Believers in Singapore united in prayer for our harvest field.

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

September 2014 to December 2014

When two of you get together on anything at all on earth and make a prayer of it,

my Father in heaven goes into action. Matthew 18:19 (MSG)

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ners He (Jesus) told them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers

are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.” (Luke 10:2, NIV)

When Jesus sent out the 72 disciples for the work of missions and evangelism, He declared to them that the harvest is plentiful. Today, this is still true because when we step out in missions, we experience a bountiful harvest. Indeed, as our world become more and more complex, people are searching for spiritual truth to anchor their lives. And these people are responding readily when the Good News is presented.

But thE WoRkERS ARE FEW! In our seven mission fields, our missionaries are experiencing, first-hand, the shortage of workers. We need workers to bring in the harvest, do the slow work of discipleship and help young believers grow in Christ. Hence, Jesus charged the disciples to ask God, the Lord of the harvest, to send workers. Our missionaries are doing just that. This acute lack of workers has compelled our missionaries to pray unceasingly for God to raise workers.

As you thumb through the pages in this PrayerConnect, do join our missionaries in praying for God to raise and send more workers. Please pray for the different ministries as well.

Rev Philip LimExecutive Director

Methodist Missions Society

thE WoRkERS ARE FEW

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1. Pray for an exciting time of reporting and giving thanks to God at the 5th MISSIoN CoNFERENCE (3 to 5 September).

2. Pray for the NAtIoNAL LEADERS as they look to God for His vision and guidance in the new conference year.

3. Pray for BENjAMIN LEE, the new Principal for Methodist School of Cambodia (MSC), as he provides leadership in the school.

4. Pray for SoMNEANg, Administrator, who will oversee the MSC Kindergarten when Vimala is away till end September.

5. Pray for CoSI ChILDREN to grow in gratefulness - a character value taught to them through the Character Formation programme.

6. Pray for an enriching time for LINNA (PCOSIIP youth) who is in Korea for a Student Exchange Programme till December.

7. Pray for general good health for DoRIS as she oversees the village outreach in COSI.

8. Pray for the MISSIoNARIES PLANNINg REtREAt (29 October to 1 November) as we deliberate on our missions direction, manpower and budget.

9. Pray for a wonderful time of ministry for the 12 MISSIoN tEAMS coming to Cambodia during this period.

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1. Praise God for a successful retreat with all our NAtIoNAL WoRkERS - to reflect, re-commit and focus on doing God’s will under the prevailing circumstances. Pray that they will go forth with renewed strength and purpose for the Lord.

2. Pray that the vision and roadmap for the WEStERN gAtE to be strengthened and flourish under the renewed leadership of YG.

3. Pray that the construction work of the guESt houSE will proceed smoothly after rectifying the soft soil condition with a stronger foundation.

4. Pray for the empowerment and guidance of the HS on all our NAtIoNAL LEADERS as they continue to equip and train the workers to conduct CP.

5. Pray for our Co-WoRkERS that we will have wisdom and God’s protection in our various outreach programmes.

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1. Thank God for the hELP AND PRESENCE of several interns and volunteers during our summer school (14 July to 29 August) in SMS LAoS (Singapore Mission School). Praise Him also for miraculously sending us two new expatriate teachers in August and October, when Maricar goes on maternity leave. Pray for two more Lao teachers and an interpreter.

2. Pray for gooD hEALth AND PASSIoN for the teachers as they daily give their all for the children whom the Lord has brought to this school that He has made possible. After summer school, we go straight on to our fifth year of school on 1 September 2014.

3. Pray for His PRoVISIoN, WISDoM AND guIDANCE in the building of the additional classrooms in our current temporary premises.

4. Pray for expertise and assistance for the school to obtain ACCREDItAtIoN for the primary level and to begin the application process for the secondary level.

5. Pray for the RE-REgIStRAtIoN of INSPIRE and the Chinese work. Thank God for the teaching jobs He has been bringing our way, and for empowerment for good teaching and outreach to our students.

6. Pray for God’s hand to be on the LAo AuthoRItIES as they face many pressures, that this country may be governed wisely and justly. Pray for the leaders and people in this land to respond to the gospel, and for SMS and INSPIRE to be used by Him towards that end.

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h MMS1. Thank God for His BLESSINgS, LoVE AND gRACE for

our ministry in Nepal for the year 2013/2014.

2. Pray for our MISSIoNARIES AND NAtIoNAL PAStoRS as they prepare the new year, that God will direct their ministry and provide for all their needs as they remain sensitive and obedient to His word.

3. Pray that God will grant our leaders wisdom as they meet for the 6th ANNuAL MEEtINg in Kathmandu in October 2014.

4. Pray for the preparations of the MISSIoN tEAMS going to Nepal at the end of the year. Pray that God will place the right people to do the right work at the right appointed time, and that they will be blessed as they bless others.

5. Pray for the building project of VIjAYEE MEthoDISt ChuRCh in Ilam, East Nepal as we raise funds for the construction of this new church building.

6. Pray for God’s protection and provision for our MISSIoNARIES, NAtIoNAL PAStoRS AND LEADERS as they continue to reach out to the people through our Community Development programmes. Pray that God will open doors as we reach out to the community and plant disciple-making churches.

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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:

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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

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1. Pray for our pastors to locate and establish new PREAChINg PoINtS where there is no Christian.

2. Pray for SAFEtY & PRotECtIoN as the teams travel regularly on treacherous terrain to these Preaching Points. Pray also for divine guIDANCE & WISDoM to present the Gospel and to nurture the new believers.

3. Pray that God will SoFtEN thE gRouND in these new Preaching Points as we face strong resistance to the Gospel. Pray also for the people in the places to be receptive and open.

PAStoRS AND MINIStRY StAFFS1. Pray for our Pastors and Ministry Staffs as it is very difficult to win pre-believers for Christ and do discipleship in Thailand. Christianity still hovers around 0.5% of the population even after it was first introduced about 187 years ago.

2. Pray that they will REMAIN FAIthFuL to God in their service. Pray also that they will continue to know and grow deeper in the Word, and develop in their ministry skills too.

3. Pray for their FAMILIES as several pastors are struggling to maintain a healthy marriage and family life in the midst of their ministry. Pray for their children as some are involved in pre-marital sex.

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E1. Pray that the StuDENtS hoStEL project in Gleno will proceed smoothly, especially as we are preparing to fulfil the various legal requirements prior to the construction of the hostel.

2. Pray for a favourable response from the Timor-Leste government regarding the MOU to conduct our hEALth CARE PRogRAMMES in Ermera District.

3. Pray for the youths at hoPE FAMILIA oRPhANAgE and around the vicinity to experience the word of God as they study the gospel of Mark. Pray that they will make their bible reading a daily experience.

4. Pray for God’s spirit of compassion and grace on our MISSIoNARIES as they minister to one another and to the community.

5. Pray also that the MISSIoNARIES will be able to learn Tetum quickly so as to enable them to better communicate with the local community.

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1. Pray for MMS & INtERNAtIoNAL ChRIStIAN FELLoWShIP (ICF) to establish good relationship with the governing authorities to show favours and supports for our NGO works in Vietnam.

2. Pray for special anointing for ALBERt as he prepares his weekly sermons. Pray for wisdom and strength to oversee both his business and ICF ministry works.

3. Pray for ICF to be an oasis for spiritual growth and worship for believers working in HCMC.

4. Pray that ICF WoRkINg MINIStRY CoMMIttEE will work with wisdom and joy as a Body of Christ.

5. Pray for God to continuously supply FAIthFuL MEMBERS to serve in ministries and to take ownership of ICF.

6. Pray for ICF to work with local church communities in SoCIAL outREACh to the poor and underprivileged in the provinces.

7. Pray for quick recovery for Vietnam’s ECoNoMY. Pray for the government to have wisdom and good initiatives to overcome finances stress and slow growth in business opportunities.

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

PRAY AND Not LoSE hEARtPi Nood lives in Huay Nam Pong Village in a remote valley in Mae Hong Son Province in Thailand. It is the only Christian Shan village in the province where there are no spirit houses, temples and monks in the street. Pi Nood arrived here 10 years ago and became a believer.

However, her husband did not believe God and he was drinking, smoking and taking drugs. Although the villagers dissuaded him and tried to bring him to church, he remained unmoved. Some days, her husband would disappear for weeks, leaving her and her son, Adeeson, to fend

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for themselves. Still, she remained a faithful believer, and sought fellowship and support in the village. She continued to pray for her family.

Adeeson turned six last year and could finally join Term Fun Home. When he first arrived, he was underweight and not eating well. It took a while to adjust his diet. He had a tendency to eat too much too quickly and ended up throwing up. He was also lacking behind academically and struggled to catch up in the new school. Thank God that he has grown well within one year in Term Fun Home. He eats a lot better now and has managed to pass his primary one school examination.

Last Christmas, Pi Nood’s husband decided to believe in Christ! After almost 14 years, she finally saw her prayer being answered. He has since stopped drinking and taking drugs, and has begun taking on a more responsible role in the family.

Thank God for answering Pi Nood’s prayers. Please continue to pray for this family. For more interesting stories and information about Term Fun Home, please visit www.termfunhome.com.