LIVING THROUGH THE MYANMAR - PRAYER GUIDE FOR MYANMAR CHURCH RESOURCES 4 - UFM WORLDWIDE
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4CoRNERS
LiviNg
THRoUgH THE
MYANMAR
CoUP
PRAYER gUiDE FoR
MYANMAR
CHARACTERiSTiCS oF A
SUMMER 2021
SUPPoRTiNg CHURCH
Church Resources
1
Honouring the past as
we look to the future
Michael Prest, Director, UFM Worldwide
This week Ruaridh As we transition post- majority world than
MacLean, Area lockdown, and as the the West, including
Director in Scotland, work of UFM continues UFM workers from
to change and develop, 28 countries. What a
told us of a lady
it is so important that cause for humility as we
who had been a
we continue to apply examine our place in
UFM supporter for the principles that have world mission and what
‘quite some time.’ shaped the mission: a reason to rejoice!
Miss Buchanan, 106,
Clarity on gospel need And yet, over 3 billion
had supported UFM
Plenty of mission people worldwide have
since its inception little or no access to the
soundbites roll off the
in 1931! gospel. Therefore UFM
tongue, yet only tell half
Our office move has led of the story. ‘The church remains committed to
to sorting our archives – in the majority world taking the gospel to the
a striking window into all has grown rapidly’ we world. We pray daily for
God has done through hear. Yes, praise God, God to raise up workers.
his people. We build on there are many more What a joy to recently
gospel foundations laid believers and mission welcome new workers
by others in dependence workers from the serving in South Asia,
on the Lord. Eurasia and East Asia.
UFM Houseparty, Keswick, 1939 The local church’s role
UFM’s strapline is
‘supporting churches
in making disciples of
all nations.’ We believe
it is a biblical approach
for local churches to
identify, train, send
and support mission
workers. Rather than
saying to churches
‘Who do you have to
join our work?’, we ask, The challenge to FEATURES
‘Who might you send? offer up our lives Living through
How could we help?’ in sacrificial the Myanmar coup
service is not 4
This approach is nothing
for a bygone era,
new in UFM. We were Prayer guide for
but the enduring
often reminded of it by Myanmar
call to all of us who
former UFM General 6
follow Christ. One
Secretary, George Rabey Investing in people in
UFM couple
(now in his 80s) at our Nicaragua
are currently
weekly prayer meetings preparing to 8
in pre-Covid days! serve in a country What does women’s
where Christians are ministry look like
Sacrifice
persecuted. Our trustees in Paris?
We recall two occasions
wrote ‘They are not blasé
UFM workers laid down 10
about the possibility of
their lives for Christ: ‘The Whom shall I fear?
suffering but see it as
Three Freds’ martyred – a war zone in Europe
part of Christian life.’ May
by the Kayapo people in 14
God raise up many with
Brazil in the 1930s, and
this heart and vision. Church resources
19 UFM workers killed
in the Simba Rebellion Flexibility Characteristics of
in Congo in 1964.1 Many a supporting church
We seek to remain
others have daily denied unmovable on (Bible study resource)
themselves and taken the gospel and 12
up their crosses. disciple making, Focus ON
Horace Banner and yet as flexible as Mongolia
William Johnson, possible in living 19
who formed a search this out in the
What’s it like .. ?
party for The Three modern era. Please
pray for wisdom in this Preparing to go
Freds wrote, “It is well
area. Thank you so much 21
to remember that
Calvary was, and still is, for your support! NewS
the greatest victory of New opportunities
all time. Death to the to serve
Christian is not defeat, 1
https://ufmworldwide.org/ 16
and should the Lord wp-content/uploads/2014/11/
New to UFM
will that we be taken, UFM8226-4-Corners-Autumn-
2014-WEB1.pdf and https:// 18
our prayer is that more
missiology.org.uk/pdf/e-books/
men and money will be roome-w-j-w/three-freds_
rushed out to follow up roome.pdf
this advance.”2 2
The Three Freds, p18.
Living Through the
Myanmar Coup
Written by UFM mission workers in Myanmar
The alarm went off, startling activists started to get organised.
us awake. i could hear at least We gathered the children to go
two of the children were up. i and add our voices to the protests.
Huge numbers of people were
reached for my phone to check
congregating in certain key spots in
for any messages that had come the city, one close to our home. These
in overnight. There was nothing, tens of thousands had one goal; to
which was unusual. “The wifi show their disgust at the military
isn’t working,” i said. imprisoning their elected leaders and
to express their desire for democracy.
Then we realised we had no phone
service either. We opened our back We pushed our way through the mass
door which leads to our neighbour’s of people; everyone friendly and the
kitchen and were met with the atmosphere almost jovial. People
pungent smell of fish paste and a were chanting so loudly the children
look of shock on our neighbour’s face. covered their ears. Pro-democracy
In hushed tones, as if we might be slogans were repeated so often that
overheard, she explained “The military our children learnt them and joined in.
have arrested all the government Our youngest was hoisted up onto his
officials, they’ve taken over, there’s dad’s shoulders for fear of losing him.
been a coup”. Our hearts sank. There
Street vendors, who had made
had been rumours but we just never
nothing during the restrictions of
thought it would actually happen.
Covid-19, were now making good
After the initial shock of the coup, the business. Others sold placards and
people quickly began to react and t-shirts with the faces of the ousted
4
government and gave free food and The protestors on the streets built
water to the demonstrators. barricades to give themselves
time to run and hide if the military
In the evenings, we took our pots and
came. And they did come. And
pans out onto our balcony. We joined
they murdered the mostly young,
in the cacophony of banging as the
unarmed, defenceless protestors.
whole community united in their
heartache at what had happened. Each day we would wake up to read
For fifteen minutes we banged and of new atrocities. Soldiers walked on
chanted. We did our part; marching, the streets outside our home. Often
lighting candles, giving out cookies, at night time they would come
juice and fried rice. using searchlights to illuminate
anyone banging pots or chanting.
... they would come You could be shot on a soldier’s
whim, or arrested. This is the life we
using searchlights
lived; we still live it now.
to illuminate anyone
banging pots or
chanting. You could
be shot on a soldier’s
whim or arrested
But then, as we were all fearfully
anticipating, it became violent. The
protestors were still peaceful, intent
on a calm display of resistance, but
the Generals could no longer accept
their opposition. It started with water
cannons and sling shots, then rubber
bullets and tear gas. Soon live rounds
were used, quickly followed by
grenades and even airstrikes.
The nightmare isn’t over yet. The
At this time night time raids increased
fight is not finished. The Myanmar
and thousands were arrested, while
people’s desire is for freedom and
convicted criminals were released,
peace but it seems they can not have
both to make space in the prisons and
one without forfeiting the other.
to cause havoc in the communities.
What the days ahead will bring we
Many of those arrested in night time don’t know but we are eternally
raids were cruelly tortured and died. grateful that our God does. Please
pray for Myanmar.
5
Prayer guide
Pray for Myanmar
Written by UFM mission workers in Myanmar
On 1st February 2021 the The Civil Disobedience Movement
Myanmar military seized power. (CDM) began quickly. Government
They arrested the democratically workers refused to work for the
elected leaders and declared a Military. Doctors, bank staff, railway
workers and others simply stopped
one-year state of emergency,
working. Some were given an
now extended to two.
ultimatum: leave their government
Although pro-democracy housing, return to work, or be shot.
demonstrations were peaceful, They bravely packed up and moved
the military quickly resorted to out. Others in the CDM were tracked
lethal force, arbitrary detentions, down and kidnapped at night. This
torture and executions. The Junta’s led to many people fleeing their
actions have been condemned by homes and going into hiding. These
the UN, the UK government and people are making a huge impact;
others. In the absence of the elected the country cannot run without
government, a council has been them. It is a dangerous stance to
set up on their behalf – Committee take and one that often means
Representing Pyidaungsu Hluttaw forfeiting a wage.
(CRPH). It is imperative that this
body is recognised as the country’s Pray for those in hiding to remain
true leaders and not the military safe. Pray for the donations
Generals. coming in to support these
people to be well distributed.
Please pray for the UN to make
wise decisions about how to help
Myanmar. Pray for Myanmar’s At the beginning of the coup huge
future, that it may be governed numbers of people came out onto
in justice and righteousness. the streets to demonstrate. It then
Pray for the people to win back became dangerous as the military
their freedom and for peace. began using extreme violence
against the protestors. It has
been the young people who have
continued to rebel and many of
Protestors protect themselves from tear gas and bullets. Police patrol the streets.
them have lost their lives. Medical Myanmar was already battered by
personnel who treat the injured Covid-19. Street vendors and day
have also been targeted and have labourers struggled to make enough
been beaten, arrested and killed. money to survive. Since the coup, this
struggle has spread to the middle
Please pray for protection over class. They cannot easily access
those on the streets and pray their bank accounts and sometimes
for those mourning. queue for 2-3 hours to withdraw only
a restricted amount. So far food is
available but prices are rising.
Since the coup we have not been
Please pray for generosity with
able to contact the family of three
basic needs to continue.
siblings who came regularly to our
Sunday school. Their stepfather is
a policeman. In mid-February the During this time of heavy-
family were moved into a police heartedness and fear, there are also
compound. Apparently those within opportunities to share the hope
the compounds are fed lies and we have. We have got to know our
propaganda. They hear no news neighbours better and have had
from outside and can only see the chances to talk about our faith with
military-run TV station. Some of them. It is also a time to model
them may want to defect but their to young Christians trust in God
families are effectively held hostage. through uncertain times.
Please pray for this family and Please pray for local Christians
others like them. and mission workers to have
opportunities to share their faith.
Investing in people
in Nicaragua
Barry and Susana Davis work in children’s ministry in Nicaragua
After our first term in Nicaragua Jesus?” or “Would you like to receive
we almost left. We came to a Christ?” are phrases that just don’t
crisis point in our ministry and work here because most people
were frustrated. We arrived just have a friend called Jesus, and many
after hurricane Mitch in 1999, receive Christ almost weekly at mass!
and saw many being converted. Syncretism is the big spiritual issue.
Evangelical churches were Many people are very religious, but
growing, but they were messy. love to “pick and mix”, very much like
the Athenians in Acts 17.
Opportunities were abundant
but difficult and fragile. As we prayed about our future,
There are massive challenges in God put it on our hearts to invest in
evangelism, mission and ministry evangelising and discipling children,
in Nicaragua. I enjoy one-to-one, establishing a firm foundation for
personal evangelism but I have had the next generation. So in 2002 we
to rethink everything. “Do you know started a Christian school.
8
We have freedom each day to share Christian lady about 50 years old. Her
the gospel with the children. Some husband had left her and their four
have been converted and have children a few years earlier, and had
reached their families. since died. When we arrived, three
women were preparing food in the
The big cultural issues in Nicaragua
small tin house with a dirt floor.
society are family breakdown and
leadership. Family structure is “Where are the men?” the elder asked.
To his surprise, Corina started to laugh,
“Where are the men?” ... “Thank God we don’t need any of
them here!”
Corina started to laugh,
“Thank God we don’t The work can be hard and slow,
but is very rewarding. Corina’s son
need any of them here!”
Denis was in his late teens, and had
missed out on education due to
weak, and leadership is matriarchal,
because of the prominence of Mary being hospitalised. I helped him to
in traditional religion. Men are seen get a qualification and start work. We
as lazy and unreliable, and machismo worked together and I discovered
is the male survival response. that he had accepted the Lord but
lacked assurance of salvation.
A few years ago, a mission team
came from my home church. This After a year or so Denis started talking
included one of the elders, on his about peers who had left the faith.
first cross-cultural mission team. He We talked and studied Bible passages
asked to visit a local home so I took about forgiveness and salvation. Then
him to see Corina, our housekeeper, a one day Denis spoke of his assurance
in his salvation. However, his recurring
health problems remained and sadly
he died – a very difficult time for me.
Recently I visited Corina, after not
being in contact for a few years. Her
house had been turned into a small
shop to support her family. She now
has 4 grandsons – there are men in
the house again! She is confident
that her son Denis is in heaven.
The Lord is building his church in
Nicaragua and the gates of hell will
not prevail against it. Strong forces
are arrayed against the church, but
we are confident of a good outcome.
9
What does women’s
ministry look like in Paris?
Debs Prisk works in church-based women’s ministry in Paris
“Well, it all started whilst I was
working on a cannabis farm
in California …” I have heard
unusual testimonies before but
Mariya’s topped them all!
We were sitting on the banks of
Paris’s trendy Canal St Martin at the
end of 2019 getting to know one
another. We had both recently joined
the church, Église Connexion. I had
come to work for the church; she had
recently moved back to Paris to be
near her parents.
The daughter of Ukrainian artists,
Mariya was born in Russia, but spent was working as a casual labourer on
most of her childhood in the States. the Californian farm that she met
In her early teens, she relocated to a Christian who introduced her to
Paris with some of her family. Some the gospel and to a church. She felt
tough experiences caused her to dissatisfied with the answers offered
ask important questions about life by other beliefs, and was struck by
and meaning. Wanting to make the the joy of true faith in God.
world a better place, she studied
sociology and later the environment. This was less than a year before I met
Dissatisfied and still seeking, she Mariya. In the intervening time, she
travelled and worked on farms, had understood the gospel and put
surrounded by New Agers, until she her trust in Christ. Every area of her
started practicing Buddhism. life had been turned around: desires,
hopes, thoughts, lifestyle. She turned
Years later, however, Mariya’s life was up at Église Connexion looking for
turned around. It was at the time she Bible teaching like she had known in
10her church in California, and strong This year, after some encouragement,
fellowship with other believers. and with the support of Église
Connexion and our church union
For the first year, Mariya and I read
– the Association Baptiste – Mariya
through the Bible together. We read
embarked upon theological training
3-4 chapters a day individually, and
met up weekly to discuss what we with Crosslands Seminary. Her first
had learned and the themes we saw essay was on a Christian response
emerging across Scripture. to environmental activism. Her
I saw Mariya grow in her love for Christ. next course is on evangelism and
Her joy in her discoveries caused my apologetics.
own soul to sing. Having made it
The focus of my work in Paris is
through the whole Bible, we are now
discipling and training Christian
returning to books in more detail.
women so that they might make
Mariya’s zeal for sharing the gospel disciples of others, who in turn make
is a constant challenge to me. Every disciples, as Mariya is doing. Please
time I see her, she tells me about pray for her as God shows her how
opportunities she has had with her and where he wishes to use her
colleagues or non-Christian friends. studies for his glory in the future.
She has a real heart to see the Please pray for me too, as I seek to
communities of environmentally walk alongside Mariya and women
sensitive artists and New Age like her, as they grow in their service
travellers that she spent time with of others, flowing out of an increasing
reached with the Good News. love for Christ.
11Characteristics of Bible s
tud
Part 3 y
a Supportive Church
Mary Hodson is Women’s Pastoral Worker for UFM Worldwide
“Therefore we ought to support people like these, that we may be
fellow workers for the truth.” 3 John:8
In the last two editions we looked at what it means to be a sending church.
This study continues that theme, but focuses on how we can be a supportive
church to those we send.
What does it look like to support well? (3 John:5-7)
It is intentional It is loving
John commends Gaius, not just for Gaius was commended for his love
knowing the truth, but for walking in as he gives this support. It was
a way that demonstrates its reality. not a begrudging duty, but the
In practical terms, Gaius is providing outworking of a heart which loves
faithful support to those participating the Lord and puts Him first.
in gospel work.
He is encouraged to send these
There is a sense of effort and energy workers in a way that is ‘worthy
in this process (v5), with intentional of God’. This gives the impression
actions to support these workers. This of overflowing love, of generosity,
would have meant enquiring about honour and willing sacrifice.
their needs as well as meeting them.
n2
It was not a one-off action – the very Applicatio
word ‘faithful’ emphasises a sense What does yo
of perseverance. I am reminded of ur support sh
about your lo ow
ve for the Lord
Galatians 6:9-10: Gaius does not weary ?
of doing good to his fellow believers.
How well do you/ you Applica
church know the need
r tion 1
s
of your mission worke
rs?CHURCH RESoURCES
in this
t w o studies
The fi rs t g and
be in g a sendin
It is practical series o n vailable
g c hu rch are a f
in
These workers would have had support ditions o
p re v io us two e ch
physical and financial needs as well in the ur
are a ch
as the need for spiritual support and Co r n e rs. If you to use
4 ree
encouragement. Gaius is asked not e r, ple ase feel f
lead rch!
just to meet these needs during
es e in your chu
th
their visit, but as they participate
in further gospel outreach.
How do you think the
ation 3
Philippian
Applic Church knew about Pa
ul’s needs?
s 4:14-19.
Look at Philippian
we see Paul’s
In what ways do
by the In what variety of ways can your
needs being met
ch ? church demonstrate loving care
Philippian Chur
to those serving in mission?
What is the outcome of supporting well? (3 John:8)
John’s motive through this support but through our loving support
was to become a partner in mission, we can still participate in this vital
a ‘fellow worker’ with them. We are gospel ministry. We are part of one
not all able to go to new areas where body, given different gifts which we
people have never heard of Christ or can use in service for God’s glory
to minister in cross-cultural outreach, (Romans 12:4-8).
Application 4
Do you feel like you are truly
partnering in the gospel work of
s 4:7-13 those you support?
Look at Colossian
this gospel If not, why do you think this is?
How do you see
ing in What needs to change?
partnership work
practice?‘Whom shall I fear?’
– a war zone in Europe
Andy and Tatyana, with Natasha (14), serve close to Europe’s only war zone
“The LORD is my light and my • Massive troop and weapons build-
salvation; whom shall I fear? The ups have continued on our border,
LORD is the stronghold of my just a few miles away;
life; of whom shall I be afraid?” • Loud city air raid sirens have been
(Psalm 27:1). David begins Psalm tested for the first time we can
27 with these words, yet the remember;
honest truth is that there are • The authorities posted maps of all
many things around us that the bomb shelters in the capital;
make us afraid. • Army helicopters fly overhead daily;
Where we live and serve, these things • Stop and search powers for the
include not only the coronavirus, military are now extended to
which has affected all of us, but also include all people and all vehicles;
a powerful military aggressor. We are • Dozens of hired thugs were
almost surrounded by an army that detained at the city limits near us,
is more powerful than we are and sent by hostile forces to create riots
may well have an intention to do our and violence, as a false reason to
people harm. invade to “protect” us.
How do we respond to this situation? “Whom shall I fear?” – do these
David faced exactly this scenario too, words mean that it is foolish to fear a
saying in verse 3, “an army encamp threatening superpower neighbour
against me”. Yet despite that crisis who is so close to us and sabre-
situation, he continued, “my heart rattling? No, I don’t think so. On a
shall not fear; though war arise human level, we all fear such threats
against me, yet I will be confident” and actions from leaders who lead
(Psalm 27:3). for their own gain and power.
It is hard not to be afraid when things But rather, we can say with David that
like these have all happened in the we fear One who is greater than all.
last week: Verse 5 says, “he will hide me in his
14shelter in the day of trouble”. The One
who is in the sanctuary of heaven is
more powerful than all and is able to
save and shelter our souls whatever
the circumstances. That is an amazing
message of hope to fearful people.
Consider this: many people have
been saved here since the war began,
who would not have been saved
were it not for the events of the war!
This includes soldiers who have conquered death; has risen from
been witnessed to in the trenches. It the grave! This is what a nation at
includes refugees who have fled the war, facing so many fears, needs to
hear. Not that our military will save
us, or our political leaders. Not even
Loud city air raid sirens that God will always prevent us from
have been tested ... facing conflict. But that in all and
The authorities posted through all he can save us from
sin and death, giving us eternal life
maps of all the bomb
through the Lord Jesus Christ.
shelters in the capital
Please pray for our weak and
conflict zone and have been taken in vulnerable people here in the midst
by Christians. It includes pensioners of such uncertain and fearful times!
left in no-man’s land who have been Not just that further conflict will be
cared for by brave, sacrificial believers prevented and lives spared. But rather,
who have taken them aid and the that people who are currently afraid
hope of the gospel. only of men will come to fear and
worship God, who is greater than all.
War is not our final enemy – not any
longer! The Saviour we preach has
15New opportunities to serve
New opportunities to serve
Taking God’s word to 750 But we have a challenge, Amazon
Polly hasn’t actually got a brain, just
million with no literacy wires. She struggles with words like
The latest data from UNESCO states ‘read’, or ‘live’, or any word that can
that there are 750 million adults be pronounced in more than one
worldwide who lack basic literacy way. She also pauses in unnatural …
skills.1 How then can we make God’s places. At OneHundredFold we have
Word available to these people? a team who listen to Polly’s output,
and correct her foibles, making her
Amazon has developed a way to more user friendly.
convert written text into spoken
Our ability to provide evangelism
word, whether scanned from a
or training material to those 750
book, or uploaded from a digital
million, is limited only by the number
file. They have called her Polly.2
of volunteers we have correcting
With the relevant permissions,
Polly’s inconsistencies. It is a task
OneHundredFold can now take
most computer literate native
any written material, put it through
anglophones can do. It takes about
Amazon Polly, and have it come
ten hours training, followed by as
out as spoken word. We load it onto
much or as little time as you have
a Micro SD card, and send it to be
to give. All you need is a computer,
used by anyone with a phone.
patience, and a conveyor belt of tea.
If you would like to find out more
about various ways of volunteering
with OneHundredFold (e.g. helping
to download files and tag them),
please contact us through our
website: 100fold.org, or email
personnel@100fold.org.
1 UNESCO Institute for Statistics. 2019. Meeting
Commitments: are countries on track to meet SDG
4? [online] Global Education Monitoring Report for
UNESCO. Paris. Published by UNESCO. [Accessed 16th
April 2021] Available from: http://uis.unesco.org/sites/
default/files/documents/meeting-commitments-are-
countries-on-track-achieve-sdg4.pdf
2 You can explore Amazon Polly for yourself at: www.
aws.amazon.com/polly/Relaunching Operation Being present and helping
practically is a wonderful witness
Centurion
to our unity in the gospel and is a
In Luke 7 we read of a Roman tangible way to bless our brothers
centurion in Capernaum whom the and sisters worldwide. The impact
Jewish elders warmly commended is also felt in the church families
to Jesus. They told him, “He loves and friends of those who go with
our nation and has built our Operation Centurion, connecting
Synagogue.” Jesus commended people across the world.
the man’s faith and healed his We have been unable to run any
servant. This incident provides the teams in recent years, but we are
inspiration for UFM’s Operation pleased that we have Steve as
Centurion ministry. our new Co-ordinator to lead the
Operation Centurion (OC) brings ministry. We are looking to create
together teams of people with a list of interested people who may
practical skills to undertake specific be able to join a team. If that is you
projects in countries where UFM or you would like to find out more,
mission partners are working. OC please contact centurion@ufm.org.
teams have undertaken projects in uk.
Brazil, Burkina Faso, France, Ivory You can also give towards this
Coast and Moldova. They have built ministry at www.ufm.org.uk/give.
entire homes, Bible College lecture
rooms, churches, replaced roofs,
refurbished kitchens and much more.New to UFM
Welcome!
Jason and Sarah – Born in India, Stephen Johnston is completing
Jason moved to the Middle East his degree in Mechatronics before
at the age of 11. Sarah grew up in a heading to Kiwoko Hospital in
neighbouring country with a similar Uganda this summer for six months,
language and culture, moving to the initially to help in educating
Middle East for ministry as an adult. Stephen and Linda Park’s children.
After eight years of ministry in the He will also assist the maintenance
Middle East, Jason and Sarah plan team in the hospital. Stephen is a
to study for 2-3 years at a UK Bible member of Fintona Independent
College from September 2021, before Methodist Church, Northern Ireland.
serving in South Asia in training,
discipleship and church planting.
Abbi Malstead grew up in India
and is currently serving as a UCCF
Josh Meynell has been serving as Relay worker with CUI in Belfast.
a UCCF Relay worker in Cambridge From September she will be
and attends Eden Baptist Church. moving to Turin, Italy, to work with
In the autumn he will be moving International Students as part of the
to Israel to work with the national IFES Interaction programme. Abbi’s
student movement as part of the sending church is Union Church in
IFES Interaction programme. Udhagamandalam (Ooty) in Tamil
Nadu, India.FOCUS ON ...
Mongolia ULAANBAATAR
Mention Mongolia and most people Please pray ...
think of Chinghis Khan, the thirteenth • for the first generation
century chieftain who united the warring of Christians in
Mongolian tribes to form the largest land Mongolia – now in
empire the world has ever seen. Today the their forties – that the
empire is gone, but the people remain as burdens of life and
the threat of growing
fiercely proud of their heroic leader as ever.
resistance will not dim
Sitting between two giants, China to the south their passion
and Russia to the north, Mongolia is still a sizeable • for a generation
country. It is said to be the size of western Europe, moving away from
with a population of nearly 3.3 million, half of the faith of their
whom live in the capital city, Ulaanbaatar. parents, including
those with parents in
Traditionally, Mongolians are nomads who dwell Christian ministry
in round white tents called gers. With their cattle,
• that the Lord will send
they move with the seasons, living their lives on
new workers to share
the vast Mongolian steppe. However, in recent the gospel afresh, and
years, many have abandoned their time-honoured the need for godly
men and women
to come alongside
Mongolian Christians
leaders will be filled
• for many in Mongolia
who do not know
Christ, some of whom
follow Buddhism and
ShamanismMongolia nomadic ways to move to towns and cities for
education and employment opportunities.
is ... Following the withdrawal of Russian
communism just over thirty years ago, the
3.3 million people country became a fledgling democracy that
opened its borders to the world. Amongst
the first to arrive were Christian mission
workers, many of whom had spent long years
interceding for the nation’s people.
Young Mongolians were hungry for a new reality
half live in the capital
and something to fill the void in their lives. They
city, Ulaanbaatar responded to the good news of the gospel and
the church was born and grew rapidly, from
what was reckoned to be four or five believers in
1989, to several thousand just ten years later.
That first generation of Christians, mostly now
camel with two humps
... the only place to find a
in their forties, were passionate in their love
for God, and eager to evangelise their own
country and beyond. Today, the burdens of
... said to have life threaten to dim their passion, and the re-
1 operationworld.org 2 Mongolian Church Research Report 2020. Mongolian Evangelical Alliance
more horses strengthening of Buddhism and Shamanism
than people has brought increased resistance. There is
a real need for godly men and women to
come alongside church leaders – or as the
Mongolians say, to stand behind the curtain,
and bring support to those serving God.
Mongolia is quickly becoming a different
country. People still live in gers and herd
animals, but Ulaanbaatar is becoming like any
other city in the world. Many young people
do not share their parents’ beliefs, particularly
35% Buddhist
those whose parents are involved in Christian
1.7% Christian
ministry. Many believe the gospel is irrelevant
and brings constrains rather than freedom.
Opportunities to share with the younger
generation exist. Pray that the Lord will send
Female new workers to share the gospel afresh, so that
believers the young, and old too, will know that God’s
outnumber timeless truth is wholly relevant to their lives.
male believers Cut here, pop in your Bible, and pray for Mongolia
two to one2WHAT’S iT LikE ... ?
What’s it like ...
preparing to go
John and Anne Goodwin are beginning ministry in Italy
“You’re moving to Italy? When church and UFM, we want to join
can we visit?!” Whenever we the Italian church in sharing this
share that we’re re-locating to good news.
Tuscany, people’s eyes light up.
Yet that feels a world away, as
Rolling hills, cypress trees lining
right now we’re in the knotty
winding roads, guaranteed
process of uprooting ourselves
golden sunshine, endless
from life as we know it, and
vineyards and olive groves, and
keeping those roots sufficiently
of course the world-famous
nourished until we can sink them
gelato … who wouldn’t want to
down into new soil. It’s all the
live there? expected tensions - packing up
As a linguist, living overseas home whilst living in it; looking
has always been something I’ve for somewhere to live there
relished. Getting to know John, whilst being here; shepherding
we spoke from the start about the children through their fears
the possibility of serving God as we navigate our own; seeking
together abroad. to love friends well yet preparing
to pull back before long.
Over the past six years we’ve seen
the darkness that shrouds Italy, an Then there’s the double blow
unseen veil over all that dazzles of Brexit and Covid-19, and all
and delights. And whilst we have the complications they add in.
an eternal hope, 99% of Italians We have had periods of heavy-
do not, and very few will have the heartedness as the leaving
opportunity to hear of the gospel process progresses, grieving
of grace in Jesus Christ. what we are letting go of and
missing out on, particularly the
We trust that God has many
time we are unable to spend
more worshippers in Italy, and so
with loved ones.
with the encouragement of ourFor all that is familiar about Italy; and rejoice to see more people join the
though the flight is short, and the family. We have begun to taste
food tasty; it is not our home. Ahead the sweetness of partnership with
of us loom years of language and our supporters: what a privilege to
culture learning, of building bridges labour together, as the going and the
into close-knit communities. And praying and the giving go hand-in-
even then, there’s no guarantee that hand. On top of that, we’re delighted
we will ever truly belong. to be part of UFM and be reminded
of Jesus’ global work, of which we are
And it’s here that God whispers to us,
all a part.
“That’s ok: trust me”. It has dawned
on us afresh that we’re not meant to We cannot see the way ahead and
feel at home in Italy, or even in the it is daunting. But over the past
UK. Because it is only in this world months Paul’s words have really
re-made that we will be finally resonated with us: we walk by faith,
rooted, finally home. not by sight (2 Cor 5:7). We’d love you
to pray that in this time of transition
God blesses our hearts as we think of
we would truly live this out as a
Jesus, our brother, leaving the most
family. Pray too that God would grow
glorious culture conceivable, to enter
his church in Italy.
the mire of this world, that he might
win a people to enjoy his Father’s John and Anne Goodwin, with Daniel
family forever. (7), Lizzie (5) and Miriam(1), are
planning to move to Siena in August
And so we long to follow in the steps
2021. In the long term they hope to be
of our Saviour, leaving much that involved in church planting.
we know and love, that we might
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