Prayer Focus: October 2016
Week 40: International Council Testimonies
Monday (3rd) – Liz Patten, Africa’s Regional Director:
I am writing not as RD for Africa, but with my Mozambican hat on as I was the ‘official’ representative for CLC Mozambique at the Council meetings. There were so many blessings, not least the fact of meeting so many CLCers from around the world! But one major and very special blessing for Mozambique was that our ministry came to the attention of CLC Colombia who have since blessed us with a generous donation that will help to give us a significant boost in the coming year. We are forever grateful for all those who helped to make that possible.
Tuesday (4th) – Donny Kairupan, CLC Indonesia’s National Director:
Praise the Lord for the CLC International Council Meetings! It was such a wonderful time of fellowship with all the CLC family and friends from around the world, and it has left me with unforgettable memories. The Word and devotional messages shared by Louis and Susan Sutton (WEC) were such a blessing and really touched my heart. The truths in the messages spoke directly into our situation in CLC Indonesia.
Photo of Donny (Indonesia) and Donald (Sierra Leone)
Wednesday (5th) – Donald John, CLC Sierra Leone’s National Director:
I’m truly grateful that I was eventually able to make it to the International Council Meetings and the African Mini Conference that followed it. It was a wonderful experience to attend, especially as I was previously refused an entry visa to the UK. I’m so thankful to the Lord for the fellowship together and the experiences gained. All the sessions were life inspiring and I was rejuvenated to strive for excellence.
Thursday (6th) – Lina Pinkovich, CLC Belarus’s National Director:
It was a privilege to participate at the International Council and celebrate the 75th CLC Anniversary! To see ‘CLCers’ from all over the world and to meet those people who devoted their lives for the CLC Ministry for tens of the years — it is a miracle! It was so good that we were able not only to concentrate on the past achievements of CLC worldwide, but to know that CLC has a great future in proclaiming God’s Kingdom.
I would like to say ‘thank you’ to all who were involved in the preparation of the Council, starting from the very beginning (documents for the visa application, advice, meeting at the airport, etc.) until the very end of the meetings! Everything was organised so well. A special thank you to Sheena and Neil – they are a good example of not just how to work well with others, but to also take care of them!
Friday (7th) – CLC Central Asia’s (CA2) Assistant Director:
I was so blessed by the opportunity to attend CLC’s International Council Meetings this year in the UK. Until June, I had never actually met anyone from the rest of the CLC world! It was just what I needed as I was greatly encouraged, challenged, and so thankful for the opportunity to actually see the kind of ministry and family of which I am a part. Praise the Lord!
The Weekend (8th/9th) – Yohel Peña, CLC Venezuela’s National Director:
I thank God for allowing me to be present at the meeting of the International Council and to share our situation with the different Directors from around the world. The faithfulness of God and all He has done during our first 75 years was so evident and a source of real encouragement as we move forward amid challenges we face in everyday life. God is in control, and we will continue to see His glory in the midst of our situations.
Week 41: Focus on North America (USA & Canada)
Monday (10th) – USA Clergy Appreciation Breakfast:
We are so thankful to God for the Clergy Appreciation Breakfast that was held on Thursday, October 6th at True Light Fellowship Church. This is our annual opportunity to connect with pastors and leaders from churches all over the Philadelphia area. Please pray that those who attended left the event feeling encouraged and know that we are praying for them and their ministry. ~ David Almack
Tuesday (11th) – Annual USA Donor Banquet:
Please pray for our ‘Annual Donor Banquet’ that takes place on Saturday, November 12th. Our speaker will be Rhea Briscoe (the daughter-in-law of CLC authors Stuart & Jill Briscoe), and we will be celebrating CLC’s 75th Birthday. Pray that many people will come to support CLC projects in the USA and around the world. ~ David Almack
Wednesday (12th) – New International Office in the USA:
Please pray for Gerardo and Silvia Scalante, our new International Director and his wife, as they are preparing to relocate in November from Miami to Philadelphia in the USA. The reason for this move is to set up a new branch of CLC’s International Office in the USA as that is the country where the new International Director lives. As we own the land where CLC USA is located, setting up here makes the most sense in terms of finances and having the support of a local CLC team. Please pray for them as they are not just settling into a new role with new responsibilities, but also moving house.
This move may also separate them (logistically) as a family as their children are now young adults. This is a big change for them all. ~ Amanda Lutes, on behalf of the Scalantes Photo of Gerardo & Silvia (Urugua/USA) with Sara (Panama)
Thursday (13th) – On the Move:
After working the last (nearly) eleven years in the UK, I (Amanda Lutes, CLC World Editor) am currently in the process of relocating from my family home in New Brunswick, Canada, to Philadelphia, USA. Hopefully, by the time you read this, I will have arrived at the new International Office in Philadelphia where I will begin working alongside Gerardo Scalante, the new International Director. My plan is to stay from midSeptember until mid-December for ‘training and orientation’ in my new role. Please pray that my religious worker visa will soon be approved and that I’ll be able to return to the US, after spending Christmas in Canada, with all the necessary paperwork in hand. ~ Amanda Lutes
Friday (14th) - Canada:
The administrative structure of CLC Canada is such that our distribution side (Vidéo la Bergerie) is considered a separate entity. This part of our ministry is struggling, but we have been presented with an opportunity to merge it with another distributor here in Quebec. If this is successful, it should improve our situation. Please pray for the success of the merger as well as an understanding of God’s will for our common futures. ~ Antoine Roberge
The Weekend (15th/16th) – Canada:
On Monday (October 17), CLC Canada, together with The Bible House, are organising a conference which will bring together many of the Francophone organisations in Canada that involve Christian literature ministries. This will be the second meeting for the group as the first took place back in May. All of us are more or less facing similar difficulties and so our goal is to find better ways to work together and to develop
common strategies to improve our current situation in Canada. Please remember us in prayer. ~ Antoine Roberge
Week 42: Focus on Pacific Asia
Monday (17th) - Indonesia:
We keep praying for more books that CLC Indonesia (Yakin) will be able to publish. A number of opportunities have arisen in regards to evangelism books and children’s books, but we need God’s wisdom and direction to know which ones to publish. Please also pray for the possibility to open another book kiosk in different location. ~ Donny Kairupan
Tuesday (18th) - Philippines:
Our branch in Cebu is currently struggling to meet sales targets, and its overhead expenses are equal to around 50% of our sales. Please pray for the Cebu staff that they will seek the Lord and that He will give them the direction and wisdom needed to see this shop thrive.
~ Romualdo Macinas
Wednesday (19th) - Myanmar:
We want to see two things in particular materialise… Firstly, the building project for a purpose built warehouse and a second bookshop and, secondly, the completion of the CLC Myanmar Study Bible. Please pray that God will supply for all our needs in this – good health, wisdom, and sufficient funding. ~ Jacob Mung
Thursday (20th) – Papua New Guinea:
We continue to Praise God in meeting even the small needs, such as the arrival of a Spirit-Filled Life Bible that was ordered for a Pastor and received three weeks later! (This is an amazing delivery time for PNG!) The Bible was picked up by another Church member but, a week later, the Pastor personally came to the shop just to say thank you, before catching a flight back to his home province in the Highlands. ~ Vere Babona
Friday (21st) – Japan:
Please pray for our financial situation. We recognise that the situation is not good and we have been struggling for some time. Please also pray for the staff – we are all working very hard in the bookshops and in the mobile work and we need to stay healthy in body and also spiritually. Finally, please pray for revival in our country and also that Christians will want to read more Christian books. ~ Yusuke Naito, on behalf of CLC Japan
The Weekend (22nd/23rd) - India:
The sales in all our centres have been declining for the past two years, which is a major concern for us. Please pray for good increases in sales in all our bookshops, and for God’s wisdom and guidance for the managers. ~ Justin Chellappan (Photo on the right)
Week 43: Focus on Korea & Thailand
Prayer points contributed by Gwangsu Jo, CLC Korea
Monday (24th) – Korea:
Please pray that God will continue to enable us to be a part of the development of the church in Korea. We pray especially that He will help us to always do our best work when we are publishing books as they are used in many Korean churches to help Christians gain a better understanding of God and Christian theology.
Tuesday (25th) – Korea:
We thank God for allowing us to become a team of nearly twenty people who are serving God faithfully with joy. No matter what challenges we face, please pray that our joy in the Lord will be visible and a light to those around us.
Wednesday (26th) - Korea:
Please pray for Young-Ho Park, who has been leading CLC Korea for more than forty years. Please pray that God will continue to give him the strength and good health necessary to lead his team well. Prayer points contributed by Don Veldboom, CLC Thailand
Thursday (27th) - Thailand:
Praise the Lord! We are seeing an increase in customers in Chiang Mai, which means sales have increased and that, in turn, signifies that more Christian literature is going out!
Friday (28th) - Thailand:
The staff in the Bangkok bookshop have all left CLC recently for various reasons, and it has been necessary to close the bookshop. This is a disappointment, but please pray that the ministry will be strengthened and continue to grow in Chiang Mai.
The Weekend (29th/30th) - Thailand:
Despite language challenges, we are thankful to God that the Chiang Mai shop team is working well together. You might remember that earlier this year the Veldbooms from the USA joined our Thai team. Please continue to pray that the team will be united and that together their ministry will bear much fruit.