August 2012 Prayer Letter

Psalm 33:6-7 “⁶ The Lord merely spoke, and the heavens were created.
He breathed the word, and all the stars were born.⁷ He assigned the sea its boundaries and locked the oceans in vast reservoirs.”

            Isn’t it amazing to think how God spoke and everything was created?  He put the stars in place, He created the boundaries of oceans, rivers and lakes.  Then to think, this is the same God who we can have a personal relationship with every day.  As you think about the Nicodemus People and people throughout the world, pray that they would have a desire to have a personal relationship with God.  Pray that they would remember the words of Psalm 25:5 and put their hope in God all day long.

Wednesday, August 1: Thank you for your prayers about a team to come and work with Impacto Biblico VBS.  A church from Alabama has responded and they will send a mission team to Guatemala in early December to assist with the VBS!  Begin praying for relationships which will be formed during this time and for outreach activities which will be done in the neighborhood where Impacto Biblico meets.

Thursday, August 2: Camp Kirkland and orchestra members from all over the US were here last month.  They gave several musical presentations besides teaching classes and techniques at some universities, orphanages, etc.  Each time they gave a powerful testimony to God’s love and power.  Pray that this message will penetrate the hearts of those who heard it and will give them a hunger to seek God and follow him or to be more committed to him.

Friday, August 3: Kathy, a good friend of Sharon, Carol and Helen, is the main caregiver for her mom who without a miracle will soon be with the Lord.  Pray for strength and peace for Kathy as she is very stressed out as she sees her mom struggling to breath as well as has to deal with a broken refrigerator and other crises.  She and her mom live alone and Kathy also fears loneliness in the future.  Pray that the Lord will guide her in each decision.

Saturday, August 4: Goyo, one of the members of the Monday night cell group at the Hardemans’, was recently diagnosed with advanced bone cancer.  The doctor is not recommending any treatment, just to keep him as comfortable as possible.  Please pray for his security in the Lord.  Pray for Ceci and his and her children (a blended family), who are young adults, to be strengthened and comforted in the Lord as they wait for his will in Goyo’s life.

Sunday, August 5: Pray for Richard as he will be traveling to Houston this week for a week of meetings with seminary professors.  Pray for safety in his travels.  Pray that the group would have a spirit of unity and cooperation as they meet together.  Pray for decisions and partnerships which will be made and formed during these meetings.

Monday, August 6: Continue to pray for the music ministry and ministries of Impacto Biblico Church.  Pray for those are leading the music ministry and in different areas of the chuch.  Pray for Pastor Manuel and his leadership of the church.  Pray for the church members and those who faithfully attend the church activities.

Tuesday, August 7: The Hardemans are thankful for the visit of wonderful friends from college days last month as well as from daughter Lynna and her family.  Lynna and son John will be with them until August 9.  Pray for their safe trip back, and for Lynna as she has some dental and doctor appointments in Guatemala before she returns to the US.

Wednesday, August 8: Parents are very influential in the lives of their children.  In thinking of that, pray specifically for one of the members of the Saturday group. Pray that her parents would allow her to continue to attend the studies.  Pray for the salvation of her parents.  Pray specifically that the parents of the university students would have a positive impact on their children. 

Thursday, August 9: After summer vacation, Kaila and Josiah and the students at CAG School will be returning to classes next week.  Pray for the students, teachers and administration as they begin another year of studies.  Pray for the safe return of those who have spent the summer out of the country and will be returning to Guatemala this weekend.

Friday, August 10: The Friday group that meets at I’s house is coming to the end of the Rosary study.  They met irregularly in July.  Pray that Helen will be able to meet with them to encourage them.  "I" seems to have a good understanding of salvation by grace, but the other two women still have some questions about the place of good works.  Pray that they will seek truth in the Bible and follow it.

Saturday, August 11: Sue Lindwall, a long-time Baptist missionary to Guatemala, passed away last month in Texas.  Today there will be a memorial service in Guatemala for her and a celebration of her life and the many people whose lives she touched.  Pray that it will be a powerful testimony of a life well-lived and also be an encouragement and comfort for her husband Ted, son David, and any family members who might be able to come.

Sunday, August 12: The Hardemans will be making a trip to Lima, Peru August 14-18 to meet with the Lead Logistic Coordinator for South America and their mutual supervisor.  Pray that this would be a profitable meeting for them as they work on the 2013 budget for the Latin American countries and on plans for a mass meeting of missionaries in 2014.

Monday, August 13: Pray for the salvation of two people with whom Carol is helping with English practice.  One has specifically said “I don’t want to go to church.” Pray that their hearts would be open to God’s love.  Pray for the salvation of many others with whom the Nicodemus Team has contact with in their lives. 

Tuesday, August 14:  Please pray for the health and energy of Sharon as she leads four studies this fall and also mentors one young lady and continues discipleship training with her friend Ana.  Pray that she would feel the peace which comes from God’s people praying for her.

Wednesday, August 15:  Continue to pray for Ellis and Judy and their transition to retirement.  Pray for their health, life and all that is going on. Pray for other missionaries who are getting close to retirement with the IMB.  Pray that they have wisdom in the decisions which they are making about retirement and their live.

Thursday, August 16: Once the Hardemans return from their trip this week, they will only have a few days before they leave for their stateside assignment.  Pray that during these busy days in August, they will be able to get everything done they need to do without stressing out over things they have to leave for later.  Pray for the Lord to guide them in each commitment they make in the US and that they will have plenty of time to help and encourage George’s sister and brother who have been carrying the load of seeing after their dad’s needs.

Friday, August 17: Pray for George as he tries to get some car and property issues cleared up before the Hardemans head for the US on August 23 for their stateside assignment for three months.  He had to make another overnight trip to Nicaragua last month to sign some papers for the sale of a house and to sign a paper to complete the sale of a car.  He may have to make a trip to Belize to see about the sale of some properties.  He’s feeling a lot of pressure as he tries to tie up loose ends before August 23

Saturday, August 18: The Crown Financial study group is over halfway through the ten-week study.  Pray for Elvin and Jacqueline that they will be able to start their own group in their neighborhood when they finish up the study.  Pray for Sharon and Ana as they serve as leaders of the group for the last two weeks of the study.  Pray for Sharon as she leads the Monday group on the Fruit of the Spirit using scrap-booking once they finish the study on Galatians.

Sunday, August 19: Jeff and Noemi  and their kids hosted two teams recently.  Pray for followup which will be done in the communities where the team ministered.  Praise God for decisions for Christ which were made. 

Monday, August 20: Pray for Sharon as she finishes the study on the fruit of the Spirit and begins another study on Philippians.  Pray that she and Richard would have the words they need as they translate the Philippians study.  Pray that she would have wisdom, knowledge and clarity of mind and speech in the translation and study.

Tuesday, August 21: Continue to pray for the work which George and Jeff are doing and have to do in the mission office.  Pray that they would have wisdom in the buying and selling of houses and cars and other items. Praise God for Jorge and Andrea as they keep the office running smoothly when George and/or Jeff are out of the office. 

Wednesday, August 22: Pray for Manuel and Siomara.  Pray that they would be encouraged today.  Pray for Manuel in his job and responsibilities.  Pray for the small group which they are leading. 

Thursday, August 23: Helen still lacks proofing a few of the Hebrews studies to get them ready for publication with Dr. Daniel Sanchez.  She is also trying to get all the Galatians study guides in final form.  Pray that she will be able to do this before she leaves for stateside assignment.  The cell group members are expressing a deeper understanding each week of Biblical truth.  Praise God with us and pray that they will continue to be faithful in their Bible study and spiritual growth.

Friday, August 24: While Helen is gone on Stateside, Sharon will be filling in and leading the Bible study groups which Helen was leading. Pray that Sharon would have clarity of mind and thought as she prepares for the different groups. Pray the members of the group and their continuing spiritual growth.

Saturday, August 25: Continue to pray for all of the cell groups, those who lead them and the cell members.  Pray that God’s Word will speak to their hearts revealing doctrinal errors that are very ingrained and leading them into truth.  Pray that each one will have the boldness to turn from the error and follow God’s truth.

Sunday, August 26: Pray for R, an university student in Guatemala City.  He works full time and takes classes on weekends.  He is taking a class on Friday evenings which he has to pass or else he will be kicked out of the university.  He has failed this class once or twice before.  He is good student even though it might not sound like it.  He has helped Carol make some contacts at the university where he attends.  Pray that he would be able to pass the class. 

Monday, August 27:  After one of the Purpose Driven Life studies one of the participants began to cry and share her story.  She said that she had been wondering for the past eleven years (since she was 8 years old) what her purpose was on this earth.  She said I didn’t think I was here for any reason. She said that after this study I know that God created me for a purpose!  Praise God for this revelation which she had, please continue to pray for her.

Tuesday, August 28: Richard will be traveling to San Pedro Sula in early September to meet with seminary leaders to evaluate the partnership and extension center.  Also they will be making plans to continue the partnership.  Pray for him in his travels.  Pray for them as they make decisions and plans about what classes to offer and when and as the work out the partnership.

Wednesday, August 29: Tomorrow, Carol  has been invited to go with L, her co-leader in the Purpose Driven Life Group, to a private school in Guatemala City.  L will be doing the speaking at a "Blessing of the Student Service" for the students as they prepare to start a new school year.  Pray that Lissette would have the words to share.  Pray that Carol will be able to meet students and parents.  Pray for any potential Bible studies, contacts, and activities which may come about as a result of this event.

  

Thursday, August 30: Pray that Siomara would find other moms who she can meet with and they can encourage one another.  Pray for J, a mom who is going through a very difficult time right now.  Pray for God’s healing in J’s heart.  Praise God for the Christian home which Manuel and Siomara are raising Samuel in.

Friday, August 31: As you go throughout the day today remember the words of Mark 11:22-25.  “Have faith in God,' Jesus answered. 'I tell you the truth, if anyone says to this mountain, "Go, throw yourself into the sea," and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins'"

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