January 31, 2012

URGENT PRAYER REQUESTS

Indonesia

Pray that the excessive rains in interior Papua will stop. Gardens are flooding in the Baliem valley, in Moni tribal areas, and in other places as well. The Monis have had nearly a year of extremely poor harvests. Many are too weak to plant new gardens. “We thank God that some relief that has been given,” Alliance workers write. Pray that flights will be available to get food supplies to the needy that live in difficult mountainous terrain.

Thailand

Pray for Andrew; his wife, Christine; and their two children who are volunteering with Remember Nhu, an Alliance partner ministry in Thailand that is dedicated to combatting child sex trafficking. Last week, Andrew was hit while on a motorcycle and suffered a broken femur. Recently, he was readmitted to ICU due to low blood oxygen, an increased heart rate, and blood clot in his lung; he is currently receiving a blood thinner. Pray for Andrew’complete healing and for protection from Satan’s attacks. Also, pray for Linda, a volunteer coordinator for the Remember Nhu Family Home, who has been diagnosed with stage four lung cancer. In some cases, nonsmoker female molecular cells change, causing lung cancer. She is waiting for test results to see if this happened; the will determine the type of treatment. Pray for Linda’s complete healing.

December 6, 2011

URGENT PRAYER REQUESTS

Burkina Faso

Many Burkinabe farmers are suffering due to erratic rains and a poor harvest. Pray for God’s provision.

Egypt

Christians in Egypt are calling on believers around the world to make December 12 a day of fasting and prayer for the nation. A number of important church leaders from all denominations believe that God is preparing for a major revival in the Middle East with Egypt as the epicenter. Pray for an end to the violence and that God will accomplish His will and purposes in the country. Pray, too, that churches and believers will demonstrate the love of Jesus.

AFRICA

Burkina Faso

Pray for good health for Andrew and Esther Schaeffer, who are fighting colds.

Kevin Oberg expresses thanks to all who prayed for Pauline and her baby (November 28 prayer requests). They were released from the hospital, and the baby is doing better. Praise the Lord! Continue to pray for good health for the child.

Pray for God’s blessing on current construction projects; there is much to be done in a limited amount of time.

FATEAC (Cote d’Ivoire)

Praise God for an unexpected gift that will allow completion of the first of three floors of the student housing building. Pray that God will provide the rest of the funding for this project.

Pray for Isaac and Rachelle Keita as they travel with the Livingstons to Dakar for the Regional Leadership Training. Also, pray that God will give the doctors wisdom as they evaluate Isaac’s most recent tests.

Pray that God will heal Jeter Livingston’s chronic cough that has prevented him from teaching for several months. Pray that God will give discernment regarding its cause.

Pray for senior students as they prepare their master’s theses and for the professors as they guide them.

Praise God for a good leadership module last week in the Holistic Development department.

November 8, 2011

URGENT PRAYER REQUESTS

Cambodia and Thailand Flooding Update

Continue to pray for those who have been impacted by the flooding in Cambodia and Thailand. The water levels in flood-ravaged Cambodia are receding, but the danger of disease is increasing. In Thailand, about 400 people have died due to the floods. Almost all members of the Mahapawn New Vision Church, located along a main canal that the city is using to disperse the flood waters from Bangkok, have been affected by the floods, with many of their homes under water. As a result, many people had to leave their homes and seek refuge in the provinces. Staples (including bottled drinking water, rice, milk, and paper items) are hard to find right now. Pray that the waters will subside, that God will encourage the believers, and that He will use this crisis to draw many to the Savior.

CREATIVE-ACCESS COUNTRIES

Remember creative-access workers around the world. Pray for protection, good health, and opportunities to share the good news. Pray that contacts will be drawn to Jesus. Pray that God will break down strongholds and give courage and boldness to national believers.

AFRICA

Burkina Faso

Pete Brokopp requests prayer for important meetings in Colorado Springs, Thursday, November 10. Pray for the Holy Spirit’s guidance.

Pray for God’s blessing on a dental clinic in Banzon this week. Pray for good health and energy as the team ministers in the bush and for cooler nights in order to sleep well. Pray that many people will experience the love of Christ through the dental team’s ministry and for many to hear the good news and respond to their need for a Savior.

Secondary teachers in Bobo Dioulasso are on strike, and the governor has announced that all secondary schools must close for the time being. Pray for a peaceful solution so that students will be able to return to school soon.

FATEAC Seminary (Côte d’Ivoire)

Praise God for a good workshop on teaching for moral transformation in Togo, attended by eight FATEAC professors. Pray for them as they process the information presented and apply it at FATEAC.

Praise God for a good Peer Responder Workshop in Ghana. Pray for wisdom in how to help more people.

Pray for a unified vision for FATEAC departments as they formulate learning objectives to adapt the curriculum to current needs in Africa.

Pray for many people in Côte d’Ivoire who recently celebrated an important religious holiday. Pray that the Lord will draw many to Himself.

Pray for Deanna Harrison as she begins teaching a new theological English class.

Pray for God’s blessing on FATEAC students who are working with local churches and putting into practice truths they are learning.

(For a complete list of requests go to: www.cmalliance.org/pray

Japan

Pray for an outreach Saturday, October 29, for children and youth who survived the March 11 earthquake and tsunami in their home town of Ishinomaki, northern Japan. Pray for the children and young people who attend and for wisdom and the leading of the Holy Spirit for Harry and Jane Landaw as they prepare for and lead this ministry. Pray, too, that these youngsters will come to know Jesus.

For more prayer requests, go to:  www.cmalliance.org/pray

By Pastor Jeff Davies

Have you ever moved to an entirely new place? How did you find your way? What about buying groceries? Did you feel isolated from friends or family? Did you have anyone to help you adjust during that time?

These are some of the same struggles that our overseas workers face as they return home. “But they are returning home!” you might say. True, but a lot has changed in the four years they have been away. During that time there’s been a national recession, we’ve elected our first black President, Osama bin Laden was killed, and NASA flew its last shuttle mission. Throw that together with all the subtle and not-so-subtle ways life has changed from the internet and pop culture (hello iPhone), and it’s not too hard to see how lost someone could be.

That’s where we can stand in the gap. We can help ease that transition for our overseas workers that have just arrived. It’s beneficial to them (and us) when we take some time to connect and get to know them. It’s encouraging, spiritually supportive, and they do have some amazing stories of what God is at work doing! Maybe you could ask them to dinner, or express your genuine interest in how their kids are handling the transition.

Perhaps you’d like to bless them by assisting with more practical needs. After their van died in Nevada, maybe you have a highly reliable car they could use through next spring? What if you had their kids come over to play with yours, giving them some social time and Mom and Dad the opportunity for an evening out?

Be creative. Engage. Spend a little time with our overseas workers. It’s a great opportunity to bless and be blessed while we have them with us.