Leaps of Faith

I would have despaired unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Wait for the LORD; be strong and let your heart take courage; yes, wait for the LORD.

Psalm 27:13-14 NASB

Six months ago I was thrown into God’s new direction towards rectifying the 10/40 Imbalance as an Intern with Saving Grace World Missions. Now, I am officially a volunteer Administrative Assistant to the Director of Missionary Equipping, Pastor Tim Pappas! A large leap of faith, but I have never known our God to fail us in any aspect of our lives. He may work differently than we wished, but He has always proved Himself to be faithful.

I am continuing to serving as an intern, but now I am able to devote more time towards the mission field on the admin side, surrounding myself with the “background” work of Missions overseas. This has been extremely valuable experience and one that will be a long term investment for when I get the chance to be on The Field in the coming future.

At the time of sending this update, I am now living month-to-month on missions support and I am going on two cross-border trips in February and April! Praise be to Abba

As life gets more busy with an increased workload, the above verse has been my spiritual manna. I have been struggling with spiritual, emotional swings of great excitement and growth then plunges into overwhelming loneliness and discouragement. But He has proven to draw me closer to Himself. Every day we have to submit our thoughts to Abba and He is our stability in the midst of the temptation to succumb to “youthful lusts” (2 Timothy 2:22) and get sidetracked from what the Lord would have us be apart of right in this season.
“Wait on the LORD; be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart; wait, I say, on the LORD!”
How important has this been! His timing and ways are perfect and true. I have been disciplining myself to wait on Him in every decision of life. He has given abundantly in this internship and He is merciful to provide for every need as we pursue His righteousness, faith, love, and peace with all those who call upon the Lord out of a pure heart.

One of the most exciting parts of the training we get as Interns is the chance to GO out into the mission field at home and overseas!

I have had the amazing privilage to be the Administrative Assistant for SGWM’s Central Mexico Missions Trip this February 28 – March 14! I’m saving finances and praying to become a Learner on how to organize future Missionary Equipping trips in the future. Furthermore, I am also actively saving and praying to be apart of a vision trip to the Middle East THIS April!

I truly covet your prayers! Let me know if you have been praying or if there are any ways I can partner with you in prayer. God has joined us together through His blood and we are family in Him to encourage and bear one another’s burdens; I would love to actively be an active part of interceeding for your behalf.

Central Asia Update: Tajikistan

Dashanbe, Tajikistan

Tajikistan is a gorgeous landlocked, mountainous country with Afghanistan in the south, China in the east, Kyrgyzstan in the north, and Uzbekistan in the north. The main languages of Tajikistan are, Tajik (a varient of Persian) and Russian. 97% of Tajiks are Muslim with only less than 0.5% protestant Christian.

Rated 45 on Open Doors USA World Watch List and 17 on Radical’s Stratus index. It is a highly persecuted country in Central Asia. The Muslim majority and a strict authoritarian government hold strong ties to the social and political climate. Christians are restricted in their religious activities and are seen as suspects under close scrutiny as radical and opposition to government ideals. To convert to Christianity after being registered as a Muslim is a very real and dangerous stance MBB (muslim background believers) face. God is working among these people, but we pray for more national labors to be sent into this land of strong government oppression. Pray that our brothers and sisters would be unhindered to grow in maturity, prayer, worship, and sharing His love. We pray that God will use even us to help equip and train nationals to know the Scriptures.

Prayer Points

  • Praise – God has opened the door to be a part of the office at SGWM!
  • Praise – He has taken care of each event in January
  • Praise – We have a New Roomie! Acacia has joined us in the Blair household
  • Petition – That all logistical and financial needs would be taken care of and blessed for Mexico and the Middle East
  • Petition – That the Lord would work His ministry in the office at Saving Grace World Missions and protect our work from the wiles of the Enemy
  • Petition – Vision Trip to the Middle East: financial provision and Nancy would be blessed in preparation for the trip. That the people we connect with would be blessed by our presence and helped; there would be no hinderance to the Gospel in the country we are visiting!

  • Petition – For Central Asia: A team and wisdom is needed to proceed with making moves to reaching the Unreached. Please be praying for support and partners in the Gospel.

If you wish to partner in the Gospel as we run towards His name being made known among the Unreached of Central Asia and the World, you can do so by Praying and giving towards one of the upcoming trips or a monthly donation. The blue button is available for you or you can make a check out to Aleah Vanrenterghem at 17451 Bastanchury Rd Suite 203, Yorba Linda, CA 92886. May He lead and bless!

I love and appreciate each one of you! You’re my family in Christ and I couldn’t ask for better partners. How great is our LORD!

Many blessings and love from Him who is worthy of All Praise

Aliyah Vanrenterghem