March 1998
It has been a marvel to me this winter to see how the balloon
teams have engineered all the aspects of their attempts to
reach the goal of a non-stop round-the-world flight. God also
engineers circumstances to accomplish His goal that “none
should perish.”
The people of the former Soviet Union have been the focus
of decades of loving prayer. Recently fruit was borne by those
prayers. For months our missionaries in Belarus prayed and
planned for a volunteer team of musicians. We joined them, ask¬
ing God to not only prepare the musicians to share the good
news of God’s saving love through the powerful medium of
music, but also to prepare many Belarussians to receive that love.
A friend of one of the missionaries was supposed to be in
the hospital undergoing tests. Unexpectedly, the tests were can¬
celed. Having nothing else to do, he helped the missionary trans¬
port the musicians around. “You’ve got to come and hear this
group,” he later told his wife. She did, bringing a friend with her
and, as the Holy Spirit spoke the message of love through the
music, all three of them were saved.
Rejoice . . . and then know with fresh assurance that, as you
pray this month’s requests, God will again be engineering circum¬
stances to draw others to Himself.
Hallelujah,
Randy Sprinkle, Director
International Prayer Strategy Office
CENTRAL AND SOUTHERN ASIA. In a country closed
to traditional gospel witness, there are no public theatres and tele¬
vision is not legal except for playing videos. Pray that copies of
the Jesus film on video will be quickly distributed. Ask God to pro¬
vide people who are able and available to take these videos from
village to village. Pray for viewers to have open, receptive hearts.
3 JAPAN (eastern Asia). Missionaries Ron and Joan Capps in
Yokohama, recently held a fellowship for the college and ca¬
reer youth of Kanagawa Baptist Association. As one young woman
gave her testimony, she mentioned how important communication
is. She is learning sign language and has been sharing her faith
with deaf people. She feels an urgency to overcome barriers to the
communication of the gospel and to be ready to share Jesus with
everyone she meets. Thank God for young people who are willing
to share their faith. Pray that God will increase the opportunities to
share Jesus.
4 LITHUANIA (east of the Baltic Sea). You have been pray¬
ing for Baptist representative Milton Magalhaes as he travels
to the town of Silute each Friday to lead a Bible study. Milton and
his wife, Lara, write: “We praise God that over 20 have been in
attendance at the Bible studies! The members of the mission church
have started bringing their teenage children, (many who have not
yet made professions of faith). They have been participating in
prayer and Bible study. Please pray that these teen-agers would
also desire to attend Sunday worship services and that they, too,
may accept Christ. We praise God for the Christian examples and
witnesses their parents are being to them.”
1PERU (western South America). Missionary Beryl Boswell
and a local pastor went to a dangerous area near Lima to
show a film. Beryl writes: “We forgot the screen but were able to
use the wall of a house on a dead-end street. A crowd of laughing,
drinking youths formed on the end of the only way out. We
showed the movie to a small group of people, mostly unbelievers.
Then the pastor preached and not one person left. A lady accepted
Jesus, and a whole family of seven said the sinners’ prayer with
the pastor. The group of about 15 youths sat as if immobilized.
I’m not sure they saw the film, but they heard every word. We
gave out tracts and left. We felt God’s awesome presence.” Give
thanks to the Father for His protection and for His work in the
lives of those who viewed the film. Pray that seeds planted will
take root in willing hearts.
2 TOGO (western Africa). Pray for a Bible study on Friday
afternoons in the village of Sara which is being led by mis¬
sionary Gaye Coleman. Ask the Lord to bless those attending with
understanding of the biblical truths.
5 GUINEA (western Africa). The Baptist centers in Forecariah
and Conakry offer many opportunities for contacts through a
variety of programs such as English as a Second Language (ESL),
sports, children’s clubs, sewing, literacy and health. Pray for the
many people who come seeking information about Christ. Mission¬
ary Sam Parham, director of the Forecariah center, has had several
opportunities to share the plan of salvation. Pray that those who
hear will accept Jesus as Savior. The children’s club includes Old
Testament “storying” (chronological Bible telling), songs in the
Susu language and other activities. The ministry goal is to reach
out and touch the children and have doors opened into homes so
that parents also can learn who Jesus Christ really is. Pray for a
positive impact on the children and their parents.
6 URUGUAY (southeast South America). Missionaries Don
and Mary Anne Davis are serving in eastern Uruguay, where
Baptist work is less developed. The Uruguayan Baptist Convention
has begun to focus on this part of the country, and the Davises are
working with them in trying to help match workers with needs
there. They write: “Leadership placement is critical, and we desire