connectPRAYERA prayer letter of the Methodist Missions Society Not for circulation For Mission Partners and Volunteers only

January 2015 to April 2015

You also help us by praying for us. Many people thank God for His favor to us. This is an answer to the prayers of many people.

2 Corinthians 1:11 (NLV)

dear

praye

r part

ners Every morning at 5am, our youth from Community Outreach

Service Youth (COSY) Hostel in Cambodia wake up from their sleep and gather for their daily prayer meeting. In the meeting, they pray for their parents, friends and classmates. They pray for God’s protection, good health and healing. They also pray for their country and for our Missionaries. Every Wednesday evening at 5.30pm, a group of church members from Wesley Bardan Methodist Church in Nepal gathers for a weekly prayer meeting. Before they divide into small groups to pray, there is a lively worship and exhortation from the pastor. Rev Saba said that this weekly prayer meeting has been ongoing without fail since 2002.

Every Friday evening after dinner, about 30 people meet inside Shineforth Methodist Church in Thailand to pray. After a short worship and devotion, Rev Art provides the prayer pointers. Throughout the whole prayer session, the congregation stands to pray until dismissal. This same group gathers again on Sundays at 9am for another round of prayer.

Jesus once instructed His disciples that “THEY SHould AlwAYS PRAY ANd NoT GiVE uP.” (Luke 18:1, NIV) So, let us persevere in prayer. As you thumb through the pages of this PrayerConnect, let us unite with our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ across the region in praying for our Missionaries, National Workers and their ministries.

Rev Philip limExecutive Director

Methodist Missions Society

PRAY ANd NoT GiVE uP

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1. Pray for God’s blanket of protection over the students of the METHodiST SCHool oF CAMBodiA (MSC). Pray for the MSC staff to know God and be aligned with the vision and mission of the school. Pray for the wisdom and guidance for the MSC School Board Meeting on 17 January.

2. Pray for strength and guidance for Jacob as he prepares for the CouNTRY PRESENTATioN & BudGET REViEw meeting in February.

3. Pray that more girls will join EMMAuS woMEN’S CENTRE to be trained in dressmaking and discipleship.

4. Pray that the staff in CoSi CHildREN’S VillAGE will be quick to grasp the Character Formation training in January.

5. Pray for CoS-YouTH, JoY ANd METHodiST HoSTElS that the youths will walk in the ways of the Lord and make godly choices.

6. Pray for the MiSSioNARiES to have good health, wisdom and unity in vision.

7. Pray for the METHodiST CHuRCHES to grow in spiritual depth and vision for discipleship.

8. Pray for the spiritual darkness to be dispelled and that God’S liGHT will shine in the country.

TUES

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1. Pray that HS’s GuEST HouSE and Church Building project will be completed in three months’ time for internal renovation and furnishing work to be done. Pray that the authorities will continue to cooperate with the national church leadership so that God’s work in HS will not be hampered.

2. Pray for God’s grace and protection when BTC moved and settled in HS. Pray as we continue to seek God’s wisdom to build mutual relationship with the authorities so as to anchor BTC firmly in HS.

3. Pray for YG’s ministry and work in KS among the indigenous groups and uNiVERSiTY STudENTS.

4. Pray for our three MiGRANT PREACHERS and their families in YN as they continue to serve faithfully in the seven preaching points and the mountainous region.

5. Pray for ML as she prepares herself to SERVE in DL in March as well as JC who is considering to serve in FZ.

WEDN

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1. Praise the Lord with us for seeing the SiNGAPoRE MiSSioN SCHool through Semester 1 of our fifth year (September 2014 to January 2015).

2. Thank God for the lAo MoES, for their good support to our Lao curriculum and teaching after granting us our licence in June 2014.

3. Continue to thank Him for the dEdiCATioN of our Principal Lesley and our local and expat teachers, support staff and volunteers.

4. Pray for us as we prepare the Primary 5 kids for the NATioNAl lAo ExAMS in May, and ask for God’s leading regarding the next step for them.

5. Praise the Lord as the oldER CHildREN begin to ask questions about beliefs, and pray for them to be convicted and come to His saving knowledge.

6. Thank God for how all the CHildREN are growing in their language ability and better behaviour.

7. Pray for His provision and leading regarding the building of the AddiTioNAl ClASSRooMS in our current premises.

8. For iNSPiRE and the CHiNESE woRk, thank Him for bringing us the students and granting us the opportunity and strength to teach the classes.

9. Continue to pray for the Lord’s help for the lAo AuTHoRiTiES to wisely govern the country and develop its people.

THUR

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h MMs1. Thank God for the recently completed METHodiST

CHuRCH iN NEPAl (MCN) Centre and Wesley Bardan Methodist Church building. Pray that this building will be used for the glory of God.

2. Pray that God will provide the funding for the ViJAYEE METHodiST CHuRCH building project in Ilam District.

3. Pray for our NATioNAl PASToRS and lEAdERS as they lead the MCN churches in the new year. Pray that God will pour out His wisdom and grace as they reach out to the people in Nepal.

4. Pray for our CHuRCH PlANTiNG efforts. Pray that God will open doors to new Preaching Points.

5. Pray for the TASk FoRCE overseeing the review of our training programmes for MCN. Pray that He will lead them to develop effective and relevant training to equip our Pastors, Evangelists and Lay Leaders.

MY gift fOr his greAt cOMMissiON thrOugh MMs

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STEP 1Either select a Specific Area and a Country, or allow us to direct your gift where it is needed most:

STEP 2Decide how much you would like to give either on a monthly basis or as a one time gift:

[ ] Pledge a monthly gift of S$ ________________ commencing ___________________________ [date] until further notice.

[ ] Make a one-time gift of S$ ________________.

PDPA: MMS is committed to ensuring the security of all personal data she collects. MMS shall use and disclose such data only for her necessary purposes and if so, shall adhere to the guidelines of the Personal Data Protection Act (PDPA). All personal data shall be kept strictly confidential at all times. If ever MMS has to disclose any personal data to any third party, she shall do so only with the prior consent of the owner of the personal data.

[ ] wHERE iT iS NEEdEd MoST

[ ] CHuRCH PlANTiNG [ ] CoMMuNiTY dEVEloPMENT

[ ] TRAiNiNG oF NATioNAlS

[ ] CouNTRY [optional] __________________________________________ [Choose from Cambodia, East Asia, Laos, Nepal, Thailand, Timor-Leste or Vietnam]

Rev/Dr/Mr/Mrs/Ms: __________________________________________________________________

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Please cross your cheque and make it payable to “The Methodist Church in Singapore [MMS]” and mail it together with this form to MMS Executive Director, Methodist Missions Society, 70 Barker Road #06-01, The Methodist Centre, Singapore 309936.

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[ ] My comments, feedback and suggestions:

Date: ________________

If you need more details, please call 6478 4818. For more information on Student Sponsorship Schemes, logon to http://www.mms.org.sg/sss.html

MY gi

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MY gi

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h MMs 1. Pray for a new Principal for ViNEYARd METHodiST SCHool.

Pray for someone who follows God faithfully, shows Christ-like compassion towards the students and staff, and is a good educator and administrator. Pray for God’s favour upon the phase 2 building project. Pray that we will be granted the approval from the authority. Pray for the construction of the building.

2. Pray for HuEY PARAAi HoSTEl which houses 40 students. Pray for more support to assist the students’ education.

3. Pray that the lAHu PASToRS will grow in spiritual maturity and teamwork with one another and their church members. Pray for more support for their ministries.

4. Pray for the MARRiAGE ENRiCHMENT CouRSE for the Pastors and their spouses from the Central and Northeast Regions on 20-22 January at Nong Bua Lamphu Methodist Church. Pray for a blessed time to understand and appreciate their spouses.

5. Pray for the YouTH CAMP in April. Pray that the campers will have an encounter with God who died for them and loves them.

6. Pray for more support for the church growth ministries in CHAiYAPHuM, RoiET and SAkHoN NAkHoN.

7. Pray for the training of new ministers to conduct CREMATioN SERViCE in Rangsit Methodist Church.

SATU

RDAYTiM

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E1. Thank God that we have received the building permit for the construction of the GlENo STudENT HoSTEl project. As we commence the building phase, pray for God’s wisdom for the project team. Pray that God’s protection will be over all who are involved, including our Missionaries, the contractor and all his workers.

2. Pray that God will fill our MiSSioNARiES Asnah, Susanto, Joseph, Grace and Rudy with a spirit of love and compassion.

3. Pray for our HEAlTH CARE MiNiSTRY to the surrounding villages in Gleno and the Ermera District. Pray that the Memorandum of Understanding will be signed soon.

4. Pray for our METHodiST SCHool iN dili project. Pray that the Government will grant the necessary permits for the Paradise Resort Project. Pray also for our fund-raising programme for this school project.

suND

AYVi

ETN

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1. Pray for wisdom and unity for International Christian Fellowship (ICF) woRkiNG CoMMiTTEE in planning and growing ICF as a body of Christ.

2. Pray for more volunteers to serve in SuNdAY SCHool, NuRSERY, YouTH GRouP and woRSHiP TEAM - due to the transiency of ICF members.

3. Thank God for the lAdiES BiBlE STudY GRouP which has about 15 ladies meeting regularly each week.

4. Pray for more ladies to become PRAYiNG MoMS & wiVES. Currently, there are four ladies praying together regularly.

5. Pray that the Word of God will minister and speak to those who attend CEll BiBlE STudY GRouPS in the various districts.

6. Pray for AARoN liM, who is in charge of the Worship Team, to coordinate and organise the whole team. Pray for sufficient worship leaders and musicians to lead worship each week.

7. Pray that the government will grant more SPEAkER’S liCENCES because Albert is the only speaker currently for the ICF Pulpit Ministry.

8. Pray for the poor ECoNoMiC SiTuATioN to recover quickly. Pray for some ICF members who are looking for jobs so as to stay in HCMC.

9. Pray for a breakthrough for AlBERT’S BuSiNESS. There are tremendous financial pressures on his company.

METHodiST MiSSioNS SoCiETY70 Barker Road #06-01 The Methodist Centre Singapore 309936T 6478 4818 F 6478 4817 E mms@methodist.org.sg w www.mms.org.sg Fb www.facebook.com/mms.org.sg Tw www.twitter.com/mms_tweets

HoPE FoR MY FuTuREMy name is Wanchana Laomee. I came from a poor Shan Buddhist family. My parents are farmers.

After I completed Primary 6 in a school near home, I was not sure where I should go for my secondary education. There was no secondary school in my village and my parents could not afford to put me in a dormitory in town so that I can go to school.TE

STiM

oN

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I thank God that He allowed me to come to Mettakij Hostel in Chiang Mai, Thailand in 2011. I am thankful that I could continue my study. I am also thankful that I got to know about God. I did not know Him before this but now I have accepted Jesus. I am glad that I am saved from my sin. I believe that it was God’s will for me to stay in Mettakij Hostel so that a sinner like me can be saved and also continue to study.

Staying at this hostel has helped me to be a more mature person. I learnt how to love others and not to be selfish. I also learnt the meaning of sacrificing for others.

I would like to thank everyone who has been supporting Mettakij Hostel. This hostel has been a great help to make life better for me now. I was given hope for my future because I have the opportunity to continue my study and to know Jesus as my Saviour and Lord. My goal is to become a teacher.

Please continue to pray for Mettakij Hostel and other MMS ministries that are helping the poor and giving them an opportunity to know God personally.