PrayerConnect (January - April 2018)

PRAYERconnect January 2018 to April 2018

A prayer letter of the Methodist Missions Society ď Ž Not for circulation ď Ž For Mission Partners and Volunteers only

I will do whatever you ask in my name...

John 14:13 (NIV)

dear prayer partners

God’s Still small Voice Out in the mission fields, our missionaries always desire to be sensitive to God’s leading and guidance. They do not conduct programmes simply because the programmes are good to have.

Their ministry came about after much prayer and waiting upon the Lord. They are always longing to hear God’s still small voice.

In East Asia, our missionary felt a burden to reach out to the young people who are studying and working in the city. Soon, the Lord led him to two shop units inside a shopping complex. After the renovation is completed, it will be an activity centre for the youth and young working adults. The intention is to turn this space into a place of worship soon.

The prophet Elijah did not encounter God in the mighty wind, or in the earthquake, or in the fire. He only heard the Lord in the still small voice (1 Kings 19:9-13).

As you thumb through the pages of this PrayerConnect, please pray that our missionaries will become more sensitive to God’s still small voice.

Rev Philip Lim Executive Director Methodist Missions Society Cover photo showing a group of elderly believers praying.

All Scripture quoted is based on English Standard Version (ESV), unless otherwise stated.

ONDAY

2. Thank God for a new house parents in COSI who are also able to teach our primary kids both English and Khmer. Pray for the outreach to Boeung Angchanh Village, with Children’s and Adult Ministries. Pray for Sreynich Sum, a 13-year-old girl with chronic inner ear infection and she has to go for surgery in March.

CAMBODIA

1. Pray for an increase in enrolment and a manager for the boys’ hostel in JOY HOSTEL. Pray for Thida and Sreng as they set up an Alumni, and juggle between their full-time jobs, responsibilities in the hostel, and roles as parents to three young daughters. Pray for the on-going mentoring programme.

3. Pray for unity among the teachers in METHODIST SCHOOL OF CAMBODIA (MSC). May their hearts be open during the daily morning devotion and may the prebelieving teachers come to know Christ. Pray for more youth to attend the MSC youth fellowship, and have a close relationship with Christ.

4. Pray for the handing over of managerial role from Thol Chamrong to Meas Sophea in METHODIST HOSTEL. Pray for a smooth transition and God’s anointing on Sophea to minister to the 50 undergrads in the hostel. May the prebelievers in the hostel experience God’s love through the daily interaction with other Christians, weekly Bible study, and worship.

5. Thank God for integrating HOPE HOUSE to be officially under the umbrella of COS. Thank God that seven children were able to register grade 1 in a government school, and four students were promoted from grade 1 to 2. Pray for the teachers and staff to serve with purpose, joy and unity.

May the children feel the joy of learning and God’s love.

2. Pray for a smooth transition to move STAMFORD CONSULTANCY from NC to SH by May 2018. Pray for HM who is seeking God for direction in her ministry in the field.

3. Pray that WT & CZ will be effective in their outreach in ZJJ as a NEW MEETING POINT is set up to bring in new people. Pray that the visiting team from HMC will bring encouragement and support to the ministries.

UESDAY

EAST ASIA

1. Pray that the 14 core leaders attending the TRAINING ON SPIRITUAL FORMATION AND LEADERSHIP in TP will benefit from the focus on the discipline on daily devotion.

4. Pray for vision & strategy to set up a new community service centre in FZ as an effective SEED-SOWING PLATFORM. Pray for KJ’s wife who is pregnant with their first child.

5. Pray that AC will continue to serve with both PASSION AND WISDOM, and be wise and sensitive to the contexts and situations of the difference places.

6. Pray for the TRAINING in XA conducted by CL and wife (certified counsellor). They will reach out to young parents in a housing estate and young people in a social gathering.

7. Pray for the pastoral trip by Pe & Ann to visit ML and Mo in DL. Pray for a fruitful time as the team come together to EVALUATE AND STRATEGISE the work for the minority.

8. Pray for Pe & Ann who will meet up with the co-workers in KM to discuss the LONG-TERM STRATEGY in the city and mountainous areas.

9. Pray for CREATIVE ACCESS for our staff who encountered difficulty residing in East Asia. Pray for the adjustment as some may have to operate from SG to oversee the works in the field.

10. Pray that our NATIONAL STAFF will rise up to the occasion to operate faithfully and independently in their homeland.

Pray that the Great Commission will always be the focus of our mission as we fearlessly proclaim the Gospel of Christ.

EDNESDAY

2. Pray for our 48 pupils to enjoy their LEARNING and for the primary classes as they take their MID-YEAR EXAMS in January. Pray also for the children’s FAITH and for OUTREACH TO THE PARENTS AND STAFF.

3. Thank God for those who have been working hard for the GROWTH OF THE SCHOOL by strengthening its administration, injecting educational expertise, recruiting teachers, and strategizing to increase enrolment. Pray for the school’s management to know His vision for this work that He has established.

4. Pray for the Lord to bring in the ADDITIONAL TEACHERS, STAFF AND STUDENTS and to help them find their place in His work.

LAOS

1. Thank God for seeing us into YEAR 8 of the school and for a GOOD FIRST SEMESTER with positive assessments from district and capital inspectors and our increased presence through participation in interschool activities.

5. Thank God for the progress on the licence reapplication for INSPIRE CENTRE for English and Chinese. May this centre thrive and bless others for His glory.

6. Pray for and uphold the LEADERS of this country as they tighten up the administration, improve the welfare of its people, and strengthen its relations with its neighbours.

7. Pray for the CHURCH IN LAOS and the role of SMS and INSPIRE in His grand scheme.

HURSDAY

NEPAL

1. Pray for the VIJAYEE METHODIST CHURCH BUILDING PROJECT in East Nepal. The building project started in June 2017 and the completion will now be towards the 1st quarter 2018. Pray that the building project will be completed smoothly. Pray for God’s protection over all who are working on the project. Pray for the community around the church.

2. Pray for the REBUILDING PROGRAMME. Pray for Rev Sabashtain Lepcha and his team as they continue with the rebuilding phase to provide safe homes for those who were affected and suffered losses to lives and properties during the Nepal earthquake in 2015.

3. Pray for our NEW MISSIONARY in Nepal, Dr Michael Ong, and his wife, Carol, as they settle in to their new environment and ministry. Pray for God’s guidance and grace amongst our missionaries as they work towards edifying one another.

4. Pray for our MINISTRY IN NEPAL in 2018. The ministry may face challenges through new legislation that will impact our sharing of the gospel. Pray for God’s covering and protection of our missionaries, national pastors and leaders.

my gift for his great commission through mms 

my gift for his great commission through mms STEP 1 Either select a Specific Area and a Country, or allow us to direct your gift where it is needed most: [ ] WHERE IT IS NEEDED MOST [ ] CHURCH PLANTING

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Please cross your cheque and make it payable to “The Methodist Church in Singapore [MMS]” and mail it together with this form to MMS Executive Director, Methodist Missions Society, 70 Barker Road #06-01, The Methodist Centre, Singapore 309936.

Source Code: PRT_PRAYER_C

my gift for his great commission through mms

STEP 3 Fill in your payment instructions:

2. Thank God for His leading in clearing the path for the transfer of School License for LITTLE CANDLES SCHOOL in Nov 2017.

3. Thank God for several MIRACULOUS HEALINGS* in our churches. Thank God that many people have accepted Christ through our churches in the past year.

4. Pray for God’s anointing and grace upon all our 26 PASTORS and their families. Pray for God’s blessing so that our 13 CHURCHES and 13 PREACHING POINTS will continue to grow and prosper. Pray for our MEMBERS to have the desire to be made disciples who will make disciples on their own.

RIDAY DAY

5. Pray for all the STUDENT SPONSORSHIP SCHEME (SSS) recipients and their parents who are not Christians to come to know the Lord. Pray that the students will do well in their study. Pray that they will attend our church’s activities regularly.

THAILAND

1. Thank God that our NEW MISSIONARY Vincent & his family are adjusting well to their new home. They are adjusting well and progressing well with language learning. Pray for God’s anointing over them as he and his wife, Phyllis, embark on teaching Bible lessons in Thai to the children’s and youth ministries.

6. Pray for all 60 Principal, teaching and administrative staff members in VINEYARD METHODIST SCHOOL. Pray for all the 500 kindergarten and primary students to do well in their studies and to grow in Christ-like characters. Pray for the 26 P6 students who will be taking their O-Net (primary school leaving examination) in Mar 2018. Pray for the two Christian Ministry Staff to be able to minister to all the teachers and students, and also to reach out to the parents.

7. Pray for the house parents and the 29 children in METTAKIJ HOSTEL and TERM FUN HOME to have good relationship. Pray for the house parents to have the wisdom, patience, and courage to nurture the children, especially in challenging situations in education and characters.

8. Pray for RANGSIT CREMATORIUM to be a place of comfort to who are bereaving and a place for people to come to know the Lord through our services. * Read some testimonies in the “God Heals” album on MMS Facebook page.

ATURDAY

TIMOR-LESTE

1. Thank God for His amazing grace in the last two years of SUNDERMEIER HOME operation. Thank God for His strength, wisdom and guidance upon Joseph and Grace in managing the hostel, and for raising up student leaders in the hostel.

They are able to share the Word with peers and family members. Thankful too for the students who take turns to share the daily devotion. Pray for the transformation of the Holy Spirit in the lives of the hostelites.

2. We are especially thankful for God’s provision in the successful drilling of a well at the hostel even when the drillers were skeptical. We have clean and abundant water!

3. Thank God for seeing the 48 Grade 1, Grade 7 and Grade 8 students through their year in the METHODIST SCHOOL (TIMOR-LESTE). It has been a year of growing in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man. Thank God for paving the way for the school to be planted in Metinaro, Dili District. Thank God for the provision of land and necessary resources (manpower, finances, etc) to establish the school.

4. Pray that God will watch over all the students of the school during the long break. Pray that God will refresh and recharge them for the new year of learning ahead. Pray that God will guard each heart and mind in Christ Jesus always. Pray that all the teachers of the school to be able to rest during the break even as they prepare for the new academic year.

5. Pray for the NEW INTAKES OF STUDENTS for the school and hostel. Pray that God will bring the right students in for lives to be transformed.

6. Pray for the MMS Missionary TEAM. May 2018 be a fruitful year of labour in the Lord.

7. Pray for wisdom in learning farming skills and to skilfully plan for a farm layout for MISSIONARY Rudy. Pray for his parents to know and believe in Jesus.

NDAY

2. Pray for God to draw more stable and mature Christians to join ICF. May these mature Christians provide good examples and guidance for young believers in their walk with the Lord – in the areas of marriage, family life, parenting, business, etc.

3. Pray that our members from different nations will learn to warmly enfold and embrace first-time visitors with different cultures. May the Lord not only bless us but also will enlarge our tent.

4. Pray for the ICF will continue to build disciples of Christ who are growing in love, truth, and unity. Pray that the cell groups will have more mature leaders to lead the groups.

5. Pray that our worshippers will grow deeper in the Word and have the courage to apply godly values in every aspect of their daily lives.

VIETNAM

1. Thank God for a good participation and organisation for INTERNATIONAL CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP (ICF) Christmas celebrations as we reached out to share Christ’s love and God’s greatest story. May the celebration be meaningful and beneficial to those who attended. Pray that our gifts will encourage other Christian ministries.

6. Pray for the churches in central and south of Vietnam which are badly damaged by the typhoon. Pray that the Christians will be resilient to rebuild and repair their church buildings as well as to rebuild their flooddamaged land.

Testimony

“Jesus, save us!” ~ A testimony of an answered prayer by a believer in country X. It was a suicidal act of our countryman to talk about Jesus so boldly in our country. But this friend of mine was not ashamed of the gospel. For his own safety, I told him to lie low. But he was not listening to me. One day, when I pulled him aside and warned him of the fatal consequence for offending the majority, he told me the reason. Like the majority, he initially did not believe in Jesus and in fact, he disapproved those who believed the Way.

But one night, while he was sleeping, he heard someone calling his name - not once, not twice but three times. He thought someone was trying to be funny.

He was shocked when he opened his eyes and saw an image of a man appearing in a bright shining light. He heard a voice saying, “I am Jesus. Go and tell people about me.” Since that day, he never stopped telling people about Jesus. Though I was not convinced, I respected his conviction.

Having been unjustly thrown into the prison for two years, we had lost hope of the system and we decided to leave the country. I sold everything we had and together with my wife and two young children, we left the country by boat. After sailing for some days, unexpectedly the engine of the boat broke down. We were stranded in the open sea for three days and three nights. And it was so terrifying that we thought we would die.

It was then that I remembered the Jesus who called upon my friend’s name three times.

So I repeatedly screamed as loud as I could to the name of Jesus, “Jesus, save us!”

Somehow, by the grace of God, we were spotted by another boat and landed safely on the shore. Having settled down in a camp, I wasted no time and ran into a church to look for Jesus. I found the Jesus in the Bible who answered my shortest prayer. Our whole family repented of our sins and believed in Jesus Christ. Shortly after, we were baptised in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. To God be the glory!

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