Everyone meet Ellie! She is wise, a learner, and passionate about all of God’s people. She gives a great depiction of what the program means to her, and creates a space for anyone to relate to her story. She inspires and encourages, and we can’t wait for you to read about her experience!

Everyone meet Ellie! She is wise, a learner, and passionate about all of God’s people. She gives a great depiction of what the program means to her, and creates a space for anyone to relate to her story. She inspires and encourages, and we can’t wait for you to read about her experience!

I remember the first time I saw someone pray to something other than God. My team and I were on our way back to where we lived from a look around the city, and along the way we were passing through a busy section of town decorated on all sides by brightly colored storefronts and restaurants.

The biggest thing God has been showing me over and over is that He is at work. Always. Long before we got here, and long after we leave.

Have you ever sat down to pray for your church or the Big C church and then realized you didn’t know how or what to pray for? We reached out to some pastors in our network to hear from them exactly how you can be praying!

There is something about the stripping away of expectations that draws us face to face with reality Himself. Through this process, I have been introduced to parts of myself I dislike most. I am guilty of fixing my eyes on God on the basis of where I am going and what I get to do rather than on partaking in life with Him. Through this conviction, the Lord has extended grace and forgiveness by continuing to walk me through my selfishness.

Have you ever wanted to sit down with a Cafe 1040 grad over coffee and hear about their experiences? Each of them has been impacted in a significant way by our overseas mentorship program and has many stories to tell.

Our nation has witnessed a number of tragedies in recent months that have highlighted the racial inequities that still exist in our society today. As a ministry dedicated to the God-ordained value and beauty of each race, we stand heartbroken as we have witnessed the hurt and pain these inequities have caused our brothers and sisters of color.

Truly, I have seen how much I have taken for granted the liberties and freedoms we have in America. Abiding in God looks so much different here, having to gather discreetly, safe language, praying with the blinds shut, and not being able to worship out loud. But even in the midst of limited freedom, God is present and God is good.

Through my teammates I have seen and experienced the intimacy of the Father in ways that I have never experienced before.

Whether you decide to do all 1 or all 10 of these ideas, be creative and have fun!

We must refocus our thoughts, training, and activities on our mission. We must bring the hope of Jesus to those who are hopeless.

This idea has changed through classes and personal reflection - first and foremost, the Father wants me to draw near to Him, and to continue to learn about who He is and who He wants to be to me.

Cafe 1040's mission was formed around the reality that there are almost 3 billion people who have little to no access to the gospel. That’s 42% of the entire world’s population and the majority of these people groups all live in one area of the world – the 10/40 Window.

"Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me." John 15:4

The transition has been exciting and challenging in so many ways. The first week, we spent some time as tourists, getting acclimated to the time change, while also seeing some of the beauty here in South Asia. After the first week, we got settled in basetown, which I have begun to call home.

“Once per year, for a period of thirty days, Muslims disrupt their daily rhythms by fasting from sunrise to sunset during a month called Ramadan. This fast consists of abstaining from food, drink, tobacco, and sexual relations for thirty days each year. Families will wake and gather before the sunrise to feast for the day. Then, each night, families, neighborhoods, and communities gather together to celebrate the breaking of the fast (iftar) at sunset. In the places I have lived, the atmosphere during the iftar is festive, welcoming, and hospitable for Muslims and non-Muslims alike.” – 40 Questions About Islam by Matthew Bennett

It wasn't until part of our team took a trip and we stayed with a Muslim family during Ramadan did I feel the weight of a new culture.

It has been really great having the ability to step out of a frantic season to just sit in stillness with God. We have had space and time to abide in the Father and learn more about Him, which has been wonderful.

Are you looking for creative ways to stay connected or connect with friends and family during this time? Our team has some creative ways to connect while we are socially distancing.