Thank you for your prayers and support that allowed our whole family to go to Vision Conference. It was a great experience for all. Annalei joined the prayer team, and I (Naomi) could see her growing more of a heart for prayer. She also got to meet students from all over the world as she hosted a craft table, where students could depict their spiritual journey through art (pictured below).
Miah connected deeply with new friends in childcare and loved all the Bible lessons she learned. Cassia and Paxton enjoyed the elevators, the escalators, and the snow. I have realized what a blessing it is to raise my children on Bridges staff. What better way for them to develop a heart for the nations than to interact with people from all over the world.
For me, this Vision conference renewed and refreshed my tired heart. It was wonderful to be on the prayer team with my mom (who also came to help with the kids). So much of what we do as Bridges is fought in the heavenlies.
One of the most powerful images of prayer was a huge map of the entire world that was set up in the Prayer Room (pictured below).
Conference attendees could say a prayer for their home nation or a friend’s nation and light an electric candle and place it on the map. It was SO powerful to walk into this room at the end of the conference and see the whole world covered in prayer.
Our prayer team was in the room while the Chinese students shared the gospel at their outreach party. It was so fun! One gal, Arya (pictured above), caught my eye as she glowed with excitement about Jesus while sharing the gospel with the non-Christians at her table. I got a text later that during the outreach time, “at least 2 students accepted Christ, but I’m sure it’s more than that!”
Two young women from India did a powerful traditional Indian dance depicting Jesus’s death and resurrection (pictured above). At the end of the dance they said, “This is a dance form used to worship deities. This is the first time we have used this dance form to worship Jesus. We are His.” It brought many in the room to tears. It was such a beautiful picture of all Bridges hopes and prays to accomplish in the lives of internationals.
HEALING
I (along with Harriet, the prayer team leader) did an inner healing prayer session with a Japanese woman named Eriko. It was a powerful and transformative time, where the Lord spoke deep truth to His precious daughter. I’m so thankful that I could speak some Japanese to Eriko during the time!
PRAISE REPORTS
- 652 students from 71 nations attended the Vision 2018 Conference
- Hundreds of these students heard the gospel clearly.
- Believers were challenged to share their faith, commit their lives to the Lord, and some were challenged to go into full- time ministry.
PRAYER REQUESTS
- For all students — believers and seekers — to take the next step on their journey of faith.
- Eriko would live out the truth God spoke to her at Vision.