WorldVenture - Prayer Connection

Jason & Mandy Post

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 14:27:17 GMT

Kids Club Expands!

There are several things on the horizon (both near and far) that we would appreciate prayer for. First, there are several in the church that would like to meet for discipleship. Please pray that God would use us to build into them in order that they might grow in their faith. And second, our kid's club is growing and some of the kids are moving out of the age range that we planned (6-11). We are now hoping to split the kid's club into two clubs; one for ages 6-11 and another for 12 and over. We have the leaders for these two divisions, but we need regular helpers and venues.

Katrina Custer

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 13:26:07 GMT

Joining WorldVenture in Germany

Katrina Custer is preparing to join the WorldVenture team in Kandern, Germany, to serve through missionary education at Black Forest Academy, a school for missionary kids. Having grown up in Austria, Katrina understands from personal experience the struggles and excitements missionary kids (MKs) go through. She hopes to make use of her gifts and passion for teaching and mentoring by being an available resource and encouragement to missionary kids. Please pray for stamina, health and travel mercies as she prepares to move to another country. Also pray for God’s timing—that she would be able to start at the beginning of a school year.

David & Catherine Love

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 12:02:56 GMT

Need Vacancies Filled for English Camps

One of the things that has surprised us the most since we started coordinating short and mid-term missions is how often we find ourselves short of personnel to fill opportunities. This summer, there are still vacancies with the English camps we work with, as well as needs at the MK schools here. Please pray that God would raise up people to fill these ministry needs.

Marilyn Escher

Tue, 01 Jul 2008 11:02:12 GMT

Proverbs Translated into Wolof

The Book of Proverbs translated into Wolof is scheduled for a consultant check (necessary for approval for publication) the last two weeks of August. Pray for the final revisions, for proper functioning of computers and printers and for the hearts of all those involved in the checking to be touched by the power of God's Word.

Titus & Stephanie Folden

Mon, 30 Jun 2008 16:06:46 GMT

Developing Partnerships

We have committed to working at the Shalom home for boys, Sauces home for kids, and at the "comedor" in Isla Trinitaria twice a week each for the next month. The goal is to pursue the possibility of further partnership with these organizations. Please be praying the Lord would clearly guide us as we work with these children, their families and the directors.

Myanmar Cyclone Relief

Sun, 08 Jun 2008 08:44:28 GMT

Emergency Relief For Cyclone Nargis

The Irrawaddy delta of Myanmar lies in ruins after Cyclone Nargis struck on May 2 and 3. WorldVenture has established a relief fund to assist our neighbors abroad.

A village called Chungpiang Village in the Kunchhiankung Township, was one area where the Cyclone hit hard. The population of this community was once 600 and out of that 320 people died. Since Cyclone Nargis hit the country, WorldVenture has received more than $13,500 in funds for humanitarian relief (Give to Myanmar Cyclone Relief). Praise God!

For the thousands in need, you can reach out in Jesus' name. In addition to immediate relief, long-term development efforts will follow as needs are assessed.

Catharine Coon

Sat, 07 Jun 2008 09:07:11 GMT

Hope Alive!

Hope Alive! is sponsoring almost 500 kids and enrolling more! We recently hired a site manager for the Masaka site and are interviewing for the Kampala site. Please pray that God will continue to meet our needs in the abundant way He has been doing all through the history of Hope Alive!

Rick & Mirian Sturz

Fri, 06 Jun 2008 13:30:32 GMT

Access To A Public School

Praise God that recently we had a public high school evangelism week. One pastor and his wife have been praying for two years to gain access to a school. The school had repeatedly denied them access. However, because of the ongoing drug issues and the inefficiency of all other attempts to deal with the problem, the school has begun to allow them access. While there, Rick and Mirian were able to minister to the whole high school, offering them the spiritual solution to life’s problems. The result is that the pastor’s ministry in the school has been solidified.

Diana Muenzenberger

Fri, 06 Jun 2008 08:31:07 GMT

Loving God

During a recent retreat I had the opportunity to speak with one of our Middle School girls who was struggling with a sin issue. Pray for this young girl as she continues her walk with the Lord. Pray that she would continually seek Him with all her heart.

Tim & Janet Hall

Thu, 05 Jun 2008 16:17:27 GMT

Summer Evangelism Camp

Pray for a good summer of evangelism. Tim has several basketball camps and other opportunities in which he can share his faith. Pray also for three women who are attending our ladies Bible study, that they would continue to be drawn into a personal realtionship with our Lord and Savior.

Mark & Donna McDonnel

Thu, 05 Jun 2008 16:14:44 GMT

Handicap Camp

Pray for those in our church in Kiev who are preparing for the handicapped camp July 10-20 and for the children and their parents who attend the handicapped services at the church. There are almost no accommodations for disabled people in Ukraine, which makes a difficult life even harder. Summer camp is specifically designed to minister to these families in need.

Ken & Luci Davis

Thu, 05 Jun 2008 15:06:33 GMT

Bible Translation

We recently placed an order to import 44 tons of paper that will become 50,000 Bibles. Our new Bible translation is passing from the revision stage to formatting and layout. Pray for the release of our new Bible translation due out in September.

Dave & Sherie Henderson

Thu, 05 Jun 2008 15:04:12 GMT

Saying Goodbye To Russia

When some are retiring at our age, we are looking to the Lord for new work. After 14 years in Russia, we are preparing to transition into a new ministry. Pray for us as we say our goodbyes to our Russian and international friends, sell furniture, and transfer many responsibilities to other colleagues. Pray for us as we seek the Lord's will for our future.

Allan & Baska Vance

Thu, 05 Jun 2008 14:50:09 GMT

Young Engaged Couple Seek Godly Counsel

About a month ago a young couple started visiting our church. They had come to the Lord about three months prior while experiencing a rough time in their relationship. As new believers they are lost as to what a Christian marriage is about. Please pray for this young couple and their marriage. And praise the Lord that there has been true and notable transformation in their lives.

Bill & Linda Axline

Thu, 05 Jun 2008 14:47:03 GMT

Sunday School Surprise

Getting back into the classroom with kids has been a big step back in time for Linda, but it is a big step forward for our church. Sunday school is just of the areas where this is happening, and the church is starting to move forward with purpose. Please pray for a solid and workable Chinese-English curriculum. Pray for committed teachers who will love these kids and do the work it takes to serve their spiritual needs.

Dan & Esther Penney

Thu, 05 Jun 2008 14:39:45 GMT

Property Resolution

For over a year now, we have been negotiating with the Finnish Lutheran Mission, which owns the property that is connected with ours down at our beach campsite at Ngaparou. They want to sell, we want to buy, but there have been a number of issues to resolve. Finally, two weeks ago, the regional director agreed in principle to a purchase agreement that Dan had written up. Pray that as he meets with his superiors in Finland, that they will be equally agreeable to the arrangement that he and Dan arrived at.

Dan & Alice Simmons

Thu, 05 Jun 2008 14:33:01 GMT

Discouraged Friend Seeking Jesus

Our heart breaks for a friend of ours who came into our lives last Christmas. She struggles with daily pain of a progressive bone cancer. Her life has dramatically changed from being a business administrator, basketball referee, singer and entertainer to one who is unable to work and is dependent on other people. She is desperate and discouraged. She is open to reading God's Word and has listened to the offer of His gift of salvation. Our prayer is that she would make a decision for Christ soon and trust in Him alone.

John White

Thu, 05 Jun 2008 14:28:56 GMT

Donetsk Christian University

Although I have had a good semester teaching at Donetsk Christian University, the economic challenges facing Ukraine are affecting the university financially. As a result, we may be losing several teachers and staff. Please pray for wisdom for the leadership of DCU, especially in dealing with the difficult financial picture.

Titus & Helen Loong

Thu, 05 Jun 2008 14:24:34 GMT

Finding Homes For MKs

Please pray for us as Helen helps to locate summer jobs and housing for six returning MKs involved in our Third Culture Kid ministry.

Michael & Dawna Jaffarian

Thu, 05 Jun 2008 13:18:23 GMT

International Learning Center

Please continue to pray for Dawna’s on-going ministry with MKs at the International Learning Center. Right now she is in the early weeks of a new session. Pray for flexibility and good adjustment to an altered schedule. A nasty virus went through the ILC a few weeks ago and nearly 100 people got sick. As a result, state health authorities closed the campus for two weeks, thus causing this session to begin late.

Pat Roseman

Thu, 05 Jun 2008 13:12:48 GMT

FIEIDE Ministry

The next few weeks will be very busy for us at the FIEIDE office. This year's theme is "The Christian Family." Pray that all that needs to get done will happen in a timely manner with patience and understanding.

Tim & Jessica Brubaker

Wed, 04 Jun 2008 13:37:33 GMT

Pastoral Training School

Please continue to pray for the Pastoral Training School at New Creation Ministries. Please ask God to raise up more people who will respond to job descriptions that we have posted to come serve in this vital ministry of training pastors and church leaders.

WorldVenture Worker

Wed, 04 Jun 2008 13:31:18 GMT

Dinner, DVD And Discussion

Our last 3-D (dinner, DVD and discussion) evening took place a few weeks ago with the youth in our church. We will miss these kids immensely. Please pray that the truth and love of Christ will lead them during this important time in their lives.

Paul and Diana Mayhugh

Wed, 04 Jun 2008 11:09:31 GMT

Doctorate Program

Praise God that Paul was accepted into the Ph.D. program of China Graduate School of Theology in Hong Kong! He is studying the purpose for the familial similes in 1 Thessalonians 2:7-11. The research and writing are difficult. Please pray for faith, wisdom, joy and discipline for Paul as he pursues God's will.

Matt and Nicole Paschall

Wed, 04 Jun 2008 11:04:40 GMT

Learning A New Language

Learning a new language feels like building a sand castle during high tide. As soon as you stand back to examine the progress, another wave comes in eroding a newly built wall. We believe someday it will take shape, but right now we're just scooping buckets of sand waiting for it to harden into a solid structure. Please continue to pray for us as we are struggling to learn French.

Frank and Rosa Pardue

Wed, 04 Jun 2008 10:59:46 GMT

Church Planters

Please pray for a few of our church planters who have begun working in a church among the Dalits (the untouchable class in the caste system) in south India. Pray that the door of the gospel would continue to be open there!

Bruce & Anita Paden

Wed, 04 Jun 2008 10:55:15 GMT

Reaching Out To A Young Mom

Anita recently met a young lady, an internally displaced people (IDP), with two small children. The father of the first child died of disease before she was born. Later, bandits attacked her village and raped her. The second child is a result of the rape. Please pray for Anita, as she and others reach out to this young mom and many others in similar circumstances.

John and Eriko Houlette

Wed, 04 Jun 2008 10:48:19 GMT

A Young Woman Seeks Salvation

A young woman has begun coming to our adult Sunday school class at Denen Grace Chapel. One Sunday she asked to talk to me (Eriko). She then told me that her co-worker had taken her own life a few days before, and she had remembered the verses we had shared with her the Sunday before. Although she was very sad, she was able to give her cares to Jesus. Pray that she would soon believe in him as her Savior.

Karen Spain

Wed, 04 Jun 2008 10:41:16 GMT

Troubled Youth At Faith Academy

My heart is heavy concerning one young boy who I have worked closely with the past two years. He is a very troubled youth, and there are complications with him continuing school. There is a possibility that he may not be able to remain at Faith Academy. Pray for this young boy, his mother and for us as a school as we seek the Lord for what is best in this difficult situation.

Kevin and Kaori Laverman

Wed, 04 Jun 2008 10:34:31 GMT

Church Growth

Leaving a church ministry while on home assignment is never easy, but we have left some capable people "minding the store" at Denen Grace Chapel, our church plant. Please pray that the families we left in charge will work effectively with church leaders to continue to grow the church and reach out to unbelievers.

Ken and Bola Taylor

Mon, 02 Jun 2008 16:11:20 GMT

Community Life Course

Community Life Course—this new program takes the heart of the Christian Life Training Center out to the Japanese Christian communities. By gathering believers with the same passion and interests into small groups, they will learn practical things about their focus topic. The other half of the course is all about life change, where their spiritual life is deepened and personal gifting and assessments are discovered.

This spring, a pilot program of Christian moms worked on the topic of parenting. CLTC is developing the material for the life change portion. Pray for the participants and leaders of this CLTC Beta Community as we develop materials to launch more communities beginning this fall.

Dan & Esther Penney

Mon, 02 Jun 2008 14:44:46 GMT

Convert from Islam

We have asked you to pray for a young man who recently became a believer. Since then he has been experiencing severe persecution from his family. His wife left him and remarried, people rejected and insulted him for sharing his testimony, and his family finally kicked him out. Please continue to pray that this man will remain strong in the Lord, and that he will grow to be a holy warrior for Christ that he appears to be developing into.

Benjamin & Amanda Owens

Mon, 02 Jun 2008 14:31:47 GMT

Future Opportunities

Pray for wisdom and future opportunities as the Owens visit a church in Nantes, France, that they could potentially work at in the future. This church is looking to start a sister church in the next few years and have the Owens help in the process.

Jim & Ann-Elise Grosser

Mon, 02 Jun 2008 12:51:20 GMT

Land for Church Congregation

A local politician has begun scouting around looking at land-sites for us, and the Building Committee keeps investigating as well. Please continue to pray that God will soon provide our congregation a permanent place to build.

Marilyn Escher

Mon, 02 Jun 2008 11:57:24 GMT

Prison Ministry

A church pastor in Diourbel rejoices that authorization has been given for him to minister again in the Diourbel prison. Please continue to pray for his impact there.

Brenda Allen

Sun, 25 May 2008 16:02:17 GMT

Political Instability

Guinea is once again experiencing political unrest. The President fired the Prime Minister and replaced him recently. Please pray for leaders in the government, unions and military as they make decisions about how to respond to the recent events. A national wide general strike has been threatened. Students are to finish school in the next month. Pray that life would not be disrupted and that a strike would be avoided. Pray that peace would reign in this land! There are so many in need of knowing personally their Creator.

Gabriele Seiler

Wed, 07 May 2008 21:12:10 GMT

Discovering Support

Gabriele is seeking to discover the remaining 35 percent of her finanical support. She hopes to leave for Zambia in late August. She plans to work in office administration, splitting her time between offices in Zambia and South Africa. Pray that God prepares the hearts of the people she will work with, as well as Gabriele’s heart for her work and living situation in Lusaka, Zambia.

Jenni Gould

Wed, 07 May 2008 20:49:04 GMT

The Art of Music

I’ve begun teaching beginner guitar lessons. Most Chinese students stop taking any form of art or music class after kindergarten so a lot of students are interested in learning musical instruments like the guitar.

By the third or forth lesson, we’re slowly playing worship songs together. I’ve found that worship music opens doors because students love the beat of the music and are curious to understand the lyrics. The students will still be around until mid to late June so I’m very excited to see how God continues to move through the guitar lessons and the one-on-one meetings. Pray for these students that God will open their hearts to Him.

Amber Flindt

Wed, 07 May 2008 20:12:42 GMT

Deaf School Ministry

God began weaving together the deaf school ministry long before I came to Mali. However, I recently experienced a major steppingstone in our relationship with this neighboring non-Christian school. Our students had the privilege of miming two evangelical dramas for all 137 of their deaf students. We not only gave them the gift of hearing the message of salvation, but we also presented them a tangible gift that came all the way from Broken Arrow, Oklahoma.

Mrs. Torres' 5th grade class at Lynnwood Elementary read an article about the poor quality of schools in Africa. After hearing about Bamako's Deaf school, they collected at least one spiral notebook for every student as well as a large supply of pencils, crayons, chalk, glue and other materials. God again revealed to me His sovereignty through this course of events. It is truly a web of connections only He could bring together. God provides channels through the most unlikely of places. Praise God for His work in Mali.

John & Cindy Norton

Wed, 07 May 2008 20:00:12 GMT

Grandma Connie's Thankfulness

We took a long walk in the neighborhood with one of the staff of the Children’s Project. There are no words to describe adequately what we saw. It was an absolute maze of pathways, doorways (of sorts), many children, goats, a few hogs, chickens, standing pools of water everywhere, no sense of sanitation anywhere, a few vendors selling vegetables, and somehow people surviving.

We were searching for Grandma Connie whom we had met when we were here in 2006 and whose son had recently moved her closer to his place as she had not been well. Two years ago she was 84 years old, had lost four children to AIDS, and was caring for eight grandchildren. It was truly humbling to see Grandma Connie's thankful heart. There is a dignity and grace about her even in the midst of such degradation for she knows her God and He is with her there. What a joy to find her again, and present her with a small album of pictures we had promised her, and to pray with her again.

Please join us in praying for Grandma Connie and rejoicing in her love for her Lord.

Kristin Dwyer

Wed, 07 May 2008 19:39:39 GMT

Counting the Cost

One of our close friends has Malaria. The medicine is greatly helping and he seems to be recovering and in great spirits. He along with his friend have been asking many questions about Christianity and are very close to making a decision. They are struggling with the cultural cost of following Christ, but it is evident that God is working in their lives. Please pray that God will do a mighty work in both of their lives.

Through them I have also developed a relationship with a young woman. She is open to hearing about Christ and has told me she has many questions she would like to ask. Please pray God will give me wisdom in answering her questions. One of the hardest parts of becoming a Christian here is the loss of family and support, but we see God doing something in this small group of college students. They are a support network to each other, and one that will stay in place long after we leave. We are seeing hearts open to hearing truth and it is amazing. Please pray it takes root.

Jason & Sarah Quick

Wed, 07 May 2008 19:25:47 GMT

The Importance of Sharing

Each Thursday afternoon, we have been visiting a children's home close to Faith Academy. Pray that more Faith students will understand the importance of sharing their lives with these children who need love.

I (Sarah) am always blessed when I go. At first, one little boy was really rough—almost mean when we came in the gate. But recently, he grabbed my hand as soon as he saw me and asked me to read to him. It is wonderful to share our lives with children who don't have many people who genuinely love them. Pray that the Faith students see the impact they can have on these precious kids.

Heather Wroblicky

Wed, 07 May 2008 19:19:19 GMT

One in the Village

I visited a village where there was one believer in the entire village of 3,000. He has endured much persecution from his family, they have even threatened his life. Pray for him as he has no one to fellowship with or encourage him. It was really neat to talk to him and pray with him.

Timothy & Eliz Carden

Sun, 04 May 2008 18:18:24 GMT

Bamako Christian Academy

Pray that the education offered at Bamako Christian Academy will meet the needs of the students and that God will work in their lives. Pray that the school board, staff, administrators and parents, will maintain their “God and I Time” (GAIT) and through this commitment to the Word, the school will remain committed to the Lord Jesus Christ and His inerrant and infallible Word, the Bible.

Mark & Donna McDonnel

Sun, 04 May 2008 18:10:13 GMT

Ministry to the Handicapped

Please pray for the camp we are preparing for the handicapped that will take place from July 10-20.

Leo & Lourdes Calva

Sun, 04 May 2008 17:30:36 GMT

Mustard Seed Church Under Construction

Praise the Lord for the building permits granted for Mustard Seed Church in Ecuador. They began building the church structure and are excited about the opportunity they have to witness to the community. Pray that all the funds needed for this project will come in as needed.

Karen Spain

Sun, 04 May 2008 17:19:42 GMT

Staff Needs for Faith Academy

Faith Academy has several critical needs for staff members to fill the rosters for next year. Finances are also an issue for many staff. Pray for God's provision of staff and for the financial needs of the school and current staff members.

Dave & Denise McCarthy

Sat, 03 May 2008 20:26:14 GMT

Children's Center Ministry

The Lord has provided an awesome facility for our children's center ministry. It is a large house with a very large yard. It has huge potential for the boys’ outreach. The rent is extremely reasonable and there is a Senegalese believing couple across the street whom we know well. He has Bible studies in his house every day and a church plant as well. Pray for the work the Lord is doing in this area.

Ken & Luci Davis

Sat, 03 May 2008 20:22:47 GMT

Portuguese Bible Prepared for Printing

We recently placed an order to import 44 tons of paper that will be used in printing 50,000 Bibles. Our new Bible translation is passing from the revision stage to formatting and layout. If everything goes well the Bibles will be in stores by mid-September. The official release of the full Bible text will be at Brazil's largest Christian retail show in São Paulo in September. The accuracy of the translation to the original manuscripts coupled with its fluency in modern Portuguese makes it by far the best and easiest to read translation available. As such we hope that it will be widely adopted and help many come to a clear understanding of God through the reading of His Word.

Ken & Bola Taylor

Sat, 03 May 2008 19:17:29 GMT

Wheelchairs of Hope

Wheelchairs of Hope is donating 20 wheelchairs to the Philippines. Bola has been developing a network of people to carry out this project. Philippine Airlines Foundation has granted free baggage allowance for the 180 Degrees, a Filipino music team returning to the Philippines. Bola has established a network to coordinate the delivery and distribution of these wheelchairs. Pray that the chairs clear customs and the recipients will be followed up by local churches that will be part of this project.

Curt & Lalia Kregness

Sat, 03 May 2008 19:11:45 GMT

Simply Determined

The Testament Greek students I work with are simply amazing. Not necessarily because they excel at Greek (most of them struggle, as I do). They are amazing because of their stamina and determination. They attend Bible college classes four or five nights a week, from 7:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Most of them work full time, are active in their local church, and have families. When do they have time to study? Good question! On the bus, after midnight, weekends. They do what they have to do. And because they believe that God has called them to serve the Brazilian church, they press on. They want to be well-prepared. Pray for these students that God will bless them for their determination and desire to serve Him.

Nathan & Becky Kendall

Sat, 03 May 2008 18:59:50 GMT

Living Water

We are moving towards working with another mission and the Maninka Christians to start a well drilling project. Our purpose is to provide access to clean water, provide income and business models for Christians, and to use the project in evangelism. Nathan and the Maninka pastor will be the main point people learning how to drill by hand and make the equipment and then teaching others how to implement the drilling, business and evangelism. Pray that they would learn well and apply their learning well to this context. Also do pray that God would direct our steps and that we would follow his leading.

Kirk & Sandlin Poth

Sat, 03 May 2008 18:55:43 GMT

Preparing for Ministry

Pray that the Lord will prepare the hearts of the Irish to hear and respond to the message of the Good News that the Poths will be sharing when they begin their ministry in Ireland later this year.

George & Linda Renner

Sat, 03 May 2008 18:52:39 GMT

Micro-enterprise Opportunities

Praise for the ministries that Linda is working on. One is a “fashion show” showcasing the ministry of “Amani ya Juu”—the refugee women’s sewing project in Nairobi. The plan is to bring about 10 of the Amani women to the States and do programs in six cities in order to cast vision regarding the needs and capacity of poor women. Amani is now getting help from Samaritan’s Purse. Another ministry is “Global Bag Ladies.” Linda has been working with HIV AIDS widows and a few other Kenyan ladies on sewing projects. A friend of Linda’s dreamed up a “micro-enterprise” plan in which needy Kenyan women would create sturdy and attractive shopping bags that in time will wipe out the environmental scourge of plastic super market bags.

Nicole Rauch

Sat, 03 May 2008 18:46:52 GMT

Sharing Faith

Pray for the family and fellow students at BAO School (Bible, English and Computers), who are grieving the death of a young man who was killed recently while jogging. Pray that the believers who attend the school would recognize the many opportunities to share their faith in Christ during this time and that the church would gather around each other and the family.

WorldVenture Workers

Sat, 03 May 2008 18:43:48 GMT

Ivory Coast Prepares for Elections in November

Pray for the Ivory Coast. It has been announced that presidential elections will be held November 30. Pray that the people of Ivory Coast would begin working peacefully in preparation for the elections, and that they may be clean and honest.

Amber Flindt

Thu, 01 May 2008 20:19:59 GMT

In Need of Teachers

Bamako Christian Academy is in desperate need of teachers for next year. Please pray that God would affirm that this is His school and He will provide for it. There are openings in the following areas: Secondary Math, Secondary Social Studies, Secondary Bible, PE (all grades), 1st grade, 2nd grade, 3rd grade, 5th grade. (http://www.bcamali.org)

Praise God that our enrollment for next year is already at 36, which means we need more classrooms. Please pray that the landlord would be pleased to let us add a third floor to our current facility or find another solution. Also, construction in Mali during the rainy season is very unpredictable. On top of that, the cost of supplies for cement and steel has drastically increased here. This is a huge request we're bringing before God: four new classrooms completed by mid-August.

Marilyn Escher

Sun, 20 Apr 2008 12:24:11 GMT

Sharing Scripture through Audio

Praise the Lord that Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus and 1 and 2 Samuel were distributed by electronic means at the Wolof Consultation the end of March. At the Consultation Marilyn heard the testimony of a religious teacher who found the Savior through the Wolof radio broadcasts. Workers are distributing the latest shipment of the audio Wolof New Testament and Wolof radio programs on Megavoice audio digital players. Pray for those who receive these tools that they would come to faith through the Scripture shared by audio.

Paul & Karen Jonsson

Sun, 20 Apr 2008 12:21:23 GMT

Receiving Christ at 107 Years Old

One of the men Paul recently led to Christ needed to return to the Dominican Republic. It was hard to see him go so soon, but the good news is that he brought the gospel with him. The Jonsson's received the news that his grandmother, for whom they had all been praying, gave her life to Christ as well. She is 107 years old.

Bruce & Anita Paden

Sun, 20 Apr 2008 12:19:27 GMT

Pray for Refugees

Pray for a pastor, his family and many others who are living in miserable conditions in special camps for displaced people because of the fighting which continues in Eastern Congo. Pray that the unrest in Congo will not cause an outbreak of war. Also, pray for the families of those injured and killed in a plane crash that happened in Goma.

Rick & Diana Wilson

Sun, 20 Apr 2008 12:17:56 GMT

Romania's Abandoned Children

Did you know over 10,000 children are abandoned every year in the hospitals of Romania? The mothers check in and check out leaving their babies behind. They feel helpless with no means to take care of them. We will be looking at the possibilities of working with a few other people who will help us expand our work there. Please pray for all the work that lay ahead of us—for the building, planning, giving encouragement, preaching and living out the Word of God.

Nathan & Becky Kendall

Sun, 20 Apr 2008 12:14:42 GMT

Seeking Assistance

The guest house we enjoy in Bamako, Mali, is in need of a manager. The persons lined up to manage it part time have decided to retire, leaving a gap felt by those who travel long distance to get to the city. The position is not full time but has tremendous benefit to the larger missionary community, both in Mali and in Guinea. Pray that a person could be found quickly to help with this guest house. There is a two bedroom apartment complete with amenities waiting to house a manager. If you would be interested in living in Bamako, Mali, for a year or two please contact us.

Benjamin & Amanda Owens

Sun, 20 Apr 2008 12:04:04 GMT

Ministry Opportunities in France

France offers many opportunities to serve. We have been discovering many of those ministry opportunities over the last two months, and we continue to seek guidance on where to focus. We have many goals for our ministry here but we want to seek God’s will for our lives. We would love to offer computer classes to the community as an outreach ministry, a longer term goal that will require a better grasp of the language by Benjamin. We would love to build relationships with other young families in the area and share our desire to raise children who seek God’s heart. We would love to share the gospel with our neighbors. We would love to mentor young believers and help them understand how to apply the Bible to their lives. We have many more goals. Please pray that we receive clear direction on how to apply these goals into real-life ministry.

Janet Brown

Sun, 20 Apr 2008 12:01:44 GMT

180 Degrees

A team of 20 teenagers, called 180 Degrees, came from the Philippines to share their faith with the Japanese. The group is lead by one of WorldVenture's missionaries to the Philippines, Rimona Simons. The team shared through concerts and cultural programs at five Japanese churches and they also did a couple of programs at a Japanese rehabilitation center. They spent half of their time working with our Japanese churches and the other half they served a church plant. Please pray for those who attended the concerts and programs that they will respond to the clear message of Christ's love to the Japanese.

Ken & Luci Davis

Sun, 20 Apr 2008 11:55:52 GMT

Theological Training

We have been working with our colleagues developing an extension education model for training pastors and leaders. The Seminário Teológico Batista Intensivo combines five years of extension study with field practice and spiritual formation. It has proven to be a highly effective means of training pastors and leaders for ministry in rural churches. However our seminary is hardly known outside its immediate context of influence in Northeast Brazil. In Brazilian theological education we face a growing interest in providing an accredited degree program that meets government standards. The result has been a drifting from the value of spiritual formation and ministerial preparation during the seminary years to an academic course that meets government educational standards. As good as this is it doesn’t necessarily prepare students to be moral examples, spiritual leaders or pastoral caregivers. Please pray for the future of theological education in Brazil.

Jan Roys

Fri, 11 Apr 2008 11:21:11 GMT

Praise for New Believers

Three students who have been attending activities at the Student Life Center made commitments to follow Christ. Pray for their continued spiritual growth as they begin their walk with the Lord.

Dave & Nancy Greenman

Fri, 11 Apr 2008 10:27:37 GMT

Ministry Opportunity

Nancy and I are involved in mentoring leaders of two regional church associations (Jujuy area and in the mountains). Nancy will also continue the women’s Bible study when she returns from the U.S. Pray for God's blessing in these activities.

Titus & Stephanie Folden

Fri, 11 Apr 2008 10:25:07 GMT

Transitions

Since arriving in Ecuador, we have been involved in language learning and cultural adjustment. Pray for the salvation of those whom we are spending time with, our teachers, our neighbors, our friends, and the children in the shelters.

Bill & Dianne Grudda

Fri, 11 Apr 2008 10:22:42 GMT

Short-term Ministry Opportunity

When we land in Dakar, we'll hit the ground running! Over the next five months we'll be hosting and/or facilitating more than a dozen groups of people wanting to partner with on-the-field missionaries in ministries that will help meet the field's strategic goals. We'll be making trips to Mali and Ivory Coast, as well as traveling lots of miles in Senegal. Some of the ministries that teams and individuals will be focusing on over the next few months are prayer walking, church construction, medical ministries, pastoral training, working with children at risk, church art projects, light carpentry and painting, and IT work. Pray for God's blessings on these projects.

Paul & Diana Mayhugh

Thu, 10 Apr 2008 18:18:02 GMT

Student Life Center Ministry

Some 70 students come to our Student Life Center for various classes and small groups. I (Diana) teach one of the weekly English classes which has a Bible story as part of the lesson each week. Sometimes students go from being an atheist, to considering there may be a God, to being open to learn more about God, to actually believing in Jesus as Savior! I asked one of my English students what she thought of one of the lesson's Bible story. She said that she was so confused after hearing about a university student who committed suicide. She went on to tell me she grew up believing in Buddhism, now she's heard about Jesus. She said she needs to believe in the truth to give her life stability and know how to face life. So the Lord is working in hearts. I will soon give my 15 English class students the opportunity to meet with me one-on-one to practice their English and hopefully to specifically talk more about how they can know the one true God personally.

Dan & Esther Penney

Thu, 10 Apr 2008 18:07:05 GMT

Project Jericho

“Project Jericho” is an annual multi-day evangelistic campaign conceived and put on by national churches. Over 1,000 people participated and 127 people made a decision for Christ on the first day alone! Praise God for this event.

Tim & Joy Watson

Thu, 10 Apr 2008 17:55:28 GMT

Entrust4 Women

Joy enjoyed working with the team of women at the Biblical Leadership Training Center in Krasnodar in implementing the teaching of the Entrust4 Women's Curriculum. We launched our first team-taught course this fall, "Women Mentoring Women." Pray for these women as they learn more about their faith.

Kraig & Heather Dorney

Thu, 10 Apr 2008 17:51:04 GMT

Establishing the Church

In order to stay on track for the regional goal of planting nine churches by the end of 2009, our team and Filipino nationals currently have 20 outreaches in our region. Realizing that not all of these will result in church plants, we are in prayer that nine or more of these outreaches will take root. In addition to the actual church plants, we are also in prayer for the pastors and church leaders who are working to see these goals achieved. They pour so much of their time into planting churches, but also need to have another source of income to support their families, either through a business or job.

Janet Brown

Thu, 10 Apr 2008 17:46:00 GMT

Tops for Ministry

I brought some friends with me to visit the Top Shop where I buy most of my unusual Japanese Tops. While at the shop, one of my friends said it would be cool to have a top with the colors of the 'Wordless Book' on it. I asked if the Top Maker would make a few tops for me with the colors of black, red, white, yellow and green. We watched as he made the tops on the lathe. The woman tried to change the order of the colors and to not use the black. But we said the color choice and order were important. She wanted to know why, and we used the colors of the top to tell her the story of the Wordless Book. I don't know what will come of the seeds we planted, but we were given the opportunity to share the gospel with the Top Maker who has unknowingly made tops that have shared the gospel and God's ministry with thousands of children. Pray for this 75-year-old man and his daughter (the shopkeeper), that something we shared will bring them to Christ.

WorldVenture Workers

Thu, 10 Apr 2008 17:03:03 GMT

Encountering the Truth

Pray for their church as the congregation participates in the series called “Truth Encounter” which is based on Neil Anderson’s course “Freedom in Christ.” Pray that they would gain healing and freedom in Christ and would move on to spiritual maturity in Christ.

Pat Roseman

Thu, 10 Apr 2008 17:01:12 GMT

Online School Opportunity

Praise God that the online school, the Evangelical School of Theology is currently in their third year and has a total of 60 students in the system.

John & Eriko Houlette

Thu, 10 Apr 2008 17:00:28 GMT

The Domei

Seven years ago their Japanese national church ministry partner (the Domei) plotted a bold 10-year strategy for growth. It has four components: church health, church planting, leadership development and global missions. Recently, Domei shared the results through 2007. So far 16 new churches have been planted, over 20 churches are using church-based theological education, a dozen Japanese missionaries are serving outside of Japan and pastors are being coached and trained. Praise God for all that is being accomplished in His name.

Tim & Mary Lou Tiner

Thu, 10 Apr 2008 16:57:20 GMT

LifeBridge Finds a Home

Praise God that the new church plant, LifeBridge, has found a meeting place in a great location that is reasonable in price and big enough for 40 people.

Caleb & Shannon Campbell

Thu, 10 Apr 2008 16:56:25 GMT

Serving on Campus

Praise God that as a result of the Wheaton Football Team’s recent visit, the team now has greater access to the university campus. Pray that they would be able to use this new freedom to further God’s Kingdom. Pray that they would be granted permission to have a permanent booth on campus.

Nicole Rauch

Thu, 10 Apr 2008 14:40:24 GMT

Cyclone Ivan Devastates Madagascar

Cyclone Ivan hit Madagascar on February 17. It has displaced over 147,000 people. News articles are comparing it to Katrina/New Orleans in the States. There are at least 60 people who have died. Please pray for the Malagasy people, for the immediate physical needs to be met, but also for spiritual needs to be discerned. May God’s global family unite to meet these needs and share Christ through an outpouring of their hearts.

Russ & Ramona Simons

Thu, 10 Apr 2008 14:39:15 GMT

180 Degrees Ministry

Please pray for the scheduling of ministries for 180 Degrees Music Team in Japan, April 13-28. This missions training singing group for youth, ages 13-21, wants to have a powerful impact on Japanese youth. Please pray that strategic contacts will be made by the organizers in Japan in preparation for the team.

Janet Hocker

Thu, 10 Apr 2008 14:37:53 GMT

Vienna Christian School Seeking Teachers

Pray for the need of teachers for the 2008-2009 school year at Vienna Christian School.

Deborah Gibbs

Thu, 10 Apr 2008 14:23:38 GMT

Medical Ministry

In the next two or three months Ferke Hospital will become integrated into the national program for the diagnosis and treatment of tuberculosis. This goes along well with the AIDS project since many AIDS patients also develop tuberculosis at some point. Pray that the staff at the hospital will be able to help many people and touch many lives with the love of Christ.

WorldVenture Workers

Thu, 10 Apr 2008 14:21:34 GMT

Praise for New Believers

Praise that one young man made a decision. Pray for God’s blessing and guidance in his life. Also, pray for the country of Mali, as there is considerable poverty there. Pray that God would bless the Malian economy so that employment and incomes might be increased.

Glenn & Linnea Boese

Sun, 06 Apr 2008 18:44:49 GMT

The Widow's Jar

A group of destitute widows began a co-op “The Widow’s Jar.” They make shea butter, peanut butter, liquid soap, and process various seasonal condiments for cooking. The five women meet every morning to pray for each other and for everyone who has given money so that they can begin the business. Pray that their products would sell so that they can begin to see real profit from their work.

Marilyn Escher

Sun, 06 Apr 2008 18:43:49 GMT

New Believers

The Sunday following the dedication of the Ngohé chapel, two men in their early 20s decided to follow Christ. Pray for their developing faith.

Catharine Coon

Sun, 06 Apr 2008 18:36:44 GMT

Hope Alive!

Praise that Hope Alive!, formerly Children of Hope, has recently started their sixth school year of seeing children helped through the provision of education and physical needs. Praise that 22 Sudanese refugee students are now studying in Gulu in Northern Uganda.

Kirk & Laura Slater

Sun, 06 Apr 2008 18:35:51 GMT

New Faith Demonstrated Through Baptism

During a recent trip to Rukungiri District, the Slaters observed more than 35 people demonstrate through baptism their commitment to follow and obey Christ as well as several young men ask Christ into their lives as Savior. Also, they recognized that some of the pastors and leaders have begun to understand how a relationship with Christ is not just a matter of salvation, but of the whole life.

Todd & Kelly Marshall

Sun, 06 Apr 2008 18:34:35 GMT

ServanTek

Praise that their ministry, ServanTek, has put together a shipment of 70+ computers, including monitors, about 1,000 books, lots of library furniture, and enough networking equipment to upgrade several buildings. These items will be shipped to Kenya to arrive before a short-term team arrives to install the equipment.

Ken & Bola Taylor

Sun, 06 Apr 2008 18:31:43 GMT

Christian Life Training Center

Pray for the Christian Life Training Center as they begin a new six-month program. The program will focus on the heart of the believers for effective ministry by gathering in small groups with the same interests and passion.

WorldVenture Workers

Sun, 06 Apr 2008 18:29:47 GMT

In Need of Medical Personnel

Our mission’s hospital in Pakistan has an urgent need for an OB/GYN doctor. The only doctor available is now due for home assignment. Pray for a doctor to replace her so the hospital won’t have to close during this time.

Kristin Dwyer

Sun, 06 Apr 2008 18:27:56 GMT

Developing Relationships

I have begun to work with university students which is wonderful. The students are helping me with French and I am helping them with English. They invited me to attend the grand opening of the American Center. The U.S. ambassador was the guest of honor. I am very happy to have met young women with whom I can develop relationships. Please pray God will use those relationships for His glory.

Caleb & Shannon Campbell

Fri, 21 Mar 2008 16:52:43 GMT

Seeking Leaders

Sunday afternoons from about 4 p.m. until dark, we are hosting game times for university students in our courtyard. Please pray that these would be spiritually encouraging times for the students and that God would be raising up future leaders of the church through the Christian organization on campus.

WorldVenture Workers

Fri, 21 Mar 2008 16:51:41 GMT

Praying for the Lord's Protection

A group of missionaries met in the home of some people being bombarded by weekly gatherings of a religious group who beat themselves and the ground with huge sticks and beat drums and sang loud chants long into the night. It occurs about 50 feet from their bedroom window and has been disturbing their sleep for months. The prayer meeting was such a neat combination of standing with this family in prayer about this physical burden and hearing them ask for a deeper love for those who have yet to hear the Truth. It is good to stand firm in the Lord together, against the schemes of the devil and ready for the plans of the Lord. We prayed in their home for the Lord's blessing and protection. And we prayed on the land where they come each week (the Lord ordained that the night He gathered us to pray in that spot, the group normally there was gone on a pilgrimmage). We sang praises to the Lord and claimed the neighborhood for the Lord in opposition to this morbid idolatry.

John & Eriko Houlette

Fri, 21 Mar 2008 16:40:15 GMT

Praise for 16 New Churches

Fourteen leaders from Japan Baptist Fellowship and the Domei (our Japanese church association) gathered for a full day of sharing and strategy. It was a significant event as we assessed progress in the Harvest 2010 program, discussed missionary internships and the religious incorporation of the Domei. Praise the Lord that 16 churches have been started in the last seven years.

Jason & Kerri Gupta

Wed, 10 Oct 2007 18:04:24 GMT

Communicating Effectively

Pray for Jason as he prepares to teach his first course at the seminary. He is excited about this opportunity to teach and desires to communicate effectively and build relationships with his students.

Hans Finzel

Mon, 24 Sep 2007 16:40:45 GMT

WorldVenture International Day of Prayer

Join the WorldVenture international community in praising God and praying for those who have committed themselves to serving Him cross-culturally and those who help them on their Great Commission journey.

We are thankful to God for the 107 people who have been endorsed through the end of August for short- and mid-term service or appointed for career ministry in 2007.

Pray for Those Serving with WorldVenture

Pray for the short- and mid-term missionaries who are currently applying to serve with WorldVenture.
October 1-5: Short-/mid-term missionaries and coordinators will attend training held at WorldVenture headquaters in Littleton, Colorado. Pray for them as they equip themselves for serving God overseas.
October 27-November 8: Long-term candidates will interview with the Career Interview Committee. Pray for the committee to have wisdom and discernment as they seek God’s will for the candidates.
Pray for the appointees as they begin to prepare for their ministry overseas through WorldVenture.
Pray for those who have committed to be mentors for the appointees. These mentors are representatives from the appointees’ home churches. The mentors will receive training to help support, encourage and guide the appointees as they begin support discovery.

Pray for Recruitment Department

Pray for the Mission Coaches from WorldVenture’s Recruitment Department as they travel to various colleges, seminaries and conferences.
Pray for contacts with students and people interested in serving cross-culturally.
Pray for wisdom as the coaches develop relationships and guide those who sense God’s call to serving him in overseas ministry.
Pray for the details involved with MissionVentures 2008. MissionVentures are short-term team mission experiences that provide team members a feel for what missionaries face in day-to-day life and how God can use each of them on the mission field.

William Duncan

Fri, 07 Sep 2007 16:12:12 GMT

Puppet Ministry

I began a puppet team with some youth here in Kampala through a program called Children of Hope. The kids who are part of the program have sponsors in the United States who pay for their school fees. The kids are in 1st through 12th grade. It's been fun to begin working with some of the older kids, teaching them how to tell Bible stories with puppets. Please pray for the kids who are on the puppet team. It's been hard for us to meet regularly, so please pray that they can come to all the practices.

Adama & Sylvia Diouf

Sat, 25 Aug 2007 14:23:57 GMT

Evangelism Campaigns

In working with a national team earlier this year, they held two evangelism campaigns in Diohine and Thies. Over 2,500 people heard the gospel and the Lord Jesus miraculously healed 10 who were attending. Praise God that more than 350 people in these regions gave their lives to Jesus. Pray for these new converts as they fear persecution and shame if they attend church. Also, after nearly a year of ministering in the village of Ndiadiane, a church was planted and celebrated their first service. More than 45 people attended, including the village chief who is not yet a believer. Pray for a pastor to lead this new church.

Eric & Beth Yodis

Thu, 09 Aug 2007 10:39:13 GMT

Praise God for Successful Billy Graham Event

The Billy Graham Evangelistic Association came to Ukraine during the first week of July after years of preparation. Franklin Graham preached to a full stadium in Kiev and to thousands by satellite translation that took place throughout the country. In all, over 11,000 professions of faith were recorded throughout Ukraine. Praise God for the results of this evangelistic event.

Mark and Donna McDonnel

Thu, 12 Jul 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Family Time in Ukraine

Pray for church leaders in Ukraine to develop and communicate a vision for proper family time. It is often considered virtuous in the Ukrainian church to spend a great deal of time in ministry, to the point of having a serious imbalance with ordinary home/parenting responsibilities. It is considered normal to be away from home until after 10 p.m. every night. Pray for men in ministry to see the need for, plan for, and make daily choices for a good balance between family time and time in ministry.

Mark Penner

Thu, 12 Jul 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Wheelchair Ministry

We also heard good things about the wheelchair project in Japan this past week. A Japanese pastor and 20 people, some of them short-termers connected with Twin Lakes Church in California worked on 13 wheelchairs that were taken to the Philippines on Wednesday. We had some concern at first as the wheelchairs were held up in customs for a day, but then they cleared without further problems. Praise God with us, and also pray for Pastor Noel Pantoja who will be overseeing the follow up on wheelchair recipients.

Jim & Corrine Thorp

Tue, 22 May 2007 14:01:34 GMT

Interest in Missions

During our visit to Argentina, we spoke with the Northern Association of Baptist Churches about their desire to be involved with missions in Mozambique. We shared about Mozambique and challenged them to move forward in their plans. They already have one couple working in Bolivia however, their director visited us in Mozambique last year and the association feels God leading them to send missionaries to Mozambique. Besides speaking to the yearly meeting of the association we also spoke to a group of about 20 young people interested in missions, to a church, to the missions committee of the association and to two young women who are potential candidates. We challenged them to consider sending a short-term ministry team to spend a few weeks in Africa to experience missions and to prepare those who would then come back as full-time missionaries. God allowed us a great blessing in seeing what he is doing in other countries to raise up missionaries outside of the United States.