The Suit that Launched a Ministry

It was a privilege for us to be invited to the ordination of our fellow 'Teamer' Nadim. In his denomination of  a thousand Nagaland Baptist churches, ordination only happens once in several years so it is quite a celebration when it happens. However, its also a formal affair and I (Steve) was scrambling to find a suit appropriate for the occasion. That's when Nadim told me I could use his wedding suit stowed away in Kohima, India where the occasion would take place. In fact, he said that suit was special as it had "launched their South Asian fellowship." 

When Nadim and Wanda had decided to marry, Nadim needed a new suit. His wife, Wanda, suggested he  go to a Nepali tailor in the night market whose brother was known to be a Christian. Through  their interaction, Nadim found out that the tailor had once accepted Christ but had backslidden. Nadim decided he would bring Chai (tea) for his new friend and, as the suit took shape, study the Bible with the tailor. As a result of his contact with this Nepali brother, a ministry was launched among the South Asian night market workers that continues to this day. Pray for Reverend Nadim and wife Wanda as their wonderful work among the South Asians of Chiang Mai expand into places like Bhutan, Bangladesh and Nepal. 

Prayer Requests: 

1. We are currently in Kolkata, India hoping our flight to Thailand will not be cancelled. Pray that our flights Bangkok and Chiang Mai would go smoothly in the next 24 hrs. 

2. We have changed our return flight to the US once already (it was transiting China) and are now routed through Taiwan. Pray that that itinerary holds as the virus scare can trigger border closings for air travel between countries. We are booked to fly April 2 to California through Taipei.

3. Pray for Krista moving toward graduation on May 30. She is doing her masters thesis in these last few months and also beginning to think about job opportunities as she graduates. 
4. Pray for Heather as her teaching English to Chinese kids online has ramped up strongly with all the kids quarantined at home and given her less time to pursue theater opportunities. 

Serving Christ with You, Steve and Alberta