THE INTERNATIONAL MINERS MISSION FEBRUARY MARCH 2017

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1 Sunday 27th March Sierra Leone:- Pastor Dennis Manneh is reaching out to the diamond mining communities around Tongo Fields. A large commercial mine has opened nearby, but many young men still try and find diamonds in the river beds by panning using simple hand tools. Please pray for the team led by Pastor Dennis as they show the Jesus film with the projector IMM have provided to many local villagers. Glynn-Vivian Miners Mission Incorporated 1906 THE INTERNATIONAL MINERS MISSION FEBRUARY MARCH 2017 Then the master told his servant, Go out to the roads and country lanes and compel them to come in, so that my house will be full. Luke 14, verse 23 Dennis Manneh Monday 28th March Peru:- Santos Valero became a pastor in 1996 and witnesses to the faithful blessings of the Lord. He runs a small Bible School in Chiguata and also supports missionaries in the mines. He has a passion to reach more mining centres with the Word of God and asks for prayer for good health for him and his wife so that they are able to continue to serve. Tuesday 29th March Romania:- Please pray for Mihai Dragu, one of the evangelists IMM has been sponsoring for a few years at the coal mining area around Targu Jiu. He has now just been ordained a minister at the Maranata Baptist church. Please pray for him and his wife Lidia and their family. May the Lord richly bless his ministry as he serves in the church. The Hudulins call him a very special man. Wednesday 30th March South Africa:- Elijah Dube seeks to minister to the thousands of miners in the West Rand gold mining area preaching in the open air outside the Kloof and Lebanon mine entrances, catching the miners as they come and go to work. He is also involved with the Miners Bible School and takes every opportunity to encourage miners to study God s Word that they may grow in their Christian walk. Thursday 31st March Sierra Leone:- Please hold Pastor Dennis Manneh in your prayers as he takes the Jesus video into the surrounding villages. May he be blessed with safe travel and indeed see people respond to the message contained in the video. Pray that the Lord will go before him preparing hearts and minds. 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 Wednesday 1st February But seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness. Thank the Lord for the heart attitude of IMM s many pastors and evangelists working in remote and difficult parts of the world to reach the miners and their communities with the Gospel of Salvation. May they be encouraged and receive a fresh vision of the Kingdom from their Lord and Saviour for the work they are involved in. Thursday 2nd February Bolivia:We are always distressed when we hear of people getting seriously hurt when travelling, especially by car on often treacherous roads. IMM USA adviser in Bolivia, Eliseo has reported that his sister was involved in a car crash and is in a coma with blood clots on the brain. Both her Eliseo sharing his faith legs have been broken. Stuart Burns in the USA ask us for prayer for her full recovery. Friday 3rd February Romania:- After many months of pain and suffering, Sanda Hudulin s mother aged 89 went to be with the Lord. She was much loved and for 71 years remained a faithful member of the church right through the challenging years of the communist rule in Romania after the world war. She was a real example for many. Please pray for Sanda and the family at this time of loss. Saturday 4th February There are only a few Christian organisations directly concerned with the lives of miners and the International Miners Mission is one of these. Please pray for wisdom and protection for the pastors and evangelists that are supported by the IMM (UK). Please send all correspondence to: David Shillitoe ~ General Secretary

2 Sunday 5 th February Romania:- It is also distressing to report that Cornel and Sanda Hudulin were involved in a car accident during the very snowy period in January. They were on their way to the ordination of Mihai Dragu as a pastor of the Maranata Baptist church in Targu Jiu, which Cornel and Sanda founded. As their car was badly damaged they were not able to attend what was planned to be a very happy day. Praise the Lord, the Hudulin s are all right, but clearly very upset. Please pray for them and for the protection of all who travel in the Lord s service. Monday 6th February The political situation in Burundi continues to be difficult, particularly in the capital Bujumbura. Simon Guillebaud of Great Lakes Outreach (GLO) reports that the negotiation process to see Burundi s political situation improve is tragically slow. People in general remain deeply discouraged, with many scared and hungry. Please pray for the Christians in this country that they will be led by the Lord and make a difference. Tuesday 7 th February Burundi:- Onesphore Manirakiza of Harvest Initiatives, an IMM partner Mission, tells us that IMM sponsored evangelists, Etienne and Chantal are doing very well and now have a girl, Blessing, and two boys, Teddy Prince and Tom Chamile. Etienne uses different strategies to reach into the mining communities providing good News Clubs for the kids, football for the youth and Discover Groups for adult miners. Thank God for this creative couple who have such a heart for lost souls. Wednesday 8 th February Kenya: - Rev. Simon Okoyo (Miner 2 Miner) remains very enthusiastic and is diligent in his weekly work reporting to a committee which has been set up to provide oversight and support. Simon s desire is that he will be able to get finance for Bibles in the Luo language which he wants to distribute among the gold miners and their families. Some have also requested songbooks for family use when worshipping at home. Any donations towards fulfilling this hope, however modest, will be gratefully received. Thursday 9 th February Kenya:- Terry Garde IMM UK Trustee has been asked to produce literature to specifically help pastors like Simon to evangelise and disciple miners and their families. Please pray for Terry as he takes up this challenge. 2 Chantal and her three children Wednesday 23rd March Philippines:- Pastor Roland and Pastor Loven write to thank IMM supporters for the generosity and goodness. They handed out small gifts to the coal miners at Argao mine, many who had never received anything like that at work before and shared with them the real meaning of Christmas pointing out that they should The miners receive their Christmas gifts from the evangelists thank God for the greatest gift Eternal life. Afterward some simple snacks were handed out. Pray that these miners will continue to hunger for more teaching and spiritual support and grow in faith through Jesus Christ. Thursday 24th March Philippines:- Pastor Wennie Manila and Pastor Buddy Espante tell us that some of their young people visited the mine site with them and led praise and worship and gave their testimonies. Buddy writes; As the miners listened to the youth they were very much amazed and encouraged. Also they testified that they are happy to have people sent by God to share to them about God and pray for them at least twice a month. They experienced the protection of the Lord throughout the year when working in the mine because the IMM family are praying for them consistently. Praise the Lord! Friday 25th March Chile:- Please remember Victor Varas, who was for many years the official appointed missionary to miners in Chile. Last year his health deteriorated and he found himself in hospital on three different occasions. He has now received good treatment, which has improved his condition, so that he is able to move freely again. Do remember his wife, Ana and the family as they support Victor, who still keeps in touch and would dearly like to see a ministry to miners revived in Chile Saturday 26th March Peru:- Roberto Masca is sponsored by IMM USA and works in the mines of Condori and Salinas Huito. He writes, Last year I carried out a house to house visitation to the miners of Condori. Some of the miners welcomed me and listened to me very carefully, others were less interested, but I gave each one a Christian pamphlet. It is often very difficult to organise church events as people are busy enough in their jobs, so very few are faithful to God. Please pray for Roberto. 11

3 Friday 18 th March South Africa:- Pray for Maria Tshipe, as she continues to influence the community with intentional discipleship with the Miners Bible School as she mentors many in the Boitekong community, not far from the platinum mines. Maria requests prayers for the Lord to provide jobs for her siblings and enthusiasm for her students to reach others with the Gospel. Lack of employment is a real challenge for many. Saturday 19 th March South Africa:- Mohau and Bulelwa are giving leadership in a cross-cultural and multinational church with a day care centre and pre-school for over 30 children in Ikageng. Pray for the spiritual formation of these children that they will accept the Lord in their early age and grow and mature in the community. Mohau has said what a difference his new house has made to them and their ministry. Praise the Lord. Sunday 20 th March Peter Robertson is the IMM South Pacific representative who currently oversees IMM s work in the Philippines. Peter also has great desire to take the work to other mining communities in other countries. (India has been one mentioned recently). Please pray for Peter and his wife Gwen that they will experience the loving touch of the Lord Jesus. Pray for health, strength, comfort and wisdom as they faithfully engage in Kingdom ministry. Monday 21st March Ukraine:- Alexy writes that last year the new religious law was registered in Russia which terrorists accepted for occupied territories immediately. It has brought real difficulties in the lives of protestant Christians in Russia, Crimea and occupied part of Donbas. Almost everything about a Church has to be known to the federal security department. And it creates serious concern for brothers to continue in fellowship like before. Please pray that pastors will be given the wisdom of the Lord and courage not to compromise on important issues of faith and that they will be good witnesses to the Love of the Lord in this dark time over Ukraine. Tuesday 22nd March The IMM UK Trustees value your prayer support and your generous financial giving which enables more mining communities to hear the Word of the Lord through the ministry of faithful, passionate followers of the Lord working local to the mining communities. Please pray for them as they seek to follow the Lord s leading and make wise decisions as to where to start a ministry as there are still many areas of the world where miners are living in remote and difficult to reach Friday 10 th February Zimbabwe: - Pastor Chingovo reports on the poverty and the need for money keep many people from attending the Sunday service many instead involved in illegal gold panning. Witchcraft, drugs, drinking and prostitution are prevalent in many places. Many false prophets have also been identified in the region. Please pray for the IMM team and other Bible believing Christians for wisdom and provision, hope and power that there will be growing disciples in Christ. Saturday 11 1h February IMM Asia Pacific:- The IMM Committee is based in Perth, Australia and is led by Peter Robertson. The town of Perth used to be a boom city for the mining industry only a few years ago, but Peter says that today it is like a wasteland nothing is happening. Please also pray for Peter, who has been having health problems and needs to rest and recover. Sunday 12 th February Zimbabwe: - Kurt Feurer (IMM Swiss) writes following the further supply of another 1000 Bibles in the Shona and Ndebele languages: Dear Friends. Very good news! The most valuable Christmas present of all can be distributed. May the Lord speak through His Word and change people into His likeness! Praise the Lord for this most precious gift paid for by GLIFA (Good Literature for All) in Switzerland. May the Lord give the recipients a deep hunger for the Word and a desire and passion to share it with their friends and neighbours. Monday 13 th February Ethiopia: - Pastor Beletew has oversight of 25 pastors and evangelists and has vision to provide facilities for training and restoration. Beletew writes; Pastors training is very important to empower and refresh them, for they get burnout due to their busy ministry schedules. Therefore, we will bring them into the main town where head office staff from Addis Ababa train and encourage them. Around 35 pastors and main church leaders are addressed for 4-5 days thus encouraging and empowering them with practical, theological and Biblical courses. Tuesday 14 th February Bolivia:- Ten years ago, Eugenio, noticed Bibles in people s homes and elsewhere. God was preparing his heart for a dramatic change. He attended an evangelistic crusade in the Llallagua town square. When the invitation was given, he immediately raised his hand, but found he was the only one to do so. God dramatically changed his life, and he soon became the pastor of a church in Llallagua! Later he planted a church outside of town. Eugenio is a radiant, enthusiastic Christian who exemplifies the truth that The Joy of the Lord is our Strength. communities. 10 3

4 Wednesday 15 th February Bolivia: Thank God for the profitable visit by Ruben Paco to see pastor Nicolas and Beatriz Ajhuacho in the Cochabamba mining area. New contacts are being made. Beatriz twisted her foot badly about two years ago, but it has not healed. Surgery costing about 1500 is needed. Nicolas and Beatriz Please ask God to supply. Praise God for this couple s faithfulness working with IMM USA in outreach to miners and their families for 22 years. Thursday 16 th February Bolivia:- Juan, a miner who received Christ last year and was holding Bible studies in his home, can no longer do so because of his long work hours in the mines. Ask God to keep him strong in faith and find those who will encourage him in his new-found faith. This kind of situation is often very challenging to Christian miners. Friday 17 th February Zimbabwe: - (Kadoma) Kelvin Chipangura is a young and enthusiastic pastor with a heart of compassion for the mining communities where families are trapped in poverty. Daily he encourages miners in the Word and presents the gospel of salvation to those who do not know the Lord. Please pray for Kelvin, supported by IMM Switzerland, that God will give him strength, power, and wisdom, to preach the Gospel without fear. Saturday 18 th February Bolivia:- Ruben Paco has recently suffered ill health and asks for our prayers that he will experience the healing touch of the Lord. Both Ruben and his colleague, Eliseo Quispe need our prayer that they will know the Lord s wisdom as they lead the IMM ministry in Bolivia. Thank God for these faithful men. May they be encouraged today as they seek to share their love of the Lord. Sunday 19 th February Ukraine:- Vasiliy and his congregation take every opportunity to tell the gospel of our Saviour Jesus Christ; and in November had 150 unbelievers attend an evangelism outreach event. Praise the Lord! 10 people repented of their sins and New Testament Bibles were handed out to everyone who wanted one along with food parcels for every guest. Please pray that the Love of the Lord will touch these hearts and draw them in relationship with the Godhead. 4 Monday 13 th March South Africa:- Rev. Faki Bodibe (Vice-Chair of IMM South Africa) request prayers for the Africa Evangelical Church leadership that has a heart for mission. Pray for protection and health of all workers, some of whom collaborate with IMM. Pray for God s providence in the life of believers. Pray also for the Bodibe family, for Faki s health and wisdom to make meaningful contributions in the life of the church. Tuesday 14 th March Please join us in seeking the Lord s guidance about where else IMM might take up new opportunities to take the gospel to miners. The call from Macedonia that challenged the apostle Paul to Come over and help us still rings in our ears and we know the need is great. But we need to know what God s plans are for us Wednesday 15 th March Ukraine:- Vasiliy continues to work with refugees suffering because of the military operations in the area. Sixteen migrant families are benefitting under Vasiliy and his church s spiritual care, some of them miner s families. These people visit the small Bible study group. They are helped with food, clothes, hygiene and sanitation items and supported with prayer. Vasiliy says The main thing we do - we help them to become the children of God through the repentance and faith. Four persons repented of their sins recently. Praise to the Lord! Thursday 16 th March Peru:- Last October miner Andres repented and was reconciled to the Lord, reports Rene Churata. He had been backslidden for four years. But a Christian tract he received when he was with a group of miners spoke to his heart and he started attending church services again. Thank God for speaking to him and helping him continue in the Christian life. A widower, he is planning to marry sister Teofila, a Rene Churata deaconess in the church, who is a widow! Please pray that they may grow in the Lord. Friday 17 th March We are very excited that next month we shall have an exhibition stall at Spring Harvest, Minehead from 4 th 8 th April. We would love to meet you and thank you in person for all your support both prayerful and financial should you be enjoying time at this event Day tickets are available should you be in the area and want to say hello to us. 9

5 Wednesday 8 th March South Africa:- Soli who leads the Miners Bible School at Sandfountein, is a fulltime miner and graduate of the MBS. He is father of two children and a faithful husband and a leading Pastor of the Reconciliation Church. His influence in the region is contagious and the vision of the MBS is well spread to various churches in the community. Please hold him in prayer as he promotes discipleship in neighbouring churches and communities of the mines near the town of Northam. Thursday 9 th March South Africa:- Pastor Elijah writes: We visited Mantsadi in her home and it was quickly clear to me that she was ready to receive Christ! She is a single parent with two girls. Her five year old is diabetic. On that Saturday she asked Jesus into her heart, and was born again right then. She immediately opened her house for the Lord s work. On Sunday, we started services at her place. On Monday she started a Sunday School. She is not working, and used that opportunity to serve God. On Tuesday when we started our prayer day and her house was full of Sunday School kids. Now, every Tuesday we have our prayer meetings at Mantsadi's house. Praise the Lord! Friday 10 th March Philippines:- Pastor Wennie and Pastor Buddy Espante visit the Calagasan mine and have been encouraged seeing the Lord s protection as they travel to this mine. Before Christmas a miner bound by witchcraft was delivered and came to accept the Lord Jesus Christ in his heart and has joined the Bible study group. They ask that we continue to uphold the area in so much prayer and ask God to continue to bless them and keep them from all harm. They thank God for the power of prayer and are grateful for our support. Saturday 11 th March Romania:- Samuel Trasca, IMM sponsored evangelist, has worked as a miner in the Jiu river valley and also at Rovinari for many years. He has a heart to disciple believers as they grow in their faith and seeks to make sure they are well grounded and also encouraged to witness at every opportunity to their fellow workers and neighbours. Ask the Lord to bless him and his family with vision, patience, courage and faith. Sunday 12 th March Philippines:- Pastors Loven and Largo visit the mines at lunch time when the miners come to the surface for their break. Many take the opportunity to listen to the evangelists expound the word of God and receive His spiritual blessings for themselves. Often there is heavy rain which makes travelling hazardous. They are very grateful for your prayers and support. 8 Monday 20 th February South Africa:- Pray for Manuel and Felix as they both continue to serve in the platinum mines and give leadership to the Mozambican miners church in Luka and Seraleng near Rustenburg. The Rodrigues family from Brazil are making plans to encourage effective Discipleship in the Portuguese speaking mining community. They are waiting for visas so that their ministry development in Rustenburg can be established. Tuesday 21st February Romania:- Marin Popescu writes to thank IMM UK supporters of IMM for all the financial support and prayers for the recent projects which will make so much difference, particularly to the youth. They are hoping to build a sports area and a mini Park at the Curtisoara church just as soon as the perimeter fence is complete. Marian says; We pray that the Lord rewards your effort, love and sacrifice! Wednesday 22nd February South Africa:- Pray for Patrick Langa as he provides visionary leadership in the Lesung community as he works at developing a new church plant. Patrick has already acquired a double plot for a community ministry to reach out to the area with the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. May the Lord grant him wisdom and insight as the needs of the community changes and more professional people are relocating here. Thursday 23rd February Ethiopia:- Pray for courage and strength and great wisdom for all believers who desire to share the love of the Lord Jesus Christ where believers are heavily outnumbered by those of other faiths. Thank the Lord for the IMM pastors who have such a desire that the Gospel should be heard by all people and faithfully reach out to share the Word with anyone who would listen. Pray the Lord will prepare hearts and ears will be opened. Friday 24th February Ukraine:- Alexy writes; We greet you by the name of Jesus Christ! All of us in Chasov Yar, Bakhmut and Kramatorsk are safe and well. Thank you so much for your prayers and for your care about us! Thank you so much for your gift you sent us!!!! It is of great help for our family. In the last days of December we had to visit a surgeon with our youngest son Alexander. Our suspicion was confirmed there - he needs surgery because of a hernia. Please pray for a satisfactory outcome. 5 Alexy

6 Saturday 25 th February Ukraine: - Alexy B writes: Time to time I find some work to do but mostly I help refugees with different questions. I helped elders from our Church to prepare firewood, to fix electric lines on the roofs after a strong wind, etc. I received Christian books and Christmas gifts for those in the war area and then I sent them by occasional transport. Here is no common post service between Ukraine and the Donetsk/Lugansk region. Please pray for encouragement, strength, and wisdom for all those sharing the Lord Jesus Christ in this war torn area. Sunday 26 th February Burundi:- Praise the Lord for answered prayer and fruit from sacrificial living of IMM missionary couple Etienne and Chantal. They report that over the last year some fifty miners have trusted Jesus Christ and received Him as Lord and Saviour of their lives. Please pray for them and the ongoing discipling work being done. Monday 27 th February South Africa:- Pray for Moses Hlongwane and his family (Maria, Molina, Rito and Excellence) and the Miners Bible School Moses runs with enthusiasm and dedication. There are currently fifteen people taking the level 1 of the study, pray that they will be encouraged to learn and grow in their relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. Tuesday 28th February In Peru, where IMM USA supports Rene Churata, one of the two IMM sponsored evangelists. Rene continues working well in the larger gold mining town of Orcopampa, high up in the Andes mountains, where 3000 gold and silver miners are located. There are a number of evangelical churches where the miners and their families can attend meetings. Rene has been able to engage with at least 350 miners on average every three months, handing out Christian literature. Praise God! Wednesday 1st March Many IMM workers are isolated and lonely in their work as they seek to Introduce Miners to the Master. Please pray that the Lord will bring helpers and supporters alongside to share any burdens and to encourage them in their calling to the mining communities often located in very remote areas. Rene Churata asks for strength in Peru as he organises discipleship training. Of the 11 students currently working through a Christian pastoral theology course, 8 are from mining families. Thank God for this wonderful opportunity for building up these men in their faith. Thursday 2 nd March South Africa:- Platinum Miner Elijah Katandika is trusting in the Lord and working hard to maintain his family since he lost his job in the Marikana platinum mine, where he worked for over 20 years. Pray that the Lord will bring new opportunities both to provide for his 6 family and to grow and encourage others in discipleship. Friday 3 rd March Burundi:- Etienne and Chantal live in an area which is dominated with other beliefs. Please hold them in prayer, that the Lord will bless them with wisdom in all their relationships, and that the Lord will give them favour with the local authorities and provide them with protection and success in their outreach to the lost. They are involved with providing nutrition, building homes, education for the children, and medical care for the most disadvantaged. Saturday 4 th March Ben Wilson and Stuart Burns (IMM USA) are planning a visit to Bolivia and Peru to start in about a week s time. Stuart will spend the entire time in Bolivia and Ben will visit Peru for a week. Ask God to go before them, for the provision of a translator for Ben in Peru, and for the finance needed for travel expenses. May they have complete safety in their travelling. Sunday 5 th March Praise the Lord for His hands of care and protection on each facilitator, pastor, and evangelist belonging to the IMM family worldwide. Pray that we all will withstand the enemies attack in whatever form, that we will be faithful, trustworthy, passionate, and careful to walk in the company of Holy Spirit. Pray that we run our race by fixing our eyes up on Jesus, and with endurance. Monday 6 th March Ukraine:- Pastor Vasiliy writes; I would like to say to you, to IMM staff and to sponsors that all the blessed results we have here are our MUTUAL ones! We could not have Christian camps, help the refugees, bring The Gospel to unbelievers, to unhappy people of Donbass mining area during such a difficult time of war. May God bless you all and may He strengthen you with power out of His glorious riches! Amen! Tuesday 7 th March South Africa:- Pray for pastor Andrew Mayathulla and his family as they continue to witness in Freedom Park where there are a considerable number of challenges in the ministry. Pray that the Lord will give them a breakthrough, as they do not have a consistent and stable income to raise the children they care for and look after some of his wider family circle. This is a well-known problem for many pastors in South Africa. 7 Pastor Andrew Mayathulla