By Aaron White, WEGO Storyteller
I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me, and I in him, he bears much fruit; for apart from Me you can do nothing.
John 15:5
Here at WEGO, we have an appreciation for the vegetable garden. One thing you might not know about New Hope Children’s Home in Mongolia is that a lot of the food is raised right there on the property. The kids get to be a part of the planting and harvesting, which we love because it allows a glimpse into the act of growing something—the planning, the hoping and waiting, the faithfulness to see it through from spring to winter, and the joy of harvest. If any of you know a gardener or farmer (or are one), you know fully the care and expectation that goes into each row of plants. Even those of us who aren’t gardeners can respect this: you can’t pick what wasn’t first sown and tended.
It’s the same with each of us in Christ. We were once dry and withered branches on a vine, ready for the burn pile. But when we turn to Christ for salvation, believing he can bring life to our barren existence, we soon find buds on the tips of our fingers. We are tended by the Father and watered by the Spirit, and we are watched in anticipation of harvest as we abide in faith.
North of the Equator, most of us are still in winter (bear with me, Floridians, I know there are many of you). Take this time to abide in Christ’s work and pray for the fruit he may bring you to bear this year. This is the season of waiting and imagining. What might autumn bring? If we trust the vine and the vinedresser, we may find our soul bountiful, just in time for harvest.
As you pray through this guide, we ask you to pray the same for each of these individuals. Ask God to bring them through the growing season with grace. Ask that they would abide in the vine, trusting Christ for growth and life.
Join Us in Praying for Our Home Build!
Please join us this week in praying for the children’s bedrooms in the new home. At the moment, we are only able to provide a room for boys and a room for girls, but the new house will feature four bedrooms so that boys and girls will each have two rooms to divide into by sibling groups or ages. These are the rooms where music will be played, forts will be made, books will be read, and dreams will be dreamed.
How You Can Pray
1) Pray for the older boys to lead the way in kindness, strength, and sacrifice. May they deeply know the love of Jesus and put it on display in our home.
2) Pray for the hopes and dreams of our older girls as they find rest in this room. Pray God clearly directs their next steps towards a specific job or school after they leave our home.
3) Pray for the minds of our younger boys and girls as they go to sleep. May Jesus fully heal the hurt and pain that brought them to our home, and fill them with peace and rest, not fear and anxiety.
New Hope House Church – Gachuurt, Mongolia
About New Hope House Church:
New Hope House Church, led by our very own Purevsed, is the house church where the staff of WEGO Mongolia come to worship. Made up almost entirely of our staff, it’s a place where they fellowship, pray for one another, and learn about the Lord.
How You Can Pray:
1) Pray that God will increase the faith of our staff and their families.
2) Pray that God would give Puje wisdom as he works on getting the land extension certificate for WEGO’s property.
3) Pray God would provide a builder for the new Children’s Home.
Baptist Church (The Way to Life) – Nicaragua
From Pastor Ramiro Cortez:
“Hello, my wife Alejandra and I have been together 22 years. We have 4 children together, each grown with their own families. I’ve been a pastor for 25 years now and I praise the Lord for the good and the bad. I can’t imagine my life without him. I live in Santa Teresa Carazo, where the church is also located. Our church is made up of 40 members who meet 3 times a week. The pandemic has made things difficult. We lost 5 members. I cried but the Lord has a purpose. I thank God for my wife and kids. They are my rock and happiness. My life is blessed. God is for me, I ask for strength everyday to overcome the hard circumstances I will face.”
How You Can Pray:
1) For health for all those with no hope.
2) That God will give Pastor Ramiro wisdom.
3) For Pastor Ramiro’s family, that they would love each other more every day.
Purevsed – Director of WEGO Mongolia
About Purevsed:
Purevsed (Puje) is the director of all WEGO’s Mongolian ministries. He and his wife have 4 children and 5 grandchildren, but Puje is also a spiritual father at heart. He is involved with Christians throughout his community. As part of his work as director, he is pastor over the House Church.
How You Can Pray:
1) Pray that God would keep him healthy.
2) Pray that God would grow his faith in Christ.
3) Pray that Purevsed’s children would follow Christ and be provided for.
Yaritza Walker – Former Principal, Nicaragua
From Yaritza:
“My name is Yaritza Walker and I worked for WEGO for 6 and a half years. WEGO for me has been an institution that provides opportunities to people, a place where you can grow in all areas, both professional and spiritual. My experience was very good, because God molded and processed me in that place to grow and mature as a leader. I learned to love people, to serve them and give my best no matter who they were, I learned to be a counselor, friend, co-worker, to work as a team and more than that to always depend on Him. When I arrived at WEGO I was 25 years old, l am now 32.
In my spare time I like to read or watch tv with my daughter. I have a lot of interest in learning new things, this year I want to learn to cook more because I have a competition with my husband because he thinks he is a better cook than I am.
During my time at WEGO God always showed me the importance of growth, of always doing something new. My role as director for 5 years in Nueva Esperanza was a very big challenge, however I gave the best of myself, and I could see the hand of God in everything I did. I always tried to maintain a harmonious work environment with my team because I knew the great responsibility that God had placed in my hands, I showed myself the value of service to others. A verse that I always had in my present heart was Philippians 4:8: ‘Otherwise, brethren, all that is true, all that is honest, all that is just, all that is pure, all that is kind, all that is of good name; if there is any virtue, if anything worthy of praise, think on these things.’ I knew that my place in WEGO had been given by God and I had to do things in the best way, and I believe that I did.
I’m now working with my husband in his ministry and persuing my career as an attorney. It’s similar to the job I did at WEGO, and I know it’s part of God’s purpose and plan to have equipped me during my time with WEGO so I can now help my husband in what we’re doing in the name of the Lord. It has been such a pleasure for me to serve with WEGO and I will miss everyone but luckily my husband and I work in the community so we will be able to stay in touch.”
Azaa – New Hope Children’s Home, Mongolia
About Azaa:
Azaa is the oldest boy at New Hope. He enjoys basketball and cards, as well as math. He’s thoughtful and energetic, and never too busy to play outside with the younger kids.
How You Can Pray:
1) For his education and study.
2) Pray for his future life.
3) That he would have good health.
Erick Ramirez – New Hope School, Nicaragua
From Erick:
“I am 14 years old, and I have 4 brothers. My mom is Magda Ramirez, and she works cleaning houses. My Dad is Martin Moreno, he drives a horse car and sells wood. Our church is Church of God. I’m new here, so I didn’t like it here in the beginning, but now I do because I’ve made friends and the teachers are so nice to us. I love English and literature class. I’m in 8th grade. I love to play soccer with my friends at home. We live in our own house in Roman Esteban community. I love all the food we eat here.
How You Can Pray:
1) That I could finish high school.
2) For provision for my family.
3) That I would be healthy.