Strategic Prayer Focus: Myanmar

Late last year, one of our Kingdom Partners requested we consider joining a special prayer initiative. The suggested country? Myanmar. Little did I dream that it would be front page news when we were ready to launch this strategic prayer focus.

Myanmar, which used to be called Burma, is the largest country by geographical area in mainland Southeast Asia. Located on the Indian Ocean, it is surrounded by Bangladesh, India, China, Laos, and Thailand. It is one of the poorest countries in Southeast Asia, and has been under a strict military rule since 1962. It has a population of 55 million.

One of our desires at New Covenant is to see the Bible become available in every major language. But with much of the remaining translation work being needed in areas of the world that are considered hard to reach, mission agencies have to be especially cautious in their communications and often cannot mention a specific language community (people group). Our prayer focus on Myanmar is a strategic response to this challenge and allows us to recruit committed prayer partners who will stand in the “sensitivity gap” for this nation.

Why did we choose Myanmar? In addition to being specifically asked, New Covenant has seven kingdom partners in Asia, so there is a great deal of overlap with our current efforts. Some labor in restricted countries and their work is sensitive so we often cannot post or publish requests like we can for our other Kingdom Partners. A focus on Myanmar will help us safely inform you about the type of work some of our Kingdom Partners are doing and give you specific requests that would not harm the particular work of our Kingdom Partners.

Please join us in praying for the country of Myanmar on a regular basis. Beginning in June, you will find prayer requests in the bulletin and Missions E-Newsletter, and I will write about the work in Myanmar in this blog.

Myanmar: What Can We Do?

It is a spiritual battle. Make no mistake about it. Any progress – yes, any progress that happens for the sake of the Kingdom comes only because of prayer, not because of our strategies, plans, or activities. Yes, we can and must plan and act, but the success comes from God’s power, not our actions alone. (See Daniel 10:1-14 and Ephesians 6:10-20 for just two of many biblical examples of this truth.)

It is through this lens that we must look at the country of Myanmar (or Burma as it used to be called). They have suffered one of the worst tragedies in recent history. As of today, over 22,000 are known to have perished and many believe the death toll may easily reach 60,000 or even higher. Yet in the midst of such utter devastation, the military government continues to cling to power. They had a two day warning that the cyclone would hit, yet they did virtually nothing to warn or prepare the people. Today as many as 3 million are homeless, yet the government denies visa permits and hinders the swift assistance of international aid for those in need.

What would cause a government to be so willing to let their people suffer? The obvious reason is their desire to maintain power and control over the people. It is why they reacted so violently against the protests last August. But the issue is deeper than that. It is a spiritual darkness that keeps them from showing common human decency and allowing free access to foreign aid during this crisis.

What will change this? Political pressure and world opinion really don’t matter much. Threats don’t hold much weight. The only option that has any true chance for success is prayer.

The problem is we don’t really believe that to be true. If we did, we would spend more time personally and corporately wrestling for the soul of this nation. We would be moved to intercede on behalf of millions of people who are facing disease, starvation, and abject poverty and who have no hope for eternity.

The time to act is now. Pray for Myanmar. Pray for the light of Christ to shine brightly from the highest government official to the poorest person in the land. Pray for those impacted by this natural disaster. Pray for the love of Christ to bring life and hope to those in need. Start there, and in the weeks ahead, I will share more requests about this country that is covered in spiritual darkness.

(Go to this map to see where the cyclone hit and the impact it had on the country.)

Myanmar Disaster Update

When I mention the country of Myanmar to people, I often get a puzzled look on their faces. Many have not heard of it and don't have a clue where it is located. Myanmar is the new name for the country of Burma. It is located in Southeast Asia, more or less between India on the west side and Thailand on the east. Go here for a great map and a short summary of info on the country.

Foreign aid workers fear that as many as 50,000 have or will perish as a direct result of the cyclone. Over a million are homeless.

There are various foreign workers in this country in the area where the cyclone hit. Pray for their safety. Pray for opportunities for them to care for others. Pray for wisdom in dealing with the long term effects of this catastrophe.

Here are two articles that give some more details: Times Online and Daily Mail.

Pray for Myanmar (Burma)

The devastation is overwhelming. Myanmar (or Burma as it was formerly called) was hit by a cyclone last Friday and Saturday. Officially the death toll is around 4,000, but it is feared that as many as 10,000 have perished. (See this article and this one for more info.)

The country was in the news last August. Students and Buddhist monks protesting the military government were beaten and even killed. The country faces an important vote in a few weeks, and this disaster may further weaken the military rulers. Whether they finally step down or respond with even greater force remains to be seen.

Pray for this troubled country. Pray especially that they would hear the Gospel. Pray that Bible translations that have been started would be completed, and that new ones would begin. Pray that there would be freedom to distribute the Bibles when they are done.

Kazakh Law Still Moving Forward

Mission Network News has another article about the state-backed religion law in Kazakhstan that would greatly restrict religious freedom. The Prime Minister of the country has endorsed the law. However, if approved, it will still need the signature of the President. Continue to pray for the law to be rejected and for boldness for the believers in the country.

English Business Camp

In about 5 weeks, I will be headed over to the Czech Republic. This will be my fifth visit since June 2004! We will join with our Project CR partner church in Trinec to put on our eighth English Business Camp at Malenovice. We will have 50 to 60 students from businesses in the area come to practice their English with native speakers. As we build relationships we will have opportunities to share our lives and our faith with each other.

If you are interested in helping support this endeavor, please contact me or send your support to International Messengers (put "Czech Camp Malenovice" in the memo).

Uncertainty - Part 3: Kazakhstan

A few years ago, I had a friend from Texas who left to live in Kazakhstan. It was a difficult place to be, but she enjoyed teaching English and the opportunities God gave her to encourage and disciple women she met. She recently returned to the States, but her stories made that country come alive for me.

I was sad to read today about a proposed law in Kazakhstan. It would greatly limit the ability my friend and others there would have to simply share the Gospel in the midst of their daily lives. (To learn more, you can read this article at Mission Network News.)

Pray for religious freedom in Kazakhstan. Pray that this law would not be approved. But most of all, pray for boldness and growth among the believers in Kazakhstan.

Uncertainty - Part 2

In my last post, I wrote about the uncertain world in which we live. Opportunities that are here today may be gone tomorrow. In future posts I will be making the case that we need to take advantage of every opportunity to take the Gospel to people groups who have never heard, especially in places where there is an open door for us to go. Yes, we can and should continue to support missionaries all over the world. But based on the very fact that missionaries are there already, the opportunity is being addressed. We must never forget Jesus’ command to make disciples of all people groups (Matthew 28:19) and to go to the ends of the earth (Acts 1:8). As Paul said, how can they hear if someone doesn’t go and tell them? (See Romans 10:14-17).

The task is not done. It won't happen by accident. God is in control, but he has given us the assignment to reach every people group. My passion is that we make sure we are not like the man who buried his talent in the ground, failing to appropriately use the resources and abilities God has provided. If we fail to think and act strategically, we will fail to be fully obedient in this generation.

Uncertainty in Kenya, Jordan, and Russia

It is easy to become complacent, to think that ministry opportunities that exist today will still be here tomorrow. Nothing could be farther from the truth.

We have had the privilege of sending five teams to Kenya. It seemed to be a stable country. Yet seemingly overnight things became horribly violent and still remain unstable. Christian workers are limited in what they can do or have had to leave the country.

For years Jordan has tolerated a variety of Christian activities. Yet in the last few months, they have denied residency permits and expelled Christian workers, seminary students, and professors. (Christianity Today has two articles about the situation: "Jordan's Eviction Notice," and "Hardship for Evangelicals in Jordan: Lessons for All Christians.")

I have personally been to Russia four times, yet that country is becoming closed to outsiders. And the list could go on.

Therefore be very careful how you live — not as unwise but as wise, taking advantage of every opportunity, because the days are evil. (Ephesians 5:15-16 NET)

Great Commission Weekend Challenge

So what? How does this Great Commission Weekend apply to you? Are you going to make any changes in what you do tomorrow?

Our focus this weekend is on Jesus’ command to make disciples of every tongue, tribe, and nation. But how does that apply to us in Cedar Rapids? What difference should this make when we go to work on Monday? Did Jesus really include me and you when he said that we would be his witnesses?

I am convinced that Jesus did include every one of us in his command. That is probably obvious if you have regularly read this Missions Update or listened to me preach on missions. But what that looks like is very individual. I do not think all of us are supposed to sell our home, pack up our bags, and move overseas. But I am absolutely certain that Jesus wants us to be more involved than just thinking about his command once a year when there is a missions Sunday.

Here is my suggestion: Pray! Ask God what he would have you to do. Spend time wrestling with what it looks like in your own life. If you do nothing else as a result of this weekend but pray, I would consider us having hit a homerun. Let me be clear: I am not talking about a onetime token prayer. I am asking you to spend an extended time in prayer for a number of days or weeks where you wait and listen until God shows you what he would have you do.

If God has already spoken to your heart of how you can be actively involved in global disciple-making, then by all means get busy and do it! But if not, the first step is prayer. Feel free to email me or post a comment and I will join in prayer with you and for you!

He Is Risen!

I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you spiritual wisdom and revelation in your growing knowledge of him, — since the eyes of your heart have been enlightened — so that you may know what is the hope of his calling, what is the wealth of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and what is the incomparable greatness of his power toward us who believe, as displayed in the exercise of his immense strength. This power he exercised in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms far above every rule and authority and power and dominion and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. And God put all things under Christ's feet, and he gave him to the church as head over all things. Now the church is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all. (Ephesians 1:17-23 NET Bible, emphasis mine)

This is one of my all time favorite passages of scripture. When I think something is impossible, I just go back and read Ephesians 1. It is a grand affirmation of the power of God. The same power that raised Jesus from the dead is at work building His Kingdom around the world.

When I look at the state of the Gospel around the world, it is exciting. Nearly one third of the world has clearly heard the Gospel. Not all of them are truly saved, but the task of making disciples of those people groups has been advanced. Another third of the world is within reach of the Gospel. They still need to hear, but the task of making disciples has made significant progress.

However, roughly one third of the world, around two billion people still have not heard. They have no active Christian witness. They can live their whole lives without hearing the Good News that Christ is risen – He is risen indeed!

What will it take to reach them? It will take a deliberate effort to go to places that are difficult and dangerous. It will take strategic thinking to do more than just what we are currently doing. It will take us being obedient to Jesus' command to make disciples of all people groups.

If you are in the Cedar Rapids area and want to learn more, make plans to be a part of our Great Commission Weekend, April 4-6, at New Covenant Bible Church and find out.

Global Prayer

“It is written, ‘My house will be a house of prayer,’ but you have turned it into a den of robbers!” (Luke 19:46 NET)

Harsh words! When we think of Palm Sunday, we often focus on the people praising Jesus and saying, “Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!” Yet just a short while later we find Jesus angrily driving out the sellers in the Temple. It was not the first time he had seen them there. I suspect there are many other times when it bothered him and when he could have acted. Why now?

The key is in Luke 19:41-42: “Now when Jesus approached and saw the city, he wept over it, saying, ‘If you had only known on this day, even you, the things that make for peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes.’” What catches my attention is the focus of Jesus’ rebuke. His house should have been a house of prayer. It should have been a place where the focus was on God and where an atmosphere of dependency and trust was developed.

I wonder what Jesus would say today. People sometimes use this passage to worry about “selling” things in the church on a Sunday. I think that misses the whole point. The issue is not on what they were doing but on what they were not doing. They should have been in prayer.

At New Covenant, we have been developing a culture of “prayer, care, and share.” My hope is that this has gone beyond just prayer for Cedar Rapids. Roughly one third of the world – two billion people! – have no access to the Gospel. They have no missionary or local church. They may live their whole lives without meeting a single believer. Let me challenge you to consider praying globally as well as locally.

To learn more about global prayer, be sure to be a part of the Great Commission Weekend, April 4-6 at New Covenant.

Things Still Unresolved in Kenya

According to a report from Mission Network News, there is still no actual resolution to the crisis in Kenya. The violence and economic instability is greatly hindering the ministry of many organizations. If a power sharing agreement is not reached soon, it is very possible the violence will resume.

With all of the focus on Darfur and Kenya, it is easy to miss what is going on in other parts of Africa. Sunday's Parade Magazine had a short article about the genocide occurring in Congo (look under the heading "World: The Other African Genocide").

It is sobering to realize that a hundred plus years of missions work has not stopped these atrocities. I don't fault the missionaries and mission agencies. There are a lot of political and economic factors beyond their control. Rather, I think it is important for us to step back and realistically assess what we are doing in Africa and what adjustments might be needed.

Pray for peace. Pray for revival. And pray for God's guidance for the many missions agencies working in Africa.

Kenya Rivals Make Deal

It appears there may be hope for calm to return to Kenya. In a news story today, it is reported that the rival factions are willing to write a new constitution which would allow a power-sharing arrangement. While this is welcome news, pray for the deeper reconciliation that still must happen for true peace and revival to come to this country. Many have lost their homes, businesses and even loved ones in the violence. Their economy has suffered greatly, and with many businesses damaged or destroyed, finding jobs may be difficult. It will take a while for Kenya to recover from the last few weeks and months.

Poland Team Safely Home

The Poland Team arrived safely back in Cedar Rapids this evening. For anyone interested, they will be sharing about their trip this Sunday night, February 10 at 6:30 PM down in the Senior High room at New Covenant.

30-Day Challenge

Today is the launch of our Embracing Faith 30-Day Challenge at New Covenant where we are inviting everyone to spend time daily meditating on the selected passage and in prayer. If you are not already doing so, I invite you to take part. Here is how you can join the challenge: Pick up your Journey Guide from church on Sunday and turn to the Reading Journal section in the guide. There is a selected passage and a place to journal your thoughts for 6 days each week, and a prayer and memory verse for the week.

To complement the journal, you can also go to our Embracing Faith 30-Day Challenge blog. You will find a devotional to go along with each day's challenge and a place to share your comments and thoughts with others on the journey. Pastor Bob's devotional to kick off this journey is already posted.

Being a Kingdom Partner is all about embracing faith. Our goal with this Embracing Faith Campaign is not focused on raising funds for a facility but on finding a way to allow us to continue to make disciples both here in Cedar Rapids and around the world. That focus has led us to grow by an average of 10 percent each year, and that growth has helped give us added resources to support four new kingdom partners. So Embracing Faith is truly about Kingdom work. I can't wait to see what God will do in the future to build his kingdom as we remain obedient to Jesus' command to make disciples of all people groups.

Poland Team In USA

According to the United Airlines Website, the plane with the Poland Team has arrived in Chicago. Their flight to here is still scheduled to arrive at 5:49 PM.

To check on the status, look up United Flight #5858 on the United website.

Poland Team Return Info

The Poland Team will be returning on Saturday, February 9 at 5:49 PM on United FL# 5858. If you want to greet them, join us at 5:30 PM at the Eastern Iowa Airport.

Pray for Kenya on Friday

I know many of you have been praying for peace in Kenya. Empowering Lives International suggests it would be good for all of us to join together in a united time of prayer. Their staff in California will be praying on Friday, February 8. They ask people all over the country -- or even the world -- to join together at Noon California time (2 PM Iowa time).

For more information and specific prayer requests, go to the Empowering Lives International blog.

Poland Team Tuesday Update and Video

Here is an update from the Poland Team:

To the 216 people on our Poland Prayer Team,

I've tapped into Gina's "Poland Team" Distribution List to send out this email update. I didn't realize how many we had praying, so thank you all so very much!

I believe only about 6 of the 40 people here avoided getting sick to some degree or another. The only one on our American team who never got sick was Ben Struik. Thankfully most of the sick ones have started recovering now.

The three right now who remain pretty sick are Lexi Forstrom, Ben Ziegler and Allyson Male. Keep them in your prayers. They had to miss classes today and stay in bed. Chills, sore throats, headaches, coughing etc. are their symptoms. We're giving them Theraflu, sore throat lozenges, clementines (for vitamin C) and chicken soup. Hopefully tomorrow will be better for them. It has been a real disappointment to all three of them to be sidelined this way. Prayer for healing and encouragement.

As for my knee, it is a bit better. I can walk on it without much pain, so I doubt that anything is torn or severely damaged. It's still tender to the touch, but I think I'll be ok. I was even able to play a round or two of "Dance Dance Praise" yesterday!

Thanks, everyone for the prayers.

Tomorrow (Wed) is our final full day, ending with our awards banquet. We've really bonded with these Polish students and it will be sad to say goodbye.

We should leave Czchow after breakfast on Thursday and return to Krakow. We plan to go visit Auschwitz, the concentration camp, on Friday and fly out first thing Saturday morning, arriving in CR the same day. Weather permitting of course. Sounds like Cedar Rapids has a lot of snowy weather coming for the rest of the week.

Thanks again for the prayers,

For the team, Mark

Be sure to go to YouTube to check out their videos. Here is a recent one they posted:

Saturday Poland Team Update

Hello prayer warriors. We need some heavy duty prayer!

The most important need is physical health! There are only three on the team who are not sick: Ben, Ben, and Lexi. Everyone else has something, each one different, ranging from coughs (some dry, some wet), chills, lack of energy, running noses, or fever. Could this indicate a spiritual attack? Quite possibly. Pray that Satan would not deter us from reaching these Polish students in any way. Could it be that God is making us weak so that his strength is made perfect in our weakness? Quite Possibly. Pray that God's will be done and that we fully experience what He has for us.

We had a great day in Krynica (ker neet sa) yesterday. Some went shopping and tasted the famous stinky Zuber water. Others of us went skiing. The mountain was 4,000 meters (13,000 ft), so it was just like Colorado. Ben S, Bree, Ethan, Charlie and I had gone before and Allyson and Lexi got to ski for the first time! They did great (the bunny hill kept them near the top, don't worry parents!)

Thankfully the only injury happened to me. I wrenched my knee the last time down the big mountain--it was a glorious wipeout! You could pray that this would not inhibit my ministry to these kids and that I would enjoy fellowship with Jesus to a tiny degree as I hobble around a bit while it heals. I'm sure nothing is broken, but it is tender--on stairs especially. I'm so glad it was me and not anyone else!

Mark

The Church in Kenya

Christianity Today Magazine has a thought provoking story called "Post-Mayhem Woes." It points out that 80 percent of the people in Kenya consider themselves Christian. Even more shocking, many churches failed to speak out against the violence when it first started.

Should we be surprised? Perhaps not. While it may seem unthinkable to us here in America, I am not so sure we are that far removed. Jesus' command is to make disciples. While many called themselves Christians, I am not so confident they were all his disciples. That is equally true here.

I am not judging anyone, nor claiming I am superior. My point is that "the proof is in the pudding." A true disciple will be so clearly different he or she will stand out as a follower of Christ. A disciple might make mistakes in the heat of the moment, but the true disciples will step forward in the weeks and months ahead to demonstrate the love of Christ and what it means to bear the cross of Christ. I pray that I will be such a disciple.

Poland Team Tour of Facility

Poland Team Schedule and Requests

Here are some current prayer requests from our team members as well as the schedule, so you can be praying specifically. Thanks, everyone. We can feel the prayers on our behalf! Keep it up!

Mark

Allyson Male: Pray that the language barrier will not stop some people from opening up to our team. Pray that I have the courage to open up to the campers and that I will be able to find a balance between spending time with them, planning lessons, and spending time alone with God.

Lydia Jorgensen: For physical health; I need to sleep. For camp itself, that I can figure out with Charlie what our class needs to learn (we have the advanced class).

Bree: That I would realize that while I'm here It's not about me.

Emma: Stay in God's image while I'm here.

Ethan: Pray for brother Daniel & Kristin. (late term miscarriage)

Mark Forstrom: I have developed a little cough and headache yesterday. I'm perfectly content with it, but just don't want it to hinder any ministry. Pray God's will to be done. Pray for some "couple issues" among the Polish-that it wouldn't be a distraction.

Ben Ziegler: Pray that the lessons go well and I am able to connect with the students in my class.

Kristie: Pray for walls to continue to come down with the students. Pray for the health of the kids as some are battling colds. Pray for continued unity of the NCBC group. Pray for the missionary family that we are serving with.

Lexi: Willing to help Przemek and Julie in any way (babysitting especially), and any other staff member or camper.

Ben S: That I will be more humble during my experience with Polish students and I will understand to be more loving to others and not so bashful. I pray for unity and the strength to love all of my team mates and also the polish students.

Charlie: I can't always sleep well which is no different than at home but it would really be nice if I could here because I am starting to feel the effects of no sleep. Also just pray that we would all be a unified group that would not be one that does as little as possible or that is not outgoing but one that really wants to get involved in these peoples lives and that we would have the courage to start conversation even though sometimes it is obscenely awkward and when they don't understand they just kinda laugh at you just pray for courage strength and understanding. Remember the song "Give Me Words to Speak" by Aaron Shust and pray that for us too!

Here's the daily schedule (Iowa time)

1 am Staff meeting

2 am Breakfast

2:45-3:45 am English Bible Reading Time

3:45-7 am Free time

7 am Lunch

7:45-9:45 English Classes (there are four levels)

10 am Optional Bible Study (Mark leads this. Dealing with questions atheists ask about God.

11 am Conversation groups (to get them talking in English)

12 pm Supper

1-2:30 pm Evening Activities (games, worship, testimonies)

4 pm Quiet hours

5 pm Lights out

Here's the weekly schedule, fyi

Mon, 28^th. Team devotional: Emma.

Tues, 29^th. Team devotional: Bree. Testimony: Ben S.

Wed, 30^th. Team devotional: Ben Z. Testimony: Bree.

Thurs, 31^st. Team devotional: Allyson. Testimony: Kristie.

Fri, 1^st. Team devotional: Lydia. Testimony: Allyson. Day trip to Krynica. "ker neet sa"

Sat, 2^nd. Team devotional: Charlie. Skit night.

Sun, 3^rd. Team devotional: Ethan. Testimony: Ben Z. Church service: Mark leading.

Mon, 4^th. Team devotional: Ben S. Testimony: Emma. Gospel night.

Tue, 5^th. Team Devotional: Kristie. Campfire.

Wed, 6^th. Team Devotional: Lexi. Banquet night.