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
Nepal – The building
project of the HCLCN is almost complete. Raju and his family have recently moved from
Kathmandu to the Chitwan district, where the new HCLCN seminary and
headquarters building is located. The
building will be dedicated, and seminary classes will begin in late March when
Missionary Ohlmann is scheduled to visit.
With a lifting of Covid restrictions, the HCLCN is planning to start
more preaching stations and continue construction and repairs on church
buildings in the coming months. Thank
the Lord for His continued blessings on the building project as final
preparations are made for the dedication and the beginning of classes. Ask the Lord to bless the teaching of
His Word in this building that many more faithful preachers and teachers will
be trained to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Pray also for those who will be
reached with the Gospel during the upcoming evangelism trips, that many will
hear, repent, believe in Jesus, and rejoice with us in God’s grace and mercy!Bangladesh –Pastor
Monotosh reports that the individuals who were assaulted because of their faith
in Jesus have been released from the hospital and are slowly recovering from
their injuries. Pastor Monotosh has been
busy in recent weeks with evangelism efforts.
A pastoral training seminar for fourteen pastors and elders of the BLCM
and several evangelism seminars are being planned while Missionary Ohlmann will
be in Bangladesh. Give thanks to our
Savior for the healing granted to His disciples who have suffered for His
name’s sake. Ask the Lord to
continue to bless both the preaching and hearing of the Gospel of Jesus Christ
through the evangelism efforts scheduled in Bangladesh.
Myanmar – Life
continues to be difficult for our brothers and sisters in Myanmar as the
military junta continues to rule with brutality. Many protestors have been imprisoned, killed,
or are missing. The military continues
to make it difficult for Christians to gather for worship and prayer. Most government offices and services remain
closed along with banks and financial institutions. Food and daily necessities are scarce, and
prices have increased. We are thankful
that the Lord has provided an opportunity to send funds to Myanmar again so
that we may help our brothers and sisters in Christ. Pray for justice and peace for all the
people of Myanmar. Pray
especially for our brothers and sisters in Christ that the Lord will grant them
strength, courage, and boldness during these difficult times.
Togo – The classroom
and small dormitory construction is almost finished on church land north of Lomé.
Classes with a new cohort of students are scheduled to begin on March 21st. The long-term plan for this property is to
serve as the church headquarters and Bible institute. Missionary Evensen has been busy translating
and printing lessons for the new semester.
Pray that the Lord would bless these new buildings, the truth of
God’s word that will be taught there, and the students who will study to
prepare for the Gospel ministry in Togo.
Tanzania – Classes
with a new cohort of ten students have recently begun at the Wittenberg
Lutheran Theological Seminary of the CLC-Tanzania. These students will spend the first year
studying basic theology, Bible History, and English as they prepare for seminary
classes next January. Ask for the
Lord’s blessings on these new students and those called to teach and train
them.
Kenya – Ted Quade,
who is called by the CLC Bd of Missions to serve as the Christian School
Instructor Supervisor, and Missionary Ohlmann recently returned from visiting
the two schools in Kenya that are supported through offerings to Kinship. Plans to strengthen the spiritual training of
the teachers and students were discussed and have already begun. A water well project at the school in Moi’s
Bridge and a solar energy system to run the pump and provide lights for some classrooms
have been completed. Give thanks to
the Lord for His many blessings and ask Him to continue to bless the
teachers, students, and the staffs of St. David’s Kinship School and Emmaus
Millimani School as they grow in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.
India – One of the
district leaders of the BELC has been suffering with some serious medical
issues. He has undergone several tests
and is being treated with medicines. Ask
the Lord to bless the medical treatments and grant His servant strength and
healing. Pray for continued protection against persecution in India and for increased boldness and confidence to spread the Gospel amid these dangers.
2022 Mission Helper Trip – The CLC Mission Helper Trips in 2020 and 2021 were canceled due to
the pandemic. Plans are currently
underway for a trip to East Africa (Tanzania, Zambia, and Kenya) in July of
2022. Our brothers and sisters in Christ
in East Africa are eager for the Mission Helper Teams to come again to assist
them in the work of proclaiming God’s saving word. Pray that our Savior will clear any
obstacles that may stand in the way of this trip and that plans will go
smoothly.
Uganda – Pastor
Daniel Mugeni has studied with CLC missionaries and attended pastoral
conferences in Kenya for many years. Missionary
Mike Gurath and Board of Doctrine member Pastor Andrew Schaller are conducting the
formal process of reviewing Pastor Mugeni’s doctrinal positions for a possible
recommendation for a declaration of fellowship. Pray that the Lord would bless this
process of establishing God-pleasing fellowship.
Zambia, D.R. Congo, Liberia, Nigeria, and Mexico – please continue to pray for all of our
brothers and sisters in Christ around the world who are struggling to stay
healthy, provide for their families and the ministry as they proclaim the
Gospel…trusting the promise of our Savior that His Word will not return to Him
void but will accomplish that for which He sent it.
Missionary Evensen –
continues to translate Online Theological Studies lessons and courses into
French for use in Togo and other French-speaking nations in Africa and elsewhere. He has also been busy getting coursework, textbooks, and lessons ready for the new cohort of students that will begin seminary classes on March 21st. Ask
for the Lord’s continued blessings on the translation work and course preparation so that many
more can benefit from learning the truths of God’s saving word in their
language that many more will be well prepared to serve in the Gospel
ministry.
Missionary Ohlmann –
is currently working with our brothers and sisters in Christ of the Bangladesh
Lutheran Church Mission (BLCM). After
spending two weeks in Bangladesh, he will fly to Kathmandu, where he will work
with the pastors and leaders of the Himalayan Church of the Lutheran Confession
of Nepal (HCLCN) to spread the Gospel and train pastors and teachers. He is scheduled to visit twelve congregations
and preaching stations of the BLCM and teach a three-day pastoral training
seminar. While in Nepal, he will be on
hand for the dedication of the new HCLCN building and the opening of the Himalayan
Lutheran Bible Institute. He will also
have the opportunity to preach and teach at several congregations and preaching
stations and present a two-day pastoral training seminar. Ask the Lord to bless his travels and
to clear any obstacles that may stand in the way of his travels and work. Thank the Lord for this opportunity to
assist in the work of proclaiming the Gospel in these nations where less than
5% of the population confess Jesus as Lord and Savior.
The Philippines – Correspondence
continues with an independent Lutheran pastor in the Philippines. This pastor has recently completed the first
introductory Online Theological Study based on the CLC Statement of Faith and
Purpose. A first face-to-face visit is
tentatively planned for some time in 2022. Pray that the Lord would continue to
bless this correspondence, that it will lead to a God-pleasing unity of faith
and teaching. Ask the Lord to
provide opportunities and all that is necessary for Pastor Jordan to proclaim
the Good News of Jesus Christ!
New and Ongoing Opportunities – The Lord continues to provide opportunities to proclaim the truths
of His saving Word in a variety of ways in different areas of the world. Thank the Lord for the privilege of
teaching the truths of His saving Word to others! Pray for these individuals and all
those around the world that we are working with as they seek to grow in their
understanding of God’s Word to be better equipped to spread the Good News of
our Savior Jesus Christ!
God be merciful to us and bless us, And cause
His face to shine upon us,
That Your way may be known on earth, Your
salvation among all nations.
Psalm
67:1–2
