Z//December 2001
Lead times so often challenge our foresight. Some¬
times they also validate in hindsight. You are read¬
ing words on the 1st of December that I am writing
at the end of September. Looking ahead, I can't know
what will transpire between these dates. In light of the
Sept. 11th attack, though, I know that our world has
changed in ways both profound and powerful with king¬
dom potentiality. Overseas when the attack occurred, I
was immersed in the lost masses of our world and saw
that people were suddenly faced with their hopeless¬
ness. They were and still are seeking hope.
Last month I shared with you the words of a suffer¬
ing saint; in hindsight, I marvel at their import for us now.
“You don't hate a dog because it barks. It is a dog's nature
to bark. Neither can we hate those who persecute us be¬
cause it is the nature of the lost to hate the saved. But we
have a new nature and that nature is one characterized
by love, even for those who hate us and hurt us." This
truth, hammered out on the anvil of suffering, finds its
transforming affirmation as this gentleman lives it out.
In this Christmas season, as we bow and give
thanks for the love that sets us free, will we allow that
love to transform us in such radical thoroughness that
we will share Him Who is hope, even with those who
hate us and hurt us?
Watching expectantly,
Randy Sprinkle, Director
International Prayer Strategy Office
REJANG OF INDONESIA. The busy outdoor
markets teem with life. Buyers and sellers banter back
and forth about the local news of the day as part of the bar¬
gaining process for a good price on potatoes. The women
who are open and talkative with each other are incredibly
shy and withdrawn around outsiders. Women in Muslim
cultures are often the hardest to reach with the gospel of
Jesus Christ. Pray that a meaningful and effective gospel
presentation will touch the hearts of Rejang women.
TUMBUKA OF MALAWI AND ZAMBIA
(toom-BOO-kah). "Conducting Sunday School
classes and churches in the rural village areas of Africa is
very challenging," writes the Tumbuka team, "because of
the inability of so many of our church members to read
their own Bibles (if they even own one of their own). Please
pray for a worker as she has begun searching out the possi¬
bility of doing literacy training among the Tumbuka people
of Malawi /Zambia. Pray that she and the other missionar¬
ies working with her to reach the Tumbuka people would
find an effective program that could be used to teach the
men and women of our churches to read the Bible. Pray, as
they learn to read the Bible, 'that the God of our Lord Jesus
Christ, the Father of glory, may give to [them] the spirit of
wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, the eyes
of [their] understanding being enlightened; that [they] may
know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of
the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the
exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe,
according to the working of His mighty power which He
worked in Christ ... .' (Eph. l:17-20a, NKJ)."
UNITED KINGDOM (northwest Europe).
Team Scotland asks your prayers for God to work in the
religious climate of the country. Their team prayer advocate
writes: "Religious education is systematically taught tJirough-
out the Scottish public school system. All students are given
information about the various world religions and cults. An
MK (missionary kid) described the Christian lesson as only
including information on a CJrristian wedding and customs.
She stated that Jesus' name was never mentioned in the
schools' teachings on CJrristianity! However, other religions
were taught in more depth." Pray for a group of Christian
parents who will soon begin a Bible club at a primary school.
During this after-school activity, children will learn about
Jesus and how He can give them true meaning in life. Pray
that these young tender hearts will be touched for Christ.
4MAPUCHE OF CHILE AND ARGENTINA
(mah-POO-che). Children's Day began with a
heavy fog and threatening snow, but Mapuche children still
walked several miles to participate in a Christian celebration
sponsored by Baptist missionaries and another Great Com¬
mission CJrristian group. Between games, lunch and special
activities, the gospel was shared with all age groups, includ¬
ing a group of teen-age mothers. The final feature of the
day was a presentation of Scripture songs by puppeteers.
The puppets sang in both Spanish and Mapudungun and
interacted with the children. The pastor gave an invitation,
and many drildren responded to accept Jesus into their hearts,
as well as eight adults — and then the sun came out! Every
clrild received a gift of rubber boots and candy. A young
mother expressed her joy, saying "Brilla el sol
у
brilla Jesus en
mi corazon," wlrich means, "The sun is sliining and now Jesus
sJiines in my heart." Please join in saying "Thank you, Lord."
