Building Progress in Nepal!!!

After several months of delays, because of Covid and the rainy season, construction of the new multi-purpose building for the Himalayan Church of the Lutheran Confession of Nepal (HCLCN) and the Himalayan Bible Institute (HBI) has finally begun. 

This building is a joint project of the HCLCN and the CLC through a partial grant from the CLC-Mission Development Fund (MDF). When finished, this building will be three stories high and will serve our Savior's kingdom work in Nepal as a worship facility, Bible Institute for training faithful preachers and teachers of God's saving Word, student dormitory, a residence for teachers and their families, and HCLCN/HBI offices and library.

Praise God from Whom all blessings flow! O give thanks unto the Lord for He is good!

October - 2020 CLC Mission Opportunities Prayer List

 

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.

 Uganda – Pastor Daniel Mugeni has been dealing with typhoid and he and his whole family have been suffering from malaria as heavy rains in the past few weeks have led to their latrine being destroyed and an increase in the mosquito problem. Pray for our Savior’s protection, deliverance, strength, and healing during this time of struggle

 

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.

CLC Mission Opportunities Prayer List...August 2020

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)

Bangladesh – Congregations and families of the Bangladesh Lutheran Church Mission are recovering from Cyclone Amphan that hit Bangladesh in May. The CLC was able to provide some limited financial assistance to aid in medical needs, food supplies, and rebuilding through Kinship-Disaster Relief. Despite the challenges of travel and evangelism during the coronavirus lockdown, several BLCM congregations have been visited and the Gospel continues to be spread. Fifteen former Hindus recently received the washing and regeneration of the Holy Spirit through baptism.  Praise the Lord that no lives were lost among our brothers and sisters in Christ in the cyclone.  Ask for His love and compassion upon those who are suffering and for protection for Pastor M. as he travels to visit the people of the BLCM over the next several days.  Thank the Lord for the work of His Holy Spirit in creating saving faith in the hearts of many that have led them to desire the gift of baptism and that our Lord and Savior will continue to bless them as they grow in their faith and understanding of all that He has revealed in His word!

 

Nepal – The rains of the annual monsoon season have been unusually heavy this year causing several landslides and road closures. Many lives in Nepal have been lost due to landslides. Thankfully, no HCLCN lives or property have been lost but there has been damage to farms and homes. The HCLCN Building project has been put on hold until the rains subside and roads are re-opened. Pastor training classes at the Himalayan Bible Institute have been suspended until January 2021 due to the pandemic lockdown.  Pray that the Lord will keep everyone safe through the monsoons and that He will bless the plans, preparations, construction, and finances for the multipurpose building that will hopefully begin construction in September.

 

Myanmar – All the members of the family with the coronavirus in Chin State have recovered and have been released from the hospital.   Thank the Lord for delivering them from this illness and ask for His provision as they now struggle to pay their medical bills. Pastor Kham reports that a fire broke out in a village where there is a CLC-Myanmar congregation. No one was injured but two-member families lost their homes.  Thank the Lord for His protection and plead for His aid as these families rebuild their homes and livelihood.

 

Myanmar – The Children In Need in Yangon that are being helped both physically and spiritually by Pastor Charles Edwards and the CLC Project Kinship will be returning to school.  Pray that the Lord will bless these children in their lives and studies and that they will be led by the Holy Spirit to believe and trust in their Savior Jesus through the Gospel they are being taught.

 

India – India have been hit especially hard by the pandemic in recent weeks and this has brought on stricter measures to try to halt the spread. Our brothers and sisters in Christ are suffering from the lockdown and the inability to work to support themselves.  Pray that the Lord would bring a swift end to the pandemic and that according to His mercy, He will bring aid to the many who are suffering.

 

Democratic Republic of the Congo – The government-mandated lockdown for schools is scheduled to be lifted on August 3^rd. Students have been quarantined and working the farm and property of the newly and partially built Holy Trinity Lutheran Seminary since April. Classes are scheduled to begin with the new students on August 3^rd.  Pray that the lockdown will indeed be lifted and so that classes can resume.  Pray for the safety and health of the students and instructors.  Pray that there will be no government interference with their plans to continue the work of training pastors for the Church.  Ask for God’s blessings on these efforts to train men to be faithful preachers and teachers of His saving word.

 

Tanzania – The government in Tanzania has lifted the lockdown and the Wartburg Lutheran Bible Institute in Tanzania is planning to bring students back very soon.  Pray for the safety and health of the students and instructors as they travel to Arusha.  Pray that there will be no government interference with their plans to continue the work of training pastors for the Church.  Ask for God’s blessings on these efforts to train men to be faithful preachers and teachers of His saving word.

 

Zambia – Coronavirus lockdown measures are slowing being lifted. Plans are being made for a pastoral training seminar to be conducted in Livingstone as soon as travel arrangements can be made.  Pray that our Lord will bless Pastor Ibrahim and those he will be teaching and training in the not-to-distant future.  Pray for safe travels, good health, and dedicated study of God’s saving word!

 

Togo – Missionary Evensen has applied to renew his Togo “stay card” that allows him to stay and work in Togo beyond the normal length of a visa. He is waiting for final approval. He and Pastor Kossi are beginning to make preparations to resume pastoral training classes soon.  Pray that the stay card renewal process will go as planned and for wisdom as they decide when to begin a regular schedule of seminary classes.

 

Kenya – Schools throughout the country have been ordered to close down for the remainder of the year (school year runs January through November).  Pray for the nation's children that are deprived of so many things and for many teachers and staff who will be without a steady income.

 

Uganda – The nation is still under strict lockdown.  Churches are still forbidden from gathering.  Pray that the situation improves and that God's people can meet together again for worship and Bible study.

 

Liberia – Our brothers and sisters in Christ continue to struggle with the hardships brought on by the pandemic and the resulting measures taken to lessen the impact. Pastor Joseph requests prayers for his mother who is requiring more care. Pray for relief from the struggles that so many are facing in Liberia and especially for Pastor Joseph and his mother.

 

The Spiritual Welfare of Our Brothers and Sisters Around the World – as much of the world has spent the past few months in mandatory coronavirus lockdowns and quarantines, many in developing nations have not had the advantage of the high-speed internet connections that most of us take for granted to provide opportunities for home worship, Bible study, and Christian fellowship. Also, many of the people do not have the financial means to own their own Bibles and/or are unable to read so they depend upon weekly worship and Bible studies to hear, learn, and be strengthened by God’s saving word.

 

Pastoral training has also come to a halt for those who are training around the world. Options for online classes, correspondence, etc. just are not possible as most of the students have very weak and limited data available on their phones, if at all, and the majority do not have the luxury of the internet in their homes.  Pray that the Lord will bring this pandemic to an end so that His people may return to worship and Bible study at their churches.  Pray that the Lord will lead and strengthen all of us to be reminded of His great love and the truths of His saving grace that we have learned from His word and rejoice always, even in the midst of such trying times.

 

The Physical Welfare of Our Brothers and Sisters Around the World – Leaders from our sister church bodies in Liberia, Togo, Nigeria, D.R. Congo, Zambia, Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, India, Nepal, Myanmar, and Bangladesh, along with contacts in several other countries have reported that much of the population in these impoverished nations is struggling to provide the basic necessities of life. Most of the pastors and those they serve provide for their families through day-labor. For this type of laborer, you are paid for your work each day. If you do not work, you do not get paid. The coronavirus lockdowns have caused much physical suffering.  Pray that the Lord will provide and that He will bless the CLC Project Kinship aid that has been sent that it will go much further than humanly expected in providing for the sheep of His flock who are suffering.

 

The CLC Mission Development Fund – The MDF has been a great blessing as a way for CLC members to assist our brothers and sisters in Christ in developing nations around the world. The projects that are funded through the MDF have had a direct impact on faithfully proclaiming the Good News of Jesus Christ. The MDF has provided funds to assist Bible institute, seminary, school, and church building projects. Thousands of Bibles, hymnals, and catechisms long with bikes, motorcycles, and vehicles to carry pastors and teachers to proclaim the truth have been purchased through MDF grants. This fund also provides funding for new outreach opportunities both in the U.S. and abroad. Currently, there are more than $300,000 in projects that are awaiting funding from the MDF over the next several months. Some of these projects are already underway. In order to complete the projects that have already been started and to provide for more projects and outreach, additional offerings to the MDF are needed.  Pray that the Lord will continue to move hearts to support the work of His Kingdom through their offerings to the MDF.

Prayer List - May 2020

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)

Bangladesh – Cyclone Amphan, that ravished northeast India before hitting the southern coast of Bangladesh about a week ago had devastating effects on several Bangladesh Lutheran Church Mission congregations in the Jessore and Sathkhira districts. BLCM church buildings, schools, and homes of our brothers and sisters in Christ have been severely damaged or destroyed. There has been no loss of life among the members of the BLCM, but many have sustained injuries and are still in need of medical care. All of this is happening while the people are struggling to feed and care for their families during the coronavirus lockdown. CLC Project Kinship has sent emergency disaster relief funds to the BLCM to provide for basic needs and shelter. Praise the Lord that no lives were lost among our brothers and sisters in Christ. Ask for His love and compassion upon those who are suffering and for protection for Pastor Monotosh as he travels to visit the people of the BLCM over the next several days.

Note: Contributions to the CLC Project Kinship general budget have been used to provide for disaster relief and COVID-19 aid.    

Myanmar – The situation with the family of eleven that has been hospitalized and quarantined for several weeks due to the coronavirus is improving. Five family members remain in the hospital, but their health has improved, and they are waiting for their test results to be returned from the government laboratories in Yangon. If the lab results come back negative, they will be able to go home. Take this to the Lord asking that He bless the treatments they have all received according to His mercy that this family will be healed of this disease and be united with each other very soon. Pray also that the Lord will provide for the medical bills that have accumulated during this long hospital stay. 

The Spiritual Welfare of Our Brothers and Sisters Around the World – as much of the world has spent the past several weeks in mandatory coronavirus lockdowns and quarantines, many in developing nations have not had the advantage of the high-speed internet connections that most of us take for granted to provide opportunities for home worship, Bible study, and Christian fellowship. Also, many of the people do not have the financial means to own their own Bibles and/or are unable to read so they depend upon weekly worship and Bible studies to hear, learn, and be strengthened by God’s saving word.

Pastoral training has also come to a halt for those who are training around the world. Options for online classes, correspondence, etc. just are not possible as most of the students have very weak and limited data available on their phones, if at all, and virtually none have internet in their homes. Pray that the Lord will bring a quick end to this pandemic that He people may return to worship and Bible study at their churches. Pray that the Lord will lead and strengthen all of us to be reminded of His great love and the truths of His saving grace that we have learned from His word and rejoice always, even in the midst of such uncertain times.

The Physical Welfare of Our Brothers and Sisters Around the World – Leaders from our sister church bodies in Liberia, Togo, Nigeria, D.R. Congo, Zambia, Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, India, Nepal, Myanmar, and Bangladesh, along with contacts in several other countries, have reported that much of the population in these developing nations is struggling to provide the basic necessities of life. Most of the pastors and those they serve in these nations provide for their families through day-labor. For this type of laborer, you are paid for your work each day. If you do not work, you do not get paid. The coronavirus lockdowns have caused much physical suffering. Pray that the Lord will provide and that He will bless the CLC Project Kinship aid that has been sent that it will go much further than expected in providing for the sheep of His flock who are suffering.

Seminaries Preparing to Re-Open – the Wartburg Lutheran Bible Institute in Tanzania and the Holy Trinity Lutheran Bible Institute in the D.R. Congo are planning to bring students back soon. Pray for the safety of the students and instructors as they travel. Pray for the families of the students as they prepare to have their husbands and fathers gone for the next few months of classes. Pray for the teachers as they prepare lessons for this shortened semester. Pray that there will be no government interference with their plans to continue the work of training pastors for the Church. Ask for God’s blessings on these efforts to train men to be faithful preachers and teachers of His saving word during these strange and uncertain times.

What Does The Bible Say About Pandemic Diseases/Sicknesses?

There have been lots of things written and shared on the internet and social media about God's role and intentions concerning this pandemic. As God's children, by His grace and through faith in our Savior of Jesus Christ, we will always want to turn to the Bible to find what God has revealed to us. We know that the Bible is God's word (2 Timothy 3:16-17) and thus truthful in every way (John 17:17). We are not so concerned with what mankind conjures up and how he interprets these situations but rather what God reveals to us in the Bible (2 Peter 1:20-21) because God is always faithful and His word will always reveal truth. We pray that the Lord will empty our hearts and minds of false ideas or claims and fill us with the truth of His saving Word!

Concerning this current Covid 19 pandemic, we ask: "What does the Bible say about pandemic diseases/sicknesses?"

Various outbreaks of pandemic diseases, such as this current strain of the coronavirus known as Covid 19, have prompted many to ask why God allows, or even causes, pandemic diseases and whether such illnesses are a sign of the end times. The Bible, particularly the Old Testament, describes numerous occasions when God brought plagues and diseases on His people and on His enemies “to make you see my power” (Exodus 9:14, 16). He used plagues on Egypt to force Pharaoh to free the Israelites from bondage, while sparing His own chosen people from being affected by them (Exodus12:13; 15:26), thus revealing His almighty power and control over diseases and other afflictions.

God also warned His people of the consequences of disobedience, including plagues (Leviticus 26:21, 25). On two occasions, God destroyed 14,700 people and 24,000 people for various acts of disobedience (Numbers 16:49 and 25:9). After giving the Mosaic Law, God commanded the people to obey it or suffer many evils, “The Lord will strike you with wasting disease, with fever and inflammation . . . which will plague you until you perish” (Deuteronomy 28:22). These are just a few examples of many plagues and diseases God caused or allowed to happen.

It’s sometimes hard to imagine our loving and merciful God displaying such wrath and anger. But God’s wrath always has the goal of repentance and restoration. In 2 Chronicles 7:13–14, God said to Solomon, “When I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain or command locusts to devour the land or send a plague among my people, if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” Here we see God using a disaster to draw His people to Himself, to bring about repentance and the desire to come to Him as children to their heavenly Father.

In the New Testament, Jesus healed “every disease and every sickness,” as well as plagues in the areas He visited (Matthew 9:35; Mark 3:10). Just as God chose to use plagues and disease to show His power to the Israelites, Jesus healed diseases and sicknesses to demonstrate His power and to verify that He was truly the Son of God. He gave the same healing power to those first Apostles to verify their ministry (Luke 9:1, Matthew 10:1). God still allows sickness for His own good and righteous purposes, but sometimes disease, even worldwide pandemics, are simply the result of living in a sinful fallen world. There is no way to determine whether or not a pandemic has a specific spiritual cause, but we do know that God has power and control over all things (Romans11:36) and will work all things together for the good of those whom He has called to be His very own, to those who love Him (Romans 8:28).

The spread of sicknesses, such as this strain of the coronavirus, is a foretaste of pandemics that are a be part of the end times. Jesus referred to plagues that are associated with the last days (Luke 21:11). Revelation reveals that in these ends times the two witnesses will “...strike the earth with every kind of plague as often as they want” (Revelation 11:6). Seven angels will wield seven plagues in a series of severe judgments described in Revelation 16. This pandemic, like so many other plagues and troubles that we witness on this sinful and fallen world, should remind us of the sure and certain promise of the coming Judgment Day and keep us focused on promises of God as we stay ready for our Savior's return! 

The appearance of pandemic diseases may or may not be tied to God’s specific judgment of sin. It could also simply be the result of living in a fallen world. Since no one knows the time of Jesus’ return, we must be careful about saying too much concerning any specific pandemic or disaster as proof that Judgment Day is imminent. For those who do not know Jesus Christ as Savior, this disease should be a reminder that life on this earth is uncertain and can be lost at any moment. As bad as pandemics are, hell will be worse. The Christian, however, has the assurance of salvation and the hope of eternity because of the blood of Christ shed on the cross for us (Isaiah 53:5; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Hebrews 9:28).

How should Christians respond to pandemic diseases? 

• First, do not panic. God is in control and has demonstrated His love for all sinners (Romans 5:8) on the cross as He sacrificed His only Son Jesus to pay for our sins  (1 John 4:10). Our forgiveness and salvation are secure! When Jesus died on the cross, He said: "it is finished." With those words, He was declaring that the work of paying for our sins and the sins of the whole world was complete! So there is nothing in this world that can threaten our forgiveness (Romans 8:31-39). Our Savior Jesus paid for our sin and thus provided full and complete forgiveness on the cross and His resurrection from the dead proves that fact. These are the promises that God makes to us and God is always faithful and He has kept and will keep every promise. 

• Second, be wise. Take reasonable steps to avoid exposure to the disease and to protect and provide for your family.  As Christians, we have the love of Christ in our hearts (Ephesians 3:14-21). We love others because God first loved us (1 John 4:19).  We take steps to prevent contracting the virus out of love for God because He gave us life and this life is a precious gift that we should protect. We also take steps to prevent this virus out of love for our neighbor because we don't want to unknowingly infect someone else and cause sickness or even death to another individual. This is also true in all areas of our lives. We should always take care of the bodies and life that God gave to us and we should always conduct ourselves in ways that will keep those around us safe and healthy. We do all of this because the love of God is in us through faith in Jesus Christ.

• Third, rejoice in the opportunity as an ambassador for Christ (2 Corinthians 5:20) to share the message of reconciliation between God and sinful mankind through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17-21). In the midst of all of this suffering and uncertainty, we have the privilege of sharing promises of God's love, protection, provision, compassion, forgiveness, and salvation that are all made sure and certain in our Savior Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 5:20). Often when people are fearful for their lives, they are more willing to have conversations about eternity. Be bold and compassionate in your sharing of the Gospel, as you speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15).