tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29975448741130133712024-02-19T03:40:34.182-08:00Friends of SumatraAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06300286224733298568noreply@blogger.comBlogger201125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2997544874113013371.post-70792558765056006902016-05-29T22:39:00.001-07:002016-05-29T22:39:19.134-07:00Sleeping on the Job<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGUcVygtX9V0Bhzv-T6SfNEPgw9LcSOT5lYl4qiRgigFh7w_8aQhO1RApyxEVOszohME2ll7xiBbco_pt_vNpdiGT4_rfBUk7LRhHwb6IBFrBGMQUtrWE6GwY0OjSdq0bSL5VN6PBhGZk/s1600/OTS170.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGUcVygtX9V0Bhzv-T6SfNEPgw9LcSOT5lYl4qiRgigFh7w_8aQhO1RApyxEVOszohME2ll7xiBbco_pt_vNpdiGT4_rfBUk7LRhHwb6IBFrBGMQUtrWE6GwY0OjSdq0bSL5VN6PBhGZk/s320/OTS170.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This man has a physically demanding job. He pedals his
bicycle taxi to earn perhaps one or two dollars for every fare. He’s often
honked at and nearly run off the road by cars and motorcycles who don’t want to
be behind him. He’s in competition with several other <i>becok</i> drivers, many of whom drive taxis that have a motorcycle
instead of a bicycle. While his seat for his passengers is shaded, he toils
under the punishing sun. At the end of a good day, he may make $20.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Many people on Sumatra have a similar situation; they work
hard and make very little to show for it. When asked why they don’t try
something new these men often shrug and say, “This is all I know. What else is
there for the likes of me?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It’s a common situation the world-over; we get into our ruts
of what we know and can’t imagine a different life. The life we have makes us
weary but what else is there? Jesus invites us all to come to Him when we are
weary; He offers us rest and companionship (Matthew 11:28-30). He promises a
new life if we will first let go of our old lives for His sake (Matthew 16:25).
This is the point where many walk away. Life may be hard, but at least it’s
familiar. Instead of grabbing hold of a new life, many people on Sumatra sleep
on and miss Christ’s invitation.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Pray</b> for a
spiritual awakening on Sumatra.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Pray</b> for millions
of Sumatrans to hear and head Christ’s invitation.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Pray</b> for workers
on Sumatra to not get discouraged by the sleepy apathy of those they share the
Gospel with.<o:p></o:p></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06300286224733298568noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2997544874113013371.post-75878599545721318412016-05-27T06:31:00.000-07:002016-05-27T06:31:07.374-07:00Keeping in Step<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCH5RygnJj8QWRROPKA1c8THTovZcfrWAe_6fjzHrq1vYmG4QCOwwrmmdwhy9hDek5HEix0OGVHYXa2hwD6VvWcrVqKqZhjC_3x_Pden9NSbS17j9G9qVgoTCpfhh835JDRkoCnBzQAiI/s1600/OTS160.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCH5RygnJj8QWRROPKA1c8THTovZcfrWAe_6fjzHrq1vYmG4QCOwwrmmdwhy9hDek5HEix0OGVHYXa2hwD6VvWcrVqKqZhjC_3x_Pden9NSbS17j9G9qVgoTCpfhh835JDRkoCnBzQAiI/s320/OTS160.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
These Junior High School girls are participating in a
regular exercise at their school. They march through the streets of their town
and sing together as they march. The purpose of the exercise is exercise, but
it’s also meant to build unity within the school and community. Being out of
step with the values of the school and community are highly discouraged.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Community pressure to stay in line is one of the tools to
keep the young from rebelling and falling into negative behaviors. The idea of
being part of something bigger than yourself is indoctrinated into the thinking
of Indonesian children from a young age.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Religion is a key part of community identity. Anyone
deviating from the norm will receive pressure to fall back into line. Those who
refuse to fall back into line are often persecuted by family and community. The
cost of being different is often too much for individuals to bear. It’s
perfectly okay to be nominal in your adherence to religion, just don’t break
ranks with the rest. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Pray</b> for new
believers who are being persecuted for breaking ranks.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Pray</b> for more
Sumatrans to understand the value of the Gospel so that they are willing to pay
the price of being a follower of Jesus.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Pray</b> for workers
to have wisdom, courage, and access to help new believers in the midst of
persecution. When persecution starts, workers often lose contact with new
believers.<o:p></o:p></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06300286224733298568noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2997544874113013371.post-83644711430098964172016-05-22T21:36:00.000-07:002016-05-22T21:36:36.129-07:00Made to Soar<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnDFujRW3i4sFibDVQlRwoDVWhxwsIxvGzkQqrIfh71pXDnsUCyOs0VxiaF43fMywEIaDJ-0JMHMLw-pNsLlYNWjfn0lEwWGcaNQ8NE1NfR_3HIDvYgq2wo7xuLMMVWNDyESf3NodvbY0/s1600/OTS159.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnDFujRW3i4sFibDVQlRwoDVWhxwsIxvGzkQqrIfh71pXDnsUCyOs0VxiaF43fMywEIaDJ-0JMHMLw-pNsLlYNWjfn0lEwWGcaNQ8NE1NfR_3HIDvYgq2wo7xuLMMVWNDyESf3NodvbY0/s320/OTS159.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Sumatrans love to own birds as pets. Most of the birds are
small and colorful, but on occasion you might see a big bird of prey like this
Golden Eagle. There is something wrong about seeing a majestic bird like this
caged. Eagles weren’t made to be caged. They were made to soar!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
What is more tragic, birds like this who have been in
captivity for a long time forget how to soar. They learn to accept being caged,
and may even be fearful to leave their cage. The cage is what they know, and
the unknown is scary. Freedom does come with risk and responsibility, but the
benefits are far better than captivity.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In a like manner, God didn’t create man to be caged, or
enslaved by sin. As an image bearer of the Most High God, man was made to for
freedom; to live nobly before the Lord. Many Sumatrans live lives not much
different than this caged eagle. They are working to earn forgiveness of sin,
but instead of finding freedom the chains are getting thicker and heavier. When
they are told of a way to freedom that doesn’t depend on what they do, but on
what Christ has done they often reject it. They are comfortable in their
self-made cages of religion and tradition, and the thought of being free
doesn’t seem like Good News. It seems different, unknown, and scary. To them it
seems wrong.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Isaiah reminds us that those who wait upon the LORD will
mount up with wings like eagles (Isaiah 40:31). The peoples of Sumatra will
never experience this unless they are first willing to let go of what they have
in order to receive what God wants to give to them. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Pray</b> for those
caged by sin on Sumatra to hear the Gospel and be set free to soar.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Pray</b> for those
who are already soaring to help the newly released to learn how to stretch
their wings and soar.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Pray</b> for the
caged on Sumatra to desire freedom and to find freedom in Christ.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Pray</b> that they
will be willing to let go of the known in order to receive grace that is
greater than all their sins. <o:p></o:p></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06300286224733298568noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2997544874113013371.post-91203309146474555372016-05-15T21:01:00.000-07:002016-05-15T21:01:11.340-07:00Singkil Malay People Group Profile<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_lB0X8iGFC0STtGoQWAcNmJHg3QRB5w5AcfWyJuRE5qLSz8hhIY2dyzHyz3IX3loeMcUQzAE9Jd04f_Z1mY2NxM1OrDEqVRNPVp7Z7h3Y_wQTmiuK7jdTqqzolGC5dOrtVzMCwua_yTk/s1600/SingkilMalay.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_lB0X8iGFC0STtGoQWAcNmJHg3QRB5w5AcfWyJuRE5qLSz8hhIY2dyzHyz3IX3loeMcUQzAE9Jd04f_Z1mY2NxM1OrDEqVRNPVp7Z7h3Y_wQTmiuK7jdTqqzolGC5dOrtVzMCwua_yTk/s320/SingkilMalay.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><i>“Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that
leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many” (Matthew 7:13-14,
ESV).<o:p></o:p></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The 65,000 Singkil Malay live in the southern part of Aceh
Province in northern Sumatra. The Singkil Malay Kingdom was once a rival power
to the Acehnese Kingdom. Currently, the Acehnese culture dominates the entire
province. However, the Singkil fondly harken back to days prior to Acehnese
domination.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Most Singkil Malay make their livelihoods as farmers and
fishermen. They adhere to a patriarchal society and give great value to the
opinions of the elders in the village. Their language shows connection to the
Minangkabau. The largest Singkil clans are the Berampu and Tinambunan. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtyHAXc9FfATGdF_IM6VCSAud98fYjHdoQQvTvYdIZWzsoHwvJvlXlTth_HTLTRo6umGRVPoCBJ9k-5J0JF81H1iUM-CzBVYv8yiHBN2HW6cXcn9fvkYUyt18LtpxU3pIlUlqdasPxrEA/s1600/SingkilMalayMap2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="291" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtyHAXc9FfATGdF_IM6VCSAud98fYjHdoQQvTvYdIZWzsoHwvJvlXlTth_HTLTRo6umGRVPoCBJ9k-5J0JF81H1iUM-CzBVYv8yiHBN2HW6cXcn9fvkYUyt18LtpxU3pIlUlqdasPxrEA/s320/SingkilMalayMap2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Singkil Malay follow Islam mixed with animistic beliefs.
They especially revere the grave of Abdul Rauf, who was a great religious
leader from their history. Like many people groups on Sumatra, the Singkil
often seek the magical power of the shaman or dukun.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There is no indigenous Singkil Malay church. Churches in the
area have often been the target of community persecution.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Pray that:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Believers in Singkil will be empowered by the Holy Spirit to
show love even in the face of persecution.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Workers will hear the call of God to live among and share
the Gospel with the Singkil Malay.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Members of fanatic religious groups will encounter the risen
Christ and will become witnesses to their own people group.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Elders in Singkil Malay villages will have dreams and
visions of Jesus and use their influence to reach their villages with the
Gospel.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The influence of Acehnese culture will not hinder Singkil
Malay people from hearing and responding to the Gospel.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The influence of animistic beliefs will be broken by the
power of the Holy Spirit.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
An indigenous, doctrinally sound, rapidly multiplying
Singkil Malay church will soon come into being.<o:p></o:p></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06300286224733298568noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2997544874113013371.post-47775106710251080732016-05-12T00:26:00.001-07:002016-05-12T00:26:28.736-07:00Grace for the Disabled<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYY0IziylVdKS1zfDRqbgzg07iQRtd3UOs13UFHs9Qbtx8nwOa8ElKgjK0bM-SUvMv6KNXg4gR5nd4zlkZ10yf7gIoAlOYuM1vuHWFifZ5Rd7Py0AxvbrJ3yX0TcvSIQo9f-FFOqlg2eY/s1600/OTS157.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYY0IziylVdKS1zfDRqbgzg07iQRtd3UOs13UFHs9Qbtx8nwOa8ElKgjK0bM-SUvMv6KNXg4gR5nd4zlkZ10yf7gIoAlOYuM1vuHWFifZ5Rd7Py0AxvbrJ3yX0TcvSIQo9f-FFOqlg2eY/s320/OTS157.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There is not much support on Sumatra for the medically
disabled. This Lampung Pubian man suffered a stroke earlier this year, and has
not been able to work since then. He has limited use of his arm and leg. Most
disabled folks here on Sumatra end up begging on the streets. If family is
unable to care for them, then they often suffer.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Nobody wants to be absolutely dependent. People like to pull
their own weight and be productive. This natural independence makes many people
resist the Gospel. In order to receive the Gospel people must realize their
inability, or even their disability. Jesus cannot save those who think they are
strong enough to “pull their own weight.” Only the poor in spirit, those unable
to do it on their own, will inherit the Kingdom of God.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Pray</b> for disabled
people on Sumatra to be treated with dignity and care. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Pray</b> for Sumatrans
to realize their absolute dependence on Jesus to deal with their sin debt.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Pray</b> for
believers here to be burdened to show the love of Christ to the disabled.<o:p></o:p></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06300286224733298568noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2997544874113013371.post-87176365350390528672016-05-08T21:33:00.001-07:002016-05-08T21:33:34.490-07:00Give Me One More!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5eLRwKy-tlZavhGsC7X5qwIGUMnmPm-D3l_7J-70F9YqPy1crOrDAusjY2fysZAbaoJhcimwYKCVOoa6hIGTatbJOtCy1-EHxfp-xpyGXDKNA5c99evPMTzsMzM9WZr3AZsLvVMahVns/s1600/OTS156.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5eLRwKy-tlZavhGsC7X5qwIGUMnmPm-D3l_7J-70F9YqPy1crOrDAusjY2fysZAbaoJhcimwYKCVOoa6hIGTatbJOtCy1-EHxfp-xpyGXDKNA5c99evPMTzsMzM9WZr3AZsLvVMahVns/s320/OTS156.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
To what can I liken the work of a prayer mobilizer? He is
like a captain in charge of the battering ram during the siege of a powerful,
well-fortified city. His job is to bring the battering ram of prayer to bear on
the gates of the enemy’s stronghold. He and his troops are the focus of every
enemy archer on the ramparts. The burning pitch and rocks hurled from the
battlements are aimed at them. Yet, to win the war the gate must be shattered.
Because of the hazardous nature of the mission, this captain must enlist
volunteers willing to charge the gates. The captain must enlist a lot of
soldiers, because most of them won’t last for long.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“A bit melodramatic, don’t you think?” <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“No, I don’t think it is.” Many people enter into
intercession for Unreached People Groups (UPGs) casually, as if it was not that
big a deal. Suddenly, things start going wrong. They have problems at work. The
car breaks down. The air conditioner has to be replaced. The kids start acting
up. The dog dies. Someone gets sick. And they stop praying and never see the
connection. Or worse yet, they give up because they get bored. They expected a
quick victory and weren’t ready for the long-siege. They weren’t ready for the
fiery darts of the enemy.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Praying for UPGs is not like getting into a jet fighter,
cursing in at 15,000 feet, pressing a red button, and watching a smart bomb
take out the target. If you’re praying for a UPG, you’re taking up the
battering ram. You become the enemy’s target.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Well that’s certainly encouraging!”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“No, it’s not meant to be. But it’s realistic and in line
with what I’ve seen mobilizing prayer over the past 12 plus years.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Here’s how it works. To mobilize prayer you first have to
get the prayer requests. Every month I send out reminders to workers to send in
their strategic prayer requests. On average 40 percent or more don’t reply for
a variety of reasons. So I take what I get and put together prayer guides,
calendars, and people group profiles. And then I send the tools by email to
over 650 people representing over 100 churches. As I send the email it is like
I’m yelling, “Okay, on three. One, two, three, PRAY! BOOM, the battering ram of
prayer smashes into the enemy’s gate!!”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Yet every month we have people unsubscribe. I think about the
40% of my co-workers who are not asking me to mobilize prayer. I wonder what
they’re facing. Then I cry out to God, “Oh LORD, send me another intercessor to
pray for the workers on Sumatra. Just send me one more today!”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There are 53 UPGs on Sumatra with over 40 million souls in
them. As I coordinate photos and scriptures to post prayer requests on Facebook
I am often overwhelmed by the lostness on this island. We currently have over
380 people who “like” our page. Last month we had over 6,700 hits on our posts.
How many prayers does that translate into? I have no clue. But every time I hit
post it’s like I’m yelling, “Okay, on three. One, two, three, PRAY! BOOM!!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Thousands of hits is great, but tens of thousands would be
better, especially if it’s people that are praying. There are 15 people groups
on Sumatra that are unengaged. I think about them and wonder how long before
they will get the chance to hear the Gospel? Then I cry out to God, “Oh LORD,
send me another intercessor to pray for the peoples of Sumatra. Just send me
one more today!”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The church on Sumatra is often fearful and inward focused.
Many Sumatran pastors are unsaved and don’t know the Gospel. Many other Sumatran
pastors are more concerned about building a bigger meeting house than in
reaching the lost. Precious few are interested in learning how to pray for and
share with the UPGs of Sumatra. Those who do reach out, and those who believe
from among UPGs are often persecuted. As I go to Twitter, I often mobilize
prayer for the apathetic and the persecuted church on Sumatra. With every tweet
it’s like I’m yelling, “Okay, on three. One, two, three, PRAY! BOOM!!”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I put together a virtual prayerwalk and post it on Vimeo.
PRAY! BOOM!! I write a culture article and post it to the secure web page or to
Blogger. PRAY! BOOM!! I pin another link for prayer to Pinterest. PRAY! BOOM!!
I redo Fast Facts or prayer maps. PRAY! BOOM!! I journey out to gather 1,500 to
3,000 photos, prayerwalk, and share the Gospel with 200 people from 10 different
UPGs within an average year. PRAY! BOOM!! I lead a prayer seminar at a local
church. PRAY! BOOM!! I sit on the floor on a straw mat at yet another prayer
meeting. PRAY! BOOM!! I produce scripture photos for Instagram. PRAY! BOOM!! I
produce a prayer card or photo video for a field worker. PRAY! BOOM!! I write
and design a Ramadan prayer guide and an Advent prayer guide and distribute
them. PRAY! BOOM!! With every prayer request I plead with God. Send me one more
to pray for the cities. Send me just one more to pray for the children. Please
LORD, send me another intercessor for Sumatra today!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
If you’re still reading, you’re likely one of my prayer
warriors who’ve been charging the gates with me for the past six years. I know
you’ve taken hits from the enemy for your efforts to bring down the gates and
set the captives here free. I salute you, soldier.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The enemy gate still looks strong, but let’s keep on hitting
it. With God’s help, who knows, it might fall with our next stroke. The fires
of spiritual awakening might be ready to sweep from Aceh to Lampung. Millions
of souls might be on the verge of being swept into the Kingdom. Don’t lose
heart!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“So, what you’re saying is you pray and make prayer tools.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
After pulling an enemy arrow out of my shoulder, I grimace
and then staunch the wound. I smile sweetly and say, “Yeah, something like
that.” Then I turn to my troops and shout, “Okay, let’s hit it again on three,
and give it all you’ve got this time!”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>“For we do not
wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the
authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the
spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places” (Ephesians 6:12, ESV).<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Pray </b>for the
gates to come down and the enemy strongholds to be demolished in Sumatra.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Pray</b> for just one
more intercessor every day to pray for the peoples, for the churches, for the
persecuted, for the cities, for the children, and for the workers in Sumatra.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Pray</b> for
Sumatra’s prayer mobilizer to be strengthened in the LORD and filled with the
Spirit. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Pray</b> that intercessors
will not lose heart until, with God’s help, we see the enemy’s gates fall.<o:p></o:p></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06300286224733298568noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2997544874113013371.post-85765159943476058702016-05-04T19:05:00.000-07:002016-05-04T19:05:03.345-07:00Aneuk Jamee People Group Profile<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6SKwCDkZ06evFSUz0vTY2KjEDJYQhrsJQy2EX-nGw4QdFpAb5O8hIF9n2p9wB_toCSwsH1d_92HMKL55ii-c6kHTjhBmB8UxSNSankHcRss1glIO7HWFKKyM09XhcLNLG7d_3CwqAopE/s1600/AneukJamee.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="291" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6SKwCDkZ06evFSUz0vTY2KjEDJYQhrsJQy2EX-nGw4QdFpAb5O8hIF9n2p9wB_toCSwsH1d_92HMKL55ii-c6kHTjhBmB8UxSNSankHcRss1glIO7HWFKKyM09XhcLNLG7d_3CwqAopE/s320/AneukJamee.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><i>“But Ruth said, ‘Do not urge me to leave you or to return from
following you. For where you go I will go, and where you lodge I will lodge.
Your people shall be my people, and your God my God’” (Ruth 1:16, ESV).<o:p></o:p></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The 65,000 Aneuk Jamee are a small and secluded people group
on the west coast of Aceh Province in northern Sumatra. Their local dialect is
Minangkabau, because they are descendants of people who migrated from Padang.
Aneuk Jamee means “children of guests” in Acehnese. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Aneuk Jamee earn a livelihood primarily from fishing,
farming, and trading. Most of the fishing boats in the area are owned by
Acehnese or business interests from Medan. There is a great need of economic
development among this people group.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSnxofcWtFXuznTQiyFqLvV6_c7Q05oGISHiDKS9u313_nJszUAKFQSEQu182obRNNFA7Px1ewLmqRjP7InYYfcNGcFISm8EtwwUNk6H3f_lUrA-KRndJJwR1SQLaJ4haDVylRGS9EDtM/s1600/AneukJameeMap2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="291" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSnxofcWtFXuznTQiyFqLvV6_c7Q05oGISHiDKS9u313_nJszUAKFQSEQu182obRNNFA7Px1ewLmqRjP7InYYfcNGcFISm8EtwwUNk6H3f_lUrA-KRndJJwR1SQLaJ4haDVylRGS9EDtM/s320/AneukJameeMap2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Aneuk Jamee are predominately Muslim with a mixture of
pre-Islamic animistic beliefs. It’s common to consult the spiritual leaders
called dukuns for enchantments, curses, or healings. There are few known
believers and no indigenous churches among the Aneuk Jamee.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Pray that:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Workers will hear and surrender to the call to reach the
Aneuk Jamee with the Gospel.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Satan’s strongholds will be identified and brought down by
specific, persistent intercession.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
People of peace among the Aneuk Jamee will be identified by
Spirit-led workers.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Gatekeepers to Aneuk Jamee areas will show favor to workers
as they enter this unengaged area.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Aneuk Jamee believers will be gathered into house
fellowships and taught to become passionate, vibrant followers of Jesus.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The first indigenous Aneuk Jamee church will be birthed
soon.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Aneuk Jamee, like Ruth, will have the loyalty and desire
to follow the One True God no matter what.<o:p></o:p></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06300286224733298568noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2997544874113013371.post-75579400893507816892016-05-01T20:37:00.000-07:002016-05-01T20:37:14.727-07:00Cosmopolitan Sumatra<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3jiG_4EsTkOR-GBe3rSs1x00Ehhzn4P8tHTD3Wuh4oc-spWEJTfV_cEkmIy2e3nEZGB9m1ZHYdpeZxuITr2gUSD1jtWwV6U-BLSNXZsFBohoyUCAVuo1eioITVjdlhh7E5j5u-eqVZb0/s1600/OTS155.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3jiG_4EsTkOR-GBe3rSs1x00Ehhzn4P8tHTD3Wuh4oc-spWEJTfV_cEkmIy2e3nEZGB9m1ZHYdpeZxuITr2gUSD1jtWwV6U-BLSNXZsFBohoyUCAVuo1eioITVjdlhh7E5j5u-eqVZb0/s320/OTS155.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
These three high school boys are from three different people
groups. The boy in the red is Minangkabau. The boy with 91 on his sleeve is
Acehnese. The boy on the right is Javanese. There is another boy at the top of the
picture frame. He is from yet another people group – Jambi Malay. This scene is
not unusual in the cities of Sumatra. Many cultures meet and mingle in the
cities.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The challenge of reaching people in the cities remains an
enigma. All of the major response to the Gospel on Sumatra has come from rural
areas among predominately homogenous groupings of people. Workers have tried
several strategies to reach peoples in the cities, but none have been overly
successful.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Because the cities have a lot of mixing of cultural ideas
and identities it would stand to reason that the Gospel would gain an easier
hearing, but that is not the case. Most people in the cities are more
interested in seeking their fortunes than in hearing about their eternal
destinies. City people are more mobile and have less time for chit-chat. They
also tend to be more suspicious of people they don’t know. In effect, they are even
more isolated and less open in the midst of a sea of humanity than those in
hard-to-reach rural areas.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Pray</b> for workers
focused on the cities of Sumatra to be sensitive to the Spirit’s leading.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Pray</b> for
successful strategies to be developed for urban work on Sumatra.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Pray</b> for the
Gospel to be boldly and successfully proclaimed in Sumatra’s cities.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Pray</b> for
believers from among all 53 of Sumatra’s unreached people groups to be reached
within Sumatra’s cities. <o:p></o:p></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06300286224733298568noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2997544874113013371.post-59849568207481696432016-04-27T20:24:00.001-07:002016-04-27T20:24:54.149-07:00PDA Rules<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5fDbraH-aniTpgH3ZxzDwNfGy5uGlC2O9E_Z_YitfhTFDUC8Z-qucp3nyACgbXYJ5c2578UUXET9uXapoOvRweGEnSczTsiPSqM4UxwpBPqYfTwkfseR3ElNwYMRaIx4lOkbW2gg0dUg/s1600/OTS154.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5fDbraH-aniTpgH3ZxzDwNfGy5uGlC2O9E_Z_YitfhTFDUC8Z-qucp3nyACgbXYJ5c2578UUXET9uXapoOvRweGEnSczTsiPSqM4UxwpBPqYfTwkfseR3ElNwYMRaIx4lOkbW2gg0dUg/s320/OTS154.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This Jambi Malay man was having some fun with the foreigner
taking pictures in the traditional market. Many of the by-standers thought the
man was funny for posing as if he were kissing the mannequin. Social etiquette
in Sumatra regarding public displays of affection (PDAs) are much more
conservative than in the states. It would be shocking to see a man kissing a woman
in public other than on their wedding day.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In contrast, displays of affection between members of the
same gender is normal. It’s not uncommon to see two men or two women holding
hands, walking arm-in-arm, or even walking with an arm over the other’s shoulder.
They don’t kiss on the lips, but women often greet each other with a peck on
both cheeks. There are absolutely no sexual connotations to these PDAs.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The man likely posed as a joke about the sexual
permissiveness in Western culture. This doesn’t mean that there isn’t sexual
sin in Indonesia. It just means that God’s standard of sexual purity is more
widely known and accepted, and that those who break God’s standards are still shamed
by polite society. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Internet pornography is one of the hidden sins of many
Sumatran youth. Parents are at a loss to know how to stop their children from
this temptation of technology that they never faced because the technology
wasn’t available to them.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Pray</b> for Western
workers as they struggle to break out of the stereo-typed view of Western men.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Pray</b> for the
hidden sexual sins of Sumatrans to drive them to confess their need of a
Savior.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Pray</b> for youth on
Sumatra who have been caught up in the temptations of technology.<o:p></o:p></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06300286224733298568noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2997544874113013371.post-46122209126965009252016-04-21T00:03:00.001-07:002016-04-21T00:03:27.918-07:00Kerinci People Group Profile<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEcpYEVVbiJ4HSmV6Jn879HS6B5AbraHr-9D4TbORreJ84O6skFPKz3kWEkRDVYxF5eubBGHHWkBk6FYjAAXX4OTvI3epKvHM0tnwtryuGL62yqAG0581IvvUdmAqzgJRlczF3scRC7_Y/s1600/Kerinci.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="291" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEcpYEVVbiJ4HSmV6Jn879HS6B5AbraHr-9D4TbORreJ84O6skFPKz3kWEkRDVYxF5eubBGHHWkBk6FYjAAXX4OTvI3epKvHM0tnwtryuGL62yqAG0581IvvUdmAqzgJRlczF3scRC7_Y/s320/Kerinci.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><i>“Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD has
risen upon you” (Isaiah 60:1, ESV).<o:p></o:p></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The homeland of the 311,000 Kerinci is on the border of the
West Sumatra and Jambi Provinces. Lake Kerinci and Mount Kerinci are notable
landmarks in this lush jungle area. The Kerinci have a unique dialect from the
Malay language family; they also have a distinct form of writing called Paku
which is similar to old Javanese script. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Most Kerinci are farmers who grow rice, coffee, cinnamon,
and various vegetables. Those who live near the lake often work as fishermen.
The land is fertile, but the Kerinci could benefit from more modern farming
techniques to improve their crop yields. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlxoB_VvvABp1rI-vWbn_TTuId3XBW_25w4mhMu6w5VSPUSWT9-mbmt7LGBJytA3x_mUH7ED3h8_YBbBEVf33zG5eWsxuQsW-1o3co0vgKQHUFOxDiA5uBAU-2R3W45eR4vuvLBRx97e0/s1600/KerinciMap2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="291" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlxoB_VvvABp1rI-vWbn_TTuId3XBW_25w4mhMu6w5VSPUSWT9-mbmt7LGBJytA3x_mUH7ED3h8_YBbBEVf33zG5eWsxuQsW-1o3co0vgKQHUFOxDiA5uBAU-2R3W45eR4vuvLBRx97e0/s320/KerinciMap2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Kerinci are Muslim with strong animistic influences.
They fear spirits and use magic for protection and to bless their crops. Sexual
permissiveness, prostitution, and widespread divorce are serious problems in
Kerinci society that have significantly weakened the family. There are
believers among the Kerinci, but they are a small minority who are trying to
shine the light of Christ in the darkness surrounding them.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Pray that:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Kerinci believers will live holy lives and share a bold
witness with those living around them.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Holy Spirit will break the spiritual stronghold of lust
that is destroying families among the Kerinci.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
God will call and send a mature couple to live as
cross-cultural workers among the Kerinci to help strengthen the believers and
to reach out to the lost.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Indigenous Kerinci fellowships will rapidly reproduce
amongst the Kerinci people.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
God will call and equip more Kerinci spiritual leaders to
shepherd the flocks, disciple the lambs, and seek out the lost.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Kerinci believers will stand strong in their faith and not
use animistic charms or rituals when they encounter problems.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
God will bless Kerinci believers so that those living around
them will see that God is stronger than the spirits they fear.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06300286224733298568noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2997544874113013371.post-65424217633536165322016-04-18T07:25:00.001-07:002016-04-18T07:25:19.189-07:00Photo from Bandar Lampung<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU1OdJub4932b7PxS74HL0qPdFA3qYS4AMyXWsg_uKSaNm3rK1iwpZwQd-f07IkYtaV5nrhQrMBQ3XRDUxskA61xJaAJB6ZJf-iMRJGhZ8L-v_P-DE_wqLm04b_GYhnrMCKrco9AHQGwc/s1600/UPwardGoal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU1OdJub4932b7PxS74HL0qPdFA3qYS4AMyXWsg_uKSaNm3rK1iwpZwQd-f07IkYtaV5nrhQrMBQ3XRDUxskA61xJaAJB6ZJf-iMRJGhZ8L-v_P-DE_wqLm04b_GYhnrMCKrco9AHQGwc/s400/UPwardGoal.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06300286224733298568noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2997544874113013371.post-80986483403378006322016-04-15T02:48:00.001-07:002016-04-15T02:48:13.599-07:00Holy Frustration<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNOGIR5IyuBW5kVdId80veTnMUMMbWkdLCA1KJQGJKNRMlKC3bobea5zj9YwvnukKJqTUx6Ek6mrcrkeRCJK0lNI1HYpYGMxwCGPsiLCQvq2c7LMvJwVZGeOLNIrhn9L5QArpBxOXxjrI/s1600/OTS153.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNOGIR5IyuBW5kVdId80veTnMUMMbWkdLCA1KJQGJKNRMlKC3bobea5zj9YwvnukKJqTUx6Ek6mrcrkeRCJK0lNI1HYpYGMxwCGPsiLCQvq2c7LMvJwVZGeOLNIrhn9L5QArpBxOXxjrI/s320/OTS153.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
These three Ranau men sat and talked with a worker about the
problem of mankind’s sin debt. The worker shared about Isa Al Masih and His
great sacrifice to pay our sin debt to God. The young man in the middle
struggled to share about his beliefs. He sincerely wanted to see the worker
come to his point of view, and the worker could see the frustration on his
face.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When we hold a strong religious view it’s difficult to
understand how people are unable to see what is so clear to us. This was the
situation for this young man, and the worker identified with his pain. The
worker was also touched that this young man cared enough to try and share his
faith. After sharing with hundreds of people, only two Muslims have cared
enough to try and share what they believe with the worker. Unlike America,
religion here is not a private matter. It’s okay to talk about religion in
polite society in Sumatra.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Ultimately, the issue isn’t about religion it’s about God
and what He reveals as truth. The worker challenged the young man to pray to
God and ask Him to reveal what road truly leads to heaven. The worker also challenged the young man to
pray for him that he too would know the truth and follow it with all his heart.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Pray</b> with the
worker that this young man will come to know the way, the truth, and the life.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Pray</b> for workers
on Sumatra to follow the truth of God with whole-hearted abandon.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Pray</b> for workers
dealing with the frustration of spiritual blindness among the people they share
with to rest in the power of the Gospel and the work of the Holy Spirit. <o:p></o:p></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06300286224733298568noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2997544874113013371.post-72306274894798400112016-04-11T01:46:00.002-07:002016-04-11T01:46:37.638-07:00Run Free<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMr9QPfByNm0p9StdCq0H0191YNYOdJjia3QjvLuFidPfzOsa_PqcLTzlG3vQvoxotvwf5JBlw-kqkbz_EzFnlpDFqTIkoU1I29pv7ZAAv9xwL1ybT9DrKuIH_jjP5UbIuKcc5GtWFokM/s1600/OTS152.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMr9QPfByNm0p9StdCq0H0191YNYOdJjia3QjvLuFidPfzOsa_PqcLTzlG3vQvoxotvwf5JBlw-kqkbz_EzFnlpDFqTIkoU1I29pv7ZAAv9xwL1ybT9DrKuIH_jjP5UbIuKcc5GtWFokM/s320/OTS152.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
These two Lampung Abung boys were playing at their Dad’s
fruit stand in the traditional market. What this photo does not show clearly is
that the 2 year old boy in the red shirt is playing with a sharp knife. It is a
truism on Sumatra that children often have little supervision and are allowed a
lot of freedom to do whatever they want. This freedom is both good and bad.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Many children on Sumatra are hungry for attention. This
hunger makes them vulnerable to exploitation. The main form this exploitation
takes is forced labor. But feelings of rejection from parents also open many
Sumatran youth to drugs and sexual exploitation.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It is time intensive and physically hard to make a living on
Sumatra. Parents are often stressed and stretched. They don’t have a lot of
energy to put into their children. Education opportunities, especially in rural
areas, are limited. So many children on Sumatra don’t have a lot of hope about
the future.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Pray</b> for parents
on Sumatra to find strength and provision in Christ.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Pray</b> for children
on Sumatra to have positive opportunities for attention and for bettering their
lives.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Pray </b>for
believers on Sumatra to model a better and more loving way of doing family.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Pray</b> for
believers who work as teachers to consider moving into areas that have
Unreached People Groups to invest in the children. <o:p></o:p></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06300286224733298568noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2997544874113013371.post-40764346678972465452016-04-08T21:41:00.001-07:002016-04-08T21:41:56.654-07:00Photo from Muko-Muko area<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtd6J5OMfBxiPTSEXoKgbtk-ksFPW4Zo9H_Y1rO6AqZ7oIzYqnxlx9d8DDLsS7NBuok5GF8cuOLCv4ReDC3JQxlOpoEH6vwGlakHt3ya0mLWXyjLueckSeuExPDTpAf5ZdmndvkBx2BFw/s1600/RidingABike.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtd6J5OMfBxiPTSEXoKgbtk-ksFPW4Zo9H_Y1rO6AqZ7oIzYqnxlx9d8DDLsS7NBuok5GF8cuOLCv4ReDC3JQxlOpoEH6vwGlakHt3ya0mLWXyjLueckSeuExPDTpAf5ZdmndvkBx2BFw/s400/RidingABike.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06300286224733298568noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2997544874113013371.post-60666824684683749302016-04-05T20:11:00.000-07:002016-04-05T20:11:06.701-07:00Transmigrant Javanese People Group Profile<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZEb4O_D81r7WklD8Dx6d2x0dxXeyPm4IE0BMmPOHqZ7-hgnMLFx2ua3a2rQaGw7MwjSOnAT4z2UP_kAEzoVQq6wIBbbkQ5BookitgWa146JjkQKIzydpAauLQSbu7B2Jrhxs29Bhapk0/s1600/TMJ.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="291" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZEb4O_D81r7WklD8Dx6d2x0dxXeyPm4IE0BMmPOHqZ7-hgnMLFx2ua3a2rQaGw7MwjSOnAT4z2UP_kAEzoVQq6wIBbbkQ5BookitgWa146JjkQKIzydpAauLQSbu7B2Jrhxs29Bhapk0/s320/TMJ.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><i>“For my eyes have seen your salvation that you have prepared in the
presence of all peoples” (Luke 2:30-31, ESV).<o:p></o:p></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
By far, the largest people group in the country of Indonesia
is the Javanese. The most densely populated island in the Indonesian
archipelago of over 13,000 islands is Java. For this and other economic
reasons, the government sanctioned a massive relocation program during the
1970s -1980s in which millions of Javanese farmers moved to rural locations in
Sumatra. Today, Javanese are located throughout the island. There are 15
million of them which makes the Transmigrant Javanese the largest people group
on Sumatra - over twice the size of the next largest unreached group.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
These farmers were asked to “tame the jungle” or work on
Sumatran plantations. These transmigrants endured a broad spectrum of
hardships; however, due to their hard work and perseverance, many have
prospered. Most of the indigenous Sumatran tribes are prejudiced against these
“newcomers.” <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid4Urz1_HPrMtFSkQ_-2O7U0sUSlVFbEK7ynkVtriNeLj-pvSUxLXqbFn271ZT8UqEFzX7zzlfgaqZBJpRiXbZHLq2sMnxb4KmsYFsxCDBaTzAd5-5nyq37uJGZoP0suJ06TmSfg0E2rU/s1600/TMJMap2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="291" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid4Urz1_HPrMtFSkQ_-2O7U0sUSlVFbEK7ynkVtriNeLj-pvSUxLXqbFn271ZT8UqEFzX7zzlfgaqZBJpRiXbZHLq2sMnxb4KmsYFsxCDBaTzAd5-5nyq37uJGZoP0suJ06TmSfg0E2rU/s320/TMJMap2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Most Transmigrant Javanese are Muslim, yet there are over
60,000 Javanese believers on Sumatra. That sounds like a lot, but it only
represents .46% of the total population of Javanese in Sumatra. There are
around 2,000 Javanese churches in Sumatra. Most Javanese believers don’t think
about praying for or sharing the Gospel with the lost living around them. A
spiritual renewal among the Javanese believers on Sumatra could have a large
and far-reaching impact on the island.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Pray that:<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
God will bring spiritual awakening among the Javanese
believers in Sumatra.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
God will call many cross-cultural workers from among
Javanese believers.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Training efforts among the Javanese believers will equip
them to share with the unreached peoples.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There will be a massive turning of Javanese to faith in
Jesus Christ.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Javanese work ethic will be turned to building up God’s
Kingdom.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Workers focused on the Javanese on Sumatra will have wisdom,
boldness and perseverance.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Javanese churches will rapidly multiply and carry the
Good News to all the peoples of Sumatra.<o:p></o:p></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06300286224733298568noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2997544874113013371.post-26060596400516557662016-04-02T02:33:00.001-07:002016-04-02T02:33:51.654-07:00This Little Piggy<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9QYiqgPFhn4GBeQ-O0YjKVkIZAzx4CiW8epaR0lb00-MMh85-gk0E8QLKx__5L2-2fM9F7zoi_CbrB7ao8kg0IaG46-e08A96_dC6ss1JGvUd3GahD8wtNPb6ZGk7ILtmBd3770OdDLk/s1600/OTS151.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9QYiqgPFhn4GBeQ-O0YjKVkIZAzx4CiW8epaR0lb00-MMh85-gk0E8QLKx__5L2-2fM9F7zoi_CbrB7ao8kg0IaG46-e08A96_dC6ss1JGvUd3GahD8wtNPb6ZGk7ILtmBd3770OdDLk/s320/OTS151.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The pig is a divisive animal on Sumatra. Amongst the Nias
and Batak cultures it is a symbol of wealth and prosperity. Amongst all the
Muslim people groups it’s the epitome of unclean or <i>haram</i>. Pork literally entered into the deliberation of the Nias and
Batak peoples – if they couldn’t continue to eat pork they didn’t want to
become Muslim. The photo of this pig was taken on the island of Nias.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
One worker, on his way to church services, was involved in a
traffic accident. His vehicle was rendered undriveable. As is normal in
Sumatra, a large crowd gathered. This was a dangerous situation. The worker
could have been badly beaten. In God’s providence, one of the worker’s
neighbors, a Muslim man, told the crowd to calm down and not do anything rash to
the worker. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Many of the people in the crowd asked the worker, “Mau piggy
(pigi).” The worker was very confused. The word “mau” means “to want.” The word
“piggy” in English means a “young pig.” He could not comprehend why these
Muslim people would be asking him about pork at an accident scene. It turns out
that “pigi” is slang for “pergi” which means “to go.” They weren’t asking him
if he wanted pig. They were asking him if he wanted to go, as in to leave the
scene of the accident. They were taunting him.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In the end, the worker was able to get his car in driving
order and take the injured person to the hospital. After the person was
released from the hospital the worker took her home and got to share the Gospel
with this young woman’s family. Isn’t it amazing how God can take a bad
situation and turn it into something good?! <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The point of the story is that every worker on Sumatra knows
that pork is a sensitive issue. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Clean and unclean foods were also a major issue in the
Jewish culture of Jesus’ day. In Mark 7:15-23 Jesus teaches that it’s not the
food that a person eats that makes them unclean, but rather the things that
come out of a man’s heart such as evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft,
murder, adultery, coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander,
pride, and foolishness that causes a person to be defiled. According to Jesus
dietary restrictions are too narrow of a view of what constitutes a person
being clean or unclean before Holy God. Like the worker who misunderstood the
meaning of, “<i>Mau pigi</i>?” there are
many people on Sumatra who misunderstand God’s standards of righteousness.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Pray</b> for
Sumatrans to comprehend the Holiness of God and the true standard of what it
takes to be truly clean before Him.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Pray </b>for the Holy
Spirit to overcome cultural barriers that keep people from giving the Gospel a
fair hearing.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Pray</b> for workers
as they struggle with cultural and language barriers in their attempts to share
God’s plan of salvation to the peoples of Sumatra.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06300286224733298568noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2997544874113013371.post-24781131067156353892016-03-28T21:53:00.000-07:002016-03-28T21:53:32.741-07:00Words of Life<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcEAQ-tPXVkT1PUPYyUpkY6yLHaa5zNW9UdVl5BeUV-UZTDN8dg1eqfTh0jBRWya1AHFVDwbEJYEAeQruqCIZLIkDDtCegj4mKduXdksHTY2s2yz5GEQ_0fFeDz5tEpUGO9STJ-rmeNMY/s1600/OTS150.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcEAQ-tPXVkT1PUPYyUpkY6yLHaa5zNW9UdVl5BeUV-UZTDN8dg1eqfTh0jBRWya1AHFVDwbEJYEAeQruqCIZLIkDDtCegj4mKduXdksHTY2s2yz5GEQ_0fFeDz5tEpUGO9STJ-rmeNMY/s320/OTS150.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><i>“You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have
eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me, yet you refuse to come
to me that you may have life” (John 5:39-40, ESV).<o:p></o:p></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Words of God are words of life. This Minangkabau woman
is reading her sacred book. To her, even if she doesn’t understand them, these
sacred words have power in and of themselves. She’s hoping that by reading
these words that it will give her merit before Holy God. She’s hoping that her
good works will outweigh her sins. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In Jesus’ day there were a group of religious leaders who
carefully read and memorized and debated the scripture. In John 5:39-40 Jesus
chides these leaders at how carefully they search the scriptures as if they can
find life by doing such things. He exhorted them that the scriptures testify
about His person. All who want to find life must come to God’s Incarnate Word,
Jesus Christ. Those who come to Jesus, and they alone, are the ones who will
find eternal life.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
People all over the world are religious. They put their faith
in many things, but only One object of faith is sufficient to deal with the
problem of sin. There is only One who is able to open the doors to heaven.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Pray</b> for this
woman and multiplied thousands like her to encounter the Living Word of God.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Pray</b> that
Sumatrans will not miss Jesus in the midst of searching the scriptures. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Pray</b> for
Sumatrans to recognize the hopelessness of trying to merit salvation through
good works.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Pray</b> for
believers on Sumatra to be bold to introduce many people to Jesus.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06300286224733298568noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2997544874113013371.post-79168270477346733102016-03-25T19:32:00.001-07:002016-03-25T19:32:55.761-07:00Photo from Medan<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvPGnRd-bK6TS2sdjmbi54xc1g_KpcvhcM26TPPXorFIRuesfHjCnfajO6drDBKrUXft1N_wIJyvSgl_a4Vgfkv8pLf2k_nJH4dJz8NxEWSb7qfAsnEEQTnoGNNFkmdMqYOVqVNFyyuII/s1600/HappyEaster16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvPGnRd-bK6TS2sdjmbi54xc1g_KpcvhcM26TPPXorFIRuesfHjCnfajO6drDBKrUXft1N_wIJyvSgl_a4Vgfkv8pLf2k_nJH4dJz8NxEWSb7qfAsnEEQTnoGNNFkmdMqYOVqVNFyyuII/s400/HappyEaster16.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06300286224733298568noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2997544874113013371.post-24436400325525993222016-03-21T01:40:00.000-07:002016-03-21T01:40:33.932-07:00Rambang People Group Profile<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNFPH9VzOAFBqmwjfj8aKLIFdyuRulSTVL7nSRQSsbID0iifk3gxWKIPAIXqcWPKzb3BKprWS7q95dNuTyFuB6vVe79rwvlUnIiNKUVJVqc1kdVWH4uS3WSCSohShZWHBbpR9LYv1JmOY/s1600/Rambang.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="291" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNFPH9VzOAFBqmwjfj8aKLIFdyuRulSTVL7nSRQSsbID0iifk3gxWKIPAIXqcWPKzb3BKprWS7q95dNuTyFuB6vVe79rwvlUnIiNKUVJVqc1kdVWH4uS3WSCSohShZWHBbpR9LYv1JmOY/s320/Rambang.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="BasicParagraph">
<b><i><span style="font-family: "myriad web pro" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 120%;">“Thus says the LORD: ‘Keep justice, and
do righteousness, for soon my salvation will come, and my deliverance be
revealed’” (Isaiah 56:1, ESV).</span></i></b><i><span style="font-family: "myriad web pro" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 120%;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="BasicParagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="BasicParagraph">
<span style="font-family: "myriad web pro" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 120%;">The 140,000 Rambang live in the lower Ogan Komering Regency.
They often work in farming and are known for their traditional handiwork in
bamboo, rattan, and wood. They are among the river people of South Sumatra.
They are sometimes called the Rambang Senuli for the two rivers that outline
their heartland.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="BasicParagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="BasicParagraph">
<span style="font-family: "myriad web pro" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 120%;">The Rambang follow Sunni Shafi’i Isalm and trace their
heritage to a historical leader named Lord Bintang Ruano. It’s said that this
leader was the first to denounce animism and spread Islam in the neighboring
Bengkulu area. High value is placed on reading the Qu’ran; reading competitions
are held annually. They also give great honor to those who are able to make the
pilgrimage to Mecca, called the <i>Hajj</i>. The Rambang are highly ritualistic
people. They have rituals for all activities of life. Marriage is very
important in Rambang culture as it’s seen as a way to unify the greater family
and community.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="BasicParagraph">
<span style="font-family: "myriad web pro" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 120%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjalAknQR-Ig987dhf_-PV3G4MQG5MrLSCfwGGtv-z1mmqEH5NtjyjfsNHjWbQNekN1zepLUV2vstfJcYBr0DrKFQmn2Co90M5Y8gQ1S_dUE2CIhUpTjPgilfsIq-YEWX4eEhvJls59Q8s/s1600/RambangMap2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="291" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjalAknQR-Ig987dhf_-PV3G4MQG5MrLSCfwGGtv-z1mmqEH5NtjyjfsNHjWbQNekN1zepLUV2vstfJcYBr0DrKFQmn2Co90M5Y8gQ1S_dUE2CIhUpTjPgilfsIq-YEWX4eEhvJls59Q8s/s320/RambangMap2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="BasicParagraph">
<span style="font-family: "myriad web pro" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 120%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="BasicParagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="BasicParagraph">
<span style="font-family: "myriad web pro" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 120%;">There are no known Rambang believers. They live in an area
with very few followers of Jesus, so they often have never heard the Gospel.
They are friendly enough to visitors, but are suspicious of anyone trying to
live among them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="BasicParagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="BasicParagraph">
<b><span style="font-family: "myriad web pro" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 120%;">Pray that:</span></b><span style="font-family: "myriad web pro" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 120%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="BasicParagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="BasicParagraph">
<span style="font-family: "myriad web pro" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 120%;">The Holy Spirit will prepare the hearts of the Rambang to
hear and receive the Gospel.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="BasicParagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="BasicParagraph">
<span style="font-family: "myriad web pro" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 120%;">God will call workers and then grant them favor to live near
or among the Rambang people.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="BasicParagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="BasicParagraph">
<span style="font-family: "myriad web pro" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 120%;">The Gospel will be broadly, boldly, and contextually shared
among the Rambang.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="BasicParagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="BasicParagraph">
<span style="font-family: "myriad web pro" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 120%;">There will be first-fruit believers among this group.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="BasicParagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="BasicParagraph">
<span style="font-family: "myriad web pro" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 120%;">God will grant wisdom to establish and follow up with Rambang
believers as they come to faith.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="BasicParagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="BasicParagraph">
<span style="font-family: "myriad web pro" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 120%;">God will raise up leaders from among these first believers.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="BasicParagraph">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: 'myriad web pro', sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 120%;">Christian professionals will come and help develop the
economic sector for the Rambang while sharing the Gospel.</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06300286224733298568noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2997544874113013371.post-86420254431630689322016-03-17T01:45:00.001-07:002016-03-17T01:45:02.845-07:00Living the Dream<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgapp5COnNRx4_ihV8mevXT_HXb53glbeG2bC5Y92sI4hwMvpItBC9vUNy3hSHHeLYwLFuw-ygy9tvd1yxLAhNgoiG18KGnl5ycXlaBLuXVCLF5GSmYTOVNI2DLCIMTFnSEBHGw5UPyhHk/s1600/OTS149.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgapp5COnNRx4_ihV8mevXT_HXb53glbeG2bC5Y92sI4hwMvpItBC9vUNy3hSHHeLYwLFuw-ygy9tvd1yxLAhNgoiG18KGnl5ycXlaBLuXVCLF5GSmYTOVNI2DLCIMTFnSEBHGw5UPyhHk/s320/OTS149.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
These Riau Malay young men are living the dream. They are
all members of the Provincial soccer team. If they do well on this team, they
may have the chance to play for Indonesia’s national soccer team. In pursuit of
this dream they all discipline themselves and devote huge amounts of time and
energy into playing soccer. Every Indonesian boy at some point dreams of having
this opportunity.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
While these men waited for the soccer field to open up for
their practice match, a worker had the opportunity to sit with them and share
about God’s method of having their sins forgiven. Just as the worker finished
sharing, the soccer field opened up and the men had to go.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The worker watched the men run off to their practice and
thought of the nursery rhyme – Row, Row, Row your boat gently down the stream.
Merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily life is but a dream. Life slips by so
quickly, and gently if we are chasing a dream, but after the dream we call life
is over everyone will have to wake up and stand before Holy God. On that day
our ability to score a goal on the soccer field will not help us answer the
problem of sin.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
What these young men were pursuing was not wrong or sinful,
but the pursuits of this world don’t lead anyone to life unless the ultimate
matters of seeking peace with God are dealt with. Too many times the pursuits
of this world seem more important and more pleasant than matters of faith and
life slips gently by us until it’s too late.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Pray</b> that as the peoples of Sumatra chase
their dreams they will wake up to the reality of sin and receive God’s payment
before it’s too late.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Pray</b> for workers
not to lose heart as they call the spiritually dead to new life.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Pray</b> for the
apathetic to clearly see the spiritual danger of sin and judgement. <o:p></o:p></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06300286224733298568noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2997544874113013371.post-34932076981003630592016-03-13T17:48:00.001-07:002016-03-13T17:48:14.835-07:00Photo from Kayu Agung Area<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzV0dmDaLWnTUojMCYoybxwFcRcHdSBOBFcPP5jPtES1VjCF5FQnxH3FZwXsvk2JAv46UWrZIMW6mbFCoSFMdiGgDjpHPfyKryV_f3JWh_rVq13478gIrETWgjWkHuDcAI2kH6_UvW6yA/s1600/EveningSacrifice.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzV0dmDaLWnTUojMCYoybxwFcRcHdSBOBFcPP5jPtES1VjCF5FQnxH3FZwXsvk2JAv46UWrZIMW6mbFCoSFMdiGgDjpHPfyKryV_f3JWh_rVq13478gIrETWgjWkHuDcAI2kH6_UvW6yA/s400/EveningSacrifice.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06300286224733298568noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2997544874113013371.post-56368173494564410482016-03-09T18:20:00.000-08:002016-03-09T18:20:00.006-08:00Stars & Stripes Forever<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBwFCJ9iLSyL8PCrZATuoR5StLuSqIItGKYu8bBJ_tsbcuHPY2DuN_KTQaP-31jq2owD9ca7-9tL_bqObC4qCYPcrCrl3cm4fzNnX2L9VToZ1x1DNAI7jC7OC6jWd7X4NPiXOodtGoZbw/s1600/OTS148.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBwFCJ9iLSyL8PCrZATuoR5StLuSqIItGKYu8bBJ_tsbcuHPY2DuN_KTQaP-31jq2owD9ca7-9tL_bqObC4qCYPcrCrl3cm4fzNnX2L9VToZ1x1DNAI7jC7OC6jWd7X4NPiXOodtGoZbw/s320/OTS148.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This Muko-Muko man was sporting a hat with the stars and
stripes. It’s not uncommon to see pro-United States clothing on Sumatra. A
worker met a Tamiang man who was over 100 years old. This man told stories
about the U.S. military helping to liberate Indonesia from Japanese occupation
in World War II. It’s also common to have Indonesians talk about President
Obama, because of his brief time in Jakarta as a child. While terrorist
propaganda paints a picture of all Muslims hating the West and especially those
from the United States, the reality here is most Sumatrans have a positive view
of Americans.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
If a Westerner is willing to sit and talk, most Sumatrans
are willing to listen. They want to know what you think. This openness does
provide a unique opportunity for sharing the Gospel, especially for workers
from America who have taken the time to learn Indonesian. There is almost
always an open door to share if you are willing and able to take it. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Sumatrans are also willing to listen, because they think of
Americans as being wealthy. There is a saying on Sumatra – There is always a
shrimp behind the rock. This saying refers to hidden motives that cause people
to act in a certain manner. This is one of the difficulties for American
workers. It’s often difficult to tell how much of a person’s attentiveness is
actual interest in what you are sharing, and how much is a hidden hope that
they are going to get something out of the Westerner.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There are many layers to crossing cultures in order to share
the most important story in the world. It becomes an intricate dance of give
and take, and of connect and disconnect. It’s both frustrating and
exhilarating. Because of all of this emotion, the work of cross-cultural
witnessing is often stressful.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Pray</b> for American
workers on Sumatra to make the most of open doors to share the Gospel.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Pray</b> for these
workers to have wisdom to discern the shrimp behind the rock.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Pray</b> for Holy
Spirit power to enable these workers to handle the stress of the cross-cultural
dance.<o:p></o:p></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06300286224733298568noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2997544874113013371.post-45168949802699394622016-03-07T00:25:00.003-08:002016-03-07T00:26:24.953-08:00Mandailing People Group Focus<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhivzc7x03tyeQ3EOJSkHiwR4qWaoAOnRoScrJrSbWq0GZdN0Ce0jpGYbq0RMbfJ7vlankLvfpJnO-VEslMN8VtxhTjx8PFmCu869RsLyB-6J_iXa1SBQNXhKpXknDTlaJWfH_l_1vYFsE/s1600/Mandailing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="291" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhivzc7x03tyeQ3EOJSkHiwR4qWaoAOnRoScrJrSbWq0GZdN0Ce0jpGYbq0RMbfJ7vlankLvfpJnO-VEslMN8VtxhTjx8PFmCu869RsLyB-6J_iXa1SBQNXhKpXknDTlaJWfH_l_1vYFsE/s320/Mandailing.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="BasicParagraph">
<b><i><span style="font-family: "myriad web pro" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 120%;">“How then will they call on him in whom they have not
believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And
how are they to hear without someone preaching?” (Romans 10:14, ESV).<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="BasicParagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="BasicParagraph">
<span style="font-family: "myriad web pro" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 120%;">The 800,000 Mandailing primarily live in the South Tapanuli
Regency of North Sumatra Province. The Mandailing are related to the Batak
people groups, who are primarily Christian. The Mandailing are often quick to
clarify that they are not Christian; they are Muslim. If a Mandailing person
follows Jesus, they are no longer called Mandailing; they become Angkola.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="BasicParagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="BasicParagraph">
<span style="font-family: "myriad web pro" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 120%;">Most Mandailing work as rice farmers. “Look for children and
look for land” is an oft quoted Mandailing proverb. If you own your own land
and have children, then you are a success. Not having children is a disgrace to
the family. While individual families work the land as if they owned it, they
cannot sell the land without permission from the community.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="BasicParagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhmag0J4ScT13WrXlT7pHL_XNpbTaB5CRmJ8j2idO_G2xRaK3tXkSj7oEFnA2mrfz7yGOu-1WdZiUb0qepP8LyUE6ZuNR4fMPKR4gglGqZCkm2DVxJizgo6lOi1lqHiKxjVADDhJ77TWE/s1600/MandailingMap2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="291" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhmag0J4ScT13WrXlT7pHL_XNpbTaB5CRmJ8j2idO_G2xRaK3tXkSj7oEFnA2mrfz7yGOu-1WdZiUb0qepP8LyUE6ZuNR4fMPKR4gglGqZCkm2DVxJizgo6lOi1lqHiKxjVADDhJ77TWE/s320/MandailingMap2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="BasicParagraph">
<span style="font-family: "myriad web pro" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 120%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="BasicParagraph">
<span style="font-family: "myriad web pro" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 120%;">The Minangkabau introduced the Mandailing to Islam, and most
Mandailing adhere to a form of folk Islam. Many traditional Mandailing
ceremonies have been adapted to fit a Muslim context. They believe a person’s
spirit can be taken; special ceremonies are done to reunite a person with his
spirit.</span></div>
<div class="BasicParagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="BasicParagraph">
<span style="font-family: "myriad web pro" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 120%;">There are several Angkola churches, but still, less than 1%
of the total population is saved.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="BasicParagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="BasicParagraph">
<b><span style="font-family: "myriad web pro" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 120%;">Pray that:</span></b><span style="font-family: "myriad web pro" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 120%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="BasicParagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="BasicParagraph">
<span style="font-family: "myriad web pro" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 120%;">The Holy Spirit will convict of sin among the Mandailing
people.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="BasicParagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="BasicParagraph">
<span style="font-family: "myriad web pro" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 120%;">God will burden Angkola believers to pray for and share the
Gospel with the Mandailing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="BasicParagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="BasicParagraph">
<span style="font-family: "myriad web pro" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 120%;">Believers will live in a way that shows the Mandailing that
Jesus is stronger than any other spirit.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="BasicParagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="BasicParagraph">
<span style="font-family: "myriad web pro" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 120%;">Angkola believers will obey Christ’s commands and not just
put Christianity on top of animistic beliefs.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="BasicParagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="BasicParagraph">
<span style="font-family: "myriad web pro" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 120%;">God will send out workers to serve the Mandailing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="BasicParagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="BasicParagraph">
<span style="font-family: "myriad web pro" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 120%;">Revival will break out among the other Batak people groups.
Many Mandailing people reject Christianity because of what they see in the
lives of their Batak cousins.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="BasicParagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="BasicParagraph">
<span style="font-family: "myriad web pro" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 120%;">Equipped, obedient believers will be led to people of peace
among the Mandailing.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 120%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06300286224733298568noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2997544874113013371.post-74336788707745843202016-03-03T02:05:00.001-08:002016-03-03T02:05:41.126-08:00Risk & Reward<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrcNQqcaXx6U-b3NdSX5xxoUARm1mNeesAlUG5meyLIukk9k1l3_-rr9pKasNkmtCg-2sHDcXMzwiNeMpiZ1d_0hyphenhyphendZt1tri6q-e6tmONgNHCS46RgaAT5k6LI1eFSMSj8qzPHbflLsFQ/s1600/OTS147.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrcNQqcaXx6U-b3NdSX5xxoUARm1mNeesAlUG5meyLIukk9k1l3_-rr9pKasNkmtCg-2sHDcXMzwiNeMpiZ1d_0hyphenhyphendZt1tri6q-e6tmONgNHCS46RgaAT5k6LI1eFSMSj8qzPHbflLsFQ/s320/OTS147.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This muscular Duano man is a lobster diver. He makes his
living by diving down to catch lobsters with his bare hands. This is a
dangerous profession. These men are diving deep enough to experience
decompression sickness or the bends. Common symptoms of this malady include joint
pain, paralysis, and even death. Because of these risks the work is seen as
brave and manly, which is why many young men take it on. Oddly enough, they
don’t make that much money. Perhaps for them, the payoff is in the respect they
receive from other people in the village.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Many people on Sumatra suffer from the desire to be admired
by other people, more than the desire to be applauded by God. This creates one
of the biggest barriers to the Gospel on Sumatra. People reject the Gospel
because they fear the reaction of other people. To them, it is better to risk
the disapproval of God in order to receive the admiration of the people in
their village.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The reward of pleasing God is of far more value than any
wealth or power that this world can offer. The risk of displeasing God is worse
than the consequences of decompression sickness. God is the One who can kill
the body and cast the soul into hell (Matthew 10:28). The risks of rejecting
the Gospel are considerable. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Pray</b> for the
peoples of Sumatra to fully understand the risk and reward of the Gospel.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Pray</b> for
Sumatrans to care more about the approval of God than of man.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Pray </b>for lobster
divers among the Duano and Simeulue to seek approval from God and leave this
dangerous profession. Some risks aren’t worth the reward.<o:p></o:p></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06300286224733298568noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2997544874113013371.post-23067922324744752242016-02-29T01:27:00.000-08:002016-02-29T01:27:16.353-08:00The White Hat<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4rZGGXaKKMpllmTAVNoUZeGKZY_69CRqef7dtcjskhhVrFz9PVulnnfZIgzVRUQ4dYbDqMBLPDyg9JuurX5BvX0uqz6VbskqSxKK84iWnH4Zko7i_TdXBqhY0xOYFX4Zna5pWoySHuWw/s1600/OTS146.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4rZGGXaKKMpllmTAVNoUZeGKZY_69CRqef7dtcjskhhVrFz9PVulnnfZIgzVRUQ4dYbDqMBLPDyg9JuurX5BvX0uqz6VbskqSxKK84iWnH4Zko7i_TdXBqhY0xOYFX4Zna5pWoySHuWw/s320/OTS146.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This Riau Malay man was tending a shop that sold Muslim
clothing. The hats in the foreground are called <i>peci</i> [peh-CHEE]. It is the national hat in Indonesia, and it’s a
hat strongly connected with the Muslim religion. Those who wear a white <i>peci</i> are supposed to have already been
on the pilgrimage to Mecca called the <i>hajj</i>.
Those who wear a <i>peci</i> are often seen
as being better, more holy people.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Jesus warned about people who make a display of their
righteousness in Matthew 23:1-7. True holiness is not a matter of what you wear
or how you appear. True holiness is revealed by deeds and actions, but is
rooted in something deeper. Those who put on a show to be seen by others are
often the very ones whose life is less than exemplary. They preach, but they
don’t practice. Such people are hypocrites. Every religious group has their
share of this type of person, because religion alone doesn’t make anyone right
with God. It doesn’t make anyone holy.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Many Muslims will admit that they know people who have been
on the <i>hajj</i>, wear the white <i>peci</i>, but have lives that are far from
holy. They sometimes get drunk, gamble, visit prostitutes, and cheat in
business; their lives are a mockery of what the white <i>peci</i> is supposed to represent. This is not universally true, but it
happens often enough that most people in Sumatra have a name of someone they
know to go along with the story of being a religious hypocrite. But even the
very best representative of wearing the white <i>peci </i>in a worthy manner is still far short of the righteousness of
God.<o:p></o:p></div>
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We’d all agree that holiness is more than just wearing a
special hat, but what is the essence of true holiness? Paul suggests that true
righteousness does not come through works of the law, but by faith in Jesus
Christ. This is universally necessary because everyone falls short of God’s
perfect standard (Romans 3:20-25). To the Philippians Paul shares that
everything else is garbage compared with the surpassing goodness of being found
in Jesus, for in Jesus alone mankind can receive true righteousness or holiness
that is by faith (Philippians 3:8-9). As Paul reminded the Ephesians, this
faith that imparts salvation and holiness is a gift of God and leaves mankind
no room for boasting other than in Christ (Ephesians 2:8-9).<o:p></o:p></div>
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Many people prefer to wear the hat than to humbly admit
their sin and receive God’s gift of forgiveness through the perfect sacrifice
of Jesus, the Lamb of God. Anyone who truly receives this gift will not only be
saved, but will be transformed. This is God’s work and it is marvelous to
behold!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Pray</b> for those on
Sumatra, who are trusting in the good deeds that the white hat is supposed to
represent, to see the futility of salvation and holiness by works.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Pray</b> for spiritually
blind eyes on Sumatra to be opened to see Jesus lifted up so that all the
peoples of Sumatra will be drawn to Him.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Pray</b> for humility
on Sumatra that is willing to take the place of a helpless sinner in order to
receive the gift of righteousness and salvation that is in Christ alone.<o:p></o:p></div>
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