Praise that Norm and Ruth Ann were able to take a side trip for an early anniversary celebration before connecting with over 250 Pioneers colleagues in Europe for the biennial European Region conference. Pray their time at the conference will be a fruitful and meaningful time with the teams. Pray for wisdom and discernment for Norm in his role as COO/CFO overseeing the Finance Team, meeting with the President/Board for long-range planning, and construction of the on campus hotel.

John M is excited they have found a location for their mariculture project on a cluster of islands populated by one of the unengaged people groups they had hoped to work with. Additionally, a new technique in the spawning process enables them to reduce startup costs by 80%, removes the need for a large scale hatchery and allows them to start production in three months.  Pray for wisdom in securing funding and the land, and for one more national church planter to join their team.

Tim and Huilan ask prayer for wisdom in his role as Academic Dean at WCCTS managing people and the seminary’s daily operations. Huilan continues in her ministry to wives of national church planters. Pray for continued growth in their children’s faith through church, regular family worship, and positive influences at their school. Pray the resolution to conflict in one of the local Presbytery churches will bear fruit and show biblical church governance.

Heath and Angela Many have five months remaining on his fellowship in the US.  They are grateful the doctors’ strike in Kenya is over. However, there is a severe and worsening drought resulting in a food shortage that has been declared a national disaster. Lastly, pray for a teacher for the missionary kids so that when they return Angela can spend more time using her medical training and skills.

Tomorrow is launch day for Covenant Hope Church in U.A.E. Pray for this location in a predominantly Muslim country.  Pray for Brian P. as he begins preaching from Ephesians and asks prayer that God will give the team one heart and mind focused on His son and that Brian would be a faithful leader. After so many years in college ministry, this is quite a shift in routine and time management, pray for his adaption to this new ministry.

Randy and Martha’s time in the US has been marred by the news that one of their national colleagues was recently abducted by Islamic extremists and they ask prayer for his return. They are here to settle their children into higher education programs and ask prayer for a Godly support network and that they would grow spiritually. When Randy and Martha return to their place of ministry it will be with a different focus, so pray for clear direction on visa opportunities.

John and Marilyn Whittemore leave tomorrow for Ukraine where they will visit five orphanages twice-weekly, mentor the boys at the trade school dormitory, and visit with older youth in the Rivne area with whom they have long relationships. Pray for transportation availability as they visit orphanages in surrounding villages, strength, stamina, safety, and opportunities to share the Gospel with youth in the area before returning on May 3.

Kyle and Claudia Zimmerman and their kids have returned to Argentina, a country that is unstable where crime is rapidly increasing. Pray for protection and safety as their son was robbed twice before their home leave. They are beginning a new sports ministry at the shanty town center. Pray for God to work through this ministry to get more kids off the streets, for more people to become involved with the center and for wisdom on where to invest their time and energy.

After a few months in the US with family and friends and raising support for his next term with Campus Outreach in Brazil, Austin Smith is back in Belo Horizonte. Pray for energy and that he will acclimate quickly to the rhythm of the team and life there. Pray his team of 5-7, mostly Brazilians, will mesh well and that new students will become a part of the ministry and grow.

As Michael and Caroline prepare to return to their country of service, pray for their minds to be focused as events there have affected them psychologically. Pray for the process of obtaining their visas to go smoothly, and that their time here with Jude and Gloria will enable them to bond with family and friends.