THIS WEEKS PRAYER ITEMS
Thank you for praying for the people and work of GC3.
Prayer is critical to all we and our mission partners do in our ministries so thank you in joining us in praying through the items we provide each week. The task of presenting the Gospel is far from over; there remains vast number of people globally who have yet to hear of God’s love.
Kathleen & Anita (Day 17)
Jacqueline is out of intensive care where she underwent complicated treatment to stop multiple sclerosis from advancing. Tests revealed she is now fighting an infection, so she is receiving antibiotics in isolation. Please keep praying.We have had a group of 24 people in our home for a Broken Cisterns workshop. Next Monday we have the second session. Pray they will be blessed as they discover who or what they depend on and learn how to transfer that dependence over to God.
This past week has been hectic as Joseph got a kidney infection and was here all week with his energetic three-year-old daughter. (His partner is working). Praise God we got treatment through a Christian kidney specialist and that the antibiotics worked speedily.
The counselling appointments and times of prayer with needy people are always part of our daily schedule. Praise God for WhatsApp video calls which help us reach Colombians even as far away as New Zealand. Pray for a man, Andrés, in Auckland, with heavy emotional and spiritual baggage.
Ashley & Gillian (Day 19)
We are settling back into the Fiji ministry finding plenty to do in assisting with the needs of locals. A young lady from our NZ church is assisting in the mission for a month and she is keen to know culture and traditions while staying with a local family and working alongside them in the communities, schools, and church. Next month an overseas team arrives, and with local churches will be distributing small compact water filters and buckets to village families. This is a practical way to assist and give handout tracts and sharing a Christian application in the process. In early July, a team from Nadi and overseas are joining the Gospel Community Church youth for a combined outreach.
Murray & Ruth (Day 9)
Thank you for praying for the online courses for Bible translation consultants. After four months, it will finish on Wednesday next week. Praise God that they have been learning well and that it looks like 25 will complete the course. Pray for a good final week as each student takes turns to apply what they've learnt by unpacking the meaning of difficult passages in Isaiah to the rest of the class.
Praise God for answered prayer for next-generation trainers. It's a small beginning so far but pray it will grow in the next few years. The Dallas International University in Texas has asked Murray to teach a ten-month, online course on the poetic books of the Bible to doctoral students who are training to become translation consultants and who have the potential to become trainers of others. Next week is an intensive, full-time week to get the course started. After that, Zoom meetings will be for just two days a month, but with lots of work between classes for both student and teacher. Pray for good interactions, effective learning, and fruitful outcomes for the future.
Wesley & Esther (Day 3)
Thanks so much for your faithful prayers. Wes has recovered well from having three stents put in his arteries, unexpectedly. We plan to fly to Mamit this week. Please pray that we will be able to make a good contribution to the Lani language Bible School there. Pray that the Lamp of Hope school leadership will have wisdom about the return of their teacher’s interior in July as some had evacuated in March due to violence. People have also been expressing concern about the 300 Papuan students in Jakarta. It is a long story but please pray that all who are involved will have wisdom from above.
Jeremy & Karina (Day 13)
We are enjoying being back in New Zealand and spending time with friends and family. We've been through quite a flurry of catch ups, meetings and services and are about to enjoy some family time and resting before the flurry continues! Pray we will find a good balance in this.
Pray for Lucas, Caspian, and Zoe that their school holiday time will also be restful and encouraging for them too and that they will make some good Kiwi memories before heading back in late August. We are grateful for the care Zoe has had at the National Burns Unit and would value prayers for ongoing healing of her scar and prevention of any further tightening.
Pray for our team and friends back on the field in a time of heightened tensions and uncertainty, that they will know God's peace and presence with them each day.
Hazel (Day 16)
Please pray for healing for me. I have had a fall that affected my vertebrae, and I had to have surgery. The surgery has been fine, but without moving I now have thrombosis. I’ve also had a process that protects a clot moving to the lungs. I am in a very good hospital and being very well looked after. My young ladies from Ateos are staying with me each night and others coming in the day while they work. As many say it is time now for them to return the love and care which they have received through the years. That is the attitude of so many, so I am truly blessed. I won't be able to walk for a while, but I know the Lord will help with that as well.
Some of us had calendars which we had not given out. We see now that the Lord was working, and it has been so good spreading the Word of the Lord even in June. The calendars are so well received. We pray the verses will touch their hearts.
Jeff & Ginny (Day 1)
PTL that Ginny with other colleagues recovered well from the fish-poisoning.
· It has been a very busy season the last few months and we feel we need a good break. However, it won't be possible until mid-July. Pray for strength and a humble attitude in multiple areas of missions until we can get some rest.
· Santo Bush Mission Bible Camp is just around the corner (29th June – 4th July) with the theme of 'God, Papa blong yumi'. There will be about 150 bush children coming down to our missions' base for the camp, and some parents and overseas volunteers also join to support. Pray it will be an awesome week. Pray for open hearts, for the work of the Holy Spirit, and our Father will be glorified. Also, pray for good weather and protection from any spiritual attacks.
· We praise God our house is almost ready and we will move in before the camp starts. We are grateful that now we can fully focus on our ministry. Pray that our family will settle well and be a blessing to the missions, and the community here.
Jack & Jemima (Day 2)
Praise:
Jemima's catchups with her new-believer friend from church are very encouraging for both, and the new believer's faith seems to be growing well. Isobel is healthy, well, and sleeping through the night (yay!) It is a real blessing for Jack to have this year to focus on Bible study.
Prayer:
Please pray for us to be continuing to learn what it looks like to love each-other well as a couple, and as a family. Please pray for Jack's studies, as there's lots to keep on top of, and his brain gets tired. Jemima is friends with an unbelieving family who are going through a very hard time. Please pray for wisdom for Jemima in engaging with them well, and that in God's time they would turn their eyes to Him.
David & Cleuza (Day 17)
Our discipleship program is advancing well, with five young men receiving weekly mentoring. Two of these young men visit our home twice weekly for two-hour sessions. The first session focuses on Bible study and guitar lessons, while the second involves helping with church-related tasks. These tasks include printing and assembling tracts, as well as updating both the guitar-chord and lyrics versions of our songbook with new songs. Please see our WEBSITE for additional news, videos, and photos.
Ashley (Day 11)
I am thankful for the celebration of my grandma’s 80th birthday and that we had a special time with her and for quality time with my grandpa over the last weeks. Pray for them for peace, joy and salvation. For me everything is a big adjustment, there is a lot to process, and I miss the Selah kids and village. The second semester is approaching, and I will be on-site to study. This semester I will be studying more intensely about getting a literacy program running and developing curriculum and materials. I would appreciate prayer for studying and for God’s direction in my next assignment, that he would show me the place he wants me to serve him.
Marion (Day 6)
Praise the Lord for the baptism of two older men. One is brother Kodera’s father, the other is his cousin, who have regularly attended the monthly home meeting nearly two hours out in the country for many long years.
Sarah (Day 7)
I am grateful to have my visa granted for six months. The academic year has started well and lots of maintenance jobs are on the go in between the monsoon showers.
Karl & Helene (Day 3)
Give praise for two more families arriving, and for another IT volunteer arriving in two weeks. Please pray they will adjust well to the culture and pace of life here.
Please pray for our family to find rest amongst the busy season we are in. We have had ill health and have a lot of extra things in this season such as orienting new families.
Colleen (Day 7)
Please continue to pray for Polpas who has been on life support for the last two days. She is being transferred to CMCT hospital for her care. Continue to pray for a miracle for her healing, and for strength and peace for her family during this critical time.
Yesterday, our beloved senior staff member, Josephine, was diagnosed with breast cancer. This news has come as another heavy blow to us. She is in the early stages and will begin treatment this week, which includes surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy. Please uphold Josephine and her family in your prayers. We ask you to stand with us in prayer for the entire CMCT family. We are facing a time of deep trial and need God’s wisdom, strength, and protection as we walk through these storms together.
Kirsty (Day 8)
I just want to praise the Lord for his travelling mercies! This last week I spent more than 20 hours driving on terrible roads and his hand of protection was so obviously upon me. I am always grateful for safe travels, because despite all the other 'dangers' in Zambia, driving on the roads is probably my biggest and most threatening danger.
Mitchell & Elisabeth (Day 26)
The recent conflict between Israel and Iran has us concerned not only for the safety and security of a region, but also about the well-being of dear friends who are living in the crosshairs of the weapons of warfare. Please pray for N and A and their two young sons. They are from Tehran, but they are citizens here in NZ. Just before the hostilities broke out, they returned to Tehran to visit family. Pray for their safety and security. I am unsure of their travel plans and whether travel is even possible for them. Pray that these events will not negatively impact their lives or the decisions they make because of experiencing the fear of bombs.
Travel is on our minds. We will travel to Europe to watch our daughter, Sarah, play for Team New Zealand in the Roller Derby World Cup in Innsbruck, Austria. Of course, we will be tourists, but we will also connect with M, a dear friend from Saudi Arabia who happens to be working and living in Germany. We appreciate your prayers for our safety as we travel and for our time connecting with M while we are in Munich. Thank you!
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