By Aaron White, WEGO Storyteller
“To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.”
Colossians 1:27
Once I met a man in a coffee shop that I knew from years before. He poured his heart out to me in our passing conversation, detailing how he had come to Christ since I last saw him. I admit it was more than a little awkward, because since our last encounter I learned he had sinned against me in a significant way.
When I first learned of the betrayal I spent a good bit of time despising him before eventually trying to forgive him. I was comfortable enough with struggling to do so since I planned on never seeing him again. Yet here he was in the coffee shop with me, and the funny thing was happening. I was moved by his story of personal redemption, and almost instantly I cared for him. He finished his story and laughed, but I felt God prodding me to follow him out the door.
All of a sudden, the sin of unforgiveness I had wrestled with was gone. I stopped him and confessed my sinful years-long grudge. In spite of my fumbled words, God made two men brothers who were once enemies as we apologized and forgave.
What does it mean to have Christ in you? Paul says here that Christ in you is the hope of glory. Christ being in us gives us the hope of one day attaining glory as we enter his kingdom.
There is a reconciliation planted in our bones. The resurrection already taken place. When I got up from my chair that day, there was no breakthrough on my part. I believe all Christians have had moments where we see glimpses of glory in our daily lives that drive us toward deeper hope. ”In you” lives the present and future power of the Jesus’ death and resurrection to lavish grace over all sin and reconcile us all to God, and one another.
As you pray for this guide, remember that those of us in Christ have his work in us tying us together. There are brothers and sisters in Mongolia and Nicaragua for whom you can pray, who all have Christ in them. Pray glimpses of glory would bolster their hope this month.
Join Us in Praying for Our Home Build!
Please join us this week in praying for the dining room of the new children’s home. Almost every child comes into our home malnourished. You just can’t imagine what a table full of warm food looks like through their eyes.
How You Can Pray
Pray for the conversations that will happen around our new table. Pray each bite of food will be a glimpse into Christ’s love and care for them.
Tent of David Church – UB, Mongolia
About Tent of David Church:
Otgonbaatar has been the pastor of Tent of David Church for almost 10 years. Located in the Bayanzurkh distrct of UB, they hold services for children, youth and adults. The church’s vision is to have fellowship, strengthen the local church, and prepare missionaries.
How You Can Pray:
1) Pray that God would grow the faith in Christ of the congregation and church leaders.
2) Pray for the health of their community.
3) Pray for Otgonbaatar’s children, wife, and work.
Faith Baptist Church – León, Nicaragua
From Pastor Alvaro Asencio:
“I am 38 years old and I have been a pastor for 6 years. I am from León and I am not married. I live with my parents. I take care of them because my dad is a little sick, he is 80 years old and my mom is 70. I have 3 brothers and 2 sisters. I have 36 active members at my church, where we have church services 3 times a week. I live in León city and my church is located here, as well. It has been hard and joyful to be a pastor but I believe the Lord is always in control. In those hard times, He is with me.”
How You Can Pray:
1) Pray for my dad who suffers from asthma.
2) Pray God will give me wisdom.
3) Pray that our church will grow spiritually.
Mashbat – Driver, Mongolia
About Mashbat:
Mashbat is a fun guy to hang around. He and his wife came to WEGO in 2019. Since then he has faithfully taken to his position as driver for our kids.
How You Can Pray:
1) Ask God to keep him healthy.
2) Pray for his son to be able to find an apartment.
3) Many people in Ulaanbaatar live in apartments in winter then a ger or a summer home out in the suburb/country of Gachuurt in the summertime. Pray that Mashbat and his wife will be able to get some work done on their summer home soon to make it more comfortable.
Maria Fernanda Lopez – Physics Teacher, Nicaragua
From Maria:
“I am 22 years old and I live in my mom’s house with my brother and cousin. I am single. I graduated from New Hope School in 2017. I am so thankful for all of the support I received while I studied here. I learned a lot but the most important thing I learned was about spirituality. I am now working as a teacher for New Hope School. I went to college thanking all of the teachers I had while in New Hope. My mom’s name is Migdalia Paramo and my dad doesn’t live with us. I am the one who is in charge of all of the expenses at home. The only income I have comes from me. I have been working as a teacher for 2 years. I love what I do for Jesus.”
How You Can Pray:
1) Pray for my family.
2) Pray for my work.
3) For my home.
Alungoo – New Hope Children’s Home, Mongolia
About Alungoo:
Alungoo is in the 7th grade. She came to New Hope Children’s Home in 2017 with her little sister, Lyankhua. She is a faithful big sister and a caring friend.
How You Can Pray (from Alungoo):
1) Pray for the health of the kids at New Hope Children’s Home.
2) Pray that God would help my studies.
3) Pray that God would keep me healthy.
Rodrigo Arteaga – Bible Club, Nicaragua
From Rodrigo:
“I am 10 years old and I love playing soccer in my free time. My favorite food is rice, beans, and cheese. My mom’s name is Elena, and my dad is Wilmer. My mom is a secretary and my dad works for WEGO as a security guard. I love being part of the Bible club. I learned a lot about Jesus, my Savior. I will not stop loving Him.”
How You Can Pray:
1)I would love for you to pray for my grandmother because my grandfather passed away not long ago and now she feels alone and sad.
2) Pray for my mom and dad.
3) Pray for all the kids from Bible Club.