Prayer Focus: December 2016
Week 48: Print-on-Demand Updates & Publishing News
Monday (28th) – Kenya Print-on-Demand:
We are very encouraged with what has been produced (both quality and quantity!) using POD since its inception at CLC Nairobi a couple of years ago. It has been hard work, but well worth it! Please pray that we can continue to be a blessing with this ministry, and especially that we can be an outlet that encourages and enables local authors to express the message that the LORD has given them. National Director Patrick
Omukhango shares, “We are grateful to God for the quick integration of POD into the CLC Kenya mission to impact East Africa with Christian literature. We have served authors from five countries in Eastern Africa. God has surpassed our expectation since the implementation of POD in May, 2015.” ~ Liz Patten, on behalf of CLC Kenya
Tuesday (29th) – Philippines Print-on-Demand:
Thank God for this system as it has created a lot of advantages for our ministry. One of the most visible to us is its impact on our inventory, making it wider in range with manageable stock levels. Please pray that we are able to maximise the use of this machine and that many titles from the USA and locally will be made available for publication. Aside from printing our own publications, please pray that we can extend this service for the small printing demands of churches and other Christian organisations in the area. ~ Romualdo Macinas
Wednesday (30th) – Sierra Leone Print-on-Demand:
We are grateful to the LORD for the help we received with fundraising for a POD system and, if all goes to plan, we hope to receive it by the end of this year. If so, then we will need your prayers! Please pray for the installation and training, but also that we may choose the right people for this work, dedicated and with an eye for detail. Also pray that the LORD helps us to develop a vision for this project that will build up the local body of Christ and help bring others to know Him! ~ Liz Patten, on behalf of CLC Sierra Leone
Thursday (1st) – Publishing in Romania:
We praise the Lord for the privilege to be involved in the publishing of a number of great books by some great authors. We praise God for His help, provision, abilities, and stamina for us as we were able to take the books through the different stages of the publishing process – translation, design, and editing. A very important Bible for us, The German-Romanian Bible for Children, has been published, and we have also recently published books by A. W. Tozer, Andrew Murray, and Billy Graham, and the biography of George Muller by Roger Steer. Please remember our publishing team: Ligia, Daniela, Ruth, and Ronela. ~ Ronela Micula
Friday (2nd) – Publishing in Italy:
Praise God for the blessing that many CLC Italy titles have been over the past years, often becoming bestsellers. It is exciting to see customers responding well to books like Follow Me and Radical by David Platt. We have also been able to publish the book October Baby, which has been promoted by a Catholic prolife organisation. We are now working on Joni’s book, Beside Bethesda; Francis Chan’s You and Me Forever; and John Ortberg’s If You Want to Walk on Water, You’ve Got to Get Out of the Boat. We are also translating Undaunted, the autobiography of Josh McDowell. Pray that these and other CLC titles will draw people to Jesus and help many to grow in their faith.
~ Gary Chamberlin, on behalf of CLC Italy
The Weekend (3rd/4th) – Publishing in Colombia:
There was a couple from Ibague City who were facing serious problems in their marriage. They called us to ask if we would pray for them and give them some marriage counselling (as part of our Social Foundation). Along with the counselling and encouraging them to pray together, we asked them to read our recent Spanish publication of Francis and Lisa Chan’s book, You and Me Forever. After a month, their pastor called us and invited us to hold a Couple’s Marriage Workshop at their church. He shared with us, “If this book could change that couple’s marriage, we need to know more about this book!” We have now trained all the leaders at this church to help the couples in their congregation that are struggling. Praise the Lord! ~ David Pabón
Week 49: Focus on Latin America
Monday (5th) – Venezuela:
We pray for the current situation in Venezuela. The economy is affecting the normal day-to-day activities due to shortages, high inflation, and the low purchasing power of Venezuelans. This makes it especially difficult to acquire food and medicine. In addition to this, political tension is still very high in the country, and there has not yet been a way that allows for a democratic solution to this problem. We pray for God to
work in our nation and do His will, and that CLC Venezuela will be able to continue to distribute Bibles and other Christian resources. The Word of God is essential to Venezuelans in the midst of these difficult times. ~ Yohel Peña
Tuesday (6th) – Ecuador:
Please pray for the building permits we need for the land we bought in the city of Guayaquil. They are currently being processed but, following a recent earthquake, the city council is creating new building regulations and this is delaying plans we had in place for the construction of our warehouse and bookshop. ~ Carlos Marín Photo of David (Colombia) and Carlos (Ecuador)
Wednesday (7th) – Chile:
We are very grateful to the Lord for the distribution during the first six months of the year, despite the fact that the economic situation in the country is not good. The staff have worked extra hard, which has borne fruit. Praise the Lord! The staff serving in the bookshop in Amunategui would appreciate prayer as both Sergio Mallafe and Omar Ramos have specific health problems. Sergio was unaware of his vascular problem until he found he was going blind in one eye. Sergio is on medical treatment to control the situation and, slowly, he is recovering some sight in the affected eye. Omar has serious problems affecting his spine. ~ Isaac Zúñiga Photo of Isaac (Chile) and Humberto (Uruguay)
Thursday (8th) – Uruguay
We give thanks to the Lord for His faithfulness that despite a drop in sales in the bookshops, the mobile work is maintaining distribution levels. We have three circuits covering the whole of the country, and trips are made once every two months to each of these zones. This is carried out by Roberto Prochnau and myself. It is interesting to note that all the stock we leave is paid for in full — nothing is on consignment!
We ask for prayer that God would help us make the right decisions and find the best strategies to reach places where we have still not been. Please pray also that the US dollar would remain stable so the cost of importing goods doesn’t increase. ~ Humberto Urrutia
Friday (9th) – Bolivia:
We thank the Lord for providing support for Gamaliel and Marlene Padilla. In view of the difficult economic situation being experienced in Venezuela, it has become very hard for CLC Venezuela to maintain its support for the Padilla family who were sent from CLC Venezuela to start the ministry in Bolivia. Praise the Lord that the other CLC Latin American teams have committed to continue the support. ~ Gamaliel Padilla
The Weekend (10th/11th) – Mexico:
We thank the Lord every day because He has blessed us with a committed team who are working faithfully to serve God and the Mexican people. Please pray for the economy of our country as it is struggling now that there has been a rise in the US dollar. Please also continue to pray that our sales would increase in order to help with this situation. We are also praying for the provision of a van in order to connect with other parts of the country and introduce them to the CLC ministry and books. We have seen that there is a large sector of the country that is not yet being reached. ~ Maria Del Carmen Castañeda
Week 50: Focus on Europe (Part 1)
Monday (12th) – Switzerland:
After several years of declining sales, mostly due to the strong Swiss franc, we are very thankful that finally our sales are beginning to grow and we trust that they will grow even more strongly during the important Christmas sales period. Please continue to pray for the CLC bookshop on the outskirts of Lugano. Though the landlord agreed to lower the rent several years ago, it is still high, which puts pressure on our cash flow. Finding another location is not easy as rents seem to be high everywhere — even for smaller shops. Please continue to pray that we can find a more affordable shop in a good location.
Tuesday (13th) – Poland:
Our old website is really not effective and needs updating. Please pray that we will have a new website soon. We are currently working with Cristi Cotovan from the International Office to adopt the CLC website. It will be a lot of work to implement this. Please pray that the transition will go smoothly and that our site will quickly be able to offer a quality service to Polish speakers around the world.
Wednesday (14th) – Hungary:
We praise God for a positive turnaround in the situation in Hungary. The past few years have been difficult, and cash flow has been a problem. In 2016, we are seeing a substantial increase in sales, especially in the Budapest and Debrecen shops. Our internet sales are also growing very well. In addition, we have recently been able to sell a house that was owned by CLC. Thank God for these signs of recovery.
Thursday (15th) – Spain:
Praise the Lord for the growth in sales so far this year. The average increase, across all departments, is up by 18% on last year! Please continue to pray that new customers will visit the shops and website and for doors to open up for CLC to share about its ministry in local churches. ~ Darwin Vergel
Friday (16th) – Russia:
Shoplifting has become a problem for us. CCTV was installed in our shop this summer to help; however, no one has been caught yet and books keep disappearing in noticeable numbers. Please pray that the Lord uses the situation for good so that we, as a team, would learn to wait on customers even better. Pray also that the books which already have been stolen would be read and used for the glory of the Lord and His Kingdom! ~ Nikita Sapunov
The Weekend (17th/18th) – France:
Each year we attend the Christian Bookfair in Paris. This year, it takes place in a new location near Paris. We can meet almost all our suppliers (publishers) there, along with some customers (individuals, churches, and bookshops). We thank the Lord for this special time in November during which we do good sales. ~ Isabelle Marczak
Week 51: Focus on Europe (Part 2)
Monday (19th) – Cyprus:
Our hearts are very much concerned to see many of the local Cypriots wanting to know the Lord. We know that many Cypriots face difficulties and problems and yet they don’t seem to want to hear about the Lord. Please pray that there will be a breakthrough in this area and that a thirst for God and His truth may arise among the Cypriots. ~ Sotos and Eva Photoadou
Tuesday (20th) – Bulgaria:
We thank God for our new publishing department. We have been able to publish Crazy Love by Francis Chan and will soon publish his book, You and Me Forever. In addition, we are working on Not a Fan by Kyle Idleman. Pray with us that these books will be a blessing to many Bulgarian readers. Lidiya Dimitrova writes, “Sales of the first book we have published currently equal that of one of our bestsellers — even
though the author is not well known here yet.” ~ Gary Chamberlin, on behalf of CLC Bulgaria
Wednesday (21st) – Netherlands
With three titles already in print, four more which were hopefully published in October and November, and more titles waiting for publication next year, we are now getting into the full process of publishing and selling our own books. People will now know who we are by the books we publish! Please pray for God’s blessing and protection on these new responsibilities. ~ Bertus Keuter
Thursday (22nd) – Germany:
Generally, our society is a bit nervous after several recent terrorist attacks. As Christians, we have been praying for a spiritual awakening for a long time — we trust that people who are longing for a sense of purpose and hope in their lives turn to the living God. We see a little more interest in Christianity these days as people compare it to what they see of other faiths, and we joyfully present our books where we can.
~ Valentin Schweigler
Friday (23rd) – Portugal:
We give thanks to God for Carlos Cunha and his amazing team of volunteers as they spread the Word of God throughout Portugal via publishing, events and, of course, the bookshop in Coimbra! Please pray that this ministry will continue to grow at a manageable rate and that Carlos will continue to find the necessary balance between work and his family. ~ Amanda Lutes, on behalf of CLC Portugal
The Weekend (24th/25th) – Happy Birthday Jesus!
December is such a busy month that it is easy to feel lost in the crowd or run down by our own schedules. Please pray that this weekend is
one of refreshment and fellowship with the Prince of Peace, not just for our teams, but for Christians all over the world. Let us take the time
to trulycelebrate the most amazing gift we’ve ever received – Jesus!
Week 52: Encouraging News from Our Teams
Monday (26th) – Belarus:
Usually summer months are very slow in the bookshop with low sales but, Praise the Lord, July 2016 was the best ever month in the ookshop in all CLC Belarus’s history! We are very grateful, especially as the economic situation in the country is not the best. May God continue to bless us with good sales and bless our customers who make their investments in Bibles and other Christian books that change people’s lives.
~ Lina Pinkevich
Tuesday (27th) – Colombia:
There is a book that we distribute, titled Love Dare, which consists of 40 daily challenges for couples that has greatly impacted the lives of many of our customers. One couple, who were separated, shared with us how they began reading this book and, by day ten, they were reconciled! Praise the Lord! We are so thankful to be a part of a ministry that is ‘changing the world, one book at a time!’ ~ David Pabón
Wednesday (28th) – Kenya:
We are trusting God for our first scheduled Christmas Promotion to be a blessing to our community. In this regard, we plan to visit Grace Community Children’s Home to donate the book Is God Really My Father? to the children. Our prayer is that God will use us to show His love to these children and to others that we come in contact with during the Christmas season. ~ Patrick Omukhango
Thursday (29th) – Cyprus:
Praise God that we have had a variety of occasions recently when we’ve been able to share the Gospel with customers that come into the shop. The majority are people from other countries who either visit Cyprus for a brief time or are residents here. Please pray that this may increasel. ~ Sotos and Eva Photoadou
Friday (30th) – Panama:
We are grateful to God because the booksellers event that we held in July was a real success after last year had been low in numbers. We see a good group of booksellers who are very motivated to continue to carry the Word of God through printed literature. ~ Sara de Gracia
The Weekend (31st/1st) – Hungary:
We were able to hold an annual conference in July after a few years without one, and all the staff from the bookshops in Miskolc and Budapest were able to attend. More than anything, it was a time to make sure that we were all well informed about the current situation as there have been considerable changes in the past months and to talk about plans for the future. Please pray that the team will be unified as they move ahead in the coming months and that they will be able to find new opportunities for the distribution of good Christian literature in the Hungarian language, including to the many Hungarians that live across the border in Romania. ~ Gary Chamberlin, for CLC Hungary