The Lord hears and answers. Praise the Lord!
Thank you for praying for GDN’s consultation, “Christians from Global South & Diaspora Missions in Europe,” in Liverpool in June. Over 120 people, many of whom are based in Europe, reviewed and discussed 17 papers. Local Indian, Chinese and African churches took turns hosting the group for evening meals, worship and additional speakers. We praise God for uniting together diverse parts of His Body in study, fellowship and mission.
Thank you also for praying for “Beyond Korean Diaspora in Europe” in Frankfurt in June. This gathering included significant discussions with younger, second-generation church leaders. By God’s grace, the Korean diaspora will be taking firm steps with future generations in mind. We glorify the Lord for providing for this conference and preparing His people for tomorrow.
Thanks for praying for the Global Workplace Forum in Manila in June as well. Over 800 participants interacted with the topic of diaspora as it was highlighted in a plenary session and multiple seminars as well as mentioned in many other presentations. As the Church continues to affirm and empower those not in professional ministry, may God give us wisdom to overcome the challenges of diaspora and to meet the opportunities for the Kingdom.
Prayer requests from Global Diaspora Forum participants
Please pray for GDN Chair TV Thomas as he travels to Cape Town, South Africa, in mid-July to prepare for the African Diaspora Consultation scheduled for next year. Please ask God to provide helpful connections and clear communication.
Please pray for the Global Sikh Consultation to be held in October in Edmonton, Canada. A few dozen missional leaders to the Sikh community will gather to seek God’s face, strategize, and collaborate for effective kingdom building with the scattered Sikh peoples. One in ten Sikhs live outside India, with significantly large communities in London and Vancouver. Please pray for God’s provision of airfare and visas for those planning to attend. Pray that the Lord will raise up a leader to coordinate collaborative efforts after the consultation.
Planning continues for the South Asian Diaspora Consultation scheduled for November in Bangalore, India. The purpose is to gather around 100 regional influencers and cast the vision of diaspora mission. For instance, India is the top sending nation, with over 16 million Indians living elsewhere; it is also a major receiving nation, hosting over 5 million international migrants. Please pray for the Lord’s guidance as invitations are sent. Pray that this consultation will help identify a regional diaspora champion as well as spark significantly more diaspora engagement among South Asians.
Please continue to pray for efforts to publish the revised diaspora missiology compendium and Hybridity, Diaspora & Missio Dei. Ask God to direct these resources for maximum fruitfulness.
Missiologists Patrick Johnstone and David Garrison have noted that unprecedented numbers of Muslims have turned to Christ during the past couple decades, when many Christ-followers have united to pray for Muslims during Ramadan. Believing this is not a coincidence, teams have put together a first-ever Buddhist World Prayer Guide and a third annual Hindu World Prayer Guide. Please pray that the Lord will answer prayers offered from these guides and draw many Buddhists and Hindus to Himself. Pray that Christ-followers using the guides will gain insights into sharing good news with Buddhist and Hindu friends, neighbors, co-workers and classmates.
On the Move: Guatemalans
The trauma of Guatemala’s civil war from 1960-1996, when many people were “disappeared,” tortured or forced to flee, continues today in the forms of gangs, trafficking, domestic violence and organized crime. Nearly a million Guatemalans have gone to the United States, tens of thousands to Mexico, Belize and Canada, and smaller numbers to other Central American nations and Europe. Most children in Guatemala face extreme poverty and some already have relatives abroad; this situation has led to unaccompanied minors trying to migrate to Mexico and the United States.
“O LORD, who is like you, delivering the poor from him who is too strong for him, the poor and needy from him who robs him?” (Psalm 35:10). Thank God for His great love toward the Guatemalan diaspora. Please ask God’s blessings of physical safety, economic provision, mental/emotional healing and spiritual protection through Christ upon the scattered Guatemalans. Pray that Guatemalan diaspora Christ-followers will have increasing opportunities to share their hope with other immigrants who have faced similar challenges. Pray for separated family members, especially children, to find comfort and fellowship in local churches and to be strengthened in the Lord. Ask God to raise up leaders in the diaspora who will facilitate Kingdom-guided restoration in Guatemala.
Luxembourg is one of the wealthiest nations in the world, with the second highest GDP per capita. Over 45% of its population of about 583,000 are international migrants; when day commuters are included, over 50% of the population is foreign born. According to Operation World, French is used in official communication, German for education and newspapers and Letzebuergesch (or Luxembourgish) in indigenous homes. Most Luxembourgers identify as Catholic by tradition.
Praise God as Luxembourg has recently welcomed refugees and asylum seekers from places like Syria and Eritrea; may the Lord who watches over sojourners bless this country (Psalm 146:9). Thank God for the translation of the New Testament in Letzebuergesch; pray for the completion of the Old Testament as well. Pray that many Luxembourgers will be made new after hearing the Word of God in their own language. Luxembourg offers many economic opportunities, but it is also an expensive place to live. Pray for the Portuguese, French, Italians, Balkan peoples, refugees and other migrants to come to Jesus and take His yoke (Matthew 11:28-29). Pray for all those who live in Luxembourg to look to Jesus to receive riches which last, be clothed with honor and see clearly (see Revelation 3:17-22).
(Information gathered from Wikipedia, 30daysprayer.com, Operation World, Borgen Project and Migration Policy Institute)