PRAYER LIFE
(Last updated 08-31-10)
France
Trinity International Church (TIC) is a vibrant congregation in the heart of Paris. Although the worship service is in English, the church reaches out to French people. On a recent Sunday, three new French believers were baptized at the church.
TIC had been searching for a pastoral couple to replace Dave and Margot Kennedy, who left Paris in July. Recently, John Corby, our regional director, asked, "Al and Carol, would you be willing to do this?" We prayed about it and realized that pastoring TIC fit our gifts and heart for ministry.
TIC is having an impact on French people and to leave the congregation at this point without pastoral leadership would be unthinkable. We know that the days ahead will be a challenge and a time of transition, but we are asking you to join with us in prayer. TIC rents a church facility where the congregation worships on Sundays at 3:30 p.m.; it also has a small ministry center, Genesis, 
in the heart of downtown Paris.
—Alan and Carol Clason
Guinea (CAMA)
When Oma* arrived at Hope Clinic, she had been partially paralyzed in both legs for a week. The paralysis had started suddenly, with no history of trauma. Fortunately, Oma’s father brought her to the clinic early (many who have this condition are brought too late). Although we do not have the resources to confirm a diagnosis, this type of paralysis is often caused by a parasite. Dr. Huub treated Oma accordingly. Two weeks later, little Oma was able to walk again!
—Stephen and Lori Albright
Indonesia
Four years ago, at the beginning of our church split, I was told by one of the split-off leaders that "no one in the Paniai [the western highlands region of Papua] is staying with the C&MA [GKII] church." That almost seemed the case last October when the plane I [and others] was on was attacked by members of the split-off group in Enarotali, the main village in the Paniai (see alife, July 15, 2010). Recently, I was back in the Paniai, in a place called Mapia, to attend a GKII church conference. I did not know what to expect. Would our plane be attacked, would the conference be disrupted or would anyone even show up?
My concerns were quickly erased as I saw the road to Mapia lined with people for more than 200 yards. Singing, dancing, shaking hands by the hundreds—and that was just the greeting! I asked the conference committee how many people had signed up, and they replied, "Over 10,000." Since I was scheduled to preach the opening service, I wedged my way into a nice-sized church that was filled well beyond capacity. The outside of the church was packed as well. The hunger for God’s Word made it easy to preach. The story of Paul and Silas in the Philippian jail was appropriate for the situation that our GKII friends have faced for the last four years.
Praise God for a good opening service. I was asked to speak again that evening. What do I share with 10,000 people who have faced persecution, seen their churches burned and been told that they no longer have a church in the Paniai? Give them the gospel! Jesus said, "When I am lifted up [on the cross], I will draw everyone to myself."
What a time of rejoicing! The good news of Jesus reigned supreme!
Praise God, and please continue to pray that the thousands deceived into following false teaching will have discernment from the Holy Spirit and choose God’s truth.
—Barry and Patty Jordan
Japan
Kumbaya, my Lord, kumbaya. Someone’s singin’ Lord, kumbaya . . . Nearly 400 Japanese sang these lyrics recently at the Hallelujah Gospel Family summer concert. Choir members from across Japan joined their voices in singing this traditional gospel song in what was anything but a traditional performance.
Gospel artist Ray Sidney arranged the song for us with a strong gospel beat, accompanied only by giant Japanese drums! The concert hall, which seats 2,000, shook—literally—as the drums were beat and the singers called out . . . Come by here, my Lord. Come by here! We need you. We need you. We need you. Right now!
What an amazing testimony in a country where less than 1 percent of inhabitants are Christ followers. In fact, probably 80 percent of the Hallejuah Gospel Family singers are not yet believers. But as they sing the gospel message, their hearts are warmed, and they begin to open to the love of Christ.
Ken and Bola Taylor head up this ministry and do an incredible job! We were involved with directing four of the participating choirs. View the Hallelujah Gospel Family choir in action on YouTube (below).
—David and Evangeline Kindervater
Paraguay
Adana* came to Christ more than a year ago. She wanted to follow Him in baptism, but she did not feel she could at the time due to persecution from her family. But recently, Adana invited all of her family to watch as she was baptized at Mi Esperanza. It was great to hear her testimony and to see the tears flow freely as she came out of the water. What an amazing day!
Please pray for Adana. She recently traveled to Buenos Aires to be with her son and daughter who live there. Pray that she will continue to grow in her relationship with Christ. She asked us to pray that she would be able to share the love of Jesus with her children.
—John and Lisa Sappia
Russia
Recently, Alan joined in a game of ultimate Frisbee with a few folks from the church and their friends. After the event, Andrei shared his faith with ayoung lady, Valentina,* who asked God to forgive her for her sins and chose to live her life for Him. Please pray as we encourage her and help her to experience new life.
A wonderful event happened at our church in the spring—three young believers were baptized. Anna* and Arkady * became Christians in February through the English club ministries and our church; the third person baptized, Galina,* is a young girl from a Christian family. Sofia,* one of our most faithful English club attendees, was also recently baptized at her church.
—Alan and Trish Eggleton
Senegal
God has called us to live and minister among the poor and marginalized of Saint Louis, Senegal, in Pikine. It is our goal to see this community’s transformation and the growth of the Church here. Along with the Senegalese believers at the Yoonu Njub (Way of Righteousness) Community Center, we envision blessing this community in the areas of health and education.
Our vision is to see a vocational training program for young boys; many young men in this community are unemployed and often do not possess job skills. Recently, we purchased three plots of land for the future center. We are in discussion with the owner about a fourth connecting plot. God has already provided the finances for the first three plots, and we are waiting to see how He will provide for potential additional land and then finances for the construction.
Malick Fall, our Senegalese colleague, emphasized again recently that finding these plots of land together in our neighborhood is quite extraordinary! Although $100,000 is a daunting price, we are confident that God started this work here in Pikine, and He will be faithful to continue to provide.
—Brian and Michelle Davis
Thailand
We were concerned that the struggling Mahapawn Living Water Church might not survive when we made our decision to go on home assignment this year. We were wisely counseled that "the church is the Lord’s" and went ahead with our plans, believing in faith that God would take care of His church in Thailand while we were in the United States.
God graciously brought missionary colleagues Fely Narciso and Joel and Milcah Gerada, who joined our church planting partnership team. He also provided a Thai pastoral couple, Somkit and Suda, and their son Nong Jiw. God is so good!
Please pray for this ministry team, that God will continue to anoint them, unify them and give them much fruit from their labors. Mahachai is a very spiritually dark area, and the spiritual battles faced are quite intense. We ask you to pray for the Mahapawn Living Water Church.
—Ed and Sue Danneker
(on home assignment)
* Name changed.
Alliance Life
The Christian and Missionary Alliance
8595 Explorer Drive
Colorado Springs, CO 80920
Phone: 719-265-2171
Fax: 719-599-8234
E-mail: alife@cmalliance.org