For more pics and stories

Thought I would give you Drea's blogspot for more pics and stories of our journey. I case you didn't know about it here it is:

http://thielestidbits.blogspot.com/

Back to the Sea Side

We have made it back to BK successfully. Thank you for your prayers. The journey back took about 5 1/2 hours by taxi, (Mercedes Benz). Our taxi driver was a good man. It seemed that he and I made a connection. For some reason when we reached our destination and said our goodbye's, he embraced my hand with passion and gave me a different smile than the norm. One that said so much to me. I enjoyed him and our time together. Lord, I pray for this man, that he saw You and because of that, seeks to see You again. Pray with me that the Lord will continue to use this man to bring His people to and fro. That he will continue to see Jesus' image displayed to him and that he will long to know Him as a result.

We will finish up our last few days here on the sea side and then head home. We thank you for taking this journey with us. We pray that your heart burns for the nations. Continue to pray for these people and continue to pray that God will raise up harvesters to harvest these people He longs for. We love you, my brothers and sisters. May, "The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace."

Heading back

The place we stayed on the Silk Road

Looking out from our room to the center courtyard

Local housing on our journey back

Here we go!

Today we are on our way back down to the sea side. We will break up our journey back by stopping in a bigger tourist town on the Silk Road. This is exciting for me. It reminds me of God's amazing love for all peoples. Malachi 1:11 says, "My name will be great among the nations, from the rising to the setting of the sun. In every place incense and pure offerings will be brought to my name, because my name will be great among the nations," says the LORD Almighty." and in Ezekial 5 He says, "Thus says the Lord GOD: ‘This is Jerusalem; I have set her in the midst of the nations and the countries all around her." Jerusalem sat right in the middle of the Silk Road, right in the middle of where many came for many nations to trade. How wise our God is. He set His people right in the path of the lost people of this world. May we always be aware of the people that cross our path. Maybe the Lord has you in a place for His strategic purposess. So that you can be His ambassador. How awesome! Yet how usless if we don't live ready and aware. Let's live for Him. Always prepared to give an answer for the hope that we have. Pray for our journey back and continue to pray that the incense of praise and the pure offerings of peoples lives will happen right here in this land, Amen!

He Guides My Path!

Our new friends

Our new friends house in the village

Drea with the ladies during the celebration

Bryan is honored when asked to dance in their celebration

Their national soup. It was delicious!

Yesterday (Monday) was the best day ever!! We hit the gold mine of the people we came here to get to know. By Gods grace, I wrote you and told you that we met some Americans. They told us about a village about 25 min. from where we were that is an “A” village (A is the people we hoped to find.) Yesterday they were holding a big celebration, so we ventured out by taxi in hopes of …???Once we were there we came in contact with another Peac* Corp. lady Amy. She and another volunteer had lunch with us and were kind enough to answer all of our questions the best she knew how. She has only been in this village for 3 months, but knows enough of the language to get around. While up in the mountains we have not had a translator, but again with Gods grace, we have been able to communicate one way or another. To hear someone speak English was a strange sound. We have also learned several phrases and key words to communicate.In the village the people speak two languages, most only speak their heart language, but some learned people speak their heart language and the trade language. So, it would be important to learn the heart language if one were to live here, although you would have to start with the trade language, for when you left the village, because it is not remotely close with the other, ( just a side note).Amy asked us if we would like to come with her to the town celebration where they were eating and getting ready for some native dancing. YES!! This was truly a village, like none I have ever seen. The houses were made from stone, there is a stream running down the center of town, which is used for washing. They have gates on either side of the main street to keep the cows out, not the chickens. They grow lots of fruits and Hazel nuts. They would like to be able to sell their cows, but only do maybe once a year. The cows, have no meat on them, they are just skin and bones.We were introduced to a 16 year old girl, named Manah who was sort of the MC for the festivities. She invited us back for the “National Soup”, which they make often. So off we go to eat again, we certainly don’t lack food here. The people here are community people (my type) and love to eat, drink cay, and talk. The soup (which is pictured) is YUM!! It is made of homeny and some other type of grain, and lamb, and I don’t know what else. You garnish it with some coarse salt and sumac, mixed with other spices.We drew a lot of attention of course, but also from an unexpected place; the Government Officials of this village! This man sat down next to Bry and poured out his heart to him in his language of course, and Amy roughly translated. He basically said “We hear have all heard of America, but you ask an American and they have never heard of us”. True. “We had other non profit workers here and with out a word they left, they didn’t finish their project and they didn’t say good-bye.” “How are you going to get to know us if you don’t come and stay”. “We want to know you; you are welcome in our town”.He was right, what he said was true. We don’t know this place, not even when we look on the map, does the name sound familiar. (Ro. 10:14 ?) The real sad thing is, is that the workers there with the Peac* Corp. are not followers of Isa. Most of them are agnostic!! But Muslims don’t understand this word. So the workers, to avoid explanation, call them selves Christ*ans!!!! This is from their own mouths. We asked them, and then witnessed it with our own two eyes!! Now, these are nice people and they are doing great things, but they have NO Light. They are falsely representing the Light, stating that they come in the name of Isa!!! Not only is this blasphemous, but it is wrong. They have the right motives, but nothing to back them up. And WE, THE ONES WITH THE LIGHT, DO NOT GO!!! I am not accusing, I am just astonished that this happens. They are motivated by what?? World Peace?? We are motivated by Isa, and STILL REMAIN in our comfort zones.We are all not called to GO, but we are all called to GO in one way shape or form. There are 5 ways we can participate that are vital: GO, SEND, MOBIZE, PRAY, WELCOME! I thought that this was a perfect demonic plan of the evil one, send someone who does good, but has NO Light, then the body will think that there is already something happening there and will divert their attention some place else!After we ate, the dancing began. The people crowded around in big circle. We were way at the back where we could not see, but were ushered right to the front. A couple of older ladies offered that we share the rug they were sitting on, it was so sweet, so we all squished in. There was a young man on key boards playing native music, and the Mayor of the village started the dancing, the rest of the government officials joined him. Then the official dancers in costumes danced, there were 3 total. Then a few young men were invited to dance and they had a sort of manly dance off, with other men their age. The whole time the older ladies were egging me on, but I needed to be the professional photographer. HOWEVER, Bry popped up and gave the Native dance a try!! That was awesome. If you look closely in the pictures I took of him you can see others are taking pictures too!! The ladies I was sitting with were so excited to see him up there, he is so…brave.Of course I made friends with the little old ladies and the kids. But we ended up being invited to the house of The History Teacher. He spoke great broken English, far better than we could speak his tongue. He was quite shy, but wanted to talk and learn and ask questions. NOW, just a reminder that this is a completely unengaged people (the people we set out to meet) we are talking about, that are Muslim. He invited us to his home!! His house was deep in the village and we sat over Cay (Chai). The even greater thing was that this was not orchestrated by us!!We talked and talked, about political things, prop*ganda and beliefs. We talked about difference in cultures and how things work in America vs. this village. We talked about school and what this particular people needs, or where they would like to grow. They would love people like us to teach English in their village. Or just to work along side of and learn about the culture. In this culture, they don’t let you leave easily, so we stayed for dinner and desert. We were way out in the country and our host didn’t have a car, so we almost stayed the night too! He really wanted us too, but he found a friend with a car that was willing to drive us into town and back to our hotel.One of the highlights for me was when the father introduced all of his family. He was a strong religious man. His sons were named Islam, Ramadan, and Miriam (another name for Mary, mother of Jesus). Once our new friend, asked if we had any questions for him, and Emily said yes, “I really love the name you named your children, especially your daughter. You named her after Jesus’ mother, and I love Jesus very much”. He agreed with her comment. However, Bry said once to him that we had a lot in common and his response was that we were still very different. Many strongholds were broken this night. Many questions answered just by us being there. It was a great honor to be in their home and make contact. We plan on writing Amy so that she can keep in contact with them for us.I get so excited to see God at work in His nations. He doesn’t need us to accomplish his purpose. He will use whom ever he chooses to accomplish His will. A donkey, us, you, and non-believing P*eace Corp. volunteers. We would not have been invited had it not been for Amy and her friends. I will pray that she and her friends will find the Light while there, so that they can shine!Is. 6:8 is a great vs. for this. May it be our prayer.

Sunday -- A Day Of Rest

Its a day of rest today. A day to contemplate all our great God is and does. My goal origanlly was to go further up north to continue our survey of the land and connect with the people we seek. But we decided as a team to rest on this day and enjoy the land we are in without any agenda today. Good idea. Much needed to refresh our brains and spirit. I was reminded here that there is a very real spiritual battle that wages over us everyday we are here. The enemy is very aware of our goals. We would be wise to stay fervently in prayer at all times. I can understand the phrase much better now when He said, "I send you out as sheep amoung wolves". I have often wondered here that if I could see the spiritual world around me, what would I see. It may be better that I don't. But definitly very aware of it. This land is covered by a cloud of deception and darkness. And what is darkness but a word we us to explain the absence of light. Darkness really does not exist or you could make darkness darker. Darkness is the absence of light. Pray that He will send His light to shine in this land and shatter the darkness here. That the veil of deception will be lifted and that the people will hear and see the truth.

It still boogles my mind that we have been sent out with a banner of boldness and now here we sit clear across the world by oursleves in a region far from any people we could use for our assistance. We have no translator and no guide. We have come humble and week that He might be strong. And He is! The Lord is our guide and translator. You see, if we had a translator, then it would be that person engaging and not us. We wouldn't have an accurate understanding of how accepting the people are to us. But coming this way has opened the door to relationship building. It has been amazing to be so relient upon our Lord to lead the way. May we be this way in all we do. And may we not lose this behavior when we get back home.

So we rest today and we will enjoy a local Football game, (Soccer). Tommorrow we will continue our task. We love you all. Have a great Sunday and continue to pray for this battle.

Happy New Year

Today is Saturday, there are two posts for today because I didn’t have enough time update last night. We have already had a full day, and it is only 3pm. We got up had our usual breakfast then off on a bus ride along the city. We wanted to go to the bizarre, which we finally found via the long route.

I first want to say I LOVE IT HERE!! It is so awesome and we have had great interaction with all sorts of people. We of course drew a lot of attention. But, away from my friend Emily, I didn’t stand out as much. I began to encounter little old ladies (who, I attract to anyway) and they just assumed I was one of them. One lady was so tickled to find that I was an American that she just started to laugh and tell her friends that I looked like them, maybe French or Russian too. You maybe wondering how I know what she was saying, well the truth of it all is that I don’t, but I can understand and pick out enough words that I can get the jest. I thought this was great fun. I love the little grandmas with their sweet head covings and little worn faces. Once we left that store, she gave me a hug, and just laughed and laughed with her friends. That is how we make connections, just by being ourselves and putting ourselves in places we may have never gone before.

The next lady I ran into thought the same thing. Her and her daughter ran the store, and I was talking to them with the little I know thus far. When she asked me something I didn’t know, I told her I was speaking English. Oh that was a crack up. They hurried and told each other that they thought I was one of them. I began to look at some scarves to buy she gave me a discount, I think because I was trying so hard to use there words. Then the mama looked at me and told her daughter I was a Chr*sti*an. WHAT!! I was so excited, the lady came to me and gave me a big hug while patting me. Oh Lord, we ask for the nations!!

The craziest thing of all was at the bizarre there was a row of Chinese people selling things, just like the locals. I stopped to ask them if they were one of these people, and they answered no Chinese. But the crazy thing is they don’t speak Chinese, only the native tongue here. I pulled out some of my very limited and horribly pronounced Chinese and they didn’t respond, they just shook their heads like I don’t know.
We stopped to buy some apples from some ladies and they wouldn’t take our money, even though we insisted, they insisted harder. Then one of the men came over and asked us if would like to take his picture, OF COURSE we would, what an opportunity and besides that I loved his hat!!

After much fun and shopping we were off to my favorite place to eat. This guy speaks Russian and thanks to C~5 I know enough to say hi and thank you. We asked for the same meal we had the first time and he hooked us up. I can’t think of any place better to eat, other then this place. By far the BEST in this little town, and the city in my opinion, I don’t know what he does to that lamb, but it is finger licking good!!

We wished him Happy New Year, and that is all it takes her to be best friends. This is so much fun, Lord we do ask for the nations.

This place needs the Helper and the Comforter. Please pray just that. My heart breaks for my new friends, that don’t walk in light, only darkness. Oh, how we ask for the nations.


Yeni illiniz mubarek!!

Happy new year!!

Novrus

Today we celebrated the eve of Novrus, quite exciting and tiresome. We woke up really early and what we have learned so far, is that NO ONE wakes early, smart people I say. They are to bed late, and late to rise. Nothing is open and no one is on the street before 8am. Maybe we could learn from that.
We started with breakfast at our hotel. Then off to the internet, which I am sure you have seen. Then off to find the Gazette, finally successful. We get a lot of stares here, so we must really stick out. Emily and I are the most modestly dressed…funny huh considering the religion observed here. Hardly anyone covers their heads, (sometimes we do because it is cold) and they even serve alcohol in the stores and restaurants! So it is much different than we thought. I am pretty sure that the people here are just afraid of us as we are of them, because once the ice is broke, they are so kind and inviting.
After a mini tour and prayer walk, we were off to lunch at the park where the festivities would be held. It was so beautiful. God has painted such beautiful place for us to visit. We are right at the base of the mountain, so it is still cold, but not too bad. Again we had a great lunch with the exception of one kind of meat. We put it in our mouth, chewed a bit, and all of us wanted to eject it, but didn’t. I think it was like ground lamb liver and left over pieces with onions and some other things. It was the first NOT GOOD thing I have eaten.
We made a few friends by wishing them a happy holiday in their language, including the police officer. After lunch the girls headed to take a short nap. The boys headed to find the college professor that teaches English here. On the way, they ran into another an American looking man and asked, “Do you speak English”? They didn’t expect the American accent to answer back, “Yes!! I do.” It turns out the man was from Sweden and said that he was just passing through while touring all of Asia, mmm…….curious, I would say.
On the way to find the English teacher they stopped at the tourist info office which was closed. There was a door open near by so they decided to stop there not noticing it was the Ministry for the n*tion*l sec*rity office. Bry wanted to know what it would take to become English teachers here. They begin to question Bry heavily, what did he mean and why. Finally they realized that he was just saying that it was beautiful here and if he wanted to retire here, could he?? Once they figured out they thought they would call the chancellor to answer his questions, but Bry assured them he didn’t need to talk to them.
After all was said and done everyone was happy and Bry thinks that they were just trying to solve his problem. Lots of excitement.
After our nap, we went back to the park and waited for things to start. So many people came out to celebrate. Again we drew lots of attention. Children were especially curious. We met a cute little girl with C~2’s personality. She would stroll by, pretending she didn’t want anything, picking at the leaves in the grass. Finally we said hello to her and that was all she needed. She began to ask questions and soon, all sorts of family members were all around us. It was so cute. Once she said “I love you”. For about 2 hours we were surrounded by people and children, all wondering why we were here. We found that there are English teachers in the area that are with the P*ac* Cor*. They have taught some of their students very well. Sooner or later we were invited to our friend’s house for more celebration, hopefully we will go tomorrow.
Our brains are fried now, it is a lot of work trying to decipher all the words that are being thrown at you, but lots of fun at the same time.
So, my sweet friends, thank you for your comments, we love to hear from all of you. Thanks for your encouraging words. Thanks for caring for our kids. We love you sweet children. Can’t wait to be home with you soon.
Today’s Lesson: The whole earth is filled with His glory. We need to be a part of it!! Misconceptions of other nations are not good. They are just like you and I and in desperate need of being found!!
Love
The Thieles

The Journey Begins

Our journey begins when we arrived at the airport at 10:30 am Saturday morning. At check in, we meet up with our friends Tim and Emily. Check our bags went through security and found our gate. We were quite early due to it being an international flight. As we sat and conversated about our plans I noticed that it was 12:15. We should have been boarding by now. Yet, there was no one at our gate. I looked around to find an attendant and there was none anywhere. The only thing there was, was a small display that said we were an hour behind. That’s not good. Our layover in Dallas was only an hour and a half. Finally our plane came in and we were off to Dallas to meet Bev and catch our next flight. When we landed on the runway we call Bev and find out that they are boarding while we are landing and we are in the back of the plane. Knowing we had to run for it, I ripped the map off the airport out of the magazine. We took off as soon as we got out and ran as fast as we could. By half way we were all dying. My shine muscles were burning and felt like they were ready to tear with every new step, but knew we had to keep going if we were going to make it. Finally turn the corner for our next gate and the door is closed. They pulled out 5 minutes before we got there.

Not a problem. If we got the next flight, we would still have an hour layover in London, catch up with Bev and be right on track. Well…one small problem. Because it was not our original flight, we wouldn’t be sitting together. In fact, I would be sitting in the middle seat, in the very back of the plane, in-between to big Siberian Cops. That however, turned out to be the least of our problems when we discovered that once again the plane was late. Not only late, but broken. They had to get a new plane. Finally left at 12:30 am and knew we missed our flight to BK and Bev was now on her way alone. When we got to London, they scheduled us on the next flight out to Bk by way of Istbl. We got to the gate and guess what???? Yes, our flight was an hour late with only an hour lay-over in Istbl. Not only that, but our bags were never sent from A/A. So here we go again. We land in Istbl and Tim and Emily are in the very back of the plane, last seat again. We finally get off and run to our gate. Half way I see the sign says the gate is closed. I shout out to the others, “the gates closed”, when a nicely dressed attendant hears me. He says,”Where are you going?” “BK!” we all reply. And he proceeds to run with us, suit and all, to our next gate. He even helps Tim by pulling his bag. Don’t mind the fact that I have my laptop, both cameras and Emily’s bag and an extra 75 pounds!!!

We made the flight. So now that we are landing at 5:30am instead of 10pm. There will be no one to pick us up at the airport. But God is good. You see, this whole time there has been another couple going thru the whole thing with us since Dallas. He works for an place that we are connected to and speaks both English and the local language. He helps us get a cab and we made it perfectly to our arranged apartment. And guess who was waiting for us…..Bev.
Yes, God is good and we can trust that He is in control. He has a plan that will be far better then what we could derive. And far more memorable.

That they may see!

I am sitting here at 12:36 am Friday night, hours before our trip and ponder the many things that God might do while we are there. I can't help but to think of Romans 15 and to reflect upon the passion that Paul had for the many who needed to hear. Listen to what he says.
"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." Lord may we overflow with hope for your children by the power of your Holy Spirit. "I myself am convinced, my brothers, that you yourselves are full of goodness, complete in knowledge and competent to instruct one another. I have written you quite boldly on some points, as if to remind you of them again, because of the grace God gave me to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles with the priestly duty of proclaiming the gospel of God, so that the Gentiles might become an offering acceptable to God, sanctified by the Holy Spirit.
Therefore I glory in Christ Jesus in my service to God. I will not venture to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me in leading the Gentiles to obey God by what I have said and done— by the power of signs and miracles, through the power of the Spirit. So from Jerusalem all the way around to Illyricum, I have fully proclaimed the gospel of Christ. It has always been my ambition to preach the gospel where Christ was not known, so that I would not be building on someone else's foundation. Rather, as it is written:
"Those who were not told about him will see,and those who have not heard will understand.""
May we be as bold as Paul and may the Lord go before us and prepare the people. May they have dreams and visions and await our arrival. May the light shatter the darkness that has been surrounding these people. Continue to pray for the people that we may engage. For His love to be given and His gospel to be spread.