Communication
Communication is really tough sometimes. Misunderstandings creep in, and perspectives alter how we view another’s words. Pray for truthful tongues, listening ears, and hearts full of grace and forgiveness.
Cultural Frustrations
Whether it’s the hot and dry or the wet and muggy, some days I just wish for a Minnesota winter. Pray for that extra grace to endure the Tropics.
Even to a seasoned missionary there are still cultural differences that my flesh would love to react to. I don’t even think about bucket baths or the lack of electricity anymore, yet the day to day life here wears me down in ways I don’t often realize.
Some days I wonder, "Am I really having an impact?" I know that this is true, yet some days are harder to believe it than others.
Flesh
Lack of self-discipline: Pray that I continue to surrender my flesh. I need that deep conviction from the Holy Spirit for my responses to circumstances.
Patience: Continue to pray for patience, grace, and discernment as I serve in conditions that my flesh doesn’t like.
Prejudice: I have been teaching the International language and I carry my culture with me. I don’t want to make assumptions based on my background. My way might not be the only right way. Pray for humility and a servant's heart.
Pride of race: The United States has more blessings than we sometimes know what to do with. I have culture clashes every day.
Selfishness: I need to put others needs before my own, letting go of comfort for the glory of Christ among a people He loves. (John 3:30)
Sin: I need to keep a short account with God. (1 John 1:9)
Identity
Pray that I seek God to fully understand my purpose here. My roles sometimes get mixed up. I am an American, a teacher, and a missionary. No matter what my role is, I must have the humility of Christ (Philippians 2:5-8). I am here to serve not to be served (Mark 10:45).
Liberia
Jesus Christ in the hearts of Liberians is the hope of this nation. The Bible is clear that salvation can come from no one else. Money, education, and buildings are great tools, but they are nothing if hearts are not drawn to Jesus. There are spiritual strongholds that grip and blind the people here. The powers of darkness don’t need to use the same tactics in America because our independence and materialism distract us well enough. This nation needs your passionate and faithful prayers. Find a few others and plead with Jesus Christ on their behalf. Just think of how glorified Jesus is when He takes your prayers and gathers this nation to Himself.
Loneliness
Sometimes I am lonely here. It takes time to learn to trust the locals and make friends. Communication isn’t always easy with so many cultural barriers. And sometimes pouring my heart out to the other Americans isn’t the wisest choice. I need to learn to always go to God first and respect their time and space too.
Spiritual Warfare
Pray for my protection from the evil one who does not like what God is doing. Pray against the enemy's schemes to thwart the building of the King's Kids Estate Compound. Jesus Christ has dominion and authority over that land and all that happens there. It is His orphanage, His children, His school, His organization, and His work. Satan can have none of it. Pray that with the strength of the Lord and humility, I fight off the spritual warfare that wars against me.
Stability
Emotionally: I must be balanced between becoming too callused or too sympathetic. In the classroom, my students have anger simmering since the war. Their behavior is often rude. I must respond with the stability of Christ’s love while empathizing with their hurts and suffering.
Mentally: I must combat Satan’s tool of depression with what I know about who I am in Christ. (Philippians 4:6-7)
Socially: My time alone with God or on my computer must balance my interactive time with people. In the same way, my time with my teammates must balance my interactive time with the kids and nationals.
Spiritually: I must have balance with the sound study of the Word of God and its application in my life. I need to drink deeply from Jesus Christ in order to have overflow to give to those around me.
Relationships
Pray that I set an example of godliness among my team to those we are serving. Pray that we are united in spirit and effective in our ministry. Pray that God raises others to join us on the mission field. Pray that the fellowship with the Nationals will be like-hearted and full of joy and grace. Pray that communication will not be hindered due to cultural differences.
Vision
Pray that I move forward with vision, even when I can’t see beyond a day. If my vision is something that can be accomplished in a year, I should plant cassava. If my vision is something that can be accomplished in six years, I should plant a mango tree. If my vision is something that can be accomplished in my lifetime, I should teach children. But if my vision is for something that can be accomplished in my lifetime, then my vision is too small.
President, Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf
President Ellen is leading Liberia into this time of reconstruction after the civil war. Pray that she continues to cling to God’s word thorough this time. Praise the Lord that God has placed a godly Christian in the leadership of this country.
Myanmar
Pray for the orphans in Myanmar that they would continue to fall in love with Jesus. Pray for their physical and spiritual protection. Marlene Wilson teaches English there on a regular basis. Pray for her as she teaches adults and children in a culture that is growing less tolerant of our western presence. Pray for the spiritual safety of the staff and children of the orphanage center that OrphanAge Foundation partners with.
Pray that the Christians in Myanmar have opportunities to carry the good news to the unreached peoples tucked away in Myanmar and neighboring countries like China, India, and Bangladesh.