NICODEMUS PRAYER TEAM
SEPTEMBER 2010
"We tend to use prayer as a last resort, but God wants it to be our first line of defense. We pray when there's nothing else we can do, but God wants us to pray before we do anything at all. Most of us would prefer, however, to spend our time doing something that will get immediate results. We don't want to wait for God to resolve matters in His good time because His idea of 'good time' is seldom in sync with ours." Oswald Chambers.
Thank you prayer supporters for being our first line of defense as we reach out to the Nicodemus people!
Wednesday, Sept 1: George will be going to Nicaragua on September 1 for a couple of days to help cover for the logistic coordinator who had to return to the States for emergency medical needs. Pray for Harriet as she deals with the medical needs that she would rest in the Lord’s hands and that she would return to health soon. Pray for George, as he has to deal with several urgent issues there.
Thursday, Sept 2: The Wednesday cell group that meets at the Hardemans’ has moved to Thursday night because of some scheduling conflicts. On September 2, they will begin studying Gospel in the Rosary, an evangelistic book written by Dr. Daniel Sanchez from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. With the importance of the Rosary to many Catholics, this topic has raised lots of interest, and several new people have said they want to join the group. Praise God that we were able to get the books into the country on time. Pray that God will bring many people to the study and that they will discover and put their trust in God’s Word over religious tradition, leading them to a personal relationship in Jesus Christ.
Friday, Sept 3: The prayer retreat last month was a good time of spiritual renewal and fellowship. It was a special time, also, as Richard and Sharon Cook were recognized for 30 years of service with the IMB and Ron and Margie Carothers for 25 years. There was hardly a dry eye in the room as beautiful letters of testimony were read to them that had been written by their children and a co-worker. Praise God for their faithful service through the years in spite of all the challenges (like being robbed at gunpoint, living through the invasion in Panama, the death of parents, cancer, etc.) they faced.
Saturday, Sept 4: Because of a family emergency, Sharon Cook returned to the US for two weeks on August 26. In her absence, Judith and Helen will be leading the Crown class that meets at her house. Besides the two of them, there are seven people attending the group. They are already half-way though the course at the beginning of this month. Pray that they will desire to continue to meet and study the Bible. Pray that they will bring more friends. Pray for their salvation.
Sunday, Sept 5: Richard Cook will be traveling to San Pedro Sula, Honduras as a part of the Guatemala Baptist Seminary’s extension classes. He and 3 other seminary professors will teach classes September 6-10. Pray that they would have safe travels. Pray for the students who will be traveling to attend the classes. Join them in praising God for the students who desire to study God’s word in a deeper way.
Monday, Sept 6: Today begins the third trimester of master’s courses at the Guatemala Baptist Seminary. Students will receive their preliminary work to prepare for on campus class time in October. Pray for that the students would have time, opportunity and desire to complete the preliminary work. Pray for the professors who are teaching these classes, pray that they would have the needed time to prepare and plan for the classes.
Tuesday, Sept 7: Siomara and Samuel are traveling to Quetzaltenango (about 4 hours away from Guatemala City) today to spend some time with family and friends before Manuel returns from Israel on September 17. Pray that they would have safe travels and that they would have an enjoyable time of rest and relaxation.
Wednesday, Sept 8: Ellis Leagan’s mother, Ruby Leagans, moved to an assisted living facility in August. Her adjustments has had some of the usual bumps, but we are grateful that it has gone as well as it has. They greatly appreciate your prayer support and your prayers recently for his mother and their family. Continue to pray for Ellis and other family members who have been helping in Ruby’s adjustment to a new place.
Thursday, Sept 9: Happy 3rd birthday to Samuel! Manuel and Siomara want to give praise and thanks to God for the 3 years of life that Samuel has had. He is truly a gift from God. Pray for them as they continue to raise him in a Christian home full of love, support and encouragement.
Friday, Sept 10: Manuel is finishing up his last week in Israel. Pray that during this last week
he would have some time to rest and reflect so that he can return renewed and fresh to the work
that God has for him. Pray that he would have a sweet time of fellowship with God as he is
away from his usual busy activities.
Saturday, Sept 11: The Monday group at the Hardemans’ will finish the chronological Bible storying series and move into the Bible study on the Rosary. One couple, that had come to the Crown study but dropped out afterwards, returned to the group last month with a great desire to get back into Bible study with the group. Pray that God will break down the barriers of tradition that have their eyes blinded to the truth and bring them to a saving relationship with Christ.
Sunday, Sept 12: George’s mother was in the hospital last month for a couple of days. She is not doing well and needs your prayers. Pray that wise decisions will be made concerning her care. His father has some minor health problems, but is doing fairly well. Also, pray for Manuel’s mom and brother. They are having financial and health problems.
Monday, Sept 13: During his time in Israel, Manuel has been on a scholarship to study “Development and Reduction of Poverty” which relates to his work with a non-profit organization. Pray for him that this trip will not only benefit him professionally, but as he has an opportunity to visit different sites in the Holy Land, he will be inspired and revived. Pray that the Lord will give him a clear vision of the direction Impacto Biblico should take. Pray for his safe return on September 17.
Tuesday, Sept 14: The group that meets at Manuel and Siomara’s house has grown to about 12 people who are consistently meeting to study the Bible. Several of them joined us at Impacto Biblico for the service one Sunday last month. Annie and her two daughters have begun to attend Union Church regularly while still going to mass. She has even served as a helper (not a teacher) in children’s church. Pray for this group to continue to grow into a saving relationship with the Lord.
Wednesday, Sept 15: Today is Independence Day in Guatemala. Many businesses and stores will be closed allowing people time to celebrate. Pray that the Guatemalans will have a desire to experience the freedom that can be found in having a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Thank God for the freedom that Guatemalans have in their lives and country. Continue to pray for the president and decisions that he and other government leaders are making.
Thursday, Sept 16: Andrea Leagans McCrary, daughter of Ellis and Judy Leagans, is undergoing a battery of tests due to migraine headaches and other symptoms. An unidentified spot on the brain is being studied. We are hoping that it all relates to the migraines. She has her next neurological appointment September 16. Pray that Andrea and her family will have a sense of peace with the waiting between appointments and as they visit the doctor today.
Friday, Sept 17: Jean and Kathy are friends with Sharon, Carol and Helen. Jean, Kathy’s mom, has had some serious health problems and Kathy is her chief caregiver. Though she is better, they have faced one trial after another. Though they profess to be saved, Kathy asks, “Why does God hate us so?” Pray that they would see His love all around them and that they will experience his peace, encouragement and strength at this time. Pray for Sharon, Carol, and Helen as they try to encourage them and minister to them.
Saturday, Sept 18: Continue to pray that Adam and Jennifer Hammond would have open doors of opportunity to share with their neighbors. Also pray for the mom’s group which meets once a week at Jennifer’s house or other houses. Praise God for the seeds, which He has planted in the lives of their neighbors, and pray that the neighbor’s hearts would be opened to the truth of God.
Sunday, Sept 19: When the Hardemans arrived in Guatemala 38 years ago, they became members of the Baptist church in the village of Cantel in western Guatemala and worked with and through them to minister to the Quiché Indians for many years in that area. The pastor, Luis Poz, and his wife, Bernada, became very special friends as well as all of their family. On the 25th of this month, they will be celebrating 50 years of marriage. Thank the Lord for the testimony they have given to so many through these years. Pray that the Lord would continue to use them in ministry in Cantel. Pray for George and Helen as they plan to travel to Quetzaltenango to be there for their celebration as with the heavy rains the past few months, there are lots of landslides on the road.
Monday, Sept 20: Join Richard and Sharon Cook in celebrating their 30 years of service with the International Mission Board! During their time they have seen and experienced many things and changes throughout the organization and Central America. Praise God for their willingness to serve Him through many different situations. Continue to pray for their ministry among the Guatemalan people. Congratulations Richard and Sharon!
Tuesday, Sept 21: A church in Oklahoma is scheduled to bring a sports team of young people down in March of next year. Pray for Carol and Helen as they communicate with the team and coordinate plans. Pray that the Lord would also guide them in finding strategic ways to use other teams to open doors of witness among the Nicodemus people.
Wednesday, Sept 22: Pray for Impacto Biblico Church. Not only have Manuel and Siomara been away for several weeks, but also some of the other faithful members have been away. Satan always uses a time like this to attack. The first Sunday they were away, the key wouldn’t work in the lock which had to be broken off to get in, and the cleaning lady quit after being confronted with the disappearance of the coffee pot and a few other items. Pray especially for Fredy and Lidia, as he is the deacon and much responsibility has fallen on him. Pray that the members won’t become discouraged, but will continue to stand firm and be more intentional in their outreach.
Thursday, Sept 23: Continue to pray for the leadership of the IMB and NAMB. Two great missionary sending agencies and both are searching for a president. Pray that the president to be would be open to God’s calling to this position. Pray for those in leadership who are filling the gap between the leaving of the previous president and the arrival of the new ones.
Friday, Sept 24: Ellis and Judy Leagans returned last month from their stateside assignment time. Since his return Ellis has accepted new job responsibilities. Pray for him as he continues to learn more about this new job responsibility. Pray for Ellis and Judy as they participate in the ministries that God has for them.
Saturday, Sept 25: Sports activities, card making, Wii video games, games, and ping pong, these are some of the ideas that Carol Wilkinson has thought of to use to reach out to the university students. Pray for Carol as she looks for ways and opportunities to implement these programs and as she looks for others to help her in the leading of these activities.
Sunday, Sept 26: Some IMB medical personnel plan to come down the week of September 26 and have asked Helen to arrange for them to meet with the administrator of the main hospital used by missionaries here in Guatemala City, as well as meet with various physicians. Pray that the arrangements will go well and they will get to meet with everyone they desire to. Pray that this will lead to more contacts and opportunities to witness with the Nicodemus people.
Monday, Sept 27: Continue to pray for Jeff and Noemi Macumber and their children as they continue to adjust to life in Costa Rica. They are having a fairly good adjustment. Pray for them as they visit different churches and look for the one in which God is leading them to attend and serve in. Pray for George as he continues to do several jobs until Jeff is able to arrive and take over the logistics coordinator position.
Tuesday, Sept 28: The Hammonds family will soon be leaving for stateside time. Pray for them as they have many things to do to prepare for that while also continuing their work and ministry. Pray that they would have time to sort through items in their home so they can decide what to pack, what to sell or give away, and what to leave here.
Wednesday, Sept 29: Pray that the members of Impacto Biblico Church would remain encouraged and not grow discouraged. 1 Thessalonians 5:11 says “therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing”. Pray that they would remember this verse as they reach out to each other and to their neighbors.
Thursday, Sept 30: Yesterday you were asked to pray I Thessalonians 5:11 for the church members. Today let’s pray this verse for the missionaries who are serving on the Nicodemus team. Pray that we would be an encouragement to one another and to the nationals who we minister with and to our neighbors.
