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

May 2015 to August 2015

And whatever things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive.

Matthew 21:22 (NKJV)

dear

praye

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ners Paul’s letter to the church in Philippi was like a missionary’s

newsletter. It contained words of gratitude and reports on the progress of his work. Paul started his letter by thanking the church for their support rendered while he was in detention. At the same time, he gave them a brief report on his current situation. He informed them that his arrest had resulted in “most of the brothers in the Lord have been encouraged to speak the word of God more courageously and fearlessly” (Philippians 1:14). Then he exhorted them to stand firm in Lord as they encountered persecution. And he urged them to practise humility and unity.

I am inspired by Paul’s vision of what is to come – “that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the gloRY oF god the Father.” (Philippians 2:10-11)

Prayer is an important discipline for all believers. We pray about our everyday needs and difficulties. Nonetheless, we must focus our prayer on God’s global purpose. And we pray about things that will bring gloRY to god ANd blESSiNg to All thE NAtioNS. So as you thumb through the pages of this issue of PrayerConnect, please pray fervently for our mission work. And keep asking God to accomplish His purpose!

Rev Philip limExecutive Director

Methodist Missions Society

Cover photo by Ong Eng Keow (Living Waters MC), winner of MMS Photo Contest #3 (Light of the World)

gloRY to god

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1. Pray for the CoMMuNitY outREACh SERViCES StAFF REtREAt is from 3 to 6 May. Pray for a refreshing time to reflect over our personal walk with God and to re-dedicate ourselves for the ministry.

2. Pray for the MiSSioNARiES PlANNiNg REtREAt is from 13 to 16 May. Pray for resonance in vision and wisdom in the execution of plans that the Lord has for the ministry.

3. Pray for a suitable candidate for the Vice-Principal position in the MEthodiSt SChool oF CAMbodiA.

4. There will be a bREAkthRough MEEtiNg FoR YouthS on 18 June. Pray for the Lord to do a deep work of conviction and commitment in the hearts of the youths.

5. Pray for those on MiSSioN tEAMS to catch the vision to serve as missionaries in the field.

6. Pray for a suitable couple or single lady to work as house parent(s) for CoS-Youth hoStEl.

7. Pray for a suitable ministry staff to work for the EMMAuS WoMEN’S CENtRE.

8. Pray for the children and youth of CoSi, CoSY ANd PoSt CoSi to grow in spiritual depth.

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1. Pray for new worker ML to adjust to NEW ENViRoNMENt and climate in DL. Pray for opportunities to build good relationships with the locals.

2. Pray that the ministry of the WEStERN gAtE will continue to grow. Pray for the workers and local co-workers to be strengthened and anointed by the Lord as they serve.

3. Pray for the renovation and internal furnishing of the outREACh CENtRE in JD. Pray that the funds will be raised and the renovation and furnishing works will be done properly.

4. Pray for the iNtERNAtioNAl CoMMuNitY FElloWShiP (ICF) and community outreach project at JD. Pray for the ground work to be firmly laid so that lives will be touched by the ministry.

5. Pray for the growth in diSCiPlEShiP at the preaching point in NC. Pray that the training workshop and retreat from 1 to 3 May 2015 will be a platform for the participants to be touched and transformed by the Word of God and the Holy Spirit.

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1. Thank the Lord for the gradual iNCoRPoRAtioN of the Singapore Mission School SMS (kindergarten and primary) into the Lao education system and that our Primary 5 pupils could sit for a trial exam and passed.

2. Pray for His continued guidance for the PRiMARY 5 PuPilS, that the school and their parents will make good decisions for their further schooling.

3. Pray for Him to grant us CoNViCtioN as we continue to run the school and prayerfully plan for its future.

4. Ask the Lord to look after our tEAChERS and send others that He has prepared to join us.

5. Pray that He would be pleased through SMS ANd iNSPiRE to REACh MANY within and without.

6. Thank Him for all the good, hard work put in thus far for the buildiNg ExtENSioN plans and pray for the design finalisation and tendering process.

7. Thank God for the iN-PRiNCiPlE APPRoVAl of the MoES for the INSPIRE English and Chinese work, and pray for the registration issues to be sorted out and the process to be smoothly completed.

8. Continue to pray for our Father’s good hand to be on the lAo goVERNMENt for the welfare of its people and the prosperity of the country.

THUR

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h MMs1. Pray for the VijAYEE MEthodiSt ChuRCh building

project in Ilam District. Pray that God will provide the funding for the building project.

2. Pray for our NAtioNAl PAStoRS ANd lEAdERS as they grow in the Spirit. Pray that God will pour out His wisdom and grace as they reach out to the people in Nepal.

3. Pray for our PREAChiNg PoiNtS in Basantapur, Balaju and Aaitabare that they will grow in spirit and as a church. Pray for the evangelists and pastors ministering there.

4. Pray for the MEdiCAl CAMPS that will be conducted in Kavre in May and Tanahu in September.

5. Pray for REV SiNghA and family as they have moved to Tanahu to minister at Bhaisjangar Methodist Fellowship and for PREAChER PRAdEEP liMbu and his family as they will be serving in Surunga Methodist Fellowship from May 2015.

6. Pray for the ExECutiVE CoMMittEE MEEtiNg and the FiEld boARd oF MiNiStRY (FboM) ViSit in June.

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.

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[ ] WhERE it iS NEEdEd MoSt

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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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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

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h MMs ChuRChES & SChool:

1. Pray for all the PAStoRS ANd lEAdERS as they adjust to their new appointments after the March Annual Meeting.

2. Pray for all our PREAChiNg PoiNtS that are still in the birthing stage. Pray that we will be able to establish a footing, and to see people accepting Christ as Lord and Saviour. There are at least three villages at this stage.

3. Pray for new bREAkthRough in bringing the gospel to the surrounding communities. Pray for a revival of all the Churches in the Central Region. Supply Pastor John Lim plans to organise a conference to bring together all the Churches in January 2016.

4. Pray for a good intake of new students in ViNEYARd MEthodiSt SChool (VMS) for the new school year beginning in mid-May. Praise God that the first batch of Primary 6 VMS students scored above national averages. Pray for the construction of the second block of VMS.

PAStoRS, lAY lEAdERS, MiSSioNARiES & MEMbERS:1. Pray that REV PiSut’S WiFE, Saeng, who is suffering from cancer, will response well to medication.

2. Pray for REV hENRY’S oldER bRothER in Singapore who is also suffering from final stage of lung cancer.

3. Pray for God’s hands of protection and blessing on ANgElA SNg (Term Fun Home) and MildREd goh (Payakapum Methodist Church) during their pregnancy and delivery.

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E1. Thank God that we will soon be able to commence our hEAlth CARE MiNiStRY to the surrounding villages in Gleno and the Ermera District.

2. Thank God the smooth and safe progress of the construction of the glENo StudENt hoStEl.

3. Pray for the MEthodiSt SChool iN dili project. Pray for wisdom and God’s favour as the project team prepares for the commencement of the project.

4. Pray that RudY will be granted his visa and that his language training will progress smoothly.

5. Pray for ASNAh ANd SuSANto as they prepare for the commencement of their Health Care Ministry.

6. Pray for joSEPh ANd gRACE as they prepare for their Student Hostel ministry as God continues to bless them with His peace and provision of all their needs.

7. Pray that the new tiMoR-lEStE goVERNMENt will continue to provide for our ministry needs as we continue to serve the people in Timor-Leste.

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1. Pray that the SoCiAl uNitS of MMS in Vietnam will bear good witness for Christ.

2. Pray for wisdom for AlbERt loW as he leads the International Christian Fellowship (ICF), and also for his tough business situation.

3. Pray for the iCF MEMbERS to take ownership ICF so that they will come forward to serve faithfully.

4. Pray that all FoREigNERS ANd ViSitoRS who worship in ICF each Sunday will be blessed.

5. Pray for the ICF lAdiES biblE StudY gRouP to grow in the word. Pray that there will be good bonding among the ladies.

6. Pray for the ICF CEll gRouPS to grow from strength to strength.

7. Pray for smooth RENEWAl of VISA for the worker as well as RENEWAl of license for ICF.

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 ig www.instagram.com/mms.gram

PRAYER ANd FAStiNgOn 7 January 2015, COSI Children’s Village (COSI) and Emmaus Women’s Centre (EWC) had a Prayer & Fasting Day. Our missionaries Doris, Emily and Carol Ong planned for this session to teach the discipline of prayer so that the over 140 residents and staff will be strengthened and grow spiritually. Prior to this, a Prayer Corner was set up to encourage and cultivate the discipline of prayer.

Everyone learnt about and had practical sessions on praying, listening to God, and fasting. It ended with everyone breaking fast with biscuits and

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a hot drink. Everyone showed attentiveness, especially the older girls who sat in front and diligently took down notes. After a time of listening to God’s voice, many children came forward to share what they had heard, received or saw from the Lord. Some were simply touched as they spent quiet moments in His presence.

During the time of listening to God, Srey Mom, an EWC girl, passed out and experienced a spirit entering her. It caused her to struggle and shriek. Those around her gathered to pray for her as the spirit persisted but left her after a while. When Srey Mom came to, she was curious why it happened to her although she believes in Jesus. Doris helped her to explore areas in her life that could be footholds for the evil one. Thereafter, she confessed and rededicated her life to God.

The Prayer Corner is well received. Although it is something new, the residents are going there and spending time in prayer.

Please continue to pray for COSI, EWC and the other MMS homes and hostels that the residents will grow spiritually.