Oct - Dec 2008 Prayer Guide - Fiery Darts

     You probably wouldn’t think that a broken foot in Iowa could impact a Bible translation in Peru, but it can. BMM Missionary Tim Whatley coordinates the BI Quechua New Testament project in Peru. When he, his wife Barb and their seven children packed their bags in January for a year-long U.S. furlough, they included the newly-completed Quechua New Testament, relieved that the many years of translating were behind them and now only formatting and some final editing touches remained before publication.
     Once the family settled into their residence in Iowa, Tim spent a couple weeks in the Grand Rapids office ironing out some of those finishing touches. Then the Whatleys concentrated on the children’s schooling and the need to visit supporting churches as well as raise new support.
     Recently their travels took them to Colorado, where Barb dislocated and shattered bone in her ankle. She has had two surgeries, and this busy mother is now in a wheelchair. In addition, their oldest daughter Flora has been critically ill, and Tim is plagued with migraines on a regular basis. He feels the urgent need to finalize the Quechua New Testament in addition to caring for his family and speaking in churches.
     Satan has administered some powerful blows to the Whatley family and to the completion of the Quechua NT. His goals are in direct opposition to the BI goal of seeing a Bible in every language, and his attacks come in a variety of unexpected forms. BI’s nearly 40 ongoing projects are all targets for the fiery darts of the wicked, and your prayers are vital weapons in this wrestling “against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world” (Eph. 6:12). Don’t let up!

1. Pray that God will bless the annual BI Harvest Dinner in Grand Rapids on Oct. 16.
2. Pray for classes being taught at Northland Baptist Bible College in Wisconsin by BI staff in September and October.
3. Pray for Bibles International India Society, as they seek to obtain from the government what is called an FCRA number necessary for appropriating funds to their operation in northeast India.
4. Pray for the Whatley family as several of them battle serious medical conditions (see “Fiery Darts” column).
5. Pray for Craig and Linda Throop, as they return to PNG in October to continue their work on the Kaulong New Testament.
6. Give thanks for the recent BI consultants’ seminar. God answered prayer as the team was blessed and challenged by their time together.
7. Pray for the Dendi OT in Benin, the Kabiyé NT in Togo, and the eight projects in Chad, as translators and consultant work together in November and December.
8. Pray for Dale and Jody Davis as they seek medical clearance for Jody so that they can return to Chad and continue work on the translation center there.
9. Pray for those raising support: Troy Manning, Kim Hibbard, Anna Beth Wivell, and Kelly Wyler. Their percentages are rising!
10. Pray for the Falam Chin New Testament for Myanmar. Recent edits have required extended formatting time.
11. Pray for Eric Elmer, Troy Manning, and Hantz Bernard as they travel to PNG to broaden awareness of BI’s ministry there.
12. Give thanks that the vehicle for the Hedges family in Chad arrived and cleared customs.
13. Continue to pray for needed staff in the Grand Rapids office, particularly an administrative assistant for Stewardship/Administration.
14. Pray for much to be accomplished on the Myanmar and India translation and literacy projects while the Hodsdons and Champeons and others are there this fall.
15. Pray for Elaine Schulte as she continues the research phase of writing the BI history.
16. Pray that God will spiritually refresh, restore and renew the BI staff members around the world. 17. Pray that God will show His power in providing for BI’s financial needs.
18. Give thanks for the ministry of Pastor Pierre-Pierre from Haiti, who preached at the recent BI retreat. The staff was encouraged and refreshed.
19. Pray for each of the BI national translators. They have family, church and other obligations and need God’s help daily in fulfilling them.
20. Pray for staff responsible for keeping technology running and up-to-date in all of the BI locations.
21. Pray for God’s provision of one more heating unit for the Grand Rapids office.
22. Pray for BI’s regional representatives. Their spiritual momentum in their retirement years is an encouragement.
23. Pray for churches that support BI staff. The strength of the churches directly impacts the ministry of each missionary.
24. Give thanks for classes recently taught at Bob Jones University by BI staff. Students were very receptive, and many plan to be involved in Bible translation.
25. Pray that God will be the focus of all that is done at BI.
26. Pray for our Pemón and Warao translation projects in Venezuela. The country’s political unrest is escalating.
27. Pray for the Songhai New Testament translation team in Mali, West Africa. They recently had all their work checked by a BI consultant and are working faithfully on the next portions to be translated.
28. Pray for those constructing the translation centers in Chad and India. The completion of these facilities will bring many benefits to BI’s projects in those countries.
29. Pray for our brothers and sisters in Myanmar. Many BI translators and committee members there are diligently evangelizing in the wake of Hurricane Nargis.
30. Give thanks for the strength that God continues to provide the BI staff.
31. Pray that each team and committee involved in BI’s ministry around the world will be united in love to the glory of God.