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PRAY FOR:
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GLOBAL MINISTRY REQUESTS
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Master’s Plan
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We invite you to
help us pray for the Cali, Colombia annual Master's Plan Convention
September 24-28, 2014. People will come from around the world to learn
about the Master's Plan and be inspired to make a difference in our
world. The Saturday, Sept. 27 event in the stadium has a goal of 80,000
in attendance.
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God’s Not Dead
Film Showing UPDATE
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On August 22 a
house group meeting in a sensitive area hosted a dinner and showing of
the film, "God's Not Dead." Some of those who were invited are
not yet followers of Jesus. Today, this note was received:
"Workers in a
sensitive country appreciate the prayers for the dinner and showing of
“God’s Not Dead." Several pre-believers were there and the movie
generated conversations on issues of faith. Several are now attending the
weekly Sunday afternoon gathering.”
Pray for these
pre-believers, that the living God becomes real to them and is accepted
as their Lord and Savior.
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South Sudanese
Refugee Camps
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From a Nazarene
worker in the area of South Sudan,
“Last week, I felt like I was walking on
holy ground as I visited one of the South Sudanese refugee camps. When I
realize all that these refugees have been through and still see their
faith and hope in God, it's overwhelming.”
“The camp looked like something out of a
civil war movie. I was reminded of the scene in the movie
"Glory" where Morgan Freeman's character says "shoes...
they need shoes". Yet, even in such difficult conditions, our
leaders are still full of faith and hope. The needs are real, please
pray."
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Venezuela
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We’ve prayed often
for the people and country of Venezuela. Your continued prayers are
needed. Pray for protection, strength, and wisdom in this time of
difficulty within the country. Pray also that the Lord will use his
church and its leaders to preach the gospel through the whole country.
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Missionary
Prayer Focus
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Please pray for the following requests sent in from
missionaries who are part of the August and September prayer focuses:
Sharon and Paul Martin, serving in Ghana
- Although we don't live in Sierra Leone now, after
our move last year to Ghana, Paul still serves at the superintendent
for the Sierra Leone District (with capable national leadership
moving forward well on the ground there). The Ebola virus in Sierra
Leone is reaching serious proportions, especially in the eastern
part of the country, about 12 hours from the capital, Freetown. We
have several churches in the Segbwema area in the east. In Freetown,
the general society is pretty much in a state of fear and
panic. Thankfully no Nazarenes have been affected so far and
they are working with compassionate ministries during this crisis.
- Please pray that the Nazarenes in the Segbwema (eastern) area will
remain safe. - Pray that Nazarene pastors and churches in the
Freetown area (as well as
Segbwema area) will be able to minister to the people in
their communities in
compassionate ministry ways.
- That this will be a time of meaningfully sharing the love of Jesus
in their
communities in a way that opens more doors of
evangelism and many come
to Jesus.
- That God will provide the needs of our Nazarenes during this very
challenging
time in the country.
- Please pray for the renewal of the lease of our missionary home
here in Ghana.
Judy Ralph, serving in Papua New Guinea
- Please pray for my family in Oklahoma as they
process the passing of my dad who died on August 24th. It was hard
not to be there but I am very thankful for the time I spent with him
this summer.
- Pray for this school year as I teach at the
Missionary Kid School, 1st - 3rd grades, that faith and love in the
Lord will be caught and wisdom/creativity will be given to enhance
each student's learning.
Kyle and Rebecca
Sukanen, serving in Ukraine
- God granting us Wisdom and discernment as we
serve the people of the CIS Field that our efforts would be
effective.
- That God would give us the right opportunity to
aid in preventing Human Trafficking and serve those affected by
it.
- Please pray for endurance for our family.
Kyle and Jayme Himmelwright, serving in Portugal
- Recently Kyle and Jayme spoke at a Portuguese
youth camp where 40 young people were in attendance. Please pray for
the young people as they return home, that they will incorporate the
truths heard at the camp into their lives.
- The missionaries from our field will come
together to meet with Eurasia Regional Director Arthur Snijders.
Please pray that this is a time of renewal and growth for our team.
To read more about the Himmelwrights and their ministry in
Portugal, click here
to read the Engage magazine article.
Missionary profile: Kyle and Jayme Himmelwright
 Kyle and Jayme Himmelwright are missionaries, serving the Western Mediterranean Field of the Eurasia Region, living in Portugal since 2007. Kyle is the field strategy coordinator as well as the district superintendent of France. Jayme is the field theological education professor and mentor.
They have three daughters: Ana Lucinda, 10, and Nadia Filipa and Bruna Filipa, who are both 8.
Engage: How did you first recognize God’s call to be involved in missions?
Himmelwrights: Jayme received her call to missions at age 8. She can still remember standing up in elementary school and saying, "When I grow up, I'm going to be a missionary." Kyle received his call while taking a cultural understanding travel course to Sighisoara, Romania, while a student at Olivet Nazarene University.
Engage: What is your favorite aspect of what you do in your present assignment?
Himmelwrights: Jayme's favorite part of her job is teaching. She teaches courses for EuNC, disciples people, and speaks for events. Kyle's favorite part is dreaming, strategizing, and implementing together with his national colleagues the God-size plans that He has for his Church in Western Europe.
Engage: What are some of the challenges that you face in carrying out your work?
Himmelwrights: The four countries on the Western Mediterranean Field consist of more than 90 percent Roman Catholics. Protestant denominations are viewed as "the church of the immigrant" at best and a cult/sect at worst. Roman Catholicism has informed the majority culture's understanding of "church" to the point that the 30 to 40 Nazarene immigrants that may be gathering in our small location that may have once served as the local fruit stand simply doesn't align with the giant cathedrals they've always known as their church home.
Many of our European Nazarenes also face pressure and disassociation from their families due to their involvement with the Church of the Nazarene. Other challenges include: materialism and relative financial security, the cost of living (even a small apartment can cost 300,000 to 500,000 USD in some parts of our field), an immigrant mentality that can serve as an obstacle to creative thinking about what an effective church in the post-Christian, European context might look like.
Despite the challenges, we continue to develop the church in three areas: 1) helping districts serve local churches by being more missionally intentional, administratively effective, and doctrinally consistent; 2) helping local churches multiply by discovering who God has made them to be and whom God has called them to serve, and best practices for completing their clearly articulated mission; 3) to help emerging leaders to be identified, trained, equipped, and sent into service.
One example of this focus on emerging leaders and continued indiginization is the election of Rev. Ignacio Pesado, the first national district superintendent in Spain after 35 years of ministry.
Engage: How do you maintain a close relationship with God, and your family in the midst of the demands of missionary service?
Himmelwrights: The demands of our assignments that take us to five districts in four different countries makes finding a proper balance a challenge. Couple our job challenges with the new demands that came with the adoption of our three daughters in 2011 and we find ourselves constantly challenged to find time to foster our relationships with God, with our spouse, and with our children.
Engage: What are the rewards of what you do?
Kyle: The freedom to work creatively. The privilege to work with people who are just as passionate as I am to see His Church healthy and reproducing. The joy of working in a historically rich and geographically beautiful part of the globe.
 Engage: What are some aspects of the culture where you live that you have come to love or embrace?
Himmelwrights: The Portuguese people are amazingly warm and embracing. While they find themselves in Western Europe and part of the European Union, they have been slower to develop than some of their neighbors. Therefore, you find in Portugal a more honest, laid back, unpretentious people. Surrounded by the big cities and world class attractions of their Italian, Spanish, and French neighbors, Portugal is often overlooked by tourists who come to our field. Selfishly, we hope this doesn't change as one of our favorite family activities is heading to a nearly vacant beach near our home for a family picnic.
Engage: What do you like to do for fun?
Himmelwrights: For fun, our family enjoys traveling and camping. For a small country, Portugal has amazing geographical diversity. Since Portugal would rank 40th in size if it were one of the 50 US states, we can camp and snow ski in the Serra de Estrella mountains in North and swim in the South in the same weekend.
Engage: What is something people would be surprised to learn about you?
Kyle: People may be surprised to learn that I make about one phone call per month and almost never send texts. I rely almost exclusively on email, Facebook, and Skype for communication, both with missionary colleagues and with family.
Engage: What advice would you have for others exploring a possible call to missions, or embarking on their first missionary assignment?
Kyle: If I could speak to a missionary candidate, I would say to prepare themselves professionally and plan on working bi-vocationally as tent makers. What I see worldwide is a professional clergy so immersed in the life of the church and its members that they have lost connection with lost and broken people. Potential missionaries should spend more time eating with the lost, walking in the shoes of the lost, and finding creating ways to engage the least.
Keith and Ruth Ann
Morris, serving in Ecuador
- Our desire is to exemplify Christ to our students
- Pray for God’s direction for the following school
year.
- Pray for our health and physical strength. Ruth
Ann has issues with a pinched nerve that causes pain and numbness in
her right arm.
- Pray for the salvation of their two younger sons,
Scott and Daniel.
- Pray for God’s healing touch on their sister-in-law
who has an aggressive form of brain cancer and has been given four
months, at best, to live.
Ted and Rachel Henderson, serving in Papua New Guinea
- Pray for safe travels from Australia to Kudjip,
Papua New Guinea
- Pray for the Lord’s peace in the various aspects
of preparing for this year in mission work
- Pray for peace and discernment as we get settled
among the established missionary families
- Pray for our week of cultural immersion. We
are praying for God to lead us into His compassion for the local
people
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District
Superintendents
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Over the next several months, NMI will publish the names and
place of ministry for Nazarene district superintendents. Please join us
in praying for these individuals who God has called to shepherd pastors
and churches around the world.
Today’s district superintendents are from countries on the Mesoamerica
Region:
Joscelyn Martin,
Dominica
Rene Acosta, Dominican Republic Central
Samuel Cabrera, Dominican Republic North
Carlos de la Cruz, Dominican Republic Northeast
Miguel Yudén, Dominican Republic Oriental
Luis Peréz, Dominican Republic South
Oscar Villanueva, El Salvador Central
Victor Alfaro, El Salvador East
Mario Castro, El Salvador West
Uber Izales, Guatemala Atlantic
Francisco Cuquej, Guatemala Baja Verapaz
Nery Pérez, Guatemala Central
Miguel Xol, Guatemala Coban North
Rogelio Quej, Guatemala Franja Central
Héctor Caz Och, Guatemala Franja Occidental
May the Lord add His blessing to the work of these district
superintendents.
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District
Superintendents
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Over the next
several months, NMI will publish the names and place of ministry for
Nazarene district superintendents. Please join us in praying for these
individuals who God has called to shepherd pastors and churches around
the world.
Today’s district superintendents are from countries on the Mesoamerica
Region:
Cesar Juárez –
Guatemala Franja Oriental
Moisés Lucas – Guatemala North
Danilo Solis – Guatemala North Verapaz
Moisés Larios – Guatemala Southeast
René Marroquin – Guatemala West
Victor Bin - Guatemala Verapaz South
Mateo Reyes Bolvito – Guatemala Verapaz Oriental
Tony Autar – Guyana Berbice
Alphonso Porter – Guyana Demerara-Essequibo
Walliere Pierre – Haiti Central
Augustín Michaël – Haiti La Gonave
Pierre Jacques – Haiti Lower Artibonite
Fritzner Aristyl – Haiti Lower Artibonite
Livernier Doreus – Haiti Lower Northwest
Garry Jeudy – Haiti North Central
May the Lord add
His blessing to the work of these district superintendents.
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Board of General
Superintendents
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Please pray for the ministry and safety of the general
superintendents as they travel this month:
Jerry D. Porter
J. K. Warrick
Eugénio Duarte
David W.Graves
David A. Busic
Gustavo A. Crocker
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HEALTH-RELATED REQUESTS
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Nery Maria
Herazo
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Nery Maria Herazo
is the mother of missionary Jose David Acosta and she is in critical
condition due to pulmonary cancer. Nery Maria has suffered with
respiratory problems her whole life and the cancer has been diagnosed as
fatal. Jose David needs permission from the Peruvian Immigration Office
to fly to Venezuela where his mom and family are. The Acostas serve in
Peru and are in the process of renewing their residency in Peru, and for
the moment they do not have permission to leave the country. Prayers are
needed and appreciated.
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Cindy Downey
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Cindy Downey,
missionary in South America, has gone through a number of glaucoma
surgeries. The most recent one was successful until now. It seems the
tube inserted in her eye to diminish the pressure that damages the
optical nerves has moved and is now placing pressure on the iris, which
can be very damaging. Cindy has already lost partial vision and we pray
for God's intervention to not only be able to maintain what is left of
her vision, but to also recover what has been lost. Cindy is in the
process of finding doctors who can provide good follow up on her case
while she is on the mission field (Argentina) as well as in her home
country, the U.S. Your prayers are really appreciated.
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Leah Jean Haines
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Prayer is
requested for Leah Jean Haines, the mother of missionary John Haines,
assigned to the Eurasia Region. Following a recent surgery, Mrs. Haines
has been released from the hospital requiring 24-hour care for the
initial healing process. It is financially prohibitive in her current
housing situation for this to be arranged. Therefore new housing is
necessary that can provide for her needs. Please pray for healing for
Mrs. Haines, a good solution for her housing and care, and peace during
these turbulent times. Please also pray for John as he is in India and
making plans to return to the U.S. to resolve the most urgent needs, as
well as pray for grandson Zach and family friends who are taking turns
caring for Mrs. Haines during this interim period.
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Leopoldo Rivera
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Leopoldo Rivera,
the grandfather of Liliana Reza, missionary in South America, suffered a
stroke in late August. He has progressed in his recovery, nevertheless,
he still needs round-the-clock assistance and struggles with memory loss,
which frustrates him. Please ask the Lord for Leopoldo to have a full
recovery. Pray for Liliana and her family as they care for him.
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Iris Sandoval
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Prayer is
requested for Iris Sandoval, adult daughter of Dr. Alejandro and Teresa
Sandoval, retired superintendent of the Southwest Latin American
District. Iris is suffering from a rare skin disease which causes much
pain and bleeding. Because she is unable to walk and drive, she has not
been able to work. Your prayers in her favor are kindly requested.
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BEREAVEMENT
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Family of Donald
H. Davis
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Donald H. Davis,
retired missionary, passed away on Sunday, September 7, 2014, in Salinas,
California. Donald, along with his late wife, Emma, served in Argentina
for 23 years. Donald is survived by his second wife, Virginia, and Donald
and Emma’s children: Garth, Steven, and Martha (Davis) Latham. A private
service will be held at a later date. Pray for the Davis family to be
reminded often about Donald’s living testimony of God’s unfailing love
and mercy as they grieve his passing.
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Global Concerns – Body of Christ
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India and
Pakistan Flooding
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Landslides and
flash floods triggered by heavy monsoon rains have killed nearly 300
people in northern India and Pakistan. Please pray for the people in
these areas.
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Bangladesh
Flooding
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Two weeks of
flooding in northern Bangladesh have affected two million people, leaving
up to half a million homeless. Pray for the people of northern Bangladesh
who have been affected.
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Ebola
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The Ebola virus
continues to spread through West Africa. Please pray for those who have
been affected by the disease. Pray for the third missionary doctor, Rick
Sacra, who has been flown back to the U.S. for treatment. May the Lord's
healing hand cover the countries of West Africa and their people.
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