REQUESTS FROM AROUND THE RIM: January 2007
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January 4 is the monthly day of prayer and fasting for PacRim and our focus group is the Japanese living in the Shizuoka Urban Center of Japan. With 99% of the 127 million Japanese without Christ, pray that millions will come to know His love and salvation this year.

Pray for PacRim JO personnel as they meet in early January. As they seek the Lord’s face and listen to His voice, pray that they will be encouraged and challenged by God’s heart for the nations, resulting in greater effectiveness and more abundant fruitfulness in reaching their target peoples for Christ.

Mrs. Shig is Japanese and deaf. Her husband and fourteen-year-old daughter are hearing. Her daughter gets angry at her mother because they have difficulty communicating. It is not unusual for the daughter’s anger to erupt into abusive physical behavior. Mrs. Shig often has large bruises on her arms and legs where her daughter has punched and kicked her. Mrs. Shig attends the Bible storying sessions in Osaka. She loves to re-tell the stories in class and remembers them from week to week. Pray that the truth of God’s Word will take root in her heart. Pray that God’s peace will come to this entire household and unite this family in His love.

Workers are responding to the human suffering caused by Typhoon Durian, which tore through the Philippines November 30. Relief workers are supplying victims with drinking water, food, and tarps for shelter as rescuers continue to search affected areas for the dead. The typhoon struck southeast of Manila, the nation’s capital, with 165 mph winds and heavy rains, causing deadly mudslides. The official death toll stands at approximately 400. Hundreds of thousands of people have been left homeless, and major concerns include food, water, shelter, sanitation and medicines. Medical aid is being sent to Philippine evacuation sites where there are fears that poor sanitation could trigger an outbreak of disease among hundreds of survivors. Pray for relief efforts, for workers, and for those receiving aid. Ask the Lord to move in their midst, calling many to Himself.

Pray for the Tuesday cell groups that meet on the RU campus in Thailand. Pray also for David and Becky as they continue to cultivate relationships with AL, AS, AU, AS, J and Han, who are on staff, as well as Sake, Oak, Chang, Cake and Anita, who are students.

One worker has been studying the book of John with her neighbor, Elle, over the past few weeks. She has yet to believe, but has many questions and is very interested. Recently they sat down together and talked about her questions regarding the scripture. After discussing miracles performed by the Lord, some friends shared with her the miracle or change that happened in their own lives. Elle was in such awe over this testimony that she got "goose bumps". Pray that she and her whole family will believe and experience this miraculous change for themselves.

L has remained steadfast in her surrender to the Lord in spite of serious persecution and challenges. Her mother kicked her out of the house and told her never to come back. L is now living with a believing friend from her junior high days, with whom she recently reconnected. She has been greatly encouraged and deeply blessed by the love and support she has experienced from her family of faith. Pray for L to grow in wisdom, insight and understanding of Christ. Pray for her continued protection, strength, endurance and commitment to Christ. Pray that she will know His faithful love that endures forever.

Pray for an Australian man who disappeared from a local fellowship after his wife’s death two months ago, because he did not want to be a bother to anyone. Pray that he will allow his Christian brothers and sisters to weep with him and comfort him.