Team Bhalobasha

Bhalobasha means "love" in bangla.

God has lead me to return to Bangladesh by leading a team for Food For The Hungry.

I am very excited about the group of incredible people God has hand picked to join this team.

I will be reporting our journey to Bangladesh. Our projected departure and return will be January 27 to February 10, 2010.

Team members are:

• Amy Laux
• Karen Ball
• Karen Morris
• Eve Dillinger
• Tom Lumpkin
• Linda Collier (me)

I have been praying this blessing for Team Bhalobasha,

May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Romans 15:5-6

Please pray with me this blessing.

Linda

I'm Back

I'm Back
Thank-you to all of you who prayed while I was in Bangladesh. I am home. It was an incredible experience. The people are some of the most beautiful, generous, kind people in the world. They so appreciated our team wearing clothes that are customary in their country. Our team numbered 7. One evening we were lead on a walk by Chelsey from the FHI office to the mission house we were staying in. Imagine how 8 white women looked walking through the streets of Dhaka at 8pm at night. Chelsey overheard a man say in Bangla, "look they are Bangladeshi". The man was being complimentary. It made us feel good about following their customs of modesty. It made us feel good to know we were accepted.
I think every child in Bangladesh knows 3 statements. "How are you?" "I am fine." "Thank-you very much." Everywhere we went we heard the same 3 statements. Sometimes one statement right after another. They also loved it if we said anything in Bangla. So we knew 3 statements in Bangla. My faves were "Donobud"(thank-you), "Shomoshinae"(no problem), "amar nam Linda"(my name is Linda) "duey chili"(2 boys) "duey mae"(2 girls) "shat nati"(7 grandkids) I always got a gasp from that statement. One older lady started feeling my face after I said it.
I found joy in everything I saw and felt. Even though there was hard things to see and hear. I saw hope. I saw women empowered by FCT groups. I saw women saving money and starting businesses to earn extra money for their families. I saw communities holding each other accountable to learn to read, learn basic laws, good health practices and good hygiene practices.
God is doing incredible work in Bangladesh through FHI.

Bangladesh Mission Prayer Calendar

Food For The Hungry

January 14 to 31, 2009

Team Indy Doers

Amy Laux, Lisa Masri, Nancy Sayyah, Sarah Layne, Sandra Bilderbeck, Deanna Teal, Linda Collier
Jan 14
Pray for traveling safety, rest, and team unity. Thank God for bringing us supporters, prayer partners, and a vision for this trip.People may make plans in their minds, but the Lord decides what they will do. Prov 16:9
Jan 15
1 Those who go to God Most High for safety will be protected by the Almighty. 2 I will say to the Lord, "You are my place of safety and protection. You are my God and I trust you."Psalm 91:1-2
Jan 16
Team arrives in Bangladesh
Staying at Liebenzell, clothes shopping and having early dinner with Marsdens

But he said to me, "My grace is enough for you. When you are weak, my power is made perfect in you." So I am very happy to brag about my weaknesses. Then Christ's power can live in me.2Cor 12:9

Jan 17
Orientation
Pray that we will allow God to use our team for his purposes.

And this hope will never disappoint us, because God has poured out his love to fill our hearts. He gave us his love through the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to us.Rom 5:5
Jan 18
Pray for our team as we minister to the children and teachers in Wari and Outfall schools.
Pray that our love and hope in Christ would transcend any language barrier.

Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these."Matt 19:14
Jan 19
Pray as we continue to work in the Wari and Outfall schools.
"Be careful. Don't think these little children are worth nothing. I tell you that they have angels in heaven who are always with my Father in heaven. Matt 18:10
Jan 20
Pray as we continue to work in the Wari and Outfall schools
Pray that the Holy Spirit would be working in the hearts of the people.
Happy is the person who trusts the Lord, Psalm 40:4
Anyone who is having troubles should pray. Anyone who is happy should sing praises.James 5:13
Jan 21
Pray as we continue to work in the Wari and Outfall schools.
But Jesus called for the children, saying, "Let the little children come to me. Don't stop them, because the kingdom of God belongs to people who are like these children.Luke 18:16
Jan 22
Pray as we are trained in the FH home office on values training by Kate as we prepare to go to Khoksha.
My body and my mind may become weak, but God is my strength. He is mine forever. Ps73:26
With God's power working in us, God can do much, much more than anything we can ask or imagine. Eph 3:20
Jan 23
Pray we create relationships with the people we come in contact with. It’s Sports day at Outfall school. FUN!

And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. Rom 8:28
Jan 24
Pray as we travel to Khoksha. Pray for our safety as we travel across the Brahmaputra River on a ferry.
He has put his angels in charge of you to watch over you wherever you go. Psalm 91:11
Jan 25
Pray we will shine the light of Jesus on the people we touch in Khokshaw.
"But when the Holy Spirit comes to you, you will receive power. You will be my witnesses—in Jerusalem, in all of Judea, in Samaria, and in every part of the world." Acts 1:8
Jan 26
Pray for safety and comfort as we continue to minister in Khoksha.
At that time the Holy Spirit will teach you what you must say."Luke 12:12
Jan 27
Pray that lives are touched in Khoksha and the light of Jesus be evident in all our team shares.
But the Helper will teach you everything and will cause you to remember all that I told you. This Helper is the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send in my name.John 14:26
Jan 28
Continued prayers for the people of Khoksha. Pray for safe travels from Khoksha back to Dhaka.
This is what the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel, says: "If you come back to me and trust me, you will be saved.If you will be calm and trust me, you will be strong."Isa 30:15
Jan 29
Pray that our team is the expression of Jesus’ love and light in Gonoktuli.
My body and my mind may become weak, but God is my strength. He is mine forever.Ps 73:26
Jan 30
Pray for the Christians in Bangladesh. Pray for our safe travel and that we would continue to remember our Bangali friends in prayer.
The Lord is your protection; you have made God Most High your place of safety. Psalm 91:9
Jan 31
Pray that each of us will be presented with opportunities to share what God did in and through this trip.
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.Phil 4:8

He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the LORD require of you but to do justly, To love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God? Micah 6:8