Raj and Smita's Surprise!

 Greetings from La Mesa, California! We have shared some stories about an Indian man named 'Raj" (not his real name) in previous blog updates. He lives on the border of India and Bhutan. In his mid-thirties, teaching Bible at a local Bible college and reaching out to the Adivasi people (a low caste Indian ethnic group), Raj always seemed the ideal catch for a godly woman. We prayed that he would meet someone to share his life with.

Then, last October, low and behold, Raj informed us that he planned to marry a girl named Smita (also not her real name). When we asked him when this wedding would take place he said "I want this to move fast"!💨 

I'm sure something was lost in the translation 😉 but we are so happy for Raj and Smita that God has brought them together.  Since they are both older and mature believers, they felt brave enough to step away from some of their families' costly traditional customs in order to avoid debt. 

We've been meeting with Raj monthly for some time and now we will have the privilege of Smita joining us in our monthly calls. Please pray for this new couple (married April 12) as they adjust their lives to one another. Smita has a similar background in Christian ministry to Raj and they come from the same ethnic group. 

Prayer Requests: 

1. Pray for continued safety on our road trip and good connections with friends along the way. We will be traveling another two weeks through the western US and will arrive in North Dakota for a 10 day visit May 27. 

2. We will be sharing in two churches - pray that we will be sensitive to the Holy Spirit in what He would have us bring to these congregations. 

3. Pray for our preparations for Bethany's annual cross cultural worker retreat in Minnesota (June 19-22). We will be involved in facilitating member care workshops again this year.

Serving Christ with You, Steve and Alberta