By Aaron White, WEGO Storyteller
“Whoever then humbles himself as this child, he is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.”
Matthew 18:4
East Tennessee has been in a bit of a drought. The sun beats down hotter and hotter, while the yards shrivel up to yellow. All bad news for those of us who have vegetable gardens right outside our front doors—no amount of watering seems to matter once the sun is overhead.
Several times this year God has brought me to the garden as a symbol for our spiritual lives. This time, God used Matthew 18:4, the merciless heat and the thirsty garden to convict me of unbelief in my heart and in my words. Cynicism had gone unchallenged in a dark corner of my soul for too long, and I had come to see it as realism, or even wisdom, to expect bad things to happen. It had dried up the grace and Hope in my speech and thoughts. I looked up at wilting leaves as God pointed to Matthew 18:4.
The truth is, a lot of bad things do happen. There is sin and evil in the world, and sickness and death, a situation dire enough to make anyone feel hopeless. Without Jesus’s sacrifice and resurrection, there is no respite from the brokenness all around. And without honest prayer and dependence on our gracious, merciful God who can do anything, a recognition of this brokenness turns to cynicism and wages war on our prayer life. The Christian serves a God who loves to answer prayer against all odds! True realism is praying for the impossible, expecting it to pass, and trusting Him in all things that even if the prayer seems to go unanswered, He is wise and acting in a better way than we can understand.
The cynical heart can seem wise or even compelling, but it betrays a resistance to the childlike humility and faith that God calls us to. As you pray through this guide, reject any worldly wisdom that leads you to lose faith. Take up childlike wonder and expect rain, even though there isn’t a cloud in the sky. Maybe soon you’ll find yourself not so surprised to look through your window and see it pouring, like I am right now.
Join Us in Praying for Our Home Build!
Picture being a kid stuck inside all winter-long without a place to play. Our new home will have a performance stage and a honeycomb structure the children can use to get to the second floor!
How You Can Pray
Are you allowed to pray for fun? We think so. Pray our children have an absolute blast in our new home. May it be filled with loud laughter and joy.
Light Church – Gachuurt, Mongolia
About Light Church:
Tsetsegee has been the pastor of Light Church since 2010. They serve their community with evangelism, as well as weekly services for adults, young adults and children. Their mission statement is “From one person to one family”, illustrating their mindset of making disciples who in turn make other disciples, as well as their focus on community investment.
How You Can Pray:
1) Pray that God would strengthen the faith of the congregation.
2) Pray for Tsetsegee’s family as they serve. Pray that God would encourage them and help them to rest and grow in their faith.
3) Pray that God would continue to open the hearts of the people of Gachuurt to the gospel.
Church of God – Nicaragua
From Pastor Michele:
“Hello, I am the pastor of Church of God. I’ve been a pastor for 27 years now. My church is located in Managua. I am married and have two kids, a boy who is 11 years old and a girl who is 3. My wife’s name is Miriam and she is a very strong Christian woman who is my rock. I love the work of God. We have church services 3 times a week. My goal is to help everyone to come to Christ. I believe that God is with me, I can’t do this alone. I am here to make disciples and share the Gospel until the last person in this country hears. It is a blessing to be a child of God.”
How You Can Pray:
1) Pray God would unite our church.
2) Pray God would allow my family to grow spiritually.
3) That God would provide spiritual healing for our community.
Ganaa – Lead Caregiver, Mongolia
About Ganaa (right):
Last month we prayed for Ganaa. She’s such a blessing to WEGO’s ministry, and is currently going to school to be a social worker. With all that she has going on, we’re asking for prayer again as she acclimates to school and works through some difficulties with her family.
How You Can Pray:
1) She has started school, so ask that God would help her to utilize all the opportunities before her to learn.
2) Her mother is going through a difficult time, so pray that God would lead her to more peaceful times.
3) Ask for team unity among all the caregivers, and that God would give her wisdom and persistence as she manages them.
Claudia Lopez – Principal, Nicaragua
From Claudia:
“Hello! I am 41 years old and I have been working for WEGO for 7 years now. I have two kids, Jordy in 7th grade and Nancy in university. My husband’s name is Marlon and he works in a hardware store. I attend church on Sundays. I thank the Lord for all he has done in my life through this ministry where I love to serve. The Lord has helped me to understand His perfect will step by step, so I live one day at a time. It has been so great to be able to share my life with all of the students and teachers, I feel blessed.”
How You Can Pray:
1) Ask God to give me wisdom to make good decisions within my family and my job.
2) That I would be able to reflect Christ in my life.
3) Pray my testimony will speak better than my words.
Enerel – New Hope Children’s Home, Mongolia
About Enerel:
Enerel is a whip smart girl who is the middle child of a group of three at New Hope. She’s artistic and committed to excellence, and one of the most genuine people around. She’s about to graduate high school and is looking forward to college.
How You Can Pray:
1) Pray for her as she is looking to enter college.
2) Pray for wisdom as she works toward her goals for the future.
3) Pray God would bless her family.
Jony Arteaga – New Hope School, Nicaragua
From Jony:
“I am 16 years old and I am in 11 grade. I live in Dolores with my family. I don’t attend church right now, but I will soon. I love everything about school. My teachers are the best. I have learned a lot from them. Good people. I also love the food—the ladies in the kitchen do a great job cooking. My favorite food is rice with chicken. I am so excited about my graduation, praying that I can get good grades and get a good career. I want to help my family because the economic situation here is not good sometimes. I love English and math. I love helping my mom and also love helping with home duties.”
How You Can Pray:
1) That I would have wisdom to help me study well.
2) Pray that I could learn more about God.
3) That Jesus would show himself in my actions.
Eneysi Aburto – New Hope School, Nicaragua
From Eneysi:
“Hey everyone! I am in 7th grade and I am new here. I live in the Roman Esteban Community. I live with my mom, sister and grandma. My mom works in a clothing factory. She is who provides our food. Even though I am new here, I love it already. I love how our teachers treat us, love every devotional morning with all the school workers and students, love the food—I just love each part of it. It has been such a great experience. I didn’t go to church but because of what I have been hearing here about Jesus I am now attending a church. I love math and love rice beans and cheese.”
How You Can Pray:
1) God would give me wisdom and help me to study well.
2) Pray for our community.