May 2007
RUSSIA (CEE). The number of Muslims in Russia is grow¬
ing rapidly, and this is especially true in the capital city of
Moscow. Fifteen years ago, less than 1 percent of the city
was populated by
Muslims, but today
that number has
grown and makes up
about 20 percent of
the population. There
are approximately 3.5
million Muslims in
Moscow who have
little chance to hear
the Gospel of Jesus in
a way they understand. They have traveled to Moscow to
find better jobs. They are often from countries of the former
Soviet Union like Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan or
Azerbaijan. Muslims from war-tom Chechnya and other
regions of Russia are also flocking to Moscow.
Yet, they face widespread discrimination because
they look different from ethnic Russians. In spite of the
rapid growth in their number, there are few Christians in
Moscow trying to share Jesus with them. Often the Mus¬
lims in Moscow are suspicious of outsiders, but they re¬
main very needy. However, they will respond to expres¬
sions of faithful love. Since they tend to congregate in
communities based on their nationalities, the Good News
could spread rapidly among a wide network of Muslims
from a common location.
Please pray that God will call out laborers from places
throughout the former Soviet Union who are experienced
in reaching Muslims and have a strong desire to share
their faith among these people. These laborers' knowl¬
edge of Muslim heart languages and home cultures will
immediately help create friendships and trust. Pray also
that God would give Russian believers a strong desire to
evangelize the Muslims in Moscow.
I will praise you,
О
Lord, among the nations; I will sing of
you among the peoples. For great is your love, reaching to
the heavens; your faithfulness reaches to the skies. Be
exalted,
О
God, above the heavens; let your glory be over
all the earth (Psalm 57: 9-11, NIV).
RUSSIA. Volunteer teams are a strategic part of readring
people groups throughout our world. Pray for great suc¬
cess as volunteers from the U.S. travel to Moscow to dis¬
tribute the Gospel among the Muslims there in 2007. Also
pray that these Muslim people will open their hearts and
receive God's gift of salvation.
HBHUTAN (South Asia between India and China). King
"Jigme Singye Wangchuck of Bhutan has abdicated his
reign earlier than expected and handed over power to his
26-year-old son, Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck. Fol¬
lowing elections next year, Bhutan's government will
become a constitutional monarchy. Ask God to keep the
new king a man of integrity. Pray that he will give his heart
to Jesus Christ and seek God's counsel for the decisions he
faces. Pray that this transition time for the country will lead
to a government that looks favorably on Christianity.
Я
RIGA, LATVIA (REE-gah). Please pray for the Jaun-
®marupes (pronounced YAWN-mar-u-pez) area just out¬
side Riga. This is a fast-growing area where there are no
evangelical churches. A local Baptist church, along with
Baptist representatives, is seeking to start a Bible study
there beginning in February. Please pray for the representa¬
tives and two couples from the local church who live in
that area. Pray that they will bring in local residents tlrrough
interest groups and neighbors in order to start Bible stud¬
ies. Ask God to work in a mighty way to bring the lost of
this area to Himself.
RIZAMBI A. The Baptist Fellowship of Zambia and the Baptist
■^Mission of Zambia are working together to train 80 mili¬
tary and police chaplains. Tlris training includes counseling
for HIV
/
AIDS-related issues and home-based care. Last year
six workshops trained 60 men who serve thousands of peo¬
ple in the Army, Air Force, National Service and police. This
year workshops are scheduled to train these and an addi¬
tional 20 chaplains in marriage and family counseling and
small-group dynamics. Pray for the leaders of the work¬
shops and for the men who will be attending the training.
Pray for the thousands of service men and women who will
be influenced by the 80 chaplains.
H TURKEY. Pray for the Lord to establish a locally led,
"reproducing house church in Istanbul by Thanksgiving.
This is a crucial measurable step toward our end goal of
seeing multiple churches growing and multiplying sponta¬
neously throughout Istanbul and all of Turkey.
RjSHAN DAI. Five million Shan live in the Shan states,
“Myanmar, while another million-plus live in northwest
China, northern Thailand, Laos and northern Vietnam.
After 145 years of Clrristian work among the Shan, about
