Dear Keshari,
It is now nearly a year since we met at Singapore where we participated in Haggai Institute’s special leadership seminar for women. Though there was a mutual bonding between all the seminar participants, it was natural that some of us formed close friendships that we would take back with us to our countries and store in our hearts for many years to come. I am honored to state that such was the basis of the friendliness between us.
I have used almost all the material so graciously imparted to me by the trained and committed faculty. This ‘open communication’ to you via the H.I. website is to find out how you are faring in your ministry in Nepal. You said you felt so blessed that your husband attended the Haggai Institute seminar before you, for this prepared you in advance to imbibe what you received in full measure. It was wonderful to hear of his progress in the Mission Commission of Nepal. I felt very inspired that you perceived your role to be one through which you wanted to extend your full-hearted support to his ministry, to enable him to function to his best capacity as both of you understand the hope to which you have been called to serve God in your country. I know you will be using the training to spearhead the church activities to grow and impact the many lives that had not yet received the incomparable benefit of the Gospel of Christ. By now, you would have organized training programs for the Sunday school teachers, partners and elders in the church, as well as to the women in ministry. While in Singapore, you had expressed your deep desire for revival in these areas.
We spent much time understanding the width and depth of evangelism. Your words – “I have gained a lot of techniques but I have to understand overall that evangelism is the wonderful work of the Holy Spirit. It does not depend on my strength, wisdom or academic degrees; all I need to do is to share the unconditional love of the Lord and his grace, mercy and forgiveness” – still ring in my ears. This one statement changed my whole attitude towards my ministry and that is why I write to thank you. As I returned to my country, I resisted the urge to jump straight into zealous activity, and instead I focused on spending hours in prayer each day and through it, I got strength, wisdom and Holy Spirit guidance. Only after I could discern what the Lord wanted, I stepped forward to pass on the skills to other leaders in my church.
Like you, I too stored the testimonies of all the participants of the seminar. The women in my church do not grow weary of hearing what God is doing in the lives of Christian women all over the world, who have made the desire to serve him with all their hearts. I know your multi-tasks will at no stage allow you to neglect your two lovely children because that was one of the emphatic underlying themes right through all we learnt at Singapore.
May God bless and empower you in all you do. Pray for me as I will certainly be praying for you.
Your seminar mate,
Dara Duong
