“And forgive us our debts…”
Matthew 6:12a
I can’t think of a better way to start 2020. Lamentations 3:22-23 tells us “Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” With the turning of a new year, like the awaking of each dawn, God stands ready to pour His compassion and mercies on us anew. This is not because of anything we have done or haven’t done, this is because of His great love. These 5 words are quite profound. They recognize, like we must also do, that we have debts that must be forgiven. None of us got everything right last year or even in the last ten minutes. We’ve messed up, pursued our own gains, and we’ve all taken on insurmountable debt we can never repay. But that’s the good news of Jesus. He alone is able to forgive us. In fact, He has already paid for that debt with His own life. The beauty of this short verse is it also shows us the way to receive that gift. We ask for it. You pray, “Lord, forgive me” and He does it through Jesus.
As we pray these requests on behalf of our friends in Mongolia and Nicaragua, let’s first pray they know this divine forgiveness of God. May they have illnesses healed and relationships restored but first may the love of Jesus break through walls and reveal His lavish compassion and kindness in their own soul, as well.
Life Community Church – Ulanbataar, Mongolia
In Mongolia, this great church is named “Amid Bul”, meaning Life Community Church. This community of believers in Mongolia’s capital city is led and pastored by a man named Bayarjargal. Life Community Church has more than 100 members. The church has several different ministries including a kids church (pictured)!
1) Please pray God quickly provides a new place for them to meet. The owner of the current space they are renting has said they are no longer able to rent from him.
2) Pray for the growth of the church. They would love to see more families in attendance.
3) They would like opportunities to share the good news with more people
Church of God Church – León, Nicaragua
“I am 55 years old and have been working as a pastor for 20 years. I had a wife named Reyna Canales (far left) but she died last year from surgery. I also have three boys and one daughter. My oldest son (far right) also died last year from a horrible car accident when he was 28 years old. I live now with my two boys. One of them has a kidney that doesn’t work so we have to travel to Managua for his dialysis. It has been hard for me as a pastor to have to go through all of this pain. Because when things like this happen as a pastor, I have to be strong and find strength only in God’s love for me. Sometimes I want to give up but I remember about what Jesus did for all of us. I also know that God gave His only Son as a sacrifice for all of our sins. My other son, who is the youngest, is healthy. My daughter got married and lives two hours from me but she comes to visit sometimes with my grandchildren. I pastor Church of God Church located at La Paz Centro León and it has been a blessing. We have 30 members and have services three days a week. We visit homes once a week to share the Gospel. We had five people saved last week!”
1) Please pray for the families in our congregation
2) For every nation
3) Join me in praying for pastors that are going through what I went through
Aaya – Children’s Home Director, Mongolia
We are sure you have seen this photo of Aaya before but it perfectly fits her. She is such a kind, proper, nurturing, and perfect leader for New Hope Children’s Home. Aaya has served with our ministries for many years and first began with us as a caregiver for our kids. With all of her responsibilities within our ministry, you can always count on her to make her prized monthly pizza for our staff and children. It typically has pickles on it and it is delicious.
1) Pray for her health. She just had surgery on her right knee in November. She is now recovering and has to use a cane. She cannot walk without it. Pray for her quick recovery!
2) Give her a wisdom and the power to lead people in Christ
3) Pray for her children, grandchildren, son-in-law, and daughter-in-law. Also pray for her work, finances, and faith.
Miriam Lopez – Communications Coordinator, Nicaragua
“It has been a blessing to be able to keep working for WEGO. It has been three years now and I can say I have learned so much from the people here in this ministry. I thought it was going to be hard when I first started working here because I was new but it’s been awesome. We all treat each other like family and the people from USA that work for WEGO are also such great people. They are always sharing God’s love and they make us feel like family. I thank the Lord for allowing me to be a part of WEGO’s family. I love working here. Every time I go to the Community Center and New Hope School to do my job, Marlene (one of the ladies that works in the kitchen) offers me food and something to drink. I always enjoy eating her food! I feel so blessed to be here. I also know that the Gospel of God has been shared by all the workers here and it is so great to be able to share the Gospel of Christ to the kids here. I enjoy doing what I do because I get to know everyone’s testimony and it has been a great encouragement for my life. I also want to thank all the donors that have been a great blessing for the ministry. May the Lord pour down blessings into their lives. I am praying for each one of you as you do God’s work. Keep praying for us. Thank you.”
1) For WEGO’s Nicaraguan and USA workers
2) Pray for all of the donors who give with their hearts to this ministry
3) For a blessed new year in 2020.
Ganbayar – New Hope Children’s Home, Mongolia
We sure do love Ganbayar! He is a super fun and strong kid who came to our home about 4 years ago. Whatever is going on, you will always find Ganbayar right in the middle of it. He is being intentionally discipled by Ganbat, our driver. He loves games and all kinds of sports. If we were career counselors, we would recommend Ganbayar pursue a career in Mongolian wrestling. He would be a star.
1) Pray for him to understand all of his subjects well and be good friends with others
2) For his health. He wants to be taller.
3) Join us in praying for Ganbayar’s future well being. For his provision and protection.
Joel De Jesus Gonzales – Bible Club, Nicaragua
“I am 8 years old and my mom’s name is Karina. I have have two sisters. Leydin is five and Nahomi is one. We live in our own house in the Roman Esteban community. I love going to the Bible Club. Every time I go to the feeding program to get my food, my mom and my sisters go with me. I love to serve others and I like to make friends. I love to take care of the cattle with my three best friends. Their names are Diego, Mainor, and Hendrick. I love them. I always have adventures with them especially when we go to take care my families cattle. We have a cow named Chula. She is such a sweet cow. I love helping my mom at home because I know she is tired at the end of the day. I thank the Lord for all we have and what we don’t have, too. The Lord knows why we don’t have it all but we have a King who has it all. We are His children so I am not worried because I am in Hands. Thank you for everything.”
1) For my special cow Chula, she is a little sick
2) For all of the kids on this earth
3) To have a great new year united with my family