Greetings from the Middle East. With just a few more weeks before we return to the US to begin itineration, we are trying to take care of as many things here as possible. While we look forward to seeing family and visiting the churches that so faithfully support us, it will be hard to leave our work here behind. God has blessed us so much since we arrived here, and we know and trust He has much more planned.

The Spiritual and the Physical

In this month's HER Women's Meeting, Kari focused on breast cancer awareness. While that might not sound like a deep spiritual need, God also intends his church to minister to people's physical being as well as their soul. Many women here have never been taught the dangers of breast cancer, and preventive steps that can be taken to reduce the risk and allow early detection.

This also presented Kari with the opportunity to invite our Hindu neighbor to come to the meeting. She accepted and was truly blessed how loving and accepting the church was. She made several comments about how welcome the ladies in the church made her feel. Since the meeting, she has began asking to borrow some of our Christian movies. Also during the meeting, the overseer's wife had an opportunity to share the gospel with her in her own language. The lady was also asked if she would be interested in reading the Bible, and she said she would. While we do not want to use her name for security reasons, we ask that you keep our neighbor in prayer. The family has been very trusting and open to us. We have never believed in chance, and know God had a purpose even in where we chose to live and who are neighbors would be.

 

Laborers for the Harvest

Although only a small part of our work in the Middle East, one of the joys we have in working with national pastors is training them and credentialing them for ministry. This month we were able to commission two new ministers into the work of the Kingdom. The congregation we are working with is planning to plant churches in every emirate in the UAE. In order to do that, we must first have people who are called by God to serve as pastors. Please keep these young men in your prayers as they may be the ones God uses to fulfill the vision to expand into the harvest. 

 

Well it is not really a corner, but a block is good enough for me. I am doing great and really excited that I will soon get to see my grandparents and be spoiled beyond all possible belief.  We get to talk on Skype, but it will sure be nice to be able to give them a big hug and kiss. I will miss our life here but daddy says we just have to focus on raising the money we need so we can get back here as soon as possible. Other than that, I have just finished the 2nd grade and will soon be losing 2 more teeth. Maybe one day I will get to eat corn on the cob again!

 

I prefer the corner myself instead of getting stuck at the bottom of the page. Anyway, I will also finish the second grade really soon. It makes me a year ahead of where I am suppose to be, but daddy says I am a smart cookie... although I am NOT a cookie. I am happy to be coming to America too. I was worried about out turtle, Jerry, but we found someone who will take care of him while we are gone. Daddy says we could eat him but I think that is from spending too much time in China. Our beta fish, Stephanie, will not be so lucky. I think she will get flushed.

 

Church Schedule

Please contact us as soon as possible if your church would like like for us to come share the ministry God has given us.  You can reach us at the following:

karimassengill@yahoo.com

vancecogwm@yahoo.com

You can also contact us via Facebook.

Our ministry in the Middle East is not possible without the faithful prayer and support of churches and individuals. Please keep us in prayer as we raise the funds we need to continue the work God has blessed us with in the heart of the Islamic world.

 

In His Service,

Vance, Kari, Leandra & Kendra Massengill

Massengill Middle East Minute