India
BELC (South Asia) – The BELC has been
actively spreading the Gospel through a video ministry that takes the Jesus
Film to predominantly Hindu villages. This program has helped them reach out to
thousands of people who worship idols and share with them the Good News of
Jesus Christ. The BELC plans to expand this program in the coming months. They
are also preparing for their annual VBS program, which aims to bring the Gospel
to thousands of children in several BELC congregations and preaching stations.
Thank the Lord for the opportunity to proclaim God's saving word in an area of
the world that is increasingly hostile towards Christianity. Praise the Lord
for the BELC's zeal and courage to reach out to people and share the truths of
Christianity.
India
CLCI (South Asia) – Each year, the
CLC-India seminary graduates seventeen men from its five-year program.
Graduation will be held in June, and these newly ordained pastors will be sent
out to start or serve new congregations. Most of these congregations are found
in villages where there is no other Christian witness. Thank the Lord for
providing these new pastors and their families. Pray for their safety and for
the Lord's blessings to provide for everything that is necessary to carry out
this all-important work for the salvation of souls.
Kenya (East Africa) – Kenya has recently experienced heavy
rainfall, resulting in severe flooding. Numerous residents were forced to leave
their homes, and tragically, individuals lost their lives. After several weeks
of rain, schools are set to reopen for the upcoming term on May 13. As many navigate
this difficult period, pray for our brothers and sisters in Christ and thank
the Lord for the safety of the two schools supported by CLC Kinship.
Uganda (East Africa) – Missionary Bruce Naumann will be
visiting Uganda in May before his return to the U.S. for furlough. While in
Uganda, he will be meeting with representatives of a newly formed church body
called the Confessional Lutheran Church Uganda Synod. The church body is made
up of eight ordained pastors, two vicars, and nine seminary students. They
withdrew from the Lutheran Church of Uganda for doctrinal reasons. This will be
the first face-to-face visit with these men. Thank the Lord for this opportunity
and ask for His blessings on these meetings as they gather to discuss God’s
word in search of doctrinal unity.
Zambia
(Central Africa) – Missionary Ohlmann
recently returned from a visit to Zambia, which was long overdue. He was glad
to find Pastor Ibrahim had been restored to good health following a scorpion
bite that nearly took his life. While in Zambia, Missionary Ohlmann and Pastor
Ibrahim conducted training seminars for the pastors and leaders of the
Zambia-CLC, with many others in attendance. They also spent time in the capital
city of Zambia working on church registration issues. A team of CLC Mission
Helpers will visit Zambia in July to assist with child evangelism efforts.
Thank the Lord for preserving Pastor Ibrahim’s life and restoring him to good
health. Pray for our Savior’s blessings on the ongoing efforts to register the
ZCLC.
The
Philippines (Southeast Asia) – Pastor
Palangyos has started outreach efforts among the large youth population in
Baguio City where he and his family live. There are several colleges and a
university in Baguio with Filipino youth coming from several different areas to
study. His wife Amabel holds a PhD in language and is a professor at the
university, which provides an “in” to this Filipino demographic. Outreach also
continues in the two rural congregations that Pastor Palangyos serves in the
mountains that surround the city. Pray for our Savior’s blessings on the
outreach efforts of the Lutheran Autonomous Mission in the Philippines (LAMP),
both in rural and urban areas.
Myanmar (South Asia) – It has been more than three years since
the military overthrew the democratically elected government of Myanmar,
resulting in a brutal civil war that has caused immense suffering across the
nation. As a result of the conflict, many farmers have been unable to cultivate
and harvest crops, leading to a scarcity of food and driving up the prices of
basic necessities. Additionally, many members of the CLCM have been forced to
flee their homes, seeking safety and shelter for themselves and their families.
To assist our brothers and sisters in Christ, the CLC Board of Missions has
approved Kinship funding for one year. This funding will be used to provide
humanitarian aid to members of the CLCM who have been displaced and are
suffering, to ensure they have access to basic necessities such as food,
shelter, and medical care. Please continue to pray for the innocent bystanders
caught in this conflict, especially our brothers and sisters in Christ of the
CLCM. Ask that God's will be done as this conflict continues and that peace and
justice may prevail.
Pakistan
– Pastor Tim Daub continues electronic
correspondence and instruction to the members of the recently established Lutheran
congregation in Pakistan. The Board of Missions has authorized Missionary
Ohlmann to join Pastor Daub on a visit to Pakistan. The trip they had planned
for this spring has been postponed due to uncertainties within Pakistan following
recent elections. They hope a visit later this year will be possible. Pray for
the Lord's continued blessings on the teaching and learning of His word. Give
thanks to our Savior for granting us this opportunity and the technology to
spread the truth of His word in such a manner.
Nepal
(South Asia) – Pastor Raju has
recovered from the throat and voice issues he was experiencing. A cohort of
fifteen new students has been accepted for study at the Himalayan Bible
Institute (HBI). Classes began on May 10th. Pastor Raju also reports that
recently, following the celebration of Easter in one of the villages where the
Himalayan CLC of Nepal (HCLCN) has been working for several years, nearly fifty
adults, youth, children, and infants were baptized. Give thanks to the Lord for
the healing of Raju's vocal cords. Ask for the Lord’s blessings on the new HBI
students and their families as they prepare to be faithful preachers and
teachers of God’s Word. And praise the Lord for the work of His Holy Spirit in the
individuals who had their sins washed away through the water and Word of Holy
Baptism. Sing to the Lord a new song, for He has done a marvelous thing!
Bangladesh (South Asia) – Pastor Monotosh continues to seek the
Lord's blessings in raising funds for constructing a BLCM headquarters, Bible
Institute, dormitory, and worship facility on land purchased last year. With a
grant from the MDF, they have hired an architect to begin developing plans for
construction. Pray for the Lord’s provision of resources needed for this
important building project. Ask for the Lord’s continued blessings on the
preaching and teaching of His word.
Nigeria
(West Africa) – The NCLC has been
hoping and planning for the construction of a multipurpose building for the
seminary for more than twenty-five years. The proposed building will have two
large classrooms, a library/computer room, and an office for the faculty. For
the past several years, they have been using two small dormitory rooms as
classrooms. With an increase in enrollment and in anticipation of an even
larger enrolment next year, this building is much needed. They hope to have the
necessary funds raised to begin construction in the fall so that the facility
can be ready for use by the start of the new school year in January 2025. The
CLC Board of Missions has approved an MDF grant to assist with construction
costs. Ask the Lord to bless this project and to provide necessary 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!
Liberia (West Africa) – Pastor Kwiwalazu continues in
doctrinal discussion with a group of independent pastors who have separated
from the Methodist church of Liberia. He also recently returned from a visit to
Guinea, where he is reaching out with the truth of God’s Word. Pray for God’s
blessings and provision for the work of spreading the Gospel in Liberia and
also for the developing opportunities in Guinea. Ask the Lord to bless the
cancer research trial treatments that John Hein is receiving so that he may
resume his work in Liberia.
Mexico – Pastor Olvera and his family continue to recover
from several health issues and are slowly getting back to regular work and
ministry activities. Thank the Lord for healing, and ask for continued strength
and recovery for this family. Pray also that the Lord would open doors of
opportunity for their planned outreach efforts.
Missionary
Peter Evensen (Togo, West Africa) –
Missionary Evensen continues the work of translating Online Theological Studies
courses into French for use in training pastors and church leaders in Togo and
other French-speaking African countries. He is scheduled to return to the U.S.
in June for furlough, vacation, and to attend the CLC convention. Ask for the
Lord’s blessings on his travels and continued blessings on the work and pray
that the Lord will continue to provide good health and all that is necessary
for the spread of the Gospel in Togo.
Missionary
Bruce Naumann (Tanzania-East Africa) –
Missionary Naumann will be returning to the U.S. in June for furlough and to
attend the CLC Convention. Before he leaves Africa, he will visit Uganda. Paula
returned to the U.S. in May. Pray for safe and uneventful travels to and from
the U.S. and for good times spent visiting family, friends, and coworkers. You
can follow Missionary Naumann’s blog at clc-tz.blogspot.com.
Missionary
Todd Ohlmann – Missionary Ohlmann recently
returned from a visit to Zambia. He will accompany the Mission Helpers to East
Africa in July. Thank the Lord for safe travels and a productive trip to
Zambia. Continue to pray for his wife
Beth as she cares for her elderly father as he longs for his heavenly home and
for her mother, who was recently diagnosed with a rare and incurable form of
blood cancer. 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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