A word from Kim Kerr, Director of
Partners International Women...
Do you think God has a sense of humor? I do! Why else would He call our feet beautiful?Yep, that’s right. In Isaiah 52:7 which is quoted by Paul in Romans 10:15 we find these words,
“How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!”
The truth is that our feet become beautiful only when they are fulfilling their God-given purpose. Such is the story of a young East Asian woman named, Debra, whose feet are clad with a pair of sparkling gold tennis shoes, and, what is more, they are set on the path of preaching the Good News.
The first thing you notice about Debra is her beautiful smile. The second is her sparkling gold tennis shoes. You would never guess that Debra comes from a family that has a farm in rural northeastern China. She grew up taking care of the family’s cows on their farm perched on a beautiful mountainside. In her teen years, Debra felt a calling to reach out to others to share her faith in Christ. She learned of a Bible school in a city several hours by bus from her home and after much prayer decided to leave her family and home to attend the two-year training (quite a sacrifice in this family-focused culture).
In 2008 Debra finished her Bible school training (led by our ministry partner Cana Fellowship) and chose to stay and work with the ministry. Today she continues to live in the city and is involved in campus outreach, working with university students. She also serves at a Christian coffee shop located near several campuses where music nights and English clubs are offered to encourage fellowship with students.
Her feet are indeed beautiful as she carries the Good News of Jesus to the next generation!
Praise Update:
Last month we prayed for women in the
Middle East and some of their outstanding ministries, including an outreach to women and children in prison. God has opened the door for a Partners International Women’s ministry trip to the Middle East in the coming months. Please pray for the finalization of all plans and for God’s abundant provision and blessing on the ministries and trip.
The summer is full of Global Learning Exchange teams traveling and serving with
our partners in
East Asia in a variety of capacities, including English as a second language. Please pray for their efforts to be just what our East Asian partners truly need and to bear much lasting fruit.
Prayer Requests:
Pray for Debra and other young ministry workers as they continue to grow in their faith and experience in serving the Lord among Chinese youth and college students, a vital ministry.
Provision and protection for all of our
ministry partners serving in East Asia, specifically women leaders serving in many and varied capacities.
Wisdom and discernment as we strategize with new initiatives and ongoing ministries uniquely led by women for women and their children in East Asia. In the aftermath of last year’s earthquake, many women have been marginalized and traumatized as their only child was killed, and subsequent value to the family diminished. Because of the One-Child Policy, many will not be able to bear another child so their husbands have decided to secure another wife.
Thank you for your care, partnership, and prayers for women in East Asia and around the world.
