Prayer Calendar: May 31 - June 6, 2015

As we enter June we have a new missions prayer point from the keys to missions issue:

PRAY that Jesus will be glorified through Community Health Empowerment initiatives in Uganda, and pray that Ugandan CHE workers will be equipped to reach out to their communities and spread the gospel.

This prayer point was inspired by Recognizing the Image of God article written by Matt Burke.

Hanging Out

An excerpt from...

Hanging Out—Connection

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Community is a key to effective ministry
By WGM Missionaries serving in Mexico
April-June 2015

MARK AND SERENA DUNBAR, serving in Saltillo, Coahuila, Mexico

Our Google Hangouts this last year have made us a family. We served in Honduras for over 20 years in established areas where we were constantly with other missionaries. We now live six hours north of our closest WGM missionary. In Honduras, we felt as though the field was family because missionaries were always there to help us celebrate our kids’ birthdays, discuss a ministry issue, or just visit. Now in Mexico, we also feel as though the missionaries are our family because of Hangout. When we meet together, we always find time to visit.

BILL AND LYDIA ALLSHOUSE, serving in Irapuato, Guanajuato, Mexico

When we wake up on Tuesday mornings, no matter where we are, we know we’ll be in touch with our missionaries at 9:00 a.m. It’s a time we look forward to as we get to see each other face to face and share in one another’s victories and burdens. Phone calls are nice, but it’s even better when we can see the other missionaries as they share their joys and concerns. We used to connect through emails and phone calls, but communicating through visual and audio makes a world of difference. I (Bill) enjoy the laughter, and it gives me the chance to hear the heart of each missionary, which encourages a spirit of unity. Hangout has helped us to be of one accord when we’ve had to tackle difficult challenges here on the Mexico Field.

CHRISSY GREENWELL, serving in Villa Hidalgo, Jalisco, Mexico

I’m thankful for the time we can Hangout. Moving from Saltillo to start a new work in Central Mexico has presented several challenges. As I work “alone” to grow this ministry, knowing the other missionaries are praying for me and supporting the ministry here is a great encouragement. Being able to share what God is doing and celebrate together gives that little push we all need at times in order to keep on.

PRAY: Form your own Hangout. Set up a time once a month or once a week when you hang out with others to pray for missions.

Prayer Calendar: May 24-30, 2015

Happy Memorial Day readers! As you gather with family and friends during the holiday remember this prayer point:

Ask God to show you who you can "Hangout" with and pray for missions.

Our missionary staff serving in Mexico don't work in close proximity from each other. They use Google Hangouts to stay connected and pray for one another. Read more about this at www.wgm.org/hanging-out.  

Keep Praying

An excerpt from...

Keep Praying

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The Church is the key to spiritual growth
By Twana Johnson, Missionary, Mexico
April-June 2015

She was only 14, but she found our church and started coming regularly. We loved her big smile and willingness to stand and give God the glory during praise and worship time.

She started to bring her grandmother who lived just down the street from the church. At first, Grandma wasn’t too sure about coming. She was from an established religion and felt it was being a traitor to that faith. Unfortunately, the granddaughter quit coming, but to our surprise, Grandma kept coming! She loved the worship music and even had one of our young people put praise music on her phone so she could listen during the week. Her favorite is “The Power of His Love” by Hillsong (in Spanish, of course).

One of the ladies from the congregation went to her home and led her to the Lord. She joined the new converts’ class and grew spiritually. She moved in with her daughter and granddaughter to save money, but suffered persecution from them. As she sought advice, she learned to “be quiet and pray” and to respond in love. The church body prayed as well.

Recently, just before Grandma was to be baptized, the daughter talked to the lady who led her mother to the Lord. She confessed that she had seen such a change in her mother and wanted what her mother had! Praise the Lord, she confessed Him as her Savior. How exciting it was to hear Grandma, the daughter, and the granddaughter give their testimonies and watch them be baptized! I heard someone comment: “Grandma looks so much younger than when she first started coming!” That’s what happens when Jesus shines!

We were tempted to be discouraged because the granddaughter had quit coming, but we kept praying for her. God was working, not through us, but her grandma. What a lesson in faith.

Are you discouraged because you are not seeing a change in the situation or the person you are praying for? Don’t give up. God is working.

PRAY: Father, I pray for those who have been praying for years for a loved one to find Christ. Remind them that You are working and You have a plan. Encourage them to keep praying and assure them that You are listening. Amen.

Prayer Calendar: May 17-23, 2015

Your missions prayer point for this week reminds you to keep praying. Sometimes the answers or results don't come as quickly as we would like.

Have you been praying for the salvation of a loved one for years and seen no results? Keep praying: God is listening!

Don't give up. Trust in God's plan.

An excerpt from...

Does It Matter that I’m Not a Preacher?

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The key to using your talents in missions
By Jared Gleason, Support Staff
April-June 2015

When you think about missions and missionaries, people like William Carey, Amy Carmichael, and even the apostle Paul come to mind. They were great missionaries, and God used them in amazing ways. But fast forward a few years, and it’s clear that missions has changed—dare I say, it’s always evolving.

As I work with individuals interested in missionary service, I sometimes get asked the question, “Does it matter that I’m not a preacher?” A good question. The short answer is “No, it doesn’t matter.” Yes, missions does include preaching and evangelism, but it can also include teaching English, performing surgery, and fixing cars.

It’s exciting to see how God uses key people with different skills and talents to expand his global Church. I think of a photographer who provides family portraits to families in Albania, a mechanic who teaches young boys how to maintain vehicles in Honduras, and a young adult who plays soccer and Ultimate Frisbee with atheist and agnostic college students in Argentina. Some awesome ministries, right? God never ceases to amaze me in the ways He connects people and provides opportunities to speak into their lives.

What is your skill? What is your passion? Have you asked God how He can use you in missions? Here are some current opportunities/positions in which you or someone you know can serve in missions and be a part of what God is doing around the world:

• Food Service Director (Arizona)
• Family Counselor (Mexico)
• School Teachers (Uganda, Bolivia, Paraguay, and more)
• Small Business Facilitator (Honduras)
• Radio and TV Personnel (Haiti, Kenya)

These are just a few specific positions currently needed around the world. For a larger list, visit www.wgm.org/go. However, it is impossible to list all the ways God can use people to bring others into relationship with Him. I ask that you pray and ask God how He wants to use you in missions. You and your talent may be the key to someone else discovering Jesus and entering into a personal relationship with Him.

MORE: If you feel as if your interests or skills can’t be used in missions, get in touch with Jared. He shares, “I’m always up for a challenge. I’d love to help you find that ministry God has in mind for you.” Email Jared at recruiting@wgm.org.

An excerpt from...

Keys from Retirees

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Lessons from the trenches
By Rachel Elwood, Support Staff
April-June 2015

“Remember the days of old; consider the generations long past. Ask your father and he will tell you, your elders, and they will explain to you.”(Deuteronomy 32:7 NIV)

On this website, we’ve created a section called Heroes of the Faith to honor retired missionaries. As we’ve been gathering these stories over the last few years, we’ve stumbled across some wonderful words of wisdom from these incredible faith-filled men and women. Some of these saints have gone to be with the Lord since our conversations with them, and we’re thankful we had the chance to capture their stories.

Louisa Ammerman (1913-2011), served in Burundi: “Be willing to make the adjustments cheerfully and joyfully. Don’t be depressing or despondent. Try to see the best in everyone. Try to live in the right relationship always, both with others and with God.”

O. Carl Brown (1918-2010), served in Haiti with his wife, Martha: “Be in the Word and see where God’s heart is. When you go forth in the call, you’ll have a real love and desire to follow through. You’ll have continued enthusiasm about the Word. In doing so, God opens doors.”

Edna Dewey, 108, served in India with her late husband, Clifford: “Be sure you’re called [to missions]. Don’t go on your own. The work is hard enough that you need the Lord’s help constantly. There are disappointing times, but you pray through it, and get over it.”

Evelyn Harriman, 90, served in Bolivia and Paraguay with her husband, Harold: “A new missionary in Bolivia once asked me for some advice about adapting to the culture. I said, ‘Don’t speak English in front of Bolivians!’ You’ve got to love and respect them, and it’s not nice to speak a language they don’t understand in front of them. The land needs to become your land.”

Tim Hawk, 68, served in Honduras and at headquarters with his wife, Sharon: “From the very beginning, realize building relationships is the most important part of your ministry. Learn to invest yourself in people, not in busy work.”

Sue Martin, 74, served in Haiti and Haitian American Ministries: “Have a consistent devotional life. God is in control of what’s happening; be submissive to what He leads. Obedience—if you have that, you can adapt to any situation.”

Ellen Pfirman, 77, served in Burundi, on the American Indian Field, and in Kenya: “As a new missionary, I was as green as I could be. We had to trust the Lord through all the different circumstances, and I saw that He was faithful in all the problems we faced. He didn’t abandon us. The fact that we didn’t live in fear was a miracle.”

Paul Shingledecker, 68, served in Burundi and Haiti and at headquarters with his wife, Pat: “My prayer for every new missionary who came to Haiti or to one of our fields when we were regional directors was that within the first six months, and preferably within the first six weeks, they would find one close national friend. When that happened, it almost always changed their whole outlook on the culture, country, and language learning. All of a sudden the differences were no longer bad, just different! Deep national friendships make a missionary and nearly always assure his/her success.”

Caroline Heater Smith (1936-2014), served on the American Indian Field: “There are traits a person needs to be a missionary: getting up on time, going to bed at a decent time, learning to eat things you don’t want, having your devotions, and a sense of humor. Always be able to see the funny side of things.”

Mary Smith (1912-2010), served in Kenya and at headquarters with her late husband, “Hack”: “It’s the safest place in the world: being in the will of God. The most fulfilling life you can have is working for the Lord on the mission field or in His service.”

MORE: Want to hear the rest of these retired missionaries’ stories? View the Heroes of the Faith section.

Prayer Calendar: May 10-16, 2015

Your missions praise inspired by The Call magazine is this:

PRAISE God for the godly heritage of retired missionaries and support staff.


On the WGM website, we’ve created a section called Heroes of the Faith to honor retired missionaries. You can read more about their stories there.  

What's in your Hand?

An excerpt from...

What Is in Your Hand?

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The key to starting ministry where God has put you
By Meg Dul, Missionary, Hungary
April-June 2015

How can I still be involved in ministry when my time is fully taken up by my two active little ones? They are 4 and 2, and every day they challenge me to grow in God’s grace and rely on His strength. Often I contemplate how to balance my calling as a mom and my calling as a missionary when it comes to how I spend my time.

When God called Moses from the burning bush, Moses had his doubts. “What if they don’t believe me?” God’s answer was also in the form of a question: “What is that in your hand?” “A staff,” Moses replied (Exodus 4:1-2). God had already given Moses the resources he needed to fulfill his calling—of course, not in Moses’ strength, but in his weakness and God’s power. So I look at what God has put in my hand: two darling children, a language people want to learn, experience in teaching English, and a welcoming home.

Here in Hungary, mothers get three years of maternity leave. Once their kids are 3 years old, the mothers go back to work and the kids go to a 3-year preschool. This year we started our 4-year-old in the local preschool. We prayed that through this, God would open doors for ministry for our family. The first week of school, parents were allowed to stay with their kids to help them adjust. Many moms asked if I could help them improve the English they’d learned but didn’t have the chance to practice. An idea began to form.

I asked another missionary mom to join me in starting a baba-mama group (moms and kids) in my home. One morning a week, Hungarian young mothers come with their kids aged 3 and younger. The kids play and we moms talk in English. We purposefully guide the discussion to spiritual things and pray for each mom every time we’re together. We are at the very beginning of this new outreach, but I am so encouraged by how God is weaving together the two callings He has put on my heart.

Will you take a moment to pray for us? Pray that God will use this time to draw people to Himself. And if you’re wondering where to start plugging into ministry where God has put you, take a look: what is in your hand?

GO: What do you have in your hand, and how can you use that to further the kingdom? Ministry opportunities are open on nearly every WGM field. Find your fit.

Prayer Calendar: May 3-9, 2015

Your missions prayer point inspired by The Call magazine this week requires some personal reflection:

ASK God to reveal to you "what is in your hand" to serve Him.

When God gives you direction on this prayer, drop us a line in the comments. We would love to hear how God is directing the lives of our readers.