Light for the Path

 
Persian World Outreach 

• Pray for Christians being arrested and detained by authorities in several cities in Iran. Two Iranian Christian men were arrested on May 15, 2008, at a local park by the security officers of the Ministry of Information. After three months in custody, they were formally charged with religious treason and apostasy. Other charges against them included anti-revolutionary activities, creating public confusion, and publishing falsities. On September 23 their case was finally heard in court. Their families and lawyer were present. After hearing their case, the judge miraculously acquitted them of all charges! This is a result of much prayer and intercession by Christians all over the world. Thank you to all who prayed for the release of these dear brothers!

• Ramtin Soodmand, son of martyred Hossein Soodmand, was recalled by agents of the Ministry of Information in Mashhad August 21, 2008, to appear before a secret tribunal. He was detained without warning, and his family only heard of his whereabouts after more than 24 hours of uncertainty. The state security office in Mashhad has not announced the reason for his arrest and has confirmed that he would be held in custody until the completion of the interrogation process. Please pray for his safety.

Latha & Sam Bandela, unevangelized people groups, India

• India needs our urgent prayers due to ongoing persecutions especially in the state of Orissa. Hundreds of churches and homes have been destroyed. Many men, women, and children have been killed. Pastors and their families are targeted.

• Pray for those who are affected by cyclone floods that left over 2 million people homeless in Andhra, Orissa, and Bihar states. Thanks to CBF emergency funds, 200 families received rice, blankets, clothes, clean drinking water, Bibles, and cash for supplies. Pray that they may find comfort, peace, and joy in the Lord in the days to come.

• Pray for our son, Paul, to be placed in a program that not only provides care, but also can teach him life skills.

Keith Holmes & Mary Van Rheenen, resource coordinators, Europe

• Praise God that Petru and Olessa Ciochina have become the new Roma outreach coordinators in Moldova. Pray for wisdom for Petru as he pastors the Bethlehem Baptist Church and for good health for Olessa during this later part of her second pregnancy.

• Praise God for continued progress with Radj and Anatolie’s businesses in Moldova. Pray that other Roma may soon have proper training and can develop (or further develop) their own small businesses.

• Praise God for a Sinti Romany man who went to a Christian bookstore in Arnhem, The Netherlands, and asked for a New Testament in his language. Pray that this man will connect with Keith for Christian resources in the Sinti Romani language and that this contact will bear much fruit for the Kingdom of God.

Nomie Derani, work with internationals, United States

• Pray for me while I am on off-field assignment and attending school in Michigan.

• Pray for the protection of the center in Brooklyn, New York. Pray for the teachers and staff to keep on keeping on and that the ladies will continue to have receptive spirits to all that we share with them about the Lord. Ask God to give Fadia Farag wisdom.

Joel & Tiffne Whitley, work with internationals, Spain

• In Jan Karon’s books, the Mitford Series, the main character, Father Tim Kavanagh, sometimes prays “the prayer that never fails.” This month that is our prayer request; that each of you would pray “the prayer that never fails” for the ministry here in southern Spain. That God would grow His church, and that our search for a church home for the immigrants here who come speaking many different languages would all be in accordance with “the prayer that never fails.” The prayer that never fails…“Father, thy will be done.”

• Thank you for praying for the family with the premature baby. Margarita is growing like a weed. Maria Ellen, the baby’s mother, prayed to become a Christian this past week. Please continue to pray for the growth of this family; for the baby’s physical growth, and for her parents’ spiritual growth.

Greg & Sue Smith, work with internationals, North America

• This past summer, twelve Latino young people, along with Greg and Sue, participated in a mission trip to Hungary and attended the Baptist Youth World Conference in Germany. Thank God for providing these youth with this opportunity, and pray for them as they meet together in November to remember the trip and reflect on the effect it has had on their lives.

• Pray for V., a new believer who lives in Lima, Peru. While living and working in Fredericksburg, he was attacked by a co-worker and lost his eye. V. decided that life in the United States was not worth the price that many immigrants pay. He returned to Peru to live with his wife and two children and to care for his elderly parents. Pray that he will continue to learn and grow in his new Christian faith and be a witness to those around him.

Butch & Nell Green, work with internationals, South Carolina

• We will be leading a team from Oakland Baptist Church to Louisiana to learn more about ministry to international students. Ask God to give each team member a clear vision of God’s plan for their church.

• We have had several opportunities for collaboration with others on a variety of exciting projects. Pray that God would grant wisdom and insight as to how to pursue these opportunities and deciding the priorities.

• The online conferences (webinars) at www.cbfinternationals.org are now ready. Pray that churches would respond to this opportunity for equipping and training.

• Butch is involved in helping a local church investigate ways that they can use a new ministry center to meet the needs of their community. Pray for vision and guidance from the Spirit as this church seeks to be the presence of Christ in their area.

• Brandon, our son, has been accepted to be a part of an affiliate program with a university in New Zealand. Pray that God would lead as Brandon pursues this special study in anthropology and that God would provide for his needs.

Kim & Marc Wyatt, work with internationals, Canada

• Please pray for the country of Zimbabwe. Pray that the president and leaders will not hinder relief agencies from providing food to the people. Pray that Zimbabweans in and out of the country will work towards a plan for feeding its people. A recent report in The London Times said that half of the population (5 million people) may die from hunger.

• Pray for a Haitian family that has lived in Canada one year but has recently moved to Ottawa in order to be near the Children's Hospital as 3 of the 5 children in this family have sickle cell anemia. Pray for this family - its health and adjustment. Pray for the individuals and churches welcoming this family. Pray that the family will find an apartment just right for them so that they can move out of the shelter.

• Pray for C. who is also from Haiti. She is presently in the hospital in Montreal with cancer. She has no relatives in this country. Pray that she will experience the presence of our Lord as she goes through the coming days. Pray for her friends that are traveling from another city several times a week to visit her.

• Pray for Rebecca and Jon Marc's friends who are curious about what it means to be a follower of Christ.

• Continue to pray for the Matthew 2535 Network as we experience some birth pains. Pray with us as we seek to be faithful to what God has called us. Pray that we will be wise and not easily discouraged as we seek to welcome refugees and to work with others as we do so.

• Please remember Kim's mom and family as all three of Kim's grandparents are ill. Kim's maternal grandparents are both in rehab facilities right now and her paternal grandfather continues to hold his own as he lives with cancer.

• Continue to lift up in prayer the Karen refugees that are arriving into Quebec City. Pray for two Baptist churches in the area that they will be welcoming to their brothers and sisters from Burma.

• Pray as leaders from CBF meet with leaders from several Baptist organizations in Toronto, Ottawa, and Montreal, November 13-17. Pray that the conversations will be all about building the Kingdom of God through cooperation and discernment.