PR Sept 30, 08

The Night of Power and Not Lose focus

Night of Power
We are drawing to the end of the Muslim fasting month, Ramadan, and soon it will be the Night of Power for Muslims around the world. I would like to encourage you to Google "Night of Power" and see what you come up with.

This is how one Muslim described the "Night of Power":
The Night of Power or Destiny is an extremely important night for Muslims. It is the night in which our code of guidance, the Holy Quran, was revealed from the Lord of the Universe to Prophet Muhammad. The Quran was revealed in Ramadan (2:185), and traditionally Muslims celebrate the Night of Power on the 27th night of Ramadan.

God describes this night as better than a thousand months. During that night, the angels and the Spirit descend therein, by God’s leave, to carry out every command (97:1-5).

Because the Night of Power is such a special night, those Muslims (Submitters) who want to gain extra credit of righteousness spend the night by commemorating God the Almighty either in their privacy or in a mosque with other Muslims. There are also some Muslims who retreat to a mosque in the last ten days of Ramadan to take advantage of God’s blessings further and increase their faith of submission. (This information taken from http://www.submission.info/practices/ramadan/nightofdestiny.html)

If you have time to read another, there is an interesting article on "16 things you can do on the Night of Power" posted on http://www.soundvision.com/info/ramadan/10.16things.asp.

I am bringing these things up because to millions of Muslims around the world, the 27th night of Ramadan, they will be seeking Allah. Oh brothers and sisters will you pray that on that night specifically they will have an encounter with the ONE True God that is the Father, Son - Jesus Christ, and Holy Spirit.

Is the Muslim fasting month even on your radar? Has it heightened your prayers to God for the millions of dying Muslims that as Revelation 20:15 says that "if anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire"? Take some time now and pray for the PB peoples as they end their fasting month and go through the Night of Power.



Not Lose Focus
In past blogs we have asked you to pray for our PB team and national partners as there is turmoil among our work with Muslims and the local church. This has been a disheartening time to many of us, and unfortunatley the issues/problems are still not over. As these local church issues are on many of our national partners and PB team members minds, would you pray that the PB team including national partners not lose their focus on the main thing: Bringing glory to God in all things while making His Name known to the PB peoples. May the PB team keep the words of Paul (in 2 Corinthians 5:20-21) on our minds in our interactions with PB peoples "Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you [PB peoples] on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him." Pray that the PB team not lose focus, if anything pray that our hearts will stay in a continual broken state over the lost PB peoples. And pray that the PB peoples will be "the righteousness of God" in Christ and no longer slaves to the evil one!

PR - 01/09/08

Many thanks of prayers for the PB peoples and PB team, dear friends! Challenging AND exciting times are at hand. A great burden is upon many of us, as we are sensing need for more. More change, more prayers to be offered on behalf of the PB peoples, more wisdom from the Lord, more discipleship of national partners, more Gospel sowing going forth, more of everything. Basically... we need You Lord God to do a GREAT work which only YOU can do, here among the PB peoples.

We are at an exciting point in ministry. Oh it is difficult yes... we are facing challenges from within the body of believers and from nonbelievers that surround us.

We have a great need right now for God's mighty work in our lives, those of the PB peoples and the PB team.

Here are a few ways you can be praying for the PB peoples now...

1.) Fasting month: It is during this season that Muslims fast from sun up to sun down each day for an entire month. Often times it is said that during this time, Muslims will have dreams and visions. Also, it is during this time that Muslims feel like that this fasting time helps their "good works" purify them by cleansing them of sins they have committed that year and so... outweighing their evil deeds. Some if not many of the PB peoples will be participating in this fast. Please pray that God would reveal to them that salvation comes through faith in Jesus Christ alone. Please pray that God would give them dreams and visions of Jesus Christ who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life (John 14:6).


2.) While visiting a neighboring city a few days ago, where one of our 13 peoples live, we saw several young people dancing and jumping around while others were gathered around watching. Observers said that the young people were having a party where the young people would interact with demons. Please pray for those young people who are searching for answers and power.




3.) Please pray for our national partners. Pray that God would give them a heart for the PB peoples. Pray that God would give them a hunger for the Word that God would grow them in wisdom and Truth.

May God bless you and may God bless the PB peoples!

PR - 02/08/08

"But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of Him everywhere." 2 Corinthians 2:14

Dear brothers and sisters, as we go throughout our day, let us all pray that God will give us a heart for the nations. The nations that have come to us, live in our neighborhood, work in our offices, shop at the same grocery store, and those abroad. Let's ask the Father to keep on the forefront of our minds the birth, life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. And may we be an aroma, a fragrance of God to all around us, especially to those of the PB people.

* Among our RuJohn People (and many of our other PB peoples), there is a strong belief in Animism ** www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Animism - if you want to read a bit about Animism. Last week, a man named Mr. Goon was met by one of our teammates. Mr. Goon was going to a mountain where he was going to pray and take sacrifices to the spirits of the mountain, to protect his family. While Islam is the official religion of this area, animism has a VERY strong underlying hold on many of the PB peoples. Please pray for Mr. Goon that he would learn about, believe, and follow the Creator of all things, the One who knows everything, created everything, and is everything.


* In a Bible study that is held by some of our national partners, there are a few new attendees who are interested in the Gospel. Please pray for these souls as obviously God is working in their hearts, that they would have open hearts towards God, and that He would draw them into His kingdom.

* Please pray for the PB ministry, the farm, and our national partners. We know of "the schemes of the devil" (Eph 6:11, and also 2 Cor 2:11). We know that he is not happy with our ministry, and we are seeing some of his schemes being played out. These schemes are coming in the form of lies, verbal attacks, slander, and such. Pray that our national partners and all involved in our PB ministry, will seek to glorify God with our lives. "In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. (Matt 5:16). Also pray 1 Thess 5:15-17 that all of us involved in the PB ministry would take Paul's words to heart as he says "See that no one repays evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone. Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."

And just as a reminder, pray for the salvation of the PB peoples who are locked in darkness. OH Lord God, truly may this day be the day of salvation of the 2 million + PB peoples.
Thank you for your prayers brothers and sisters.

PR - 17/07/08

"Salvation belongs to the Lord..." Psalm 3:8

Brothers and sisters, the PB team sends you greetings. Thank you for those of you who have emailed us recently and encouraged us with your words, your prayers, and support for the PB people.

Please continue to lift up the salvation of the PB people, asking the Lord to spread His Kingdom here among the PB people, that His Gospel would go forth clearly and boldly. "Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. (1 Thess 5:16-18)."

* A few days ago my family and I rode about 45 minutes away to see a section of where our PB people live. Their lives are plain. Their children run and play in the grass. Men and women gather on porches. Some women are sitting in the yards keeping birds, chickens, animals and what not from bothering the rice that their family is trying to dry out. Everything appears normal. Everything appears happy. But the heavy cloud remains in my mind... some of these have never heard the Gospel clearly, almost all of these are doomed for the pits of hell... but for the grace of God. Will you join us in praying for the grace of God, for His salvation to reach the PB peoples?

*Pray for a PB woman that we heard about recently. Mrs. Lane confessed that for years it was if she was unable to think on her own, like some power was over her and all she could do was whatever her husband demanded of her. When some national believers shared the Gospel with her, even in her own language, she said that it was like they were speaking a foreign language that she could not understand. Repeatedly these believers went to visit with Mrs. Lane and tried to share the Gospel with her. She reports that one day she understood and it made sense. God opened her heart and she became a follower of Jesus Christ. Her husband and parents who are Muslims and also believe in magical powers are still following the path of destruction. Pray for Mr. Lane and Mrs. Lane's family.


*Please continue to pray for the suffering family that was mentioned in the last blog and for their salvation.

Again brothers and sisters in Christ, thank you for your love for the saints and a desire to see His Name and Kingdom reach the ends of the earth... and in our part of the world that is known as the PB peoples.

PR - 01/07/08

I am sorry to say that a month has passed and I haven't updated the prayer blog. Sorry about that. I have been sick and we have had meetings and on the excuses could go but lets get to the main thing...

One hardship after another...
A Muslim family near our farm has experienced a season of great difficulty. Their daughter died and a few weeks ago their son was playing with matches and by accident their house burnt down, leaving them with little. This family has experienced other hard times as well. A very interesting thing about this family is that the man of the household has a magical objects. These can be a certain ring, a rock, or etc.

Magical objects/rings are no joke in this area. Even this part of the world. Let me explain... many believe they can keep evil things from happening to them or their family by having these objects. This is a demonic power which is very real and present in our world even though our western beliefs question their validity.

"For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places." Ephesians 6:12 ESV

We are unsure if this magical object was burnt up in the fire or not. Please pray that the evil one would NO LONGER have a grasp on this family. Please pray that the Lord would powerfully reveal himself to this man and his family. Please pray that God would save this man, his family, and the surrounding community as they know about this man's beliefs.



Dreaming dreams....
Last month I asked you to pray for the PB peoples to dream dreams and see visions that would reveal Jesus as the Savior and only way to God. We continue to ask you to pray for God to powerfully make himself known to our PB people. At the same time, we have recently heard how our Lord is giving dreams and visions to some of you and raising up more prayer partners for the PB peoples back home. Praise the Lord. Please continue to pray for the salvation of the PB people and for more prayer partners to rise up and pray for the nations. More specifically, for our PB peoples.

Lastly, please continue to pray for our national partners here. Pray for their faith in the Lord to grow deeper. Pray for boldness. Pray for their health and their families.

"In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, and also for me [PB team and national partners], that words may be given to [us] in opening [our] mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel" Ephesian 6:16-19 [emphasis mine] ESV

PR - 1/06/08

"Yet God my King is from of old, working salvation in the midst of the earth." Psalm 74:12

The PB team cannot thank you enough for your prayers and covenant to pray along with us for the PB people - all 2 million that are bound by the evil one and darkness.



Brothers and sisters our work is not yet done, we have MORE requests to share with you:

+ An article that our team has recently read says that through God's prompting there are several ways the Lord is leading Muslims to saving faith in Jesus Christ. One of those ways is through dreams/visions and healings. We ask for you to pray that God would send dreams/visions of Him and His Son Jesus to the PB Muslims. Ask that God would disrupt the sleep and thoughts of our 2 million people, and cause them to see dreams and visions of Jesus - causing them to question who He is and through this that God would save the PB people.

+ The one Christian man who came to the last Ag training has requested one of our men to come and lead a Bible Study with his family and some others that live around him. Pray that the logistcs of this would come together and that this opportunity not be squandered. "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations..."

+ Yet another Ag training will be held on June 17th through July 3rd. Please pray for those who will attend and learn about agricultural techniques and hear the chronological stories of the Bible.

+ Please pray for men and women who have come to faith in Jesus Christ, yet their spouses or other family members are not yet believers. Pray that the believing spouse/family member will "let [their] light shine before others, so that they may see [their] good works and give glory to [our] Father who is in heaven." Matt 5:16. Pray that whole families will turn from their sin and unbelief and become followers of Jesus Christ.

PR - 15/05/08

Let me begin by updating you on our last prayer requests.

* The agricultural/chronoligical Bible storying training is still going on and there are a few days left on the training. Originally there were to be several attendees, however one lone soul showed up to attend. Please continue to pray for Pak Trans. Pak basically means Mr. in our language. So anytime we speak to someone here, we refer to them as Pak or Ibu. (Ibu being Mrs.) Pak Trans is already a believer, please pray that while he is here, he will grow deeper in his faith and be challenged by the godliness he may see in our brothers and sisters here on the farm. Pray that he will go back to his village with a deeper love of our Lord and a desire to see all those around him become followers of Jesus our Saviour.

* The meeting on May 2nd went well. The teaching was accepted well, and many remain challenged and are still praying for how they feel about this teaching and what God may be calling them to do. There are a few families that feel like they need to follow God in new bolder ways. Please pray for these families, for wisdom from God, deeper love of our Lord, deeper desire to know Him and be in His Word, and for increasing boldness.

* The last update/request also affects what I am about to share here. As you may remember we were asking you to pray for new believers who do not yet meet in any type of fellowship/group/Bible study but we long to see them begin meeting and being discipled. Please continue to pray for these new believers, and please also pray for these families above that may be instrumental in helping gather these new believers and discipling them.



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Newer requests:

* Please pray for Ibu (Mrs) Paycall. She is a follower of Jesus. She shares the story that at one point in her life, her husband had her under a spell (for several years actually). Some of our national partners here had tried to share the Gospel with her. She says that when they did, it was as if they were speaking a totally foreign language, until one day... she understood. And later, it was clear to her that she needed the Saviour, Jesus Christ. Her husband and parents are NOT believers. Please pray for their salvation. Pray that God would give her great boldness and clarity. Please pray that God would open their hearts and minds to the Good News of Jesus Christ.

PR - 30/04/08

Praying for mercy and grace for the PB peoples,

"Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need." Hebrews 4:14-16
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1) We have another training beginning the 6th of May. Again, more opportunities for non-believers to hear the Gospel in a clear and compassionate manner. For those of us who already believe and follow the Lord Jesus Christ, it is such a blessing to be able to draw "with confidence" near to Him, so let us come and pray for mercy and grace for those who will hear the Gospel during the days of May 6 through May 23. Pray God will open their eyes, ears, and hearts to Him and draw them into His Kingdom.

Again pray for our workers here to be bold once again, sharing the Gospel with these that come.

2) There have been some who have forsaken their Muslim beliefs and have believed in the Lord Jesus Christ. We are looking to gather these individuals into a group(s) of believers. This group ideally will begin studying the Bible together on a regular basis, led by mature believers. Please pray that these new followers would be bold enough to meet together with other believers, come whatever trials they will encounter (be it family denouncing them, community persecution, or whatever). Pray for wisdom for the leaders in knowing how to gather them and for the new believers to be willing to meet together.

3) On May 2nd is a meeting with some of our national partners who really have a heart for evangelism. Please pray that God would prepare and give wisdom to our teammate who will be sharing the Word at the meeting. He will be challenging the attendees to lay down their cultural worldview and take up a Biblical worldview. Within this topic he will be challenging them that though they may not have yet had formal seminary training, they too can go and be ministers of the Gospel. Our team has a great desire to see this happen so that MORE and MORE and MORE PB peoples will hear the Gospel.

Though these "requests" may seem few, oh the weight I feel in writing them. Do you feel it brothers and sisters? PB peoples - 2 million of them - whom may have never heard or never clearly heard the Gospel. And here we are praying for the souls, pleading with the Father for their salvation, talking about Bible studies which we pray will turn into churches, and for all men (and women) who are followers of Christ to be ministers of the Gospel. Oh that the PB peoples may know and follow Jesus, the Son of God.

An Update

Pak Tua and Pak TJ have been followed up by our national partners here. Please pray that the Holy Spirit will continue to work on their hearts.

Update and PR - 4/15/08

We asked you to pray for four main requests two weeks ago. Let me tell you how God has answered them!

We asked you to pray:
* Pray that God would open their hearts, minds, eyes, and ears to all that they will encounter
* Pray that the participants would desire to learn more about Jesus and long to be His followers
* Please pray for the workers on the farm that are followers of Christ. Pray that they would long for all men to know and follow Jesus. Pray that they would be bold to share the Gospel in their many interactions with the participants.

Here is how He answered:
Out of the group of four men, only two finished the program. The other two felt that they had been away from their village for too long and went back. However, these men were shared with MANY times during their time here on the farm. Praise the Lord. We asked you to pray that the workers would speak boldly and clearly of the Good News of Jesus Christ, and they did! We asked you to pray that they would have a desire to learn about Jesus. They did. Both men were VERY open to spiritual discussion about Jesus. Praise the Lord.

And we are not finished yet - you and I.

Now here is how we can pray for the next two weeks:
+ Pray for Pak Tua (can be pronounced two-uh). He is 72 years old. He was the most open of the two (at least he appeared to be). He was shared with openly and clearly MANY times. At the end of the program, Pak Tua thanked the workers for sharing with him about Jesus. The farm workers then encouraged him to not leave the farm with only knowledge, they then went on to challenge him to believe upon the Lord Jesus Christ and be saved. As far as we know, Pak Tua has not yet. Oh pray that he will. Pray that God would open his heart to His Truths and be saved.

+ Pray for the other young man that finished the program, TJ. Although he is only in his mid-20s, he has much responsibility placed on him by his family and village. You see, his father and other important men in his family have either passed away or left and now this young man is left to care for his family (mother, siblings, and children). He is eager to find ways to help support his family. He plays an important role in his family. Pray that God would bring TJ to saving knowledge and belief in Jesus Christ, and that his family would also follow and become followers of Jesus Christ.

+ Praise God with us, that our national workers, those who work here on the farm, "beefed up" their evangelism and boldly and clearly shared with these two men.

+ Pray for the farm that we would have more projects that will help locals have a way to support their families.

+ Pray that God would bring more and more and more people to the farm, and that they would clearly hear the Gospel just as these two men did.

+ Lastly, please pray for now our national workers to follow up with Pak Tua and TJ. Also pray that we would not MERELY wait on the PB peoples to come to us, but that we would be actively pursuing them!

To God be the glory!

earthquake

Hi friends, just wanted to let you know that as we have began our focus on the Cower people, there was an earthquake in their area yesterday. We have not heard of any damage or problems. As God is shaking things up there, lets pray that the Gospel would shake things up there too and the Cower people would run and cling to our great God.