Matthew 9:38 Monday, July 23, 2007 "Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into His harvest field" RESOURCING - Mobilising for World Missions Pray for God to raise up people to work in the area of translation within OM. Translators are needed across the world to facilitate communication and to help people to understand the Gospel message. Pray especially for an International Translation Co-ordinator for OM - a person who can coordinate this vital ministry around the world by identifying needs, recruiting translators, creating a translation network to eliminate duplication and supporting the work of existing translators. Zimbabwe in crisis Monday, July 23, 2007 In the face of economic challenges caused by an inflation rate estimated at around 9,000% the Zimbabwean authorities ordered that the price of basic goods be halved. This led to a rush which cleared out many shops. The OM team in Banket reports the shop next to their centre has no food left. There are queues in the banks of up to two hours to withdraw a maximum daily limit of the equivalent of US$22 cash. Fuel is scarce. Power cuts can last for up to 20 hours a day and matches and candles are no longer available. Phone lines to the country are out of operation so we are unable to get further information from our OM teams. Pray for OM Zimbabwe leader Mike van Vuuren and his family for who are living in survival mode. Pray for Edwin Derera leading a community centre project and receiving harrassment from the authorities. Pray for Vicky Graham running a medical clinic alone in a rural area and finding it difficult to get medicine. Interested Monday, July 23, 2007 Shopping with his friends, the teenage boy was handed a Gospel tract. He stopped and started to read. Looking up, he realized that he was in front of a street preacher and began to listen. His friends grew impatient but he told them to go on without him. At first he stayed at the back, but son he made his way to the front of the crowd, listening intently. When the preaching ended, the boy walked up to the front and started to talk to the preacher. He asked questions about the message and then walked away. It is unknown if he made a decision but seeds were certainly planted in his heart. OM Lifehope teams continue to share the good news about Jesus in city centres in England. Pray that those whose hearts are open will hear and respond to the Gospel. Pray for this teenager – that the seeds planted in his life will bear fruit. Life-changing seminar Monday, July 23, 2007 Eighty people took part in a seminar called "Be" in Ecuador recently. The intensive weekend of teaching and interaction attracted participants from many different backgrounds and church denominations. At the end of the weekend, many expressed gratitude. One said, "This is the first time that I can really understand what is God's purpose for my life," while others shared how they had made life-changing decisions as a result of the teaching. Two people have decided to join the OM Ecuador training school this year, one has started a missions programme at Bible college and another has committed himself to working with the children's outreach project in his local church. Please pray for these and many others who were motivated to get involved in world missions thanks to OM Ecuador's "Be" seminar. Matthew 9:38 Wednesday, July 18, 2007 "Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into His harvest field" INDIA - Transformed from within India Communications is searching for qualified and experienced administrative staff members with excellent office/computer skills, good writing/editing skills and an excellent servant-heart attitude to join the established OM India team. The need is for at least three Personal Assistants, plus Secretaries, Editors and other Administration staff who are fast learners and ready for an incredible challenge. Further details from communications@ind.om.org * All OM workers raise their own support A Hug for Peace Wednesday, July 18, 2007 On Friday 13 July, people from all over the world gathered to watch the official opening of the Pan American Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Volunteers and police watched how thousands of evangelical Christians surrounded the stadium to 'give it a hug'; at 17.30 hrs everybody joined hands around the stadium. Christians from many different denominations were united in this project, arriving in large groups and distributing Christian literature. When the hug was finished, all those who participated released a yellow balloon up in the blue sky designed to demonstrate that Jesus is Lord over Rio de Janeiro and that security and happiness during the Pan American Games 2007 comes from God. Please pray for OM teams and sportslink workers as they work alongside local believers to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ during the games. India Supreme Court Hearing Wednesday, July 18, 2007 On July 19 2007, the Indian Supreme Court will hear a case which could drastically change the lives of millions of Dalits. Three years ago, a Dalit Christian sued the Indian government and asked for "Scheduled Caste" status. Scheduled Caste is the official term for Dalits. A law issued by the Indian president in 1950 only awarded government benefits to Hindus. It was later amended to grant Sikhs and Buddhists assistance. The case, and a similar lawsuit by a Dalit Muslim, has been repeatedly delayed. A report in mid-May recommended that the government extend benefits to all Dalits, regardless of their religion! Please pray that the Indian Supreme Court would make a decision on July 19 and move forward with the case. Pray that justice and truth would reign! Pray that almost 57 years of unequal treatment of Dalits based on their faith will be reversed.