here - The Evangelical Presbyterian Church
Transcription
here - The Evangelical Presbyterian Church
Missionary Prayer Notes May 2014 Catriona Macdonald, in front of a mural painted by the students of Colegio San Andrés (7th & 29th May) Session 2013/2014 May 2014 Missionaries South Africa: Alastair & Jenny Wilson Jack & Nancy Whytock Colombia: Manuel & Patty Reaño Service to Overseas Students: James & Vickie Ross Peru: Donald & Julia Smith Karen Leckie Catriona Macdonald National Worker: Adam (West & Central Asia) AIM International: Marsali Campbell Richard & Barbara Davies Joan Mackenzie Ally & Angela Lunan World Evangelism for Christ: Karina MacLeod Donald & Rosangela Fraser Overseas Missionary Fellowship: Sandra MacDonald (Diaspora Ministries Team) Neil & Rachel Rae (Philippines) Caitriana Nicholson Key to Abbreviations AIM AO CWI EEF C ERT LL OM OMF SEL SFR SOS Africa Inland Mission Asian Outreach Christian Witness to Israel Eastern Europe for Christ Emmaus Road Trust Latin Link Operation Mobilisation Overseas Missionary Fellowship Lima Evangelical Seminary Something for Romania Service to Overseas Students WEC Worldwide Evangelisation for Christ May 2014 ‘You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.’ Isaiah 26:3 Thurs 1st Japan Osamu is giving a talk to 100 students during chapel time at Tohokugakuin University tomorrow. Pray that many students will have ears to listen and be interested in the gospel. Fri 2nd SFR Give thanks that Andrea has been able to establish good relationships with staff at the Oncology hospital in Cluj where she is volunteering one day per week. This is not an easy ‘transition’ for those involved and much prayer is required that hearts might be changed and motivations directed to focus on real patient care within the healthcare services. Sat 3rd OMF Please pray for the OMF Scottish conference this weekend. Pray for Iain McDonald giving the Bible readings. Pray for God`s blessing on every aspect of the weekend. Pray too for good contacts to be made when the cruise liners are berthed in Invergordon and for opportunities to share the Gospel. Give thanks for the dedicated team involved in this ministry. Sun 4th CWI The first of this year’s CWI outreaches to New Agers will take place in London this month. Two years ago, after a zealous helper told a visitor to The Jesus Experience that Jesus was the only way to God; the team were denied a place at last year’s exhibition. Pray that many Jews and Gentiles will visit The Jesus Experience stand and that all the helpers will be wise as well as zealous in their witness. Mon 5th WEC Remember Donald Fraser as he studies in Tasmania, he is happy to have his first module successfully completed. His placement is at a dropin centre in the city. Please pray for the 20 staff and 19 students at WEC's Missionary Training Centre in Tasmania, that God will continue to teach and equip each one that has committed their life to His service. Tues 6th During this week, Manuel is interpreting for a group of Colombians who Colombia are attending one of Ransomed Heart's Boot Camps. He will also be leading a Bible study in the second meeting of the Circle of Liturgical Reflection in Medellin, a joint effort between the Bible Seminary of Colombia and Christ for the City. The first one was attended by more than 70 pastors and was very well reviewed. Wed 7th Peru Pray for Olinda, the recently appointed female chaplain at San Andres. Pray that she’ll settle into her new role quickly and develop good relationships with the girls. Please pray for the negotiations with Lima city council regarding renting the building next door for the nursery department to use, which would give everyone much needed space. Thurs 8th ERT Turkey Leadership training ministry HASAT trains first generation Turkish church leaders in various aspects of ministry and theological education. They have their sights set on a textbook for students, Roger Olson’s “The story of Christian theology: Twenty Centuries of Tradition & Reform” (IVP). This is going to require a fundraising effort, in which The Emmaus Road Trust hopes to help. Pray for speedy and accurate translation and fundraising success. Fri 9th SOS During the month of May, James will be looking at the life of Abraham in the Sunday morning Bible studies. They will focus on Abraham's journey of faith waiting for the promised son. Pray that students would see Jesus as the promised Son who brings blessing to all nations. Sat 10th SFR Please remember Brigi (Diakonia Social worker) who was diagnosed with Hepatitis C while she was pregnant last year. This had lain undiagnosed after a transfusion but due to risk to her unborn child could not be treated. Brigi and her baby Peter are now in Germany awaiting the result of blood tests with the hope that she can receive treatment, which could last 24 weeks! Please pray that Brigi would know God’s nearness in a ‘foreign land’ where loneliness is a real issue and that He would provide for her and give her the strength and comfort that only He can. Also remember her husband Barna who is still in Cluj. Sun 11th CWI During the CWI outreach in Hungary last July, we met Andrea, a vivacious nine year-old and her father. Andrea has a brain tumour and Feri Kozma has visited the family since then. However, Andrea’s condition has deteriorated and the doctors hold no hope for her. Please pray that God will be merciful and do for Andrea what the doctors cannot do, and that she and her family will come to trust in the Lord Jesus. Mon 12th WEC Give thanks that Rosangela Fraser has found her feet very quickly in the Worldview kitchen and is happy being a full time staff member. She loves working with the fresh produce that comes up to the kitchen every morning from the college’s own garden. Tues 13th Japan Osamu and Mairi are preparing to give out a leaflet to the people in Shichigahama town to come to a Bible study. Many Christian activities are still going on around the earthquake-hit area. May many be attracted to come to the study of the word of God. Wed 14th Patty will be interpreting and facilitating workshops in a conference for Colombia counsellors, psychologists and therapists organised by Vinculo in the city of Armenia this week and Manuel will join her at the weekend when he will be preaching at a local church on Sunday. Thurs 15th Caitriana ask that as she settles back to work in East Asia, she will have East Asia a good beginning to relationships with her new boss and colleagues at the institute where she’ll be working, and for good re-connection with old friends; for His hand to be on all these relationships, that there would be lasting fruit. Fri 16th SFR Please continue to pray for Rev Robert MacLeod and Joy Elliott (Accord Hospice Family Support Coordinator) as they prepare for and deliver the planned Spiritual and Emotional Training Course in Cluj (1923 May). This is a most important and vital part of palliation. Please pray for safety in travel today for Lachie and his daughter Lorna who will spend a week with Joy, Robert and his wife Jean in Cluj. May God have all the glory, honour and praise. Sat 17th SOS May is the time for final exams, a time of high pressure for many students. Pray that they would turn to God for strength and peace, and that exam time would not prevent students from continuing to read, pray and learn. Sun 18th ERT Romania Pray for Silviu Tatu, lecturer in Old Testament and Exegesis in Bucharest, as he writes a book for Romanian readers titled: “The Return of the King of Kings: Reflections on Revelation.” The few commentaries that exist in Romanian tend to get stuck in the first 3 chapters. Silviu says “I want to open up the whole text, and especially help readers to discover the character of God and his plans for humanity in relation to salvation”. Mon 19th SFR Please pray that while Lorna and Lachie are in Cluj (16-24) they will have opportunity to network with other health professionals, particularly those within the National health system, with a view to promoting the good work being done by Diakonia in relation to palliation. Much wisdom and grace are needed in order to ensure that free palliative care is more readily accessible to those who are in great need and that the National system recognises these needs! Tues 20th CWI A number of CWI staff, retired staff, their spouses and relatives are unwell, some of them seriously. Please pray that God will mercifully grant them a recovery to health and strength quickly. Wed 21st South Africa Please pray for Alistair Wilson as he travels around Scotland and then to Europe through May. He will be attending the Assembly this week. Also Jack and Nancy as they travel back to Canada and settle back into their life there for 4 months (including their son's wedding) before returning to Dumisani. Thurs 22nd Many ladies will gather in Edinburgh today for the AGM of ‘Women for Mission’. Pray for safety in travel and for a blessed time of fellowship and learning for all and liberty for those taking part. Pray too for Joan Mackenzie as she starts her Home Assignment. Fri 23rd Peru Pray for the Parents’ Meetings tonight in San Andres, when parents come to the school to meet the teachers and discuss their children’s progress. Pray for good communication and positive relationships with parents in general. Sat 24th Manuel and Patty will lead a one-day couple's retreat in Bogota today. Colombia Please pray for them and for Manuel as he preaches in a church in Bogota tomorrow, which has old and close ties with the seminary. Sun 25th Japan Osamu has taken up the responsibility of “the power of the Gospel” program for TWR which will start from July. 11 pastors are participating in preaching the gospel every week through the radio. May they be well prepared so that listeners will be drawn to Christ. Mon 26th India May and June are the hot dry months in Central India. Schools are on holiday. Medical and all kinds of outreach work can be difficult because of the heat. Pray that those working in the name of our Lord will be upheld. Tues 27th CWI Give thanks for the success of the CWI Passover festival outreach in Glasgow in April. About fifty people attended the event, 11 of whom were Jewish and 5 of whom were unbelievers. The Jewish lady who was baptised last month (see April Prayer Topics) took a friend. Pray that the message of Passover and the testimony of a Jewish believer will take root in the hearts of the unbelievers who were present. Wed 28th SOS James and Vicki are busy making preparations for a trip to the Highlands in June. Give thanks for willing hosts from the Dingwall congregation. Pray that students will enjoy relaxing and enjoying God's creation. Also pray that our Bible readings on Daniel's life of faith in a hostile environment would prove helpful for the students. Thurs 29th There is a camp for 4th year pupils this weekend (29th-31st) at which Peru Catriona Macdonald is helping. Pray for God’s blessing, protection and presence as the young folk enjoy their time out. Fri 30th OMF Sandra asks us to please pray for Thai who come to faith while here in Scotland. Pray for them as they return home. They often face opposition in a variety of forms. Sat 31st AIM Richard and Barbara ask us to continue to pray for the Easter message to sink into the hearts and minds of those who came to their presentation of it. About 40 people were present including 9 islanders. Richard has started to help another island teenager with maths homework and feels that this is a real opener. Pray that they will connect with families like these and be able to share Christ with them. Free Church of Scotland Missionary Prayer Notes James & Vicki Ross (9th & 28th May) These notes are compiled by Mrs Mairi MacDonald, Greenfaulds, 8 Linicro, by Portree, Isle of Skye, IV51 9YN Tel: 01470 542 215 E-mail: fcmprayernotes@btinternet.com on behalf of the Free Church of Scotland International Missions Board. For further information regarding the work of the International Missions Board, please contact the Missions Co-ordinator: Sarah Macleod, Free Church Offices, The Mound, Edinburgh, EH1 2LS. Tel: 0131 226 5286 Email: sarah@freechurchofscotland.org.uk Items of information for inclusion in future issues should be sent to Mairi MacDonald by the 15th of the month prior to publication. Some of the information in the Prayer Notes is sensitive. Share it thoughtfully with those who pray.