Laenger Letter - Winter '08

Greetings Friends and Family! We hope this letter finds you well. In our last letters to you, we shared our discovery of the wonderful opportunity to serve at Bethlehem Bible College and how astonished we were to find a community of evangelical Christians on the frontlines of God’s kingdom. Bethlehem is indeed a community that is need of support from Christians around the world as recent violence and religious oppression have taken an economic and spiritual toll on the small town. Bethlehem Bible College (BBC) is seeking to equip and train Palestinian born Christians to minister to Christians in the midst of these challenges. We believe that God has called us to come alongside of Bethlehem Bible College and the Christian community in Bethlehem to help them in this strategic mission.

Among the many ways we will come alongside BBC, one way is that we will be able to help the college by using our English skills to aid in general correspondence, grant writing, administration, or even updating the BBC website. BBC also offers English as a Second Language classes to their community. We will be able to teach English to any Palestinian (Christian or Muslim) who would take our class. In this context, we hope to build relationships with people in the community and have an opportunity to share the love of Christ. We hope to also support reconciliation ministries, especially ones that focus their efforts between Jewish & Palestinian Christians.

In addition to this, because many of the Christian workers at BBC cannot go into Israel proper due to their Palestinian citizenship, we will be able to move more freely between the border crossings to deliver and receive correspondence for the college and serve as drivers for airport pick-ups and drop-offs. Our ministry at BBC affords the college the opportunity to continue ministry without having to officially hire someone. Just our presence in the community will be encouraging as we act as advocates for Palestinian Christians. It will also assure them that they are a part of the global body of Christ and they have not been forgotten.

Many of you may be wondering why the dates and duration of our trip have changed. We decided to make these changes when we found out that Misty’s mom is battling breast cancer for the 2nd time. We wanted to be there for her as she began a new treatment and to be home for the holidays. Since we are officially in Israel as “tourists,” we will only be granted a 3-month visa and would have to fly out of the country at the end of three months anyway. We know that despite these seemingly discouraging obstacles the Lord has called us to Bethlehem for these months ahead and we will be faithful to answer that call. We can ask “Why now?” but even though we may not know the answer right now, we are excited to go and find it out. We will trust the Lord through these tough times. He is in control and has a purpose for our trip. If we simply obey and meet these Christians in their time of need, the Lord will present us with many opportunities to minister.

Many of you may also be wondering "Is it dangerous in Bethlehem?" but despite the massive amounts of bad news that come out of Israel, it is actually a relatively safe place. Regardless, we know that God is our Protector and our lives are in his hands.

Praise
Some friends exposed us to a ministry called EnTrust4 that seeks to train pastors & leaders in countries around the world
– an idea that has been close to our hearts for many years. Through God’s provision we were able to attend this enriching training.

Please Pray…
~For BBC, their leadership, & their ministries.
~For Christians that are in West Bank and Gaza.
~For our ministry this next spring.
~For Misty’s mom & family as they cope with this difficult circumstance. (Misty’s mom & dad have 10 children with 3 still at home, ages 6, 12, & 17.)
~For our preparations while being nomadic (without a home & moving from house to house) for longer than originally expected, dealing with the gravity of Misty’s mom condition, and traveling back and forth to Texas to be there for Misty’s family.
~For us to raise enough funds to cover our expenses to, during, and from Bethlehem.

Thank you for your prayer, support, and encouragement already given. We are grateful and thrilled to have such wonderful partners like you because we know it takes the entire body of Christ to fulfill the great commission.

Love and Prayers,

Aaron & Misty (Bellow) Laenger

Laenger Letter - Fall '08

Dear Friends and Family,

After visiting the Holy Land in 2006 and witnessing the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, we wondered "Who will tell them the good news of Jesus Christ? Who will encourage the Christians to stay, persevere and stand strong in the midst of war?" A year later we had an answer.

Bishara Awad, president of Bethlehem Bible College (a great evangelical institution founded in 1979 but one that we had not heard of before), came and spoke briefly at Denver Seminary, almost a year ago now (Fall '07), about how God has worked and is working in the West Bank among the Palestinian Christians. After his presentation, I (Aaron) approached Bishara wondering if there were any opportunities to help the Palestinian Christians in Bethlehem as well as BBC (Bethlehem Bible College – a light in the midst of darkness). He let me know that the possibility exists for volunteers to serve 1 to 3 months at BBC with the option of staying longer.

After Misty and I considered this opportunity, listened to the counsel of others, filled out our applications, and prayed about it for a few weeks, we were invited to come serve at BBC believing that God has prepared us and called us to minister in Palestine. The Christians in Bethlehem and at Bethlehem Bible College are in a strategic position for the kingdom of God in a region of this world that is gradually becoming dominated by an Islamic worldview. We hope our presence and involvement with the college in their various ministry projects will strengthen the kingdom for God’s glory.

Specifically, we will be encouraging the Christians who have remained in the West Bank, teaching English to the students at BBC and to the community, serving as messengers and delivery drivers for the college (it is easier for us to move in and out of the checkpoints since we are Americans), working in the gift shop (an alternate source of income for the college) and the guest house (housing people from all over the world). We also hope to be involved in the ministries of the local church as well as reconciliation ministries between Jews and Palestinians. You can read more about Bethlehem Bible College and their ministries at http://www.bethlehembiblecollege.edu/.

We will be leaving on January 1st and return in early April. Many people have asked us what you can do for us. First, pray. Effective missions are initiated, sustained by, and completed by God’s grace and power as his people faithfully petition him. Please pray for BBC, their leadership, and their ministries. Pray for the Christians that are in West Bank and Gaza. Begin to pray for our ministry this next spring. Pray also that we are able to raise enough funds to cover our expenses to, during, and from Bethlehem. Our home Church, GracePoint, has graciously allowed us to set up an account through them for any financial contributions designated for our mission to Bethlehem.

Second, learn about the conflict in Palestine. When we better understand our fellow Christian’s context and plight, we often have more concern. There is never an “easy answer” to such turmoil in one of the most volatile regions on earth, but an opportunity does exist to learn about the Palestinian-Israeli conflict through Aaron’s class on Wednesday nights at GracePoint Church.

Third, you can remain updated on our situation and learn about specific prayer requests for our mission trip by receiving e-mails from us. If you would like to receive the “Laenger Letter”, please email theLaengers@hotmail.com and ask to be added to our e-mail list. Email will be our main mode of communication, especially in Bethlehem. You may also go to our website http://www.lovingthelaengers.blogspot.com/ to read more detailed up-to-date information which will better allow you to share in our lives as we seek God’s will.

Thank you for your prayer, support and encouragement already given. We are grateful and excited to have such wonderful partners like you as we venture out on our mission into the unknown doing our best to follow the Lord’s calling for our lives at this time.

Love and Prayers,

Aaron and Misty Laenger

Bethlehem - First Impressions

It was the spring of 2006 and, after much preparation, Aaron and I were finally in the “Holy Land” to see the historical sites of the Bible. On the morning we set out to visit Bethlehem, the birth place of Christ, we could not find it. The map showed that it was supposed to be at this location but all we saw was a huge wall, guards armed with machine guns, a small parking lot, and only one heavily guarded solid metal gate. We thought it had to be a prison. We drove around for many more minutes looking for Bethlehem, but the map kept leading us back to the same place.

Finally, we decided to park in the lot, and watch the gate for a little while to see who was being allowed in and out. After observing for a short time, we saw a big tour bus approach the gate and it was at that moment, despite our disbelief, we knew this had to be Bethlehem. We were still cautious though. As we were making our way to the Israeli guard, we were not sure if we would even be allowed to enter. After weaving our way through the maze of checkpoints, bag searches and interrogations, we finally entered through a small door in the gate to what we now knew was Bethlehem. We were bombarded with many taxis drivers desperately waiting for a tourist. Although it was not a common sight to see visitors since the wall went up, these men relied on tourism as it was their only way to provide for their families. One of our first thoughts was, “How do the families survive behind this wall with very little traffic in and almost none going out?” This situation was our first real encounter with the Palestinian crisis.

Before this, we were ignorant to the gravity and complexity of the conflict in this part of the world and especially in Bethlehem. We went to Bethlehem to visit the churches and “Holy Sites” but we realized we were neglecting the “living stones” (the people) because we were so distracted by the “dead ones” (the buildings). It was the living stones that urgently needed someone to visit them. From that time forward, we thought about these living stones who were trying to survive in a place were peace seemed unfathomable. We thought about how Jesus Christ – the Prince of Peace – is the only hope they will ever have. And we wondered “Who would tell them this good news? Who would encourage the Christians to stay, persevere and stand strong in the midst of war?”

A little over a year later, in the fall of 2007, when Aaron heard Bishara Awad (President of Bethlehem Bible College) speak at Denver Seminary, we had our answer.

The answer to the question "Who would go?" was us, Aaron and Misty Laenger from small town Texas. God was calling us to be the answer. We would tell them the Good News of the reconciliation power found only in Jesus Christ. We would go to the Christians, meet them in their time of need, and encourage them with the love of Christ.

As you may know, Aaron and I will be going to Bethlehem in a few short months. Thank you all so much for your continued prayer while we prepare to go where God is calling us even though we are not quite sure how it will all work out.

In Christ,

Aaron & Misty (Bellow) Laenger

Living Stones of Bethlehem

Many people go to Bethlehem and the 'Holy Lands' to visit the churches, Biblical locations and landmarks, as we did in the Spring of 2006. While these places are unique, special, and, at times, awe-inspiring, we have realized that they are not much more than stones - dead stones.

There is much more to the 'Holy Land' than these dead stones. You may have to look a little harder, dig a little deeper, or go off the beaten path to find these other stones that we speak of but they are there. They are always there...just waiting for you to find them before they turn back to dust. They may not have a church built on them designating them as a 'Holy site' or have a book written about them explaining their history, worth, and significance but these other stones are more valuable to the Lord than any historic religious monument.

The Lord knows already knows their history because He created them in His image. He already knows their worth because He loves them with His grace. And He already knows their significance because He has called them for His purpose.

These are the living stones of Bethlehem and the 'Holy Lands' - often forgotten and frequently overlooked in the shadows of the glamorous churches that many travel from all over the world to see. They are the stones that have been withered and beaten over time by the weather of life - who just need a caring and Christ-like hand to polish them so that God may be reflected in their image. These are the stones that should be preserved, loved, and served by followers of Christ. They are the stones designated as 'Holy Sites' by the Lord. And these are the stones that dwell in the 'Holy Land' that we should be visiting.

While going to Bethlehem and the 'Holy Land' to see the Biblical sites and to walk in the footsteps of Christ is a wonderful experience, we all need to remember to be walking in the foosteps of Christ every day whether in Bethlehem or Denver. These footsteps of Christ will always lead us down the road less traveled to the living stones - the precious souls that He loves, found all over the world.

For us, at this time in our lives, these footsteps of Christ lead us to minister to some living stones in Bethlehem, known as Palestinian Christians. Not all are called to serve on a foreign mission field, as we are, but all are called to serve as missionaries. Your neighbor is a living stone...your co-worker is a living stone...your mother, father, sisters and brothers are living stones...you are a living stone.

Christ's followers are called to Love All and Serve All in His name. Pray that we will never forget the living stones by being distracted by the dead ones.

Love and Prayers,

Misty (& Aaron) Laenger

Laenger Letter - Summer '08

Dear Friends and Family,

After four years in Denver, many life changes have come into our lives. Aaron has graduated from Denver Seminary with a Master’s of Divinity. A few weeks ago we packed up and moved out of our apartment in Highlands Ranch. We are grateful for the Lord’s provision through the many families who have helped us through this transition. God has already begun to answer our prayers during this time, and we are amazed and thankful for the many blessings and life experiences God has brought to us while in Denver. We could have never imagined what God had planned for us while we were in Denver and look forward to his leading in our next great adventure.

Many of you have already received a letter letting you know about our intentions to follow God’s leading to Bethlehem, Palestine and work with Bethlehem Bible College by teaching English to the community and to the students at the college, serving as messengers between brothers and sisters in Israel, working with the college’s various ministry projects, and aiding local Christian churches. We will be leaving in early December to stay until May 2009. Many people in the states and abroad (some whom we’ve never met) heard of our plans and contacted us to convey their excitement. Their enthusiasm is equally matched by our own excitement and anticipation.

From now until early December we are going to be preparing for our time there by exploring evangelistic methods for both Jews and Muslims, preparing for our financial needs, exploring the dynamic of the Palestinian/Israeli issue, and attempting to learn some Arabic. The Lord has already stared to bless us in these areas as well. Furthermore, we have already had a handful of people commit to pray for us while we are in Bethlehem and to support us financially. In fact, our first contribution was from a neighbor that we had never met who heard we were going to do missions work in the Middle East and gave us $20 support.

Although this amount is not much in the eyes of many people, it is amazing what God can do with $20. We are reminded how Bishara Awad, the president of Bethlehem Bible College, received only $20 when he was given the vision by God to start BBC. God has taken that $20 and used it as a foundation for one of only a few Evangelical schools in the Middle East.

We would like to ask you, our friends and family, to commit to pray for us while we are in Bethlehem. In future letters will we be sending prayer requests that are more specific to our needs. If you would also like to support us financially during these six months that we will be volunteering overseas, you can send support to our home church, GracePoint Community Church, which has set aside an account specifically to receive these funds.

Their address is: 90 East Orchard Road
Littleton, CO 80121

(Please make checks payable to GPCC and put Laenger Mission Trip in the memo.)

Thank you in advance for all of your support, commitment, and prayer.

In Christ’s Love and for His Glory,

Aaron and Misty (Bellow) Laenger

Laenger Letter - Spring '08

Dear Friends and Family,

Misty and I have been looking forward to May of 2008 for quite some time now. After four years at Denver Seminary I will be graduating with a Master of Divinity with an emphasis in Philosophy of Religion. Of course, what is on our minds and many of our friends and family is “What’s next?” Until about a month ago we were wondering the same thing.

Recently, the president of Bethlehem Bible College in Bethlehem, Palestine spoke at Denver Seminary about what God has done and is doing at Bethlehem Bible College and in the West Bank. Although Misty and I traveled to Bethlehem in March of 2005, we were unaware of this wonderful Christian Evangelical institution in the heart of the Middle East.

Although this same Bethlehem is the birth place of our Prince of Peace, a December 2007 National Geographic article described Bethlehem as “one of the most contentious places on Earth.” Bethlehem, about ten minutes south of Jerusalem, is one of many Palestinian Autonomously Controlled Areas in the occupied territory of the West Bank. This small town finds itself in the cultural intersection of the three great monotheistic faiths (Judaism, Christianity, and Islam) and two nations Israel and Palestine.

Bethlehem has been home to several terrorists, and due to the violence in nearby Jerusalem, Israel is building a wall around the entire town of Bethlehem hoping to impede hostile aggressions. While this wall does enclose Muslims who use violence as their political tactic, the Christians in Bethlehem suffer as well. Tourism has decreased. Travel restrictions for Palestinians have created an impoverished community. Many Christians have left the town, and those that still remain are constantly being caught in the violent Palestinian-Israeli conflict. The same National Geographic article mentioned above also asked, “Can you imagine Bethlehem without any Christians? You better start imagining it, because in a few years, it might be a reality.”

Although Misty and I realize the danger of this region of the world, we also realize the greatness of our God to accomplish the most amazing things in the most difficult situations. The Christians in Bethlehem and at Bethlehem Bible College are a strategic fortress for the kingdom of God in a region of this world that is gradually becoming dominated by an Islamic worldview. As global Christians, Misty and I feel that we have been both equipped and called to this region to serve our Lord and further his kingdom. So we are pleased to announce that we will be going to Bethlehem to serve at Bethlehem Bible College in the fall of 2008! We will be teaching English to the community and to the students at the college, serving as messengers between college extensions, working with the college’s various ministry projects, and aiding local Christian churches.

Please take some time to read about Bethlehem Bible College at http://www.bethlehembiblecollege.edu/. Misty and I covet your prayers for us and for our new calling. We will send more information as we prepare to make this commitment.

In Christ’s Love and for His Glory,

Aaron and Misty (Bellow) Laenger