You Don’t Always Have to Start from Scratch

Continuing a Worthy Work

Sometimes God asks us to begin a worthy work from the beginning, to start something from scratch. At other times, we have the privilege to continue someone else’s hard work and build it to the next level. The West Asia Guesthouse project is an example of the latter.

We have an opportunity to continue the work in the mountains of West Asia in two areas. The first, to continue building up the small but consistent Bible study started by the current innkeepers at the guesthouse. Currently, the group consists of several preteens and teenagers from different neighboring homes, plus a mother and grandmother who bring some of them. We’re asking God to bring more boys and fathers to join the group.

The second way we will continue and build upon the work of others is literally continuing the construction of the café building where the group currently meets for Bible study, which is a more private space than the guesthouse itself.

Building the Café and the Vision

The café is more than halfway done now, with the main outside and inside work completed. We will finish the kitchen area and two restrooms, add a safety railing to the front porch, and purchase the tables and chairs where our customers will sit and enjoy the mountain views. Our vision for the guesthouse project is to see a local church established through the weekly Bible Study already happening in the café.

Lamzira*, a teen girl, has attended our Bible study consistently since its beginning. She lives in the nearby village and frequents the small shop located inside the West Asia Guesthouse. Judging by the way we see them interact, she seems to be the unofficial leader of the other teens. She has gone from listening to the lessons to explaining parts of the lessons to the attendees when they don’t quite understand what is being taught.

Recognizing a Significant Work

A few months ago, we drove eight hours from our city up to the mountain guesthouse to advance the discussion of buying the guesthouse and to participate in the weekly Bible study meeting. While I was looking around the guesthouse shop, Lamzira walked in to buy some items for her family. She recognized me as the guest speaker from when we had visited previously. I greeted her and asked how her family was doing, as is customary. Then I asked her if she remembered the previous lesson I had taught in the café. To my pleasant surprise, she did remember that lesson, “What is the Bible, and why should I care?” very well. She even remembered all three points of my outline!

We are deeply grateful to the current innkeeper couple for their hard work in starting this small group. Given that there was no other known Bible study happening in the entire region, their effort is particularly significant!

We don’t have to begin from the beginning; we will continue the work God has begun.

How to pray for the West Asia Guesthouse:

• Pray for the small Bible study group and for Lamzira’s salvation.
• Pray for the funds to purchase and use the guesthouse, and the completion of the café —all toward making His name famous throughout the region.

* pseudonym used

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Help us purchase the property and renovate the guesthouse, shop, and café.

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