1. Being the caregiver to his 15-year old adopted brother leaves one US 27-year old man searching for advice on parenting. Their father was killed in a plane crash during 9-11. Their mother became extremely depressed and took her life the day before this past Christmas. The older brother is teaching English at a university in Seoul and studying Korean. The younger brother is attending a small international school, but is quite withdrawn and reluctant to talk with his older brother. The brothers will be in Korea for one or two years. Pray for a second contact with these brothers to be arranged and that believers can encourage and assist them during their adjustments to a new culture. Pray that both young men will be saved and begin a journey of faith that can shared with their lost friends and family. Pray for comfort for them in the loss of both parents and feelings of despair and hopelessness.
2. Tests! Every student needs them, but homeschoolers get to travel to a different country to take some of their achievement tests. This month, 46 homeschooling families will come together for standardized testing and specialized classes for parents and students. Pray for safe travel to the conference for the 19 US volunteers and 150 school-age children and teaching parents. Pray that all will come healthy and stay free of sickness during this conference. Pray for encouragement and equipping for each one so they can return home with joy and confidence to press on in the task of homeschooling.
3. During February a team of medical personnel from Wallace Memorial Baptist Hospital in Busan, Korea will minister to the physical and spiritual needs of children and families in Bangladesh. A Baptist worker will accompany the team to serve as an interpreter. Pray for safe travel and good health, loving, servant’s hearts, grace to deal with culture shock and much spiritual fruit.
4. Korean workers are going. Recently in one last frontier country a visiting worker was there doing a media project and ministering. He arrived very sick from food poisoning traveling through a neighboring country. A Korean nurse came and installed an IV in his hotel room and one Korean man laid hands on him. Others joined in praying for his healing. The next morning he woke up healed and ready to go to work. Wherever Koreans go, God has work for them to do. Pray that Koreans will continue to go to dark places and be used wherever and however God chooses. Ask God to open doors for many more workers to go and serve short-term and long-term in projects and work among unreached people groups.
5. Workers from neighboring countries often come to Korea for medical needs. Recently, one worker had a tumor and kidney removed. Another worker had surgery for a detached retina. As expected, each one hopes for a quick recovery so they can return to their ministry. Pray for healing, good diagnosis and medical care to be received. Pray for those living in the city as they reach out with encouragement to meet their needs.
6. Companies in the 13th largest economy, Korea, dismissed more workers than they hired in December for the first time in five years. More layoffs are expected in the coming months. In the past, many have sought better jobs and opportunities outside their country. However, as one pastor recently commented, “Where can you go that is better? This is a global economic crisis. It is time to embrace the changes and take the opportunities the Lord is opening up for ministering among your own people?” Pray that believers will be bold and faithful to share the hope that is in Christ alone and testify of His sufficiency in trials.
7. A new church is born! Just a few weeks ago, International Christian Fellowship held its first worship service with 32 people in attendance. Pray for Dr. Dan Armistead, of Seoul International Baptist Church, who is leading this new fellowship on a school campus. Currently, Seoul has only two truly international congregations and none in the area of town where the school is located. Please pray that this new service will reach out to the expatriates living in the surrounding community.
February Birthday and Anniversary Calendar
16 Deborah S*
23 Bob H
*TCKs
