March 2011 prayer letter

THE NICODEMUS PROJECT, GUATEMALA CITY
MARCH 2011

The following is taken from a Compassion International article about Guatemala.  It sums up some of the problems in Guatemala. As you read this you will have a better understanding of how to pray for the people of Guatemala and the mission work there.

“Guatemala City experiences a significant number of crimes against women and bus drivers, along with kidnappings of the wealthy.  Corruption of the judicial system makes the crime issue worse and nearly 90 percent of the cases remain unresolved.  Throughout the region male chauvinism, the disintegration of the family, and a high rate of extreme poverty contribute to problems. Most rural area in the highlands lack clean running water and sanitation systems.  High unemployment and lack of variety in diet result in chronic malnutrition, especially among children.  Seven out of ten children under 5 are malnourished.”

Even though the above writing might present a bleak yet realistic picture of Guatemala; it’s great to know that through the power of God at work in Guatemala (and throughout the world) lives can be changed which will change the future of Guatemala (and the world).

 
Tuesday, March 1: Thank you for praying for the travels of Carol Wilkinson this past month.  She did return to Guatemala safely and with all of her luggage.  Praise God for the 3 angels He provided to help her carry her luggage up the two flights of stairs to her apartment which was an answer to prayer. Pray for her as she continues making preparations for the Oklahoma team which will be arriving on March 12.  Pray that she would have wisdom, contacts, and all that she needs to get things together for the team’s arrival.

Wednesday, March 2: Thank you for your prayers as the Hardemans went to the US in January.  The night before they left Guatemala, George’s mom passed away.  It was a blessed time to be with family and friends and hear so many share about the godly influence his mom had had in their lives.  Pray for his dad as he adjusts to life without her.  He is scheduled to have hip replacement surgery in June.

Thursday, March 3: February was a big month full of blessings for the Hardemans.  Liam Dalton Hardeman was born on February 15 weighing in at 8 lb. 6.7 oz.  Helen extended her time in the US until March 3 to help Nikki out with the evening feedings and getting Natalie to preschool until she could get the schedule down better.  Pray for Helen as she returns today to Guatemala.  Join the Hardemans in praising God for the safe arrival of Liam.

Friday, March 4: Pray that Manuel and Siomara would have wisdom in decisions regarding his job and in their lives.  Pray for Siomara as she desires to restart the moms group. Pray for the mothers who she will be meeting with and pray for the different homes where they will be meeting.   

Saturday, March 5: Richard Cook has been meeting with a group from Belize and working on a schedule to meet with seminary students in Belize.  Praise God for this opportunity.  Pray for Richard as he looks at the logistics of travel for him, the students and other professors.

Pray that he would have wisdom in the best way to work with the people in Belize.

Sunday, March 6: Members of Impacto Biblico Church are grateful that several members of the church are putting in extra practice time in practicing music for the services.   This is enhancing the music significantly.  Thank you for your past and present prayers for the music ministry of the church.  Pray for Jose as he plays the guitar and for Judy Leagans as she plans and coordinates the music and plays the piano for the services.

Monday, March 7: Pray for George as he continues to get caught up in the office work.   He did quite a few emails and computer work while he was in the states but he still feels behind.  Pray that Andrea and Jorge would be able to help him in the office.  Pray that he would have clarity of mind and thought, as he has to make a lot of business decisions.

Tuesday, March 8: Sharon Cook continues to work with two Bible study groups.  One has been suspended to restart in April. Pray for the group members.  Pray that Sharon would have clarity of mind and thought as she teaches these groups.  Pray that there would be a sense of unity among the group members.

Wednesday, March 9: The February blessings for the Hardemans continued because on February 25, Grant Taylor asked Rebecca to marry him.  Grant is a doctoral student a Southeastern Seminary and Rebecca works at Church Initiatives.  They have set August 12 as their wedding date.  Pray for them as they make wedding plans, decisions about where to live, etc.  Pray for travel plans for the Hardemans and for Nathan and his family as they make plans for the wedding.

Thursday, March 10: Hilda is a regular attendee of the Thursday night Bible study group.  She is having difficulties at work.  She is asking that God would bring a solution because the atmosphere at work is tense and difficult.  She is seeking to be faithful as she waits on the Lord.  Praise God that she is seeking to be faithful.

Friday, March 11: Thomas (Tom) D. Elliff, longtime Oklahoma pastor, Southern Baptist Convention leader and former missionary, is the unanimous recommendation of a 15-member trustee search committee to be the next president of International Mission Board.   The IMB trustees will be voting on this recommendation at their meeting March 15-16.  Pray for the trustees as they vote on this recommendation next week.  Pray that there would be a unity among the trustees.

Saturday, March 12: Today a team from Duncan, Oklahoma will arrive to offer tennis, basketball, Ultimate Frisbee and other activities on the Valley University campus in Guatemala City.  Pray for contacts that will be made in the different communities of Guatemala.  Pray for their safety and for logistical items to be worked out.  Praise God for Rafael who has been helping Carol make plans for the team.
 
Sunday, March 13: Richard Cook will be traveling to Honduras this week.  Pray for him in his travels and pray for the seminary students who he will be meeting with in Honduras.  Pray that he would have safety in travels.  Pray for the students who will be traveling to meet with him.

Monday, March 14: Pray for the Oklahoma team as they do outreach activities today at Valley University and at the tennis club of Guatemala.  Praise God for the connection which He made at the tennis club for them.  Pray for the owners of the hotel where they will be staying.  Pray that they will have opportunities to share Christ with the hotel owners.

Tuesday, March 15: The Oklahoma team is staying in the same neighborhood where Manuel and Siomara live. Pray for the outreach activity which will be conducted in that neighborhood this week.  Pray for open opportunities to share with their neighbors.

Wednesday, March 16: George Hardeman has to make a trip to Peru as part of his responsibilities.  Pray for safety in his travels and pray that he would be able to meet with the people who he needs to meet with and is able to do all that he needs to while on the trip. 

Thursday, March 17:  Ines, a Thursday night Bible study member, works at a cancer care facility.  She wants to minister to the families and patients there in her work as a nurse/caregiver.  However her job has become increasingly more stressful for her both emotionally and physically.  She is considering being transferred to another area of the facility.  Pray that she would have wisdom as she considers the possible transfer.
 
Friday, March 18: Jeff and Noemi Macumber and their children are continuing their Spanish studies in Costa Rica.  Continue to pray for Jeff and the children and their language learning.  Pray for the opportunities which they have in a Costa Rican seminary and church. 

Saturday, March 19: The Oklahoma team leaves today.  Pray that they would have safety and uneventful travels.  Praise God for the connections which they have made while they were in Guatemala.  Pray for good followup to be done with the contacts that they have made. 

Sunday, March 20: Happy Birthday Richard Cook! Pray that Richard would feel the presence of many people praying for him today as he celebrates this special day.  Pray that he would have the opportunity to talk to his children and grandchildren and that he would be able to celebrate in ways that he enjoys. 

Monday, March 21: Continue to pray for a new meeting location for Impacto Biblico Church.  Parking, safety, location, rent, and meeting area are just a few of the particulars which they have to look for as they look for a new location.  Pray that they would have wisdom and a unity among the members as they look for a new location.

Tuesday, March 22: A Crown Financial study will begin meeting in Carol Wilkinson’s apartment this month.  Pray for those who will be attending and for the evening which they will choose to meet.  Pray that Carol’s neighbors will have an interest in attending the study.

Wednesday, March 23: Pray that each one of us would be missionaries wherever we are whether we are called to live and work in Guatemala or elsewhere.  We are all simply called to do what God has for each one of us to do.  On behalf of the IMB missionaries, thank you for your prayers and support which allow us the opportunity to do what we are called to do!

Thursday, March 24: Pray today for the members of Impacto Biblico Church.  Pray that they would share Christ with those they interact with and pray that they would invite others to church with them.  Pray that they wouldn’t feel discouraged as they look for a new location.  Pray for the training groups which they desire to get started.

Friday, March 25: Many of you remember praying for David and Mayari Minchez, the Guatemalan family who is now living in Louisiana.  They continue to do good in their adjustment to life in the US. They have had the opportunity to travel to different areas in the US.  They had family from Guatemala visit them.  They are making different contacts in the community.  Thank you for your continuing prayers for them and for the boys in their school. 

Saturday, March 26: Sharon Cook has a card class coming up on May 3 at Curves.  She would like to meet more women as a result of this class.  Begin now praying for the ladies who will be in the class.  Continue to pray for Sharon and the contacts she is able to gain from the card classes outreach.

Sunday, March 27: We couldn’t make it without you, the ones who faithfully pray everyday for the Nicodemus team each month.  Thank you. Do not get tired of doing what is good. Don't get discouraged and give up, for we will reap a harvest of blessing at the appropriate time.
- Galatians 6:9

Monday, March 28: June 11-17 IMB missionaries from Central America and the Caribbean, some from Europe, and some of the Americas Affinity leadership from Lima, Peru, and Santiago, Chile, will be in Guatemala for what is being called an Occasional General Meeting (OGM). The meeting includes fellowship, worship, and numerous sessions focusing on changes and restructuring that the IMB is going through.  Please pray that Judy and Ellis Leagans, who are coordinating the logistics for this, will do so effectively in planning and in delegating responsibilities, and that the OGM will be a meaningful time for all 200 or so who will attend.

Tuesday, March 29:  Pray for the group that meets at Manuel and Siomara who are studying the “Gospel in the Rosary”.  Pray for questions that may come up.  Pray that those in attendance would have an open heart to a personal relationship with God.

Wednesday, March 30:  Fredy, Angel, Andrea, Goyo, Ceci, Myriam, Judith and Cande are ones who you have prayed for recently.  Continue to pray for each one of these.  Thank God that He remembers and knows every need of each one of these people.  We may not remember them but we know that God does. 

Thursday, March 31: Thank God for the man behind the scenes who faithfully works each month to send out the prayer letter after it is written.  It is teamwork which allows the prayer letter to be sent out each month.  Thank God for the opportunity to make the prayer needs known among the faithful prayer warriors each month.