A trained carpenter was struggling with how to live out his faith in his new country in Central Asia. His first few months in the country, he was trying to build friendships, but it seemed no one wanted to listen to him. So he relied on prayer and the experiences he had in his home country to guide him. He realized that in his home country, Christians typically work out their faith in their jobs as accountants, teachers or salesmen. However, there was no model to be a Christian at work in this new country. With a little knowledge and a lot of faith, this believer decided to use his carpentry skills to start a small business in his neighborhood, making and selling wooden toys and other wood crafts. "Immediately," he says, "I gained new respect in my neighborhood. Now I was experiencing the day-to-day struggles that normal people have, and I was identifying with them."

Today, the wood company is small, just three or four people, but the owner is encouraged by the large orders for doors and windows that keep coming in. It means long hours and hard work, but he has been able to share the Gospel with many customers and suppliers in the industry.

Please pray for this local leader as he serves others through carpentry.