A Family Serving

I wanted to send out a letter of thanks to all those who made the trip I took to Central Asia possible. I could not of asked for a better time visiting with, encouraging and delivering heart warming gifts to family serving in what other missionaries have called the end of the Earth. The Lord certainly answered prayer in providing the means for getting there, for purchasing items for the Vaughn's and for leaving them with some funds to be used at their discretion. Thank you for your gifts and your prayers.

With the money that was given we were able to fill two trunks with items that they just can't get where they are, some necessary items and some just to lift their spirits. For the kids especially it was like Christmas; K'Nex(lego like toys), Whale Wars the series, Bible study materials - Crazy Love, Beth Moore..., Man vs Wild the series, chocolate chip cookie dough mix, Bible word puzzles, tow ropes for pulling vehicle out of ditches, beef jerky, candy, board games, various cooking items, a lot of vitamins, Mario Brothers Wi game for the boys and a Safari Wi games for the girls, and many other miscellaneous items. The money left over from purchasing these items which totaled just over $1,000 was given for which they plan to use to help with the expenses for a vacation for the family. They have currently been working hard and living in tough conditions for over a year without a break and the funds will certainly help in getting their family of seven to a place where they can get a break and get refreshed a bit.

There are many highlights to the trip and if I had to categorize them I would do so in three separate areas: 1) Being a part of sharing the gospel in a place where 90% of the population is Muslim, 9% are non-religious and 1% are Christian. The people of this country I would best describe as hospitable, friendly and conversational but also unethical and immoral in many ways. They will often invite you into their home where they will serve you the best of what they have. One gentleman even invited us to stay with him and said that if we came he would kill a cow for us. The people of this country have many great qualities that I myself have learned from bu they need to hear and respond to the gospel in a major way. It was a true delight to be a part of three different conversations we had with nationals where my brother in-law through friendly talk opened up the gospel first to a taxi driver, on another occasion to an Imam (Mulsim priest) who we picked up on road as he was looking for a ride to the next village, and also to a barber and those in the shop listening in on the interesting conversation at hand. Of course my part in these conversations was extremely limited as I do not speak the language but was able to pick up on various words and was able to be a part through praying and delighting in the name of our Lord and Savior being proclaimed. In each situation it was a big honor to be a part of worshiping our Lord by sharing our need for his saving grace. 2) My second highlight of the trip would have to be spending quality time with the family encouraging each other. We were able to spend hours in conversation as we traveled by car and foot through a good part of the country, whether it was to and from the capital city, in and around the capital picking up various needed items, to and from villages where their "company" has water and bridge building projects going or simply back at the house during the evenings. It was certainly a joy to talk about and listen to their lives on the mission field, the things they enjoy and the things that are difficult. We talked of course about family, about church, about missions philosophies, the people they serve and are working to reach, about theology and more. I also enjoyed time talking with my sister in-law, who I am mentioned to one of the workers at the soup kitchen where they serve that Trichelle is the sister that I didn't have growing up. I being the middle of three sons. My conversation with my Sister in-law is usually what Yaunette relays to me, so it was so nice to get to hear her heart and about her life first hand. And of course my nephews and nieces who I have had the privilege of being at their births, changes their diapers, sharing in countless hours of their lives as we lived just four doors down in previous years. On the trip it was a pure joy playing games, seeing them laugh, talking about what they want to do with the rest of their lives, seeing them enjoy the company of each other and the respect they have for their parents, the nationals, their teammates and myself. 3) The third highlight would have to be the refreshing of my spirit and the encouragement I received through watching the Lord work in subtle but amazing ways. I feel somewhat guilty about this due to the fact that while I was away Yaunette was diligently taking care of our kids, but my prayers is that as I was refreshed she would be also. Through seeing prayer answered in the preparation for the trip, through studying the Word as I had the privilege to be the guest speaker at their Sunday church service, through morning devotions as my internal clock would not let me sleep past 5:00 AM, through experiencing the lives of my family on the field and God working through them I was encouraged.

To close things out as I could go on for much longer, we got a call yesterday from my sister in-law, and Yaunette was able to spend the good part of an hour talking with her sister. I won't go into detail about the conversation but she wanted us to know that the Lord has really been speaking to them over the past few weeks. In many different ways, including the trip that you made possible and prayed for, God has made his will evident to them as they have searched and prayed for clear direction on some very important decisions they have been weighing heavy here recently. So I want to thank you again for letting the Lord use you, for praying, for giving, for encouraging, for worshiping our Lord and Savior and helping the name of Jesus Christ be proclaimed to the ends of the earth.

In Christ, Matt