location! I really want to build stronger relationships with them in the future and am praying about the best way to reach out to them.
The girl in this picture, Noonhowa, was one of the girls who attended Shompa and I’s class. Her dad left her mom for another woman and her mother became a prostitute. Such a sweet girl! She didn’t know her age but we guessed about 8 years old. My heart sank when I found out that she got married while I was gone. If you are poor and uneducated in Bangladesh there are not many options for you. Shompa and I want to see the kids learning again but we need a room away from the distraction of the street as well as a teacher who can devote more time. Pray for Shompa and I as we figure out the best way to help the community near the railgate.
