PrayerConnect (January - April 2016)

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

January 2016 to April 2016

If you ask anything in My name, I will do it. John 14:14 (NKJV)

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ners We regularly end our prayers by saying “IN JESuS’ NAME”.

We do this because Jesus taught His disciples that “If you ask anything in My name, I will do it.” (John 14:14, NKJV)

James also instructed that anyone who is ill should “call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord.” (James 5:14, NKJV)

Praying IN JESuS’ NAME is not a habit we develop as believers. It is certainly not a magical formula to move God to listen to our prayers. Rather, it is an expression of our willingness to place our prayers under the sovereign will and purpose of God.

We pray IN JESuS’ NAME because we are totally dependent on Him for all things.

As you thumb through this issue of PrayerConnect, please pray for our missionaries and ministries… IN JESuS’ NAME.

Rev Philip LimExecutive Director

Methodist Missions Society

IN JESuS’ NAME

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1. Pray for the physical and spiritual growth of the children in COSI. Pray also for the staff to have wisdom, love and patience in providing care and nurturing for the children.

2. Pray that the youth in COSY hOStEL and those under the PCOSIIP, will have the ability to consciously apply God’s Word in their lives and to reach out to their non-believing friends.

3. Pray for 3 girls from EMMAuS WOMEN’S CENtRE (EWC), who will be baptised in January, to continue to grow in the Lord; rooted and established in Him, knowing and fulfilling the calling that God has for each of them. Pray also for the 7 girls, who are to be recruited for the training programme at EWC, to find Christ and establish their faith in Him.

4. Pray for the students in MEthODISt SChOOL OF CAMBODIA. May the Word of God take root and bring forth conviction in their hearts through the Christian Education lessons and regular devotion sessions in the BB & GB programmes. Pray for the teachers too that through the daily morning devotions, they will be touched by God.

5. Pray for the spiritual formation and character development of the university students in the MEthODISt hOStEL and JOY hOStEL. Pray that they will encounter a touch of the Holy Spirit to be Christ’s ambassadors in Cambodia.

6. Pray for the many outreach programmes during the Christmas season in the ChuRChES that there will be good follow up. Pray for our MISSIONARIES and NAtIONAL PAStORS to have the strength and wisdom in ministry, and be faithful in making disciples.

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1. Pray for a successful amendment of the business scope for StAMFORD CONSuLtANCY.

2. Pray for a smooth set up of a StAMFORD CONSuLtANCY branch in SH.

3. Pray for a suitable premise will be found in NC for the two preaching points which are working towards a merger together.

4. Pray for the children’s home in hS to be able to commence operation soon.

5. Pray for the NEW BELIEVERS from the Christmas outreaches. Pray that they will be followed up and grow in the Lord.

6. Pray for the DISCIPLE-MAkING MINIStRY to be strengthened in all centres.

seven days withoutprayerm a k e s o n e w e a k

Allen Vartlett

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Y1. Pray for the project team as they finalise the building construction plans for the SINGAPORE MISSION SChOOL (SMS Laos). Pray especially for the budget management for the project.

2. Pray for the leaders as they prepare the CuRRICuLuM AND StAFF tRAINING in preparation for their first intake of students in mid 2016.

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h MMs1. Pray for the SItuAtION in Nepal as they go through

a difficult period. There is a severe shortage of fuel, cooking gas and other essential items, causing increase in prices of food and other supplies. Many are using fire wood for cooking. Pray that the government will work towards a speedy resolution to this disruption and for a viable alternative source to be made available.

2. Pray for the project team as they plan for the construction of the new church building for VIJAYEE MEthODISt ChuRCh in Ilam, East Nepal. The building plans may be delayed or affected due to the shortage of supplies and high cost of construction materials.

3. Pray for the 1St NEPAL EXCO MEEtING, and Pastors and co-workers training from 1 to 6 April 2016. Pray for the training programme “POWER OF PRAYER” and the facilitators who will be conducting it.

4. Pray for the teams from our partner churches that are conducting MEDICAL CAMPS during this period.

5. Pray for the EARthquAkE REBuILDING PhASE PROGRAMME. Pray for our Pastors and leaders as they plan and rebuild safe homes for those who were affected and suffered loss of lives and properties during the Nepal earthquake. The rebuilding plans may be affected. In fact, many NGOs had to stop their projects due to an acute shortage of fuel.

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StEP 1Either select a Specific Area and a Country, or allow us to direct your gift where it is needed most:

StEP 2Decide how much you would like to give either on a monthly basis or as a one time gift:

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[ ] WhERE It IS NEEDED MOSt

[ ] ChuRCh PLANtING [ ] COMMuNItY DEVELOPMENt

[ ] REV DR CLARENCE LIM MISSIONARY DEVELOPMENt FuND

[ ] COuNtRY __________________________________________________ [Choose from Cambodia, East Asia, Laos, Nepal, Thailand, Timor-Leste or Vietnam]

Rev/Dr/Mr/Mrs/Ms: __________________________________________________________________

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If you need more details, please call 6478 4818. For more information on Student Sponsorship Schemes, logon to http://www.mms.org.sg/sss.html

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h MMs 1. Pray for wisdom, strength and vision for all our PAStORS, MINIStRY StAFF

AND LEADERS in our churches. Pray for all the ChuRCh MEMBERS to grow in their faith, be united and be good witnesses to bring at least one friend to church this year.2. Pray that each church will plant a new preaching point (PP) this year. ShINEFORth MC (Ps Chinnakorn & Seeda) is constructing thuNG YEOW PP (Ps Niweh). SANPhRANEt MC (Ps Nampon & Gae) is building SANkhAMPAENG & PAPAE PPS. SANtI MC (Ps Tarwin) is planting PAkhA PP. PANGBOk MC (Ps Sommui) is reaching MAEJANOI PP. Pray for khAM tA kLA PP (Ps Attaphon), NONG GO tONG PP (Ps Wichai), SuB-ChAREON PP (Ps Pila), and ROI Et PP (Ps Chaiwat) to grow.3. Pray for Ps Aranya (WAtER OF LIFE MC) who is undergoing cancer treatment. Pray for PAYAkONDEE MC (Ps Panya) which is feeding 8 Burmese children in the home. Pray for GENESIS MC (Ps Somphan & Yule) which is supporting Huey Paraai Hostel. Pray for the house parents and children. Pray for SANkLANG MC (Ps Sorasak & Anna) which is constructing the new church sanctuary. Pray for ChuRCh OF LIFE (Ps Kitichai & Pornthip) which is ministering to the surrounding Thais. Pray for huEY NAM DIP MC which is reaching to the drug addicts. Pray for huEY khONG MC to grow in the Lord. Pray for RANGSIt MC (Ps Prasert) and its crematorium ministry. Pray for revival in the adult ministry of PAYAkAPuM MC (Ps Pitti & Mildred). Pray for unity among the new ministry team of NONG BuA LuMPhu MC (Ps Boy & Roong).4. Pray that the 10 boys in tERM FuN hOME to grow in wisdom, stature, and in favour with God and men. Pray for Angela who is undergoing cancer treatment.5. Pray for VINEYARD MEthODISt SChOOL’s Principal Tuk, CMS Ps Khamai, and administrative and teaching staff to have passion and love for the students.6. Pray for the house parents (Ps Sorasak & Anna) of MEttAkIJ hOStEL. Pray for the 27 students to do well in their studies as well as pick up Christian values and characters.

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1. Thank God for the completion of the construction of the GLENO StuDENt hOStEL. Pray for Joseph and Grace Mannar as they prepare for the first intake of students. The hostel begins its operation in January 2016.

2. Pray for the Dedication Service of the GLENO StuDENt hOStEL which will be held on 4 March 2016.

3. Pray for the MOU for our MEDICAL AND hEALth CARE programme as we await the final approval from the Government.

4. Pray for David, Jessie and Rudy as they prepare our interim plans to start our MEthODISt SChOOL in Baire Pite. Pray that God will grant wisdom and direction to our leaders and Missionaries.

5. Pray for our Missionary Asnah who has volunteered to serve in the NAtIONAL hOSPItAL. Pray for our Missionary Susanto as he helps out in the hERItAGE INtERNAtIONAL SChOOL.

6. Pray for the tIMOR-LEStE GOVERNMENt, that they will continue to provide for our ministry needs as we continue to serve the Timorese people.

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1. Thank God for the successful application of PREAChING LICENSE for Rev Leslie Lim and annual visa for him, his wife and his daughter.

2. Thank God for a warm and meaningful early celebration of Christmas for the SuNRISE ShELtER (Girl) and SuNLIGht ShELtER (Boy) by International Christian fellowship (ICF-HCMC). May glad tidings of God’s marvellous love be spread to the girls and boys.

3. Pray for more faithful COMMIttED WORkERS to us so that we can serve together to minister, equip and disciple the multi-national community of ICF-HCMC.

4. Pray for wisdom and passion to reach out and minister to the needs of the INDIVIDuALS in ICF-HCMC. Due to the weak economy, more families from ICF-HCMC are leaving us. There are more individuals.

5. Pray for the ChILDREN’S AND YOuth MINIStRY which is affected due to the fewer families in ICF-HCMC.

6. Pray for wisdom, clarity of vision and unity to know how best to expand the SOCIAL CONCERNS good works and to budget in accordance to our vision.

7. Pray for divine intervention and breakthrough for ALBERt’S business situation. Pray that the investors will quickly release fund to invest on his company.

8. Pray for good health and wellbeing for the PAStORS AND LEADERS as we move forward to serve the church together effectively as a team and to fulfil God’s purpose for this church in this nation.

MEthODISt MISSIONS SOCIEtY70 Barker Road #06-01 The Methodist Centre Singapore 309936t 6478 4818 F 6478 4817 E [email protected] W www.mms.org.sg Fb www.facebook.com/mms.org.sg Ig www.instagram.com/mms.gram

DIVINE APPOINtMENtST is a Singaporean who attends International Christian Fellowship (ICF-HCMC) in Vietnam and the District 2 Cell Group regularly. He had specifically requested for the church to pray for him as he planned to go home in late November 2015. He also hoped to seize the opportunity to share the gospel of Christ with his terminally ill aunty whom he had not seen for a long time.

By divine appointment, the Lord placed different people along the way to help him visit his 80-year-old aunty. A friend provided ST a ride from

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his place to his auntie’s place. He was a long lost friend who himself became a Christian not too long ago. Their meeting, which rekindled their friendship just prior to ST’s visit to his aunty, was clearly not by chance.

The address of his aunty in Kuala Lumpur was not in the GPS (Global Positioning System). So to have a local friend who not only drove the car but also was able to ask around and get to his auntie’s place was also not a coincidence. Then ST was encouraged by the openness of his cousin, who is his auntie’s daughter. She is steep in her own faith but she allowed him to pray for her mother. ST could clearly see that Higher Hands were leading him.

He managed to share the gospel and even invited his aunty to receive Christ as her personal Lord and Saviour. In her physical frailty, somehow, she prayed with him the prayer of salvation. When they finished praying, tears flowed out of his auntie’s eyes and she was squeezing her nephew’s hand. Five days later, his aunty passed on to glory although the doctor had given a few more months to live. Now, the church and the heavenly hosts are rejoicing with ST.