Our Purpose: To glorify God by planting reproducing churches where Christ is not known.

May 2008

PRAYER REQUESTS:

Join in the monthly day of prayer and fasting on Thursday, May 1 for the The Bicol Region of the Philippines where 4.8 million people live where less than 2% have a personal relationship with Christ. See specific requests on the Pacific Rim home page.

As they finished orientation, each Filipino Nehemiah team member was given four items: a clean blank paper to be signed indicating willingness for the Lord to write whatever He wanted for his/her life; a clean, empty bucket- for taking a bath & washing clothes, but also depicting a willingness to empty themselves for His filling; a backpack with personal belongings-willingness to carry the cross at all times;  a spiritual compass to point them in the right direction so that all nations will be praising the one true God. Climbing up on a truck, a bus or a boat, Filipino young people are eager to serve and be used by God in the unreached and hard to reach areas of the Philippines. Pray for safety, quick relationship bonding as a team, good connections and opportunities to share the Gospel and many salvations.

With just a few weeks left specific details and plans are underway for the big summer meeting. Pray for prepared hearts to receive all that God is planning for His workers. Pray for safety in travel, good health, new and close relationships to form, encouragement to permeate the times together and God to be glorified in all things.

Recently in a Last Frontier country a volunteer team had several opportunities to share their faith, scriptures and Bible stories extensively with their tour guide. Several students also engaged in deep conversations with the volunteers.  Pray that those who heard the Gospel will respond to the Good News.

From the end of April through the first week of May there will be many events to mark the consecutive holidays known as Golden Week in Japan. One large event in central Tokyo is La Folle Journee Music Festival. Pray for IMB personnel to have a dramatic influence for Jesus, as they interact with event attendees and use a music interest survey to make contacts.

Pray for a training to be held in a Last Frontier country. Simple, reproducible evangelism and church planting methods will be taught.  Pray for safety of participants and for details to come together for facilitating the training.  Ask the Father to give the trainer wisdom and insight in how best to challenge the group.

“Gas is so expensive,” is the repeated refrain of every motorcycle-taxi driver.  In addition, the price of food and other basics have increased.  Young ladies at the local factories eat the cheaper bread instead of their staple rice.  Praise the Lord that His “staple,” His Word, is never too costly.  Pray that many more, in their material poverty, will receive this treasure.

College students in Japan are some of the most responsive to the Gospel. In April thousands of students began a new school year.  As missionaries and volunteers share Christ with these students, pray that God will lead them to Japanese college students who are ready to respond to the Gospel. Pray that they will have open doors at college campuses throughout Tokyo to share the Gospel.

Pray for the spiritual and physical preparation of eight women from Mindanao who expressed willingness to prayerwalk three cities in Cebu, Philippines during May. Pray that nothing will discourage them and they will be filled with His spirit as they walk and pray.

During first term missionaries spend many hours in language study practicing conversations with teachers, language helpers, childcare workers, neighbors, and shop owners. Pray for this language learning process to go hand in hand with witnessing. Pray for each missionary to be able to clearly testify of His love and message for a lost world.

Many Bugis people have left their home area in search for success and wealth. Ask that the Bugis will look for Truth much more aggressively than success and wealth. Pray for wisdom and discernment for those sharing with the Bugis and ask God to bring forth the persons of peace to help usher in the Good News to these people.

Local leaders have an interest in sharing the stories from the Book with visitors from a neighboring last frontier country. They are meeting and learning the method of chronological story sharing with great excitement. Lift the leaders up and ask that they be diligent in their study and take advantage of the new opportunities to share with several visitors each month.   Ask that the hearts of those hearing will be open and receive the truth of the stories.

Meeting basic physical needs can open doors for sharing the greatest gift of all.  In one Last Frontier area a volunteer team provided care for 28 dental and 120 medical patients.  Pray for follow-up and ongoing opportunities to share His love in these new relationships.
 
Is two years too long to pray? The enemy wanted to stop a man from being used as a powerful witness in a dark, unreached place. Over several years, desperate prayers were lifted up for this falsely accused believer. Praise God his case has now been dismissed and he along with his family has experienced victory even in the suffering and persecution endured over these past years. Pray that believers will be protected in times of false accusation, be wise in their words and actions and shine brightly and courageously in times of persecution.

Weekly stories from the Book are shared at a place where spiritual leaders of the predominant faith live. Those attending eagerly listen and ask questions that point straight to Him.  They seem to understand so much and to be interested.  Pray that God breaks through their mindset and they will be open to a relationship with the true God.

Recently in one village a ceremony was held behind a house to appease the “spirits” for “healing” a lady.  Believers nearby prayed fervently because of the spiritual conflict going on.  That day one woman prayed to receive the Lord.  Pray for this woman as she will face challenges as a light in a dark village.

*ANSWERED PRAYER: In April you prayed for four Filipino “Nehemiah Teams” serving among the Agta. 145 children and youth and 80 adults attended VBS in two different villages; 15 teenagers participated in moral purity seminar; four potential persons of peace were found!

Download other requests from Around the Rim.
Download the May Pacific Rim Prayer Calendar.