NTCP Central Asia

Return

2009-08-18T13:19:00.000-07:00

I have returned to America safely and all is well. I thank all of you who prayed for me while I was in Central Asia. Christ taught me many things about His work in Central Asia. Please do not forget to pray for that part of the world in which very few churches have been started. Thank you.

Mountains

2009-08-18T13:17:00.000-07:00

It is a land which has beautiful mountains.

Somsa

2009-08-18T13:13:00.000-07:00

This is called Somsa and is very common is Central Asia. It is a bread shell with meat, potatoes, onions, or a combination inside.

Bazaar

2009-08-18T13:12:00.000-07:00

This is a spice merchant in a Bazaar. It smells very good around the spices.

People

2009-08-18T13:11:00.000-07:00

This is a man and what is probably his little boy with a bicycle.

2009-08-18T13:05:00.000-07:00

This is an average narrow road and housing in Central Asia.

2009-07-27T21:45:00.000-07:00

I have had the opportunity to see and learn many things here in Asia about the people and the Lord's work in this remote place. I realize that I have been greatly blessed to be here. The greatest need that this people have as everywhere is a personal knowledge of Jesus Christ. The church is small and those preaching the Gospel are few. Please pray that the Word will be preached and that God would do a wonderous work in revealing to the people the truth. All that we can do is in vain unless Christ empowers it. Asia needs much LABORING in prayer. Jesus has been very good to us in giving us His Word, let us not hide it as a light under a bushel.

People

2009-07-14T00:45:00.000-07:00

I have noticed that very few people have any joy or happiness that is visible to the outside viewer. It is sad, but there is hardly any Christian influence in this part of the world. Most of the people hold to Islam, but they do not follow it seriously. Mosques are common to see. There are some dedicated Muslim and they are easily recognized by the stricter dress that they wear. Most of the people in the major cities that I have seen wear western style clothing. Before you go to sleep tonight please pray that Christ would do a mighty work in this part of the world. Pray that many would come to trust in Him that their Savior.

2009-07-14T00:38:00.000-07:00

This is bread is called Lepeshka. It is very common throughout Central Asia. It is always in a circle shape but can have many different designs in the center. Bread is a staple food along with onions. I do not believe that I have eaten a single dish prepared by nationals that does not have onions in some form in it. The food is good, but very greasy. I have been told that fat is more valued than the meat. People even buy large chunks of fat to put in their food.

Bazaars

2009-07-05T07:48:00.000-07:00

This is a crowded alley in a bazzar. Bazaars can be quiet large with literally hundreds of sellers and thousands of people shopping. Most buying in Central Asia is done in bazaars. The sellers have individual booths and sell their products at their price. Shopping can take quiet a long while because a person has to go to many booths and get everything they need

Church Meetings

2009-07-05T07:39:00.000-07:00

I wanted to say a bit more about the church services that I was present at this last month. In many places in Central Asia it is illegal to gather together in the name of Christ. It put me in mind of the great blessings that we have in America and I want is encourage all my friends to be greatful and see what a great privilege we have. Please don't take it lightly. The Lord has opened my eyes to how very blessed I have been as are very many in America.

Church

2009-07-03T05:29:00.001-07:00

Over the last month the Lord gave me the opportunity to preach to a small congregation which met in an apartment. It was wonderful to do and of course I had to speak through a translator as I do not know any of the local languages. I really liked it because of the time we had of prayer and discussion of the Scripture after I was done speaking. It was kind of like being at a home Bible study and the people were intent on listening. All of last month was a blessed time and I thank Christ for it.

The Month of June

2009-07-03T05:26:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone. I thank all of you who have been praying for me over the last month even though there have been no new posts. I was in a place where I could not write any updates. The last month was great and the Lord used my time there to teach me many things about the people and how life actually is in Central Asia. The missionary that is there helped me a lot and I am glad that I got to spend a month with him.

2009-06-03T11:04:00.000-07:00

For the rest of June I will be in an area where I am not sure if I will be able to give any updates. I will not know for sure until I get there. Please continue to pray for Christ's blessing and check back in the beginning of July. Thank you for your prayers.

Ministry

2009-06-03T10:59:00.000-07:00

Over the past few days I have been given the opportunity to help the missionary that I am staying with and even teach a children's Sunday School through a translator. I have worked with some children at an orphanage and they speak a little English, so I have been able to communicate with them. I have helped by repairing a table, packing food for the orphanage, assisting in daily needs, a little cleaning and have also been able to learn from those I have been staying with.

Arrival

2009-06-03T10:44:00.000-07:00

Last Friday I arrived in Central Asia at about 4:00 AM. Everything is well and I have been staying with a missionary at his house. I have gotten to meet some of the local people and get a little knowledge of their ways. One interesting thing is going to bazaars and seeing how people shop here. Each person has a booth and sells their items and there may be hundreds of booths in the bigger bazaars. I have been able to get to know the people I'm staying which has been a blessing. I will be staying with 3 different missionaries this summer. Please pray that Christ would bless as I will travel to the missionary that I will be working with for the month of June.

Travel Update

2009-05-27T02:05:00.000-07:00

I am on the first day of my trip. All is well and I am in Germany. This is my first time to travel on a plane, but Christ is always with His children and I have confidence in Him that He will work everything out. I will leave for Central Asia tomorrow morning since I have a long layover. Please pray that Christ would bless the rest of this trip. I will arrive on Friday. This may be my last post until July, but please continue to pray and check back. Thank you for your prayers.

Departure Day

2009-05-26T08:23:00.000-07:00

I will be leaving today. Please pray:
1. That Christ would use me for His glory this summer.
2. That I will be an encouragement to the missionaries.
3. That I would learn many things about working overseas.

During the month of June I will be at a place where I probably will not be able to post. Please continue to pray for me and check back in July. If I am able to post in June, I will. Thank you for and concern and parterning with me in prayer for this summer.

In Christ,

Michael Hinson

2009-05-25T12:22:00.000-07:00

I will be leaving for Germany tomorrow on the first leg of my trip. I will be making several plane changes so please pray that I and my luggage will arrive. I'm trusting Christ to use me to encourage the missionaries and help me this summer to do His work. Thank you for your prayers.

Traveling Starts

2009-05-25T12:19:00.000-07:00

Pioneer Camp ended this morning and all the pioneers had a great time of parting. We have learned many things and grew very tight with each other. Some are already heading to their first churches and many that are flying overseas will be leaving tomorrow. Please pray for us and Christ would bless and use all of us for His glory this summer.

NTCP Training Camp

2009-05-20T08:36:00.000-07:00

Greetings,

I'm currently in the middle of training camp. Everything is great and all the pioneers are learning many practical things about working with pastors and local churches. In one week I will fly out of Tennessee and be on my way to Frankfurt, Germany and than to Asia. Please pray that Christ would richly bless this summer and use it for His glory and honor.

In Christ,

Michael Hinson