Peru

Jesus, we come before You, asking for Your peace and mercy to fall on the people of Peru. You know they are held in chains of fear and superstition. Please send workers who are truly willing to enter into the lives of the people here and who will make Your name known. Amen.

David Strong, Missionary, Peru

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SPECIFIC NEEDS

Volunteer

Missionary

Children's Pastor

English as a Second Language Teachers

Sports Ministry Workers

Sunday School Teachers

Youth Workers

Prayer Calendar Nov. 6-12,2016

Coming tomorrow on The Call blog:

Throughout the world, community is built around food. When it comes to hanging out and connecting with teenagers, food is an essential ministry tool. But underneath the , pizzas, and cookies, lies a foundation of friendship and faith, rooted firmly in God’s love for the kids.

Pray for David and Cathlene Strong as they reach out to youth in Cusco, Peru.

Transition: Grief

David Strong, Missionary, Peru
April-June 2016

Experiencing the loss of a loved one is one of the hardest transitions we face here on earth. The days and weeks that follow seem overwhelming at times. As believers, we do have the assurance, through our Lord, of everlasting life with Him in heaven after we transition out of this life. As friends and family members who have been left behind to begin a new normal, the encouraging word from a friend may be just what we need to carry us through our grief. Let me share with you a story of encouragement that was told to me by Mom, Leta Strong.

Connie (Strong) Nave, second child of Dean and Leta Strong(retired WGM missionaries from Kenya), went to her eternal home in heaven after battling cancer on December 22, 2014. The afternoon of Connie’s funeral, Dean and Leta decided to share some of the beautiful funeral flowers with Harold and Evelyn Harriman, retired WGM missionaries from Paraguay. The Harrimans now reside in a local nursing home. Dean and Leta Strong, Harold and Evelyn Harriman, and Connie all attended the same church in Gas City, Indiana. Even though the Harriman family and the Strong family served many years in the same organization, their paths didn't cross much until retirement.

As they interacted in the nursing home after Connie’s funeral, which the Harrimans weren't able to attend, Evelyn asked Leta how she was doing with the loss of her oldest daughter. Leta responded that it had been a long, hard day. Evelyn said, “Leta, we have both served ‘terms of service’ with WGM and we have also seen our kids off to ‘terms at boarding school.’ Can you look at this separation from Connie as just another ‘term,’ even though we don't know how long it will be? We have the assurance that you will see her again.” 

Leta felt that this was a concept she could embrace, based on life experiences with WGM. Time here on earth will pass quickly, but eternity in heaven is truly our goal. This, too, shall pass. That day, Evelyn offered an encouraging thought that Leta could cling to during her early hours of grief. 

Thank you, Evelyn, for sharing such a lovely concept with our family during those hard days. You were used by God to encourage our hearts.

ACT: Do you know someone who is grieving the loss of a loved one? Take time this week to ask them for coffee. You don’t need to have all the right answers. Truly, one of the best ways to help is to just be a good listener. 

An excerpt from...

Purposeful Responsibilities

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By Ann Seaney, Missionary, Bolivia
July-September 2015

Aren’t you glad God gave us purposeful responsibilities that He has gifted us to fulfill? After finishing my teaching career, the Lord gave me the opportunity to learn how to be an accountant. It began as on-the-job training while I was part of the missionary team in Cusco, Peru. The training continued when I returned to Santa Cruz, Bolivia, to serve as treasurer for both Peru and Bolivia. It hasn’t always been easy, but I have enjoyed the opportunity and am grateful for colleagues who have been patient and kind in the process.

Routine and clear expectations are part of my comfort zone. These characteristics also fit well in the treasurer’s office. (Not that the unexpected never happens!) The normal routine includes paying the bills, disbursing money to missionaries and nationals, processing expense reports, and compiling financial reports at the end of the month. It could all sound very mundane except for the people behind the receipts. People like:

• Matilde, a faithful Christian lady whose suffering was eased by the gift of an oxygen machine
• A local pastor who received funds to pay for his young children’s schooling
• University students whose lives will be enriched by living in the new university residence under construction in Sucre
• Hundreds of individuals in northern Bolivia who were comforted as they received food and other staples following a devastating flood
• Teenagers whose lives have been changed after attending youth camp in Tarija
• Lawyers and accountants from whom we seek counsel so we may honor our host country by faithfully complying with the laws for non-profit organizations

What a joy it is to see what God is doing through the money that has been entrusted to us to administer.

I thoroughly enjoy my routine time in the office, but I also enjoy times “outside the walls” to keep my life in balance. It brings me great pleasure to make home visits to the elderly and to visit ladies in their homes, encouraging them in their walks with Jesus. Participating in the women’s ministry at church gives me an opportunity to both serve Jesus and grow in my relationship with Him.

GO: Treasurers and accountants are a vital part of the mission field team. Opportunities to serve in this capacity are available in multiple locations. To find out more, contact Jared Gleason at recruiting@wgm.org or 765.671.7226.

Thinking Outside the Church Walls

An excerpt from...

Thinking Outside the Church Walls

Women’s Ministry in Peru

By Cathlene Strong, Missionary, Peru, and Tracy Dubois, Support Staff
October-December 2014

In the States, people bond over coffee, but for women in Peru, their relationships are formed over tea. In 2008, Cathlene Strong and Ann Seaney (Bolivia) held a Christmas tea for the women in the church. This was followed by a Mother’s Day tea in May 2009.

“We desired to get the women together to be encouraged from God’s Word,” Cathlene shared.

After the Strongs and Ann returned from homeland ministry assignment in the fall of 2010, the ministry began to take shape. Now, about 10 women meet the third Sunday of each month at Cathlene’s home. Whether they are learning to make cookies, sharing parenting advice, praying for each other, or encouraging unbelievers to accept Jesus, trust is being earned.

“I see this ministry as a vital means of encouragement,” Cathlene stressed. “We try to discourage them from bringing their children so it can be a time of just women talking, fellowshipping, and learning together. We endeavor to create a safe environment where they can share their struggles. I feel inadequate and yet blessed to be God’s channel of encouragement as I listen to, hug, and pray with them.”

An ongoing goal is to get the women to think outside the church walls and minister to others. Christmas has been an ideal time for such outreach as the women spearheaded projects that included the youth and entire church. They held a clothing drive, donated small gifts, bought bread, prepared hot chocolate, and donated school supplies in a small community outside Cusco. They have also made and delivered Christmas baskets to needy families and handed out goodie bags to patients at two local clinics. Playing Christmas carols with handbells during the events also brings smiles to many faces.

“In the end, young and old participated, but it was the women who organized the events,” Cathlene said. “What a blessing to see the church work together to reach out to others.”

GO: Cathlene is organizing a retreat for her women’s group. If you’re interested in helping, contact teams@wgm.org.

Regional Update: South America and Spain

An excerpt from Regional Update: South America and Spain
By Ron and Bonnie Gouge, Regional Directors of South America
January–March 2012


Demonstrations, economic crisis, political uncertainties, and socialist leanings are among the many things that characterize South America these days. Yet, the message of Christ continues to impact lives and bring true peace in an ever-changing world. WGM is carrying this message in the countries of Bolivia, Peru, Paraguay, Argentina, and Spain.

In the midst of a changing world, WGM believes that God never changes and that His love endures forever. Join us in taking this message to South America and Spain.

ACT: Invest in young lives by joining a work team in 2012-2013 to remodel our mission residence in Argentina, equipping it for university students.

The Fragrance of Ministry

An excerpt from The Fragrance of Ministry
By Ann Seaney, Peru
July/August 2010

Sometimes ministry opportunities popped up quite unexpectedly. One rainy Sunday evening, I was walking home from church when I heard a cry for help from an elderly lady who was afraid to walk home alone in the dark. She had been visiting a friend and seemed quite disoriented. She took my arm and held on tight as we walked through the neighborhood to her house. How glad I was to be able to be a comfort to her. How humbling it felt to hear her thank God for sending an angel to walk her home.

I believe God is pleased as we live our daily lives being a fragrance for Him—someone who lifts the spirits of others and reminds them of Jesus. Is your presence making a difference to those in need?

What are you doing to leave the sweet fragrance of ministry with the elderly in your community? Over the next month, volunteer a couple of hours at your local nursing home or plan to take a meal to a couple of shut ins from your church. Your loving gesture will be a delivery of encouragement.

Septemeber 28: Peru

Thanks for joining us today for Peru's concert of prayer. If you were unable to make this phone call you can listen to the prayer through the WGM website at www.wgm.org/call.

David Strong led us in prayer for the ministries of Peru. Peru is fairly new field for World Gospel Mission with its primary focus in church ministries. The WGM missionary team currently works along-side two church plants and just this month one of those new plants was able to find a building to worship in. Praise the Lord!

Please continue to lift the national church of Peru before the throne. May God bless the pastors and leaders and may the church have impact in their communities.

Join the concert of prayer tomorrow as we pray for Paraguay. Be blessed.

9/25 - Peru

Partners for Peru

Today, David (Daudi) Strong led us in prayer for the new World Gospel Mission field of Peru. Daudi and Cathlene Strong and Ann Seaney are currently partnering with the National church to minister to the Peruvians. Daudi prayed for more ministry partners to join their team. It remind me of a phrase we use a lot at WGM, "Where is your mission field?" I know, not all of us are called to overseas missions in this capacity, but what are you doing to make an impact in your church...in your neighborhood...in your family? There is a place for each of us in missions and maybe some of you are being called to be co-workers with Daudi, Cathlene and Ann. Want to learn more about Peru? Click here. Don't be afraid to ask God how you can help this team make an impact in the country of Peru.

Join me tomorrow as we pray for Kenya!

Kristi Crisp
Call to Prayer Editor
World Gospel Mission

http://www.wgmcalltoprayer.org/