November prayer requests

THE NICODEMUS PROJECT, GUATEMALA CITY
November 2009

Ephesians 3:17-19 says so that Christ may dwell in your (their) hearts through faith, and that you (they), being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you (they) may be filled up to all the fullness of God.

The words in parentheses in the above verses are representative of the Nicodemus people. The Nicodemus people are people with a lot of education and knowledge but many of them are missing out on the love of God. I don’t think any greater prayer could be prayed for them than this one that they would know the love of God. Many times you probably think all I can do is pray however there is no greater thing that we can do than pray.
The people on the Nicodemus team covet your prayers. There is no greater thing that you can do than pray for us. Thank you for doing that for us again this month!


Sun, Nov. 1: Today is All Saints Day in Guatemala. The holiday focuses on gatherings of family and friends to pray for and remember friends and family members who have died. A unique part of the celebration in Guatemala includes people making large kites, flying the kites over the cemetery, attaching notes to their deceased relatives and believing that the deceased read the notes. Pray that the hearts of Guatemalans would be open to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.

Mon, Nov. 2: Today Siomara and Carol Wilkinson will be meeting with various leaders in the Campus Crusade organization in their office in Guatemala City. Pray for the ladies as they share their ideas and visions for the university student ministry. Praise God for the encouraging meeting which they had with the leaders a few weeks ago. Pray that they would have clarity of speech and thought.

Tues, Nov. 3: Sharon Cook had knee surgery on October 27. At the time of the writing she was not sure how long she would be out of commission. Pray that she would have 100% healing and that her strength would be quickly returned. Pray that she would take care of herself and take the time for rest and recovery which she needs. Pray also for Richard as he takes care of her.

Wed, Nov. 4: This past Sunday the Hardemans had an opportunity to share at a Missions Conference. As the people who attended have had time to think about what was shared pray that God would send other workers out of the harvest and also that the people would open up their hearts and give so that more missionaries can go to locations where God has called them. Thank God for the opportunities that He has given the Hardemans and Leagans to share about the work among the Nicodemus people in Guatemala.


Thurs, Nov. 5: A month ago today Indira and Josue from the Tuesday small group at Manuel’s house left to study in Spain. Also Javier and Karla will be leaving to go to the US. Praise God that they have grown tremendously in their Christian walks and for the seeds which have been firmly planted in their lives. As they adjust to new cultures, pray that they would continue to seek God first and foremost in all that they do and say.

Fri, Nov. 6: David Minchez is in the US now as a part of a 3 week exploratory trip. Siomara and the children are in Guatemala. He will be visiting churches in New Orleans and Washington. Pray that they would follow God’s plan for them and not their own plan. Pray for David as he experiences the cold temperatures of Washington as this is something he is not accustomed to. Praise God for the people who are hosting him on this trip.


Sat, Nov. 7: In the course of a conversation with a Guatemalan lady Carol Wilkinson had the opportunity to mention the Purpose Driven Life book which she has been studying with the Tuesday night small group. Pray for Carol and continuing opportunities to share with the lady, Cristy. Carol would be interested in studying the book with her and potentially others as well.

Sun, Nov. 8: As December approaches it is time for churches to collect the Lottie Moon Christmas offerings. Due to the economic situation various budget cutbacks have been made. Pray for the people and the churches to set the goal that God would have them set. Praise God for the provision that He has provided to have over 5,000 missionaries serving throughout the world with the International Mission Board.

Mon, Nov. 9: Recently there have been several illnesses such as pink eye and viruses that have been passed around among the members of Adam Hammond’s family. Pray that each member of the family would be strengthened in Christ both physically and spiritually. Continue to pray for Adam and the many leadership responsibilities which he has in the IMB organization.

Tues, Nov. 10: Today David returns to Guatemala from his travels in the states. He will have a long day of travel going from Washington to Texas to Guatemala. Pray for him as he shares the excitement of what God has shown him with his family. Pray for Siomara as she travels to the airport to pick him up, pray for her safety.

Wed, Nov. 11: Today Guatemalan Baptists are participating in their annual meeting, comparable to state convention meetings in the US. Pray for a cooperative spirit and unity among all in attendance. Pray that their hearts would be burdened for the non Christian population in Guatemala.

Thurs, Nov. 12: Richard Cook and other leaders at the Baptist seminary are working on a plan to offer classes for a group of 50 or so Hondurans who want to study. Pray for the leadership to know how best to offer these classes and in what format. Praise God that there are so many brothers from there who have the desire to study God’s word in an indepth way.

Fri, Nov. 13: There is a need at Impacto Biblico Church for teachers, youth leaders, nursery workers, musicians and other leaders. These are important ministries of the church. Pray for God to send leaders for these areas and praise God that He knows who these leaders are before we even bring the requests before Him.

Sat, Nov. 14: As Christian workers throughout the world prepare for church services tomorrow, pray that God’s word would be shared in whatever language it may be. Pray that God would open the hearts of the Nicodemus people and that they would wake up in the morning with a desire to go to church. Pray for the members of Impacto Biblico as they share Christ with others whether it is through their work, their neighborhood, their gym, or wherever it may be. Also as these church members share with the people on their Operation Andres list.

Sun, Nov. 15: Different members of the small groups are interested in attending Impacto Church but for whatever reason they haven’t attended yet. Pray that today would be the day that they would go. Pray that their hearts would be open to God’s word as it is shared at the church. Pray that they would have open hearts and minds to God’s speaking.


Mon, Nov. 16: Crown Financial study is a program which teaches financial responsibility from a Christian viewpoint. This program has proven to be an effective outreach to the Nicodemus people. Pray for Sharon Cook as she desires to meet ladies who want to participate in this study. Pray for God to open doors for her to have opportunities to invite ladies to the study. Also ask God to provide a home where they can meet and study together.

Tues, Nov. 17: Today Manuel will be traveling to Miami, Florida to participate in a conference for his work. This will be his first time in the US. Pray for his safety in travels and pray that he would get to experience some of the beauty of the USA while he is there. Pray for Siomara and Samuel as they will be here in Guatemala. He will return to Guatemala on the 20th.

Wed, Nov. 18: Pray for the Wednesday meeting of mothers which Jennifer Hammond and Siomara have been working with. They have been studying teachings which will help them to be better parents. Pray for the activities that they have planned for the rest of the year. Thank God for the way He has been working in this group and the answered prayers which He has provided such as reconciliation of a family.

Thurs, Nov. 19: Nathan and Claudia Hardeman will be traveling today from Guatemala to the US. Praise God that they will be able to spend a few weeks there with their family. Pray that they will have safe travels and an enjoyable time visiting relatives in Georgia.

Fri, Nov. 20: Praise God that members of the small groups such as Angel, Anita and her husband and other members have a hunger and thirst to study God’s word. May Christians throughout the world all have that desire. Pray for the leaders of the different Bible study groups as they face questions from the members. Pray that they would seek God’s answers.

Sat, Nov. 21: Impacto Biblico has started having Saturday afternoon activities for the youth. Pray that the youth will get excited about these activities and invite their friends. Pray for leaders to help in this weekly endeavor. Thank God for the leaders He is providing for the ministry now.

Sun, Nov. 22: Even for those who have been on the mission field for a number of years, it is still difficult at times when you want to be there for your children, grandkids or parents. Pray for Richard and Sharon Cook and the times that they miss being with their children whether it is during the holidays or just a “normal” day. Pray that they would feel God’s peace and presence this day. Praise God for their following of God’s call to the mission field.

Mon, Nov. 23: A few months ago you prayed for Samuelito as he celebrated his 2nd birthday. Praise God that he recently began eating solid food as an answer to prayer. Pray for Manuel and Siomara who have a lot of responsibilities including small groups, work, church, but their primary concern is their son, Samuelito. Pray that Samuelito would continue to have a desire to eat solid foods which he needs to maintain his health.

Tues, Nov. 24: The Leagans and Hardemans were able to meet up recently at a stateside conference. Pray for both families as they continue to do a lot of sharing through mission conferences but also as they have time with family and friends. Pray that they would be renewed mentally, spiritually, and physically. Praise God that we have the opportunity to support them through prayer as they are sharing about the work in Guatemala with the Nicodemus people.

Wed, Nov. 25: Missionaries from different parts of Guatemala will be leaving today to spend the Thanksgiving Day at the lake. Praise God that they have a beautiful place to go and spend time with their mission family.

Thurs, Nov. 26: Thanksgiving Day. Many times we get caught up in our lives and we forget to simply say thank you to God for all thatHe has given us. Take time today to thank Him for the Christians and leaders that He has raised up to work in Guatemala. Personally take time to thank Him for all that He has done for you in your life.

Fri, Nov. 27: Praise God that all of George and Helen’s kids will be celebrating Thanksgiving with them. Many other missionary families will be able to be together as well. Pray that the families would have a time of enjoyment and relaxation with each other.

Sat, Nov. 28: There is a dinner tonight at Impacto Biblico Church. This is the culmination of the Operation Andres project where the pastor encouraged the church members to seek out 5 people to befriend and invite to this meal. Pray for the ones who are preparing the food and pray for all who will be in attendance. Pray that every member of the church would have the desire to share Christ with their neighbors.

Sun, Nov. 29: Sundays are not always a day of rest of pastors and church leaders. Pray today for David and Manuel as they lead in Impacto Church. Pray for Mayari and Siomara and the children as they too minister in the church. Pray that they would have an opportunity of rest today. Thank God that they have followed the call to be pastors and leaders in the church.

Mon, Nov. 30: This month you have read about different health concerns, potential small groups, mission conferences, families and various other things. Take time today to simply praise God because He knows each and every request that has been written and better than that He knows every request that didn’t get written. He knows all the need and He cares about each one. To God be the glory.


Our heart’s desire is to see the Nicodemus people come to know Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord and to see them gathered together to worship and grow in faith, fellowship, and service. If you would like to contact us, our email is helen.hardeman@macregion.org. Visit our weblog at http://spaces.msn.com/nicodemusproject to “meet” out team.

(Please feel free to make copies of this prayer letter to distribute to your church, prayer group, missions organization, Sunday school class, etc. We depend on your prayers.)