THE INTERNATIONAL MINERS MISSION FEBRUARY MARCH 2016

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Damian Dickerson
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Saturday 26th March Ethiopia:- Regasa Adane is an agricultural expert and worships at the Kibre Mengist/Adola church.

Praise God for the Bible School, partly funded by IMM. Sunday 27th March Peter Robertson heads up the IMM Pacific Rim Committee.

Please pray for him and his wife, Gwen as they continue to promote the work of IMM particularly in the Philippines. (contact: immaustralia@gmail.

1 Saturday 26th March Ethiopia:- Regasa Adane is an agricultural expert and worships at the Kibre Mengist/Adola church. He says: In our locality there is a lot of false teaching which needs to be tackled. The chance to go to the Bible School is very crucial and useful to equip our ministers. Praise God for the Bible School, partly funded by IMM. Sunday 27th March Peter Robertson heads up the IMM Pacific Rim Committee. Based in Perth, Australia, Peter was working as a specialist engineer in the mining industry, but work is now hard to come by. Please pray for him and his wife, Gwen as they continue to promote the work of IMM particularly in the Philippines. (contact: immaustralia@gmail.com) Monday28th March Stuart Burns is faithfully promoting the work of IMM in the USA and is seeing the work progressing, particularly in Bolivia and Peru. He asks for pray for more local support as he finds it challenging working alone. Financially things have also been challenging. (contact: sb4miners@yahoo.com) Tuesday 29th March Prayer is asked for the work of the IMM South African Committee. (contact: paullymap@gmail.com) All the members of the Committee give freely of their time but they are busy people with many other duties, particularly in their church communities. They would like to see new members joining the Committee in the coming months. Please pray. Wednesday 30th March Kurt Feurer is the Chair of the IMM Swiss Committee. He thanks God that they have been able to continue their support of the Mine Ministry team in Zimbabwe for some 30 years. In the mining areas of that country it is estimated that 20% of people are infected with HIV/AIDS. Few survive this terrible disease. Pray for the four evangelists who regularly visit the hospitals, offering the eternal hope of Jesus Christ to many severely ill sufferers. (contact: kurt.feurer@swissonline.ch) Thursday 31st March Romania:- Thank the Lord for the ministry of Cornel and Sanda Hudulin in Targu Jiu. They have been thinking about their future and wondering about moving to their home town. Pray they will know the Lord s guidance for their future ministry. CONTACT DETAILS:- David Shillitoe, General Secretary 5 Old Rectory Court ~ 61 Wood Street ~ Barnet ~ Hertfordshire ~ EN5 4BL Visit our website at David at dshillitoe@minersmission.com The International Miners Mission is registered charity and company limited by guarantee Registered office: 5 Old Rectory Court ~ 61 Wood Street ~ Barnet ~ Hertfordshire ~ EN5 4BL Glynn-Vivian Miners Mission Incorporated 1906 THE INTERNATIONAL MINERS MISSION FEBRUARY MARCH 2016 "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." Romans 15:13 Monday 1st February Ethiopia:- Beletew (IMM Coordinator) writes: I have a big prayer request for my nation. You might have heard from the media that there is drought in Ethiopia that is affecting millions. Please pray and distribute this prayer request for our families in Christ. Pastor Andreas at back with children and the children's leader. Tuesday 2nd February Stuart Burns IMM USA writes: Amazing story! God has brought the Chayanta Baptist Church in Bustillos, Bolivia up from the ashes. We helped build the church 20 years ago, but it died for 15 years. Today, it is thriving with 100 members, 60 children and four deacons. Pastor Andreas Negretti is ministering there part time. Wednesday 3rd February A study published this year in the Annals of Global Health found that Bolivian miners have three times the level of distress as miners in Peru or Chile. That kind of stress is often taken out on wives and children in domestic violence, and self-medicated with alcohol. Please pray that the Lord s light will begin to shine brighter in these difficult communities and hearts drawn to the grace and mercy of the Lord Jesus Christ. Thursday 4th February Ukraine:- Pastor Vasiliy writes that they held a Christian camp for 50 children and young people from refugee families and poor families from Artyomovsk (where there is very little work for most people). Please pray that they will continue to grow in the love of the Lord. Please send all correspondence to: David Shillitoe ~ General Secretary

Friday 5th February Chile:- Thank the Lord that Victor Varas is improving health wise. Please continue to support him and his wife, Ana in prayer.

he did personally over 40 years. Pastor Salvador Buddy Espante Saturday 6th February Philippines:- Pastors Wennie Manila and Salvador Espante write: Blessed days to everyone of you.

As usual it is very hot here but still God has given us the strength to continue the mission in Calagasan.

2 Friday 5th February Chile:- Thank the Lord that Victor Varas is improving health wise. Please continue to support him and his wife, Ana in prayer. May Victor be strengthened and have the energy to continue to encourage others in the mining areas where he feels there are others willing to take on the role of evangelism outreach to miners, a role he did personally over 40 years. Pastor Salvador Buddy Espante Saturday 6th February Philippines:- Pastors Wennie Manila and Salvador Espante write: Blessed days to everyone of you. Thanks a lot for your unending support to us through finances and prayers. We're so happy with it. As usual it is very hot here but still God has given us the strength to continue the mission in Calagasan. Praise God far travelling mercies, encouragement, and passion and enthusiasm to reach miners in this remote mountain area. Sunday 7th February South Africa:- Elijah Katandika and Moses Hlongwane recently lost their jobs in the Lonmin Mine near Rustenburg as an effect of last year s miners strikes. Please pray that they will be able to work soon and that their families will know the Lord s provision at this time. Pray that these dear Christian brothers will be strengthened and encouraged in their faith and that this hardship will produce a good testimony of the Lord s goodness. Monday 8th February South Africa:- Praise the Lord that Joseph Mabuza and Missionary Rodrigues are working together to build up contacts in order to start the Miners Bible School in their area. Pray that they will be united in the Lord s vision and guidance and that many students will have a hunger to study the Word and a heart to share the love of the Lord to their fellow miners. 2 Victor and Ana with 40 years certificate of service with IMM Sunday 20th March The Miner to Miner Ministry in Kenya has received a little more capital and Pastor Simon Okoyo is pleased with his new laptop computer which he sees as vital to preparing lessons and communicating our Christian Miner to Miner Ministry office in Kabobo faith. Please pray for opportunities to present this teaching on the gold mines surrounding our M2MM office in Kabobo, Migori County. Monday 21st March Pray for the new IMMUSA leadership board. May the Lord bless them with unity as they seek to take the work of IMM forward in Kentucky, Peru, Chile, and Bolivia. Pray that the Lord will provide the administration help that is required and give them guidance as they seek to support the evangelists and pastors ministering among the miners. Tuesday 22nd March Please uphold before Our Lord all the Trustees of IMM in the UK and ask Him to bless them with great wisdom; that He will give them vision for His work in the mining communities. Pray for unity in their regular Committee meetings and that further openings for ministry will be revealed so that more miners can be introduced to the Master. Wednesday 23rd March Members of Pastor Simon Okoyo s denomination, the Anglican Church of Kenya, are involved in a mining co-operative which intends to implement a mercury free process for the extraction of gold. They are engaged in fundraising for this breakthrough technology and request your prayers for God s favour to open the doors for finances. Thursday 24th March Kenya:- UK Trustee, Terry Garde, is assisting organisations in Britain to pioneer fair trading in ecological gold, i.e. gold won without the use of toxic mercury which is such a danger to all who handle it. He requests your prayers for success in these endeavours. Friday 25th March Kenya:- Rev Simon Okoyo and his wife Dorothy really appreciate your prayers on the days they are mentioned in this calendar, so please keep on lifting them to the Lord for spiritual breakthroughs in the tough world of artisanal mining. 11

Monday 14th March South Africa:- Pray for Moses Hlongwane, as he celebrates seven years of the Lord s faithfulness in saving his life from the accident.

Moses Tuesday 15th March Ministering to women in the mining communities in South Africa is a vital part of the work undertaken by International Miners Ministry in South Africa.

3 Monday 14th March South Africa:- Pray for Moses Hlongwane, as he celebrates seven years of the Lord s faithfulness in saving his life from the accident. Moses has needed great courage to face challenges to live with one leg and survive in a competitive world with three children and his wife Maria. Ask the Lord for encouragement for him and his family. Moses Tuesday 15th March Ministering to women in the mining communities in South Africa is a vital part of the work undertaken by International Miners Ministry in South Africa. Many in the community are victimised by the cultural, social and traditional attitudes in society here. Women can find themselves abused physically, mentally and sexually at a very young age. Finding refuge in the Lord Jesus Christ is very special to them. The wives of our pastors and evangelists play a huge role in bringing the Lord s love into their lives. Please pray for them. Wednesday 16th March Burundi:- This little country in East Africa is so often forgotten by the world s media although we hear of severe unrest, violence and frustration. Etienne and Chantal work with groups of youth, Etienne continuing with football training. Please pray to the Father to protect these young men and lead them into deeper faith and commitment to the Lord. Thursday 17th March Romania Mihai Dragu is an experienced preacher of the Gospel. As he preaches, his wife Lidia works with the children. She teaches them how to pray, and the children learn verses of the Psalms and sing Christian songs. Most children come from a gipsy background. Please pray for them in this challenging work. Friday 18th March Romania:- Daniel asks:- Please pray for us missionaries among miners, because until recently it was possible to go and evangelize openly within your own mining career, but now this industry represents safety objectives and witnessing by outsiders is no longer allowed - but I can talk openly because I work together with miners. May the Lord provide creative opportunities for the Gospel to be shared. Saturday 19th March There is a possibility of a visit from a UK based television crew to the gold fields of western Kenya looking for good news from Africa. Please pray that this opportunity happens as the work of IMM there will be noted. 10 Tuesday 9th February Peru:- Roberto Masca preaches at bus stops and other public places where gold miners congregate in Orcopampa where he works alongside Rene Churata. He gives out tracts and flyers and visits mining families in their homes encouraging and discipling them in the faith. In winter buses must sometimes be dug out of the snow. It is a 10 hour overnight journey to Orcopampa located at 13,000 feet. Wednesday 10th February South Africa:- Pookkattu Paul writes regarding the Miners Bible School - Pray for one of our graduates Erick who lost the roof of his house recently in his village at Limpopo. May he see the hand of the Lord and his faith strengthened as he deals with the hardship this has caused him. Thursday 11th February Ukraine:- 10 people were baptised by Vasiliy at the Revival Church in Artyomovsk. Praise the Lord for their testimony. May this witness act to draw others into relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. Pray that each will be encouraged and strengthened in their faith. Friday 12th February Ethiopia:- Pastor Jeremias, who walks many miles on rough roads and tracks to minister the Lord s grace to miners and their families would dearly love a mule to help him in his work. (See Safety Lamp article). Please ask the Lord to provide for him as it would make a tremendous contribution to his work. Saturday 13th February Ethiopia:- One of the important features of church planting in Ethiopia is the need for each fellowship to own its own plot of land on which they build a prayer house. This indicates to people that the church is an established entity to which they can belong. During the last six months of 2015 it has been possible to purchase plots of land for two more churches in the Shakiso area. Praise the Lord! Sunday 14th February Zimbabwe:- Hon Adviser for Zimbabwe, Rev Haward Beckett, living in Harare thanks God for a good recovery following a difficult operation he underwent in early Haward has been a long-standing help and adviser for IMM in that country for many years. 3 Baptism service Artyomovst

Monday 15th February Burundi: - The political situation in the small country of Burundi continues to give concern and there is much unrest and hardship.

Tuesday 16th February Zimbabwe:- Rev. Pardon Chingovo would like to start a rabbit breeding project at the Missions centre in Rutendo, in order to support poor people suffering from hunger.

4 Monday 15th February Burundi: - The political situation in the small country of Burundi continues to give concern and there is much unrest and hardship. Thank the Lord that Etienne and Chantal faithfully minister to the poorest and most vulnerable of people. Please pray that they will be strengthened and encouraged. Tuesday 16th February Zimbabwe:- Rev. Pardon Chingovo would like to start a rabbit breeding project at the Missions centre in Rutendo, in order to support poor people suffering from hunger. The IMM Committee in Switzerland has approved this project. A one-off amount of Swiss Fr will provide the seed finance to get this project launched. Praise God for creativity in ministry. Wednesday 17th February Zimbabwe:- Kurt Feurer (IMM Swiss) writes; We are also grateful that Tafadzwa Chikudo, currently studying at Bible School is again available to continue his pastoral training from November in Gwanda and West Nicholson. May the Lord bless his ministry there! Thursday 18th February Ukraine:- Pastor Vasiliy and his church continue to minister at the Ark of Salvation rehabilitation centre for alcohol and drug addicted people telling them about the Lord Jesus and His saving grace. Alcohol and drug addiction is a huge problem in Ukraine and Vasiliy and his team hope to lead them to repentance and deliverance. Friday 19th February IMM Switzerland share 1/3 of the cost of sending a 12 metre long container to Zimbabwe which the Salvation Army in Switzerland makes available to IMM. The IMM have been able to fill 1/3 of this container with much needed clothing for use by Mine Ministry. Praise God for this very fruitful and long standing collaboration with the Salvation Army. 4 Wednesday 9th March Elijah Dube has a real passion for the lost souls of the miners and spends many hours travelling and preaching the word outside the mines where many miners collect to listen. Elijah is also encouraging miners with their studies in the Bible School. Please pray that he will be encouraged and also kept safe as he travels on rough roads to the mines. Police based in Redcliff are thankful for the Bibles received 9 Thursday 10th March We give God praise for the wonderful support we have received from the IMM and the Mission GLIFA for the purchase of 990 Bibles. We were able to distribute these Bibles in the various mining areas and we are so grateful to IMM for their dedicated and gracious support. Friday 11th March Romania - Four evangelists are regularly (usually weekly) visiting the mining villages of Prigoria, Targu Carbunesti, Rasova and Floresteni. They are Aurel Tulpan, Samuel Trasca, Daniel Gheorghitan and Mihai Dragu, who are all sponsored by IMM. Please pray for their Christian teaching of these people, some of whom are only semi-literate. Saturday 12th March Elijah Dube has permission to preach at the Kloof gold mine where miners who have finished their shifts come in buses to shower and change before returning home. Please support Elijah in prayer, that he will be encouraged and his preaching anointed, piercing the hearts of all those who hear. May he be kept in good health and enjoy safe travelling. Sunday 13th March David Shillitoe (Hon General Secretary IMM in the UK) praises and thanks God for the successful treatment he has received for the prostate cancer he was suffering from last year. Pray that the Lord may continue to bless the IMM worldwide. There are so many needy people in mining communities who need to hear the message of the Love of Jesus Christ, many for the very first time. (contact: dshillitoe@minersmission.com)

Friday 4th March Philippines:- Pastors Wenni and Salvador write how excited they are about the ministry in Calagasan and Argao.

Recently five miners have accepted the Lord Jesus as their Saviour and the two pastors have been able to provide them with copies of the Old and New Testaments. Praise God.

Jayne (IMM Contact) writes: It was a day of mixed emotions as we remembered all the suffering, and those who continue to suffer, as well as a time of celebration and thanksgiving to God that it is

5 Friday 4th March Philippines:- Pastors Wenni and Salvador write how excited they are about the ministry in Calagasan and Argao. The mine owner has brought his family to hear the Good News and provides snacks for the miners who are so hungry to hear The Word preached to them. Recently five miners have accepted the Lord Jesus as their Saviour and the two pastors have been able to provide them with copies of the Old and New Testaments. Praise God. Saturday 5th March Sierra Leone:- The Ebola outbreak in Sierra Leone was declared over on Saturday 7th Nov. Praise the Lord! Jayne (IMM Contact) writes: It was a day of mixed emotions as we remembered all the suffering, and those who continue to suffer, as well as a time of celebration and thanksgiving to God that it is over. We thank God for keeping Dennis and his family safe and well. However Ebola is still a threat to the area. Sunday 6th March Sierra Leone:- Pastor Dennis is supporting a church plant in the village of Louma (about 20 minutes drive on a bad road from his church in Tongo) encouraging the pastor who has started the church. Pray that there will be a great harvest for the Kingdom in this area where diamond mining continues to keep many occupied. Monday 7th March South Africa:- Pray for Facilitator Patrick Langa for more courage and time management as he involved in construction of his house in Lesung during his further study. Patrick Langa s mother went to be with the Lord recently. She was a godly mother who nurtured two potential Preachers, of our generation: Morris Langa and Patrick Langa for South Africa. Tuesday 8th March When asked what changes he had observed in the life and ministry of those attending the Bible school in southern Ethiopia, Regasa said, Some of them never preached a Christian message before, but after starting the Bible school, they now can do that and their commitment has improved as well. Praise God! 8 Wennie Saturday 20th February South Africa:- Patrick Langa has recently acquired a theology degree and he plans to soon give up his secular job in mine security so that he can devote all his energies to the church and its ministries. Please pray for him as he seeks to implement these changes and ask the Lord for vision and encouragement for him in his new role. Sunday 21st February USA Committee:- Ben Wilson and Paul Liggitt are rotating off the board of Trustees for now. Pastor Bruce Readling and Tony McKinney have joined the board. Stan Morton is the new chairman. Ben Wilson will be pursuing special projects with IMM including a project in Catavi in Bustillos, Bolivia with the Horita Feliz (Happy Hour) Ministry to disadvantaged children. Please pray that the committee will be united and inspired as they seek to further reach miners for Christ. Stuart and Cherry Burns IMM USA Monday 22nd February Stuart Burns IMMUSA writes that there is a Possibility for an IMM India. Psalm 127:1 applies here. God has laid this on our hearts. Peter Robertson and Pookkattu Paul, and others have talked about it. Please pray that the Lord will lead the way in this work, bringing key workers and making significant connections and that His vision for the lost miners of India will inspire and draw His people to work together to realise this venture. Tuesday 23rd February Ukraine:- Pastor Vasiliy writes; From the bottom of my heart I thank you for your material support and prayers without which I could not serve the Lord in these difficult times for our country. Pray that the Lord will give peace to Ukraine. We constantly pray to God for blessings for all of you. 5 Patrick cooking with electricity

Wednesday 24th February Bulgaria:- Please pray that the UK Committee will be aware of the Lord s guidance as they look into possibly starting a work in the lignite open-cast mining area in

Thursday 25th February Marian Popescu was ordained as a pastor at Maranata Baptist Church, Targu Jiu, Romani on 15th November 2015.

many miners without work. It is 25 years since Cornel Hudulin became founding pastor of the Maranata Baptist Church.

6 Wednesday 24th February Bulgaria:- Please pray that the UK Committee will be aware of the Lord s guidance as they look into possibly starting a work in the lignite open-cast mining area in partnership with another charity. A local Pastor has potentially been identified who is very keen to do more ministry to miners in his area of Bulgaria. Thursday 25th February Marian Popescu was ordained as a pastor at Maranata Baptist Church, Targu Jiu, Romani on 15th November Please continue to pray for him and Gabi his wife that the Lord will encourage them with the plans and hopes for a new building and ministry for the youth in this very deprived area where there are many miners without work. It is 25 years since Cornel Hudulin became founding pastor of the Maranata Baptist Church. Friday 26th February IMM UK Committee has been delighted to receive offers from supporters to try to encourage interest in the charity in their local areas. Should others feel that they are able to help us, we have DVDs and can also send a Trustee to speak at your local church or gathering. (Contact: dshillitoe@minersmission.com). We are so very grateful for all the support and encouragement of all our supporters so that more miners can hear the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Andrew Saturday 27th February South Africa:- Andrew Mayathula (Freedom Park) is looking at getting involved with the Miners Bible School to ground more miners in the Word and prepare them for leadership amongst miners. Please pray for him that he may be encouraged and that there will be a demand for this course. Solomon, the miner and pastor of Reconciliation Ministries Church at Sandfontein also sees MBS as a means to train people for leadership. 6 Solly Sunday 28th February Praise the Lord for ongoing relationships between the Swiss Committee and the ex Miners Mission churches in Wittenheim (Alsace) and Ampflwang (Austria) and have received gifts from them for the IMM Missions work. Ampflwang has its 60years celebration. Thank the Lord for His faithfulness and that of these two churches as they continue to contribute to IMM. Monday 29th February Zimbabwe:- The latest container mainly of clothing from Swiss IMM supporters left Bern, Switzerland for Harare, Zimbabwe for support of the Mine Ministry, ably led by Rev Pardon Chingovo and his team. Please pray that the container may clear customs without any difficulties. Pray for wisdom regarding the distribution of the clothing in the mining areas. Tuesday 1st March The team loading the container had a big job collecting and then stuffing the container. Led by IMM Swiss Committee member, Joni Germann (left) in the store room this is a family affair with Joni s son, Benjamin. On the right is Joni s wife, Sylvia. Praise God for their work. Wednesday 2nd March Ukraine:- Our Christian brothers and sisters in Eastern Ukraine thank us for our prayers for them and their country! Our contact Alexey writes Thank you so much for reminding us of the love and care of our Lord Jesus Christ we believe He is watching over the Ukraine (including the occupied part) and He gives us His strength, fortitude and wisdom to act in His Name for His Glory. Thursday 3rd March Bolivia:- Two potential new workers for IMM support are Eugenio Nina, and Andreas Negretti. IMM used to support the latter, but he recently returned to the Uncia mining area near Llallagua, and is now operating like a circuit rider preacher, and includes Chayanta, Uncia, Amayapampa and other locations in his route. He has virtually no support at the moment. Pray for the Lord s provision for these and all the other workers in Bolivia. 7

As You sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world John 17, verse 18

As You sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world John 17, verse 18 Tuesday 27 th September South Africa:- Pookkattu Paul (IMM SA) and Stuart Burns (IMM USA) visited a former Hindu home and removed and destroyed all idols inside and outside the home, now that the lady