India (Southeast Asia) – The CLC-India has conducted
Christmas outreach programs annually for several years. Due to increased
persecution and violence by supporters of the majority Hindu nationalist
political party (BJP), Pastor Jyothi is disappointed that the CLCI won't be
doing as much outreach this year. Pray that the Good News of our Savior
will continue to spread, even amid such persecution. Ask the Lord to thwart
the plans of evil forces that seek to prevent the spread of the Gospel in
India and worldwide. Ask our Savior to grant boldness and courage in
such difficult circumstances.
Tanzania (East Africa) - Severe flooding has hit the northern part of Tanzania, affecting the TZ-CLC congregation in Mbulu. Although no deaths have been reported, Pastor Jeremia reports that twenty members are in need of food, blankets, and tents for temporary shelter. Pastor Jeremia has visited the area to evaluate the needs and provide emergency supplies. Thank the Lord for keeping Pastor Solomon, his family, and the Mbulu congregation safe from death and serious injury. Pray for the Lord's blessings on the recovery efforts and that He will continue to provide for and protect the sheep of His Mbulu flock.
Pakistan (South Asia) - Pastor Tim Daub recently reported that ten individuals who have completed two years of online theological training and a thorough study of Luther's Small Catechism have recently begun weekly worship services. They are calling themselves the Church of the Lutheran Confession of Pakistan. The Board of Mission has authorized Missionary Ohlmann to accompany Pastor Daub on a visit to Pakistan in 2024. With the upcoming elections in Pakistan and due to safety concerns surrounding it, there is some uncertainty about when this trip will occur. Pray that the Lord will continue to bless the teaching and the learning of His Word. Thank our Savior for this opportunity and the technology to proclaim the truth of His Word in such a way.
Nepal
(South Asia) – On December 6th, a
graduation ceremony was held for the third class of Himalayan Bible Institute
(HBI) students who have completed the two-year course of instruction. Before
graduation, Missionary Ohlmann had the opportunity to teach classes at HBI for
three days. He reviewed the basic teachings of the Christian faith using the
Apostle's Creed as an outline. Pastor Raju has been suffering from partial
voice loss for the past few months. Doctors found lesions or nodes on his vocal
cords. This prevented him from translating while Missionary Ohlmann was in
Nepal. Thankfully, Raju's brother, his father, and an HCLCN pastor were
available to translate. Raju's doctor has advised him to rest his voice for at
least two months and begin voice therapy to heal and strengthen his vocal
cords. Due to this, the beginning of HBI classes is delayed until March or
April. Applications for the next session of HBI are being received and
reviewed. Give thanks to the Lord for the recent graduates of HBI and ask
for His blessings on their service to Him. Pray for the Lord's healing
of Raju's vocal cords so that he may continue the important work of proclaiming
God's word and training more faithful workers for God's kingdom work in Nepal.
The
Philippines (Southeast Asia) –
Pastor Andrew Schaller (CLC Bd of Doctrine Secretary) continues the colloquy
with Pastor Jordan Palangyos and the Lutheran Autonomous Mission in the
Philippines (LAMP) via email correspondence. An early February visit to conduct
the face-to-face colloquy is in the works. Pray that the Lord will bless
the colloquy and that this 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 continue to proclaim the Good News of Jesus
Christ!
DR
Congo (Central Africa) – The
Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has faced several delays in planning for the
presidential election scheduled for December 20th. The previous election in
2018 was controversial and has caused unrest and violence in the country.
Recently, a high-ranking official of the opposition party was murdered, and
violence and deaths are reported daily as a result of the upcoming election. Pastor
Yumba has advised that plans for Missionary Ohlmann's visit to the DRC in early
2024 should be on hold. Pray for peace and civility as the people of the
DRC approach their presidential election. Pray for the Lord's will to be
done in this election and for the protection, hope, and courage of our
brothers and sisters of the CCLC.
Bangladesh (South Asia) – Missionary Ohlmann recently spent three
weeks working with Pastor Monotosh and the Bangladesh Lutheran Church Mission
(BLCM). Together, they conducted two-day Bible training seminars for hundreds
of believers in several BLCM congregations and preaching stations. They also
conducted a five-day Church Leader Training seminar that was attended by
sixteen men. Pastor Monotosh is asking for the Lord's blessings in providing building
funds for a BLCM headquarters, Bible Institute, dormitory, and worship facility
on land purchased last year. Praise and thank the Lord for the many
opportunities He has given the BLCM to proclaim the Gospel in this
predominantly Muslim nation. Ask the Lord to provide for the much-needed
building project of the BLCM and pray for His continued blessings on the
preaching and teaching His word.
Myanmar (South Asia) – After being under military junta
control for almost three years, the civil war in Myanmar is still ongoing.
According to Pastor Kham and news reports, the resistance is becoming more
organized as local and regional militias join forces with the People's Defense
Force (PDF) and prepare for a Spring Revolution Offensive. As the Military
Junta has suffered several defeats in recent months, the resistance hopes to
overthrow the military rule and reinstate the democratically elected government
that was removed by force in February 2021. Please pray for the innocent
bystanders caught in this conflict, especially our brothers and sisters in
Christ of the CLC-Myanmar. Ask that God's will be done as this conflict
continues and that peace may prevail.
Liberia (West Africa) – Pastor Joseph requests prayers for the
Gospel outreach in Liberia, and especially in Guinea. Pastor John Hein
continues treatments for thymic cancer. He has been hoping to visit Liberia in
January. Pray for the Lord's continued blessings and faithfulness on the
preaching and teaching of His saving word in Liberia and Guinea. Pray for
the Lord's hand of healing upon Pastor Hein so that the treatments he is
receiving will rid his body of cancer and it will be possible for him to visit
Liberia again.
Mission
Development Fund – CLC President Mike
Wilke writes: "When the convention approved the calling
of our third foreign missionary, it determined that the funding of that
missionary would come fully from the MDF for the first year. The cost of
funding that missionary is about $80,000 and has impacted other planned MDF
projects. Currently, the balance of the MDF is enough to cover the cost of our
third foreign missionary for the rest of this fiscal year and a few other
essential projects, but without additional funds, we will not be able to fund
other planned projects. We have already put a hold on all other projects,
including funding Bibles and other Christian literature, church-building
assistance, and many planned outreach projects. Pray that the members of the
CLC will remember this work in their prayers and their offerings so that we
might continue to carry out the work the LORD has set before us and which we
have decided to do as a church body."
Missionary
Evensen (Togo, West Africa) –
Missionary Evensen recently had a kidney stone block his only kidney. He has
passed the stones and has recovered well. Thank the Lord for delivering
him through this painful health incident, and Ask the Lord to
prevent any further complications.
Kate
Sauers (USA) – Kate has responded
remarkably well to chemotherapy. Recent visits indicate that her tumors have
shrunk. Give thanks to the Lord for blessing the treatments so far. Ask for His
continued blessings on the remainder of the treatments she is scheduled to
receive.
Missionary
Bruce Naumann (Tanzania-East Africa) –
Missionary Bruce and Paula Naumann are in the U.S., while the TZ-CLC seminary
in Arusha is on break. Pray for the Lord to move the hearts of the men
in our fellowship in Tanzania to enroll in the seminary for the upcoming school
year, which begins on January 15th, 2024. Pray for safe travel for both
our returning students and our missionary. Ask for our Savior's blessing
on the pastors and people of the TZ-CLC in proclaiming the Gospel of Christ
crucified. Follow their blog at clc-tz.blogspot.com.
Missionary
Ohlmann – Missionary Ohlmann is
scheduled to return to the United States on December 12th after traveling and
working in Asia for several weeks. During his stay in Asia, he visited a
congregation in Tokyo, Japan, once in fellowship with the CLC. He also spent
about six weeks in Bangladesh and Nepal. In early 2024, he plans to visit and
work with our brothers and sisters in Christ in Africa. A visit to the
Philippines is also being planned. Thank the Lord for safe travels and
His faithfulness in blessing the spread of His saving Word. You can read
reports and see pictures here missionaryohlmann.blogspot.com
Ongoing
Opportunities – please continue to
pray for all of our brothers and sisters in Christ around the world, who,
by God's grace, are dedicated to proclaiming the truths of God's saving word
for the salvation of souls as they trust the promise of our Savior that His Word
will not return to Him void but will accomplish that for which He sent it.
That Your way may be known on earth, Your salvation among all nations. Psalm 67:2
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