Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may run swiftly and be glorified, just as it is with you...2 Thessalonians 3:1 (NKJV)
Zambia – Communication with Pastor Ibrahim has been very limited
due to the pandemic. After several weeks of no contact, he recently texted that
he had returned to his home village in Tanzania for a visit since Zambia was on
complete lockdown and he wasn’t able to teach, preach, visit, or do evangelism.
While in Tanzania he became sick and went to hospital where he was diagnosed with
and treated for Covid 19. He was briefly hospitalized and is now recovering at
his family’s home in Tanzania. He is feeling much better and would like to
return to Zambia as soon as possible but the border to Zambia is currently
closed. Thank the Lord that Pastor Ibrahim was able to get the necessary
medical care and that he is with family as he recovers. Pray that the
Lord will do what is necessary for Ibrahim to return to Livingstone, Zambia and
that worship services and Bible Institute classes can resume.
Tanzania
– Thank the Lord that classes
have resumed at the Wartburg Lutheran Bible Institute in Arusha with six
students attending the second year of classes. Leaders of the CLC-TZ have also
recently made and a third visit to Zanzibar to meet with a pastor and a small
group of Lutherans on the island. They have officially formed a congregation
with ten members in this predominately Muslim population. Pray that the
Lord will continue to bless and provide for the seminary as six men are being
trained to be faithful preachers and teachers of God’s saving word. Praise
the Lord for the opportunity to proclaim His Law and Gospel among the
people of Zanzibar and that many will turn from the darkness of Islam to the
saving light of Jesus Christ!
D.R.
Congo – While the pandemic hasn’t hit the
southern parts of the D.R. Congo as it has in so many other places around the
world, the lockdowns have travel and communication difficult. Classes have
resumed at Holy Trinity Lutheran Bible Institute. Pray that the Lord
will bless and provide for this on-going effort to train faithful pastors and
teachers.
Nigeria – The borders to Nigeria are still closed, but many of
the restrictions placed on worship services have been lifted or loosened in
recent weeks. The students at the Bible Institute have returned to class and
worship services are again being conducted in all NCLC congregations as they
follow government guidelines that limit the number of attendees and social
distancing. Pray that the Lord will bless the preaching and teaching of
His word.
Togo/Ghana/Benin – The government is still enforcing strict Covid lockdowns
in Togo and this is preventing Missionary Evensen from resuming his teaching
and preaching schedule. This is also preventing outreach and evangelism efforts
of Pastor Kossi and the other pastors and members of the MELC. Pray for
God’s deliverance from the pandemic so that worship services, pastoral training,
and Gospel outreach may begin again soon.
Liberia – Due to Covid travel restrictions and heavy rains
teaching and outreach trips to Bopolu have not taken place for several months.
Pastor Kwiwalazu hopes to begin these visits again soon. Continue to ask the
Lord to bring a swift end to this pandemic so that these and other ministry
efforts in Liberia can continue. Pray also for the Lord’s strength and
perseverance in His followers during these trying times.
Kenya – Nancy Sagala (daughter of Anna) has been hospitalized in
Nairobi with a serious illness. Schools in Kenya are making arrangements
to resume in-person instruction. Pray for God’s protection and healing
for Nancy and that He would provide wisdom to school administrators.
India – The Covid 19 situation continues to worsen throughout
South Asia. India has been particularly hard hit in recent weeks. This
situation has provided an opportunity for increased persecution as Christians
are blamed in some villages. Government aid to those suffering from economic
hardships is being used to entice Christians to denounce Jesus and return to
Hinduism. Pray for our Savior to give strength of faith to the many who
are suffering and that He would use their trials to strengthen their faith and
as a powerful witness to unbelievers.
Nepal – While Covid travel restrictions were recently lifted in
some areas of Nepal, the annual monsoon season has brought unusually heavy
rains that are causing landslides and destruction of roads and crops. Raju was
able to make a quick trip to the area where they intend to build the new
multi-purpose HCLCN building to meet with the contractors. He is hopeful that
construction can begin in November. Classes at the Himalayan Bible Institute
have been canceled for the remainder of 2020. This pandemic has also given rise
to the persecution of Christians in many areas of Nepal. Pray for safety,
strength, and courage for God’s people in Nepal during this time of
persecution, pandemic, economic suffering, and the monsoon season. Ask for
the Lord’s blessings on the funding and construction of the new HCLC-Nepal building.
Myanmar – The spread of Covid has drastically increased in the
large city of Yangon where Pastor Charles is working to spread God’s word. This
recent increase in positive cases has prompted the government to increase lockdown
efforts. The lockdowns prevent most travel within the city and prevent Pastor
Charles from bringing God’s word to the preaching stations and orphanages that
are under his spiritual care. Pray for God’s deliverance from this
pandemic and for strength of faith for those who are being deprived of God’s
word.
Bangladesh – Pastor Monotosh was very sick for a couple of weeks so
he self-quarantined rather than go to the hospital out of concern with government
interference in the Gospel ministry if he tested positive for Covid. He has
since recovered and has had the opportunity to resume pastoral visits to preaching
stations. He recently had the privilege of performing fifteen baptisms of
individuals who were former Hindus. Praise the Lord for restoring Pastor
Monotosh to health and for God’s faithfulness in blessing the Means of Grace as
the Gospel in Word and Sacrament have brought more sinners to repentance and
faith in Jesus Christ!
New
and Ongoing Contacts – The Lord continues to provide new opportunities
to proclaim the truths of His saving word in different areas of the world in
places such as South Sudan, Pakistan, Yemen, Egypt, Burundi, Senegal, Congo,
Puerto Rico, Russia, and Italy. Thank the Lord for the privilege of
teaching His word to others! And Pray for these individuals as they seek
to grow in their understanding of God’s word and be better equipped to spread
the Gospel in the places where they live.
