“And lead us…”
Matthew 6:13a
These three powerful words bring to mind one of my wildest mission field stories. Back in 2013, I helped lead a talented group of college musicians on a trip to Tijuana, Mexico. Our goal was to work with a few different local worship bands and play music for a variety of events, each with a story of their own. In preparation, we asked people to donate instruments for us to gift to our new friends south of the border. Packing my car for the airport, I decided to leave one of the guitars behind. It was an old 12-string and I wasn’t sure it was worth the extra luggage fee. I still remember looking at it laying on my driveway when I felt an almost audible voice telling me to bring it. I argued back because it didn’t even have the electronics needed for the bands we’d be working with. Once again, I felt the almost audible voice telling me to bring it and that I would know who to give it to. I responded with a “Well, OK” and stacked it in my trunk with the others.
It’s now about day three of our trip and our group went to the beach one evening after a full day of ministry. They all went inside a boardwalk pizza shop to order dinner and I decided to relax outside and watch the waves. I was just sitting there minding my own business when a drunk homeless man asked me for some change in broken English. I normally say no but dropped a few coins in his hand anyway. His follow-up response just about knocked me out of my chair – “You have a guitar for me.” To this day I’m not sure if it was a question or if he was just being informative. Several times I responded with, “What did you just say to me? Why are you asking me for a guitar?” and each time he said, “You have a guitar for me.” Still in disbelief, I finally said, “Well, yes, I do have a guitar for you” and we arranged the drop-off.
Seven years later I still have more questions than answers about that exchange with Andreas. There is even more to the story, like how the guitar was actually for his sister who led worship for a homeless church, but that’s for another day.
Here’s the point: We don’t have all the answers in life or when we pray. We just don’t have it all figured out and we don’t always know what is best. But in Christ, we have a Lord who is in charge and He has given us His Holy Spirit to lead and direct us along the way. If He can lead a reluctant guitar player and a buzzed homeless man to bless a church in Tijuana, chances are He can also use you in unexpected ways. So, don’t just scan these prayer requests. Ask the Lord to lead you as you pray.
– Zach
Zavkhan Uliastai Church – Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
From Pastor Tumurbaatar:
Pastor Tumurbaatar helped to establish Zavkhan Uliastai Church in 2000, around the same time that Puje, the ministry director of WEGO in Mongolia, moved to Ulaanbataar (Mongolia’s capital, in case you didn’t know). They serve a community in the Zavkhan province through outreach events, classes, and other creative ways of spreading the gospel.
How You Can Pray:
1) For all the churches in the Zavkhan province to unite in Christ.
2) For a gospel outreach event they are holding in April. Pray for the hearts of all who attend and for the event to be well coordinated.
3) For the Christian Life School the church plans on holding in May. That there would be many new disciples to sign up, and that they would have open hearts to receive the teaching.
4) For all the members of the church to have good health, and for God to provide for them.
Temple Bethel Church – San Gregorio, Nicaragua
From Pastor Alexander Baltodano:
“I am 60 years old and have been a pastor for 30 years. I’ve been married for 25 years. My wife’s name is Graciela. We have 3 kids – 2 boys, one girl – but they don’t live here. They have jobs in Costa Rica because of the economic situation here. My church’s name is Temple Bethel, located in San Gregorio. There are 45 members. We have services 4 times a week: we visit homes on Saturday, have kids’ ministry Sunday morning and afternoon, and we have our regular service. Every month we have about five souls that come to Christ, so please pray that would continue. I worry so much about those who are lost, so I share the gospel everywhere I go. I believe that we are the salt of this world. I used to be a really bad person but the Lord changed me for good to be able to give my testimony and help others that are going through the same things I went through. Thank you so much for praying for us, we will be praying for all of you. Blessings to all of you.”
How You Can Pray:
1) For all the nations to come to Christ.
2) For the people of China who are dealing with coronavirus.
3) For those who feel alone and need Jesus, that they would find Him.
Ganbat – Driver, Mongolia
About Ganbat:
Ganbat is a father to five children and the husband of our very own cook, Tsetsgee (featured in last month’s prayer guide). In his life he has been everything from electrician to pro-wrestler (he still has the guns to prove it), but currently Ganbat is in his fourth year of driving for New Hope Children’s Home. In between his daily back and forth trips between New Hope and the bus stop, Ganbat is a source of wisdom and paternal affection for the kids.
There aren’t many resources Ganbat wouldn’t offer joyfully, and the time he takes with the kids is certainly evidence of that. As one of many talents, he’s quite adept at leatherwork, and we’ve heard one of the older boys, Munkhbayar (you’ll meet him below), has already hit him up for whip-making lessons. And we couldn’t say for sure, but we’re willing to bet he’ll be begged for more than one driving lesson in the future.
How You Can Pray:
1) For his children to be blessed, and that he would continue in good health
2) For him to drive safely and efficiently.
3) For his faith to grow daily and flow into his work with WEGO.
Franklyn Antonio Salinas Aburto – P.E. Teacher, Nicaragua
From Franklyn:
“I am 44 years old and I’m a new teacher here. I’ve been married 8 years and I have 2 girls: one is 21 and the other one is 3. We live in our own house in Diriamba. My wife has a psychology degree, my 3-year-old girl is in 3rd grade, and my oldest daughter has a degree as a system engineer, although she doesn’t have a job yet. We attend Missionary Church together twice a week.
I really love working here. I have been a teacher for two years, and I spent twelve years as a coach, so I have some experience in what I do. I believe that God always has a plan for all of us. It’s such a blessing to be part of this ministry. I see that this school gets good support from you guys, in other schools there is no food like there is here. It is such a great blessing what you do here for these kids. I will do my best not only to teach, but to be a good example to others here.”
How You Can Pray:
1) For wisdom, health and protection for his family.
2) For his wife and mother who both suffer with rheumatoid arthritis.
3) For God to provide a job for his daughter.
Munkhbayar – New Hope Children’s Home, Mongolia
About Munkhbayar:
Munkhbayar is one of the most well rounded and talented kids alive. He came with his two sisters to New Hope in 2016. He’s currently in the 7th grade, where he enjoys Mongolian language class and drawing. His recent artistic accomplishments include drawings of a bird, a plane, a car, a ball, and a suitcase. At home he can often be found at the center of a rousing game of huulbumbuk (soccer). Even though he’s a middle child, he’s a big brother at heart, and that’s just one of the many reasons we love Munkhuu.
How You Can Pray:
1) For his eyesight to improve.
2) For him to study well and retain knowledge at school.
3) For him to have good relationships with the other kids at home.
Suyelky Selva – New Hope School, Nicaragua
From Suyelky:
“I’m 11 years old, and I’m in the 7th grade. My mom’s name is Raquel Chavez and my dad’s name is Jordany. I am so blessed to have them. My dad is one of the guards and my mom works for the feeding program. Every day after school I help my mom in the kitchen. She lets me cook anything I want: my favorite is chicken. I have four new friends already, and it’s been so exciting to learn about the Lord with them at this school. I also love math because I’m really good with numbers. I’m so happy to be studying here – I have learned here about God’s mercy and love; He is our king. I love my teachers here; I also want to share that I have 17 pets. I have 12 chickens, 4 dogs and one parrot.”
How You Can Pray:
1) For her to get a new brother or sister!
2) For her to study well and see growth and good grades.
3) For her grandmother’s healing, because she is currently suffering with kidney stones.