...pray for us, that the Word of the Lord may run swiftly and be glorified... 2 Thessalonians 3:1
Ongoing Needs of God’s Servants—Due to poverty and a lack of opportunities in many developing nations where the CLC is privileged to work, seminary students and most pastors we work with struggle to support their families. This is true of most of the members as well. Because funding for pastoral training, Bibles, Christian literature, and direct Gospel outreach is the priority for the CLC, we trust the Lord to provide for other local needs. Pray for our brothers and sisters in Christ who love and serve the Lord, asking our gracious Savior to provide all that is needed for His servants and for the spread of the Good News!DR
Congo (Central Africa) – The Democratic
Republic of the Congo (DRC) has been embroiled in war for many years. In recent months the violence has intensified with
rebel militias advancing and capturing the major city of Goma. The level of
brutality and suffering is almost unimaginable. The violence has caused massive
displacement, with hundreds of thousands of people forced to flee their homes.
Many live in makeshift camps with limited access to food, clean water, and
healthcare. Because of the violence, sexual assault, child abductions,
suffering, and death that has taken
place, citizens of the DRC have staged protests, some violent, against the
centralized government, the UN, and western governments for not doing enough to
end the violence. Many of the violent protests have taken place in the capital
city of Kinshasa, where Pastor Lumiangu lives and ministers to the members of
the Confessional Lutheran Church of the Family
of Saints. Pastor Yumba, who
serves the CCLC, reports that while protests have only happened in Lubumbashi, threats
and rumors of rebel activities in the southeast part of the country keep
everyone on edge. Much of the violence and fighting is taking place around the
borders of Burundi and Rwanda, where CLC and CCLC contacts are located. Pray
for peace and protection for all those who are suffering.
Myanmar (South Asia) – The civil war in Myanmar continues with no end in sight, causing much suffering for our
brothers and sisters in Christ. Thankfully, we have been able to provide
minimal humanitarian assistance through Kinship. Pastor Thang, the president of
CLCM, recently had emergency surgery to remove infected tissue from his abdomen
due to complications from a previous surgery. The emergency medical aid from
Kinship made this possible. The surgery was a success, and although he is weak,
he is back home and recovering. Please keep our brothers and sisters in your
prayers, asking for peace, justice, and relief for all affected by this
conflict. Thank the Lord for sparing the life of Pastor Thang and ask for His
blessings on his recovery.
Bangladesh (South Asia) – The BLCM building project is expected
to begin soon as they need to complete the site work, foundation piles, and
ground floor slab before the monsoon season begins in late April. They had
hoped to begin sooner, but because Bangladesh is 95% Muslim, construction will
be delayed until the end of Ramadan. The Board of Missions has sent the first
installment of an MDF grant to help support this project. Plans are to send
funds in five installments over the next six months to help complete this
project. Additional offerings to the MDF will be needed to complete funding on
schedule. This multipurpose building will serve God’s Kingdom as a Bible
Institute for training faithful church workers, a place for worship, and
housing for teachers and students. Continue to pray for the success of this building
project and that the Lord would move the hearts of His people to give
generously for this important work so that the project can stay on schedule.
Mexico
(Latin America) – Pastor Olvera’s
mother-in-law has been suffering from diabetes for some time and was recently
hospitalized. Both of her feet now have gangrene and need to be amputated, but
she is too weak to undergo surgery. The doctors have indicated that there is
nothing more they can do for her. Her condition has become septic, and she is
receiving palliative care at home. Pastor Olvera’s wife, Claudia, is by her
side to provide care until the Lord calls her to the eternal home He has
prepared for her. Please pray that the Lord will relieve her pain and take her
to heaven according to His good and gracious plan. Pray also that our Savior
will grant courage, peace, and comfort to Claudia and her family as they wait
on the Lord.
Nigeria
(West Africa) – With an MDF-grant and
local offerings, the Nigeria- CLC has begun contstrution on a new multipurpose
building for the seminary. The building will include two large classrooms,
library/computer room, and an office for faculty. Recent pictures
show great progress. With an increase in enrollment and expectations for even
larger enrollment next year, this new building will be put to good use.
Missionary Ohlmann is scheduled to visit the NCLC in mid-March. Ask the Lord to
continue to bless this project and thank Him for providing the funding through
the offerings of NCLC members and MDF offerings of CLC members. Thank the Lord
for the privilege of working together in this effort to train faithful workers
in His Nigerian harvest of souls!
Togo (West Africa) – Missionary Evensen reports that three
students are in their final year at Mount Horeb Lutheran Seminary, with
graduation tentatively scheduled for November. One of the students has started
a preaching station in his home and is actively inviting people to attend.
Pastor Kossi Blewu has been conducting a Gospel outreach radio program in a
town located about 30 minutes away from the seminary. If the Lord blesses this
effort to establish a preaching station, one of the graduates from the seminary
will be called to serve there. Please pray for these students as they complete
their studies and ask the Lord to bless their efforts in establishing preaching
stations and congregations so that the truth of His saving word may be
proclaimed for the salvation of Togolese souls.
Tanzania
(East Africa)—The Wittenberg Lutheran
Theological Seminary is nearing the end of a long and challenging semester. The
class schedule includes a break for most of April. Many students will be
traveling home to see their families and earn money during this time. Please pray
for the safe travels of Missionary Naumann and Paula, Pastor Isangya, and the
students. Additionally, pray for our Lord's provision for all those facing
financial struggles as they dedicate their lives and resources to spreading the
Gospel.
Kenya (East Africa) –Both of the CLC Kinship-supported
schools are just a couple of months into their new school year. The Kenya-CLC
is currently facing leadership and organizational challenges at St. David’s
Kinship School in Etago, as well as within the church body as a whole.
Missionaries Naumann and Ohlmann are planning a visit in May to offer
assistance and guidance regarding these issues. Pray that the Lord grants the
necessary wisdom, love, patience, diligence, and clear direction as we seek His
blessings for the upcoming meetings, correspondence, and decisions that the
leaders of the KCLC, the CLC Kinship Committee, and the CLC Board of Missions
need to make. And pray for the Lord’s blessings on the children as they
continue their studies, and ask for His guidance in both the teaching and the
learning of His saving word in these schools.
The
Philippines (Southeast Asia) – Missionary
Ohlmann spent a week in February in the Philippines with Pastor Palangyos and
the LAMP organization. Although a minor car accident caused some schedule
disruptions, there were no injuries, and public transportation was available.
An outreach seminar and a church leadership seminar took place at a LAMP
congregation, with members from both congregations attending. They also
preached at a LAMP preaching station in Baguio. The highlight of the trip was
visiting Pastor Palangyos' home village to discuss plans for establishing a new
LAMP congregation and Bible training center. Please pray for the faith of the
LAMP members and for success in their outreach efforts so that more people may
repent of their sins and rejoice in the forgiveness of Jesus Christ.
India
(South Asia) – The difficulties that
the CLC was having in sending funds to India have been resolved, at least for
now. Thank the Lord for providing the financial resources for us to assist with
the important work of training faithful preachers and teachers of His saving
word in a part of the world dominated by idolatry. Pray that the Lord will
protect, support, and strengthen the faith of His children in India amid increased
persecution against Christians.
Nepal
(South Asia) – Missionary Ohlmann
visited Nepal in December. While in Nepal, he taught the fifteen kinship-supported
students enrolled in the Himalayan Lutheran Bible Institute (HLBI). He and Raju
also led studies at a regional pastoral conference organized by the HCLCN, with
more than fifty pastors, students, and church leaders in attendance. Thank the
Lord for blessing the visit and granting safe travels for Missionary Ohlmann to
and from the mission field and for those who traveled many kilometers to attend
the pastoral training. Thank the Lord for the fifteen men who have dedicated
their time and lives to training for the Gospel ministry. Ask for the Lord's continued
blessings of the Gospel outreach and ongoing ministry of the HCLC in Nepal.
Missionary
Peter Evensen (Togo, West Africa) – Missionary
Evensen continues his teaching duties at Mt. Horeb Lutheran Seminary and is
also preaching and teaching at the local congregation in Lomé. He is still
experiencing swelling and other issues with his left eye and is considering
another trip to the doctor for further diagnosis and treatment. Thank the Lord
for the work Missionary Evensen is doing, and pray for his improved health and
for proper diagnosis and treatment for his eye.
Missionary
Bruce Naumann (Tanzania-East Africa) –
With the seminary on break for most of April, Missionary Naumann, Paula, and Pastor
Isangya are planning to make visits to the Tanga and Zanzibar districts. Hopefully,
they will find time and opportunity to enjoy a couple of days on the beautiful
beaches of Zanzibar. You can follow Missionary Naumann’s blog at https://clc-tz.blogspot.com/. Praise the Lord for all that Missionary Naumann is
accomplishing, thank the Lord for the faithful support and encouragement of his
wife Paula, and ask our Savior to grant wisdom, patience, love, and all that is
necessary to continue our Savior’s work in East Africa.
Missionary
Todd Ohlmann – As of now, Missionary
Ohlmann is scheduled to depart on March 18th for a ten-day visit to Nigeria.
His first visa application was denied, and he is currently waiting for word of
approval from the Nigerian Embassy in Washington, DC. If his passport and visa
are not returned in time, the visit will have to be postponed. In addition to
Nigeria, his upcoming schedule includes visits to Mexico and Kenya, attending
Board of Missions meetings in Eau Claire, organizing and leading the Mission
Helper Trip to Nepal in June, and assisting with the pastoral vacancy at Faith
Lutheran Church in the St. Louis area. Please pray that the Lord blesses and
provides for all the necessary preparations for these trips to occur. Please
continue to pray for his wife, Beth, as she cares for her elderly father, who
longs for his heavenly home. You can read reports and see pictures here: missionaryohlmann.blogspot.com
