“Groanings which cannot be uttered are often prayers which cannot be refused.”
FROM THE DESK OF: the Director of Communications
I was out of the office last week spending some time in Mississippi and Alabama. Its weird to observe the differences between the deep South (a culture massively influenced by the Church) and the places our reps live - the Middle East and Central Asia - (where the Church has zero influence). Ironically, the majority of people that live in both cultures are unreached, some just attend Sunday services as a hobby. My prayer is that the Lord would continue to raise up Pauls to pioneer to territories - to take the Gospel to places not yet reached but also that he would raise up Peters - to shepherd those living in overtly religious contexts and call them to the true Gospel - not just the cultural trappings of playing church.
For the Win[dow],
Bubby Bryan, DOC
VERSE OF THE WEEK: Micah 6:8
"He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?"
COUNTRY OF THE WEEK: Philippines
The Philippine Islands became a Spanish colony during the 16th century; they were ceded to the US in 1898 following the Spanish-American War. In 1935 the Philippines became a self-governing commonwealth. Manuel QUEZON was elected president and was tasked with preparing the country for independence after a 10-year transition. In 1942 the islands fell under Japanese occupation during World War II, and US forces and Filipinos fought together during 1944-45 to regain control. On 4 July 1946 the Republic of the Philippines attained its independence. A 20-year rule by Ferdinand MARCOS ended in 1986, when a "people power" movement in Manila ("EDSA 1") forced him into exile and installed Corazon AQUINO as president. Her presidency was hampered by several coup attempts that prevented a return to full political stability and economic development. Fidel RAMOS was elected president in 1992. His administration was marked by increased stability and by progress on economic reforms. In 1992, the US closed its last military bases on the islands. Joseph ESTRADA was elected president in 1998. He was succeeded by his vice-president, Gloria MACAPAGAL-ARROYO, in January 2001 after ESTRADA's stormy impeachment trial on corruption charges broke down and another "people power" movement ("EDSA 2") demanded his resignation. MACAPAGAL-ARROYO was elected to a six-year term as president in May 2004. Her presidency was marred by several corruption allegations but the Philippine economy was one of the few to avoid contraction following the 2008 global financial crisis, expanding each year of her administration. Benigno AQUINO III was elected to a six-year term as president in May 2010. The Philippine Government faces threats from several groups, some of which are on the US Government's Foreign Terrorist Organization list. Manila has waged a decades-long struggle against ethnic Moro insurgencies in the southern Philippines, which has led to a peace accord with the Moro National Liberation Front and ongoing peace talks with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front. The decades-long Maoist-inspired New People's Army insurgency also operates through much of the country. The Philippines faces increased tension with China over disputed territorial and maritime claims in the South China Sea. (CIA World Factbook)
PRAYER REQUESTS:
- Pray for more Filipino churches to raise up and send out missionaries committed to worldwide evangelism.
- Pray for honesty, justice, and fairness to replace corruption and greed in the government.
- Pray for the church to stand firm on biblical truth and to be unified with one another.
- Pray for the Uttermost workers in the field.
- Pray for the US office.