Operation Christmas Child Prayer May Week 2

May Week 2
OCC Mid-South (Arkansas, Tennessee & Kentucky) Requests:

1. Pray for the Mid-South goal of 820,001 GOSPEL OPPORTUNITIES. NEA GOAL is 11,222. USA goal is 9,500,000. All sending countries together is 12 million shoeboxes!!! 
2. Pray for Franklin Graham and the Decision America Tour as they continue to travel around the United States.  
3. Pray for Church and Community Relations Team Members. They are in ENGAGEMENT season seeking partnerships with new churches and community groups and organizations to pack shoeboxes.  
4. Pray for Logistics – Network Coordinators, Area Coordinators and Mid- South staff who are seeking new drop-off locations for National Collection Week all over our three state area. Pray that God would open amazing doors for new relay and collection centers.

OCC NEA Requests: (Craighead, Clay, Greene, Lawrence, Mississippi, Poinsett, and Randolph Counties):  This week pray for all our Church and Community Relations Team Members as they try to reach new contacts to cast the vision of OCC and get more people involved and excited about spreading the Gospel through gift-filled shoeboxes!

International Prayer Requests:

1. Praise God for The Greatest Journey (12 lesson discipleship program). Pray hearts will be wide open to receive the Gospel through this part of our ministry! 
2. Pray for tax exemption of shoeboxes in five countries primarily in Africa and South Asia. 
3. Pray for customs clearance of the sea containers filled with shoebox Gospel Opportunities in eleven countries including Madagascar and three sensitive countries in North Africa, South Asia and East Asia. 
4. Pray for Venezuela, their shoeboxes have been blocked the past 4 years. 
5. Pray as we integrate the NO CANDY and NO TOOTHPASTE into our 2017 campaign of shoeboxes. occinfo@samaritan.org 

This week we will be praying for Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Madagascar, Malawi, Namibia, and Tanzania.

Guinea: Pray for the Muslim children OCC is ministering to.

Guinea-Bissau: Pray for easier access so shoeboxes can be delivered to more remote areas.

Madagascar began receiving shoe box gifts in 1996. The National Leadership Team consists of Justin Mosa who serves as the NLT Coordinator, Yriarte Rakotoharimanana as Discipleship Coordinator, Julie Ramialisoa as Prayer Coordinator, Josette Ramiarantsoa as Resource Coordinator, Tiana Ranaivoarison as Logistics Coordinator and Camille Ratsimbazafy as Church Mobilization Coordinator. The Madagascar NLT has 4 Super Regional Leadership Teams and 17 Regional Leadership Teams that are instrumental in leading efforts in the different regions of the country.

Madagascar OCC

Madagascar OCC

1.  Pray for tax exemption of the 18 containers filled with Gospel Opportunities waiting to reach the children. 
2. Praise God for the massive and active participation of the parents and children who are sharing the Gospel after TGJ Graduation. 
3. Praise God for good participation in the Train the Trainers. 
4. Pray for God’s intervention so that the “Ministry of Population” will support the tax exoneration (exemption) process. 



Madagascar OCC

5. Pray for the Outreach Event in the Least Unreached People Group of Faux Cap.

Malawi National Leadership Team began with its first season in 2000. Jean Kamenya is the NLT Coordinator. The Malawi NLT has 1 Super Regional Leadership Team and 1 Regional Leadership Teams that are instrumental in leading efforts in the different regions of the country.  

1. Praise God for the successful completion of many TGJ graduations. 
2. Praise God for His love for the children of Malawi. Praise Him for the projects planned for 2016 to focus more on the impact of TGJ and to reach and impact Least Reached, Unreached and Unengaged People Groups (LUUPGs). 
3. Praise God for the growth in membership in some churches where children received OCC gift boxes. 
4. Pray God will give the team grace as they meet Ministry Partners and carry out trainings. Pray the whole process will be a success. 
5. Pray the Unreached People Groups program will be a success and that these areas will receive the Gospel positively.

Namibia began receiving shoe box gifts in 2000. The current National Leadership Team Coordinator is Isak Farmer. The Namibia NLT has 2 Regional Leadership Teams that are instrumental in leading efforts in the different regions of the country.

1. Praise God for the establishment of two new RLTs. 
2. Praise God for the around 800 TGJ teachers trained this year. 
3. Praise God for the committed local contacts who joined the Khomas Team. 
4. Pray for a new NLT Resource Coordinator and Prayer Coordinator. 
5. Pray for the formation of two new RLTs. 
6. Pray the TGJ teachers and local contacts will remain faithful and committed to the call of God in discipling children. Pray for diligence in reporting all that is to be celebrated from this season. 
7. Pray the new TGJ material in the Oshiwambo language will enable the Gospel to reach even further and with even greater effectiveness. 

Tanzania National Leadership Team began with its first season in 2000. Rodrick Mbwambo has served faithfully as the NLT Coordinator since that time. The NLT leads 5 Super Regional Leadership Teams and 5 Regional Leadership Teams.

1. Praise God for the successful and peaceful government elections. 
2. Praise God for the success of the nConnect held last year. Praise Him for the increase in the number of sRLTs and trained volunteers. 
3. Praise God for keeping the NLT and sRLT members safe as they traveled for trainings. Praise Him for the success of these trainings and the new MPs who participated in them. 
4. Pray the authorities will quickly release the exemption documents after the changes with the government positions in the Tanzania Harbor Authorities. 
5. Pray the children and teachers will be able to complete the TGJ classes. Pray the children will become evangelists. 
6. Pray for the safety of the NLT as they travel both domestically and internationally for their OCC duties. 
7. Pray the gift boxes will be used to fulfill OCC’s vision of sharing God’s love and salvation with the children, families, as well as the local churches’ advancement. 

   

   Madagascar Shoebox transportation by Canoe

“And he said, “My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” Exodus 33:14

Just like with Moses, we serve the same God who is with us, gives us rest, and shows us where to go with these shoeboxes!

Operation Christmas Child Prayer - Middle East and North Africa

April Week 2:
OCC Mid-South Requests

• Pray for Connect volunteers and OCC staff as they travel to the Connect Conferences in Atlanta April 28-30.
• Pray for all Area Coordinators as they lead, equip and encourage their area teams.

NEA Requests

• Pray for our NEA Team as we grow our team and look for Relay Centers & Coordinators, new team members, and new donor churches! 
• Pray for our goals for shoebox collections for 2016: 11,222 Gospel Opportunities!!!!! 

MENA- Sensitive Country

• Pray for the start of the discipleship program for the first time in this country. 
• Pray for the provision of storage for the shoebox gifts. 
• Pray the team is able to find more Ministry Partners to hold Outreach Events to the children.

MENA- Sensitive Country

• Pray for favor with the government so the volunteer team is able to obtain the needed tax exemption for the upcoming season.

MENA- Sensitive Country

• Praise God the team is still committed to the ministry despite the security challenges. 
• Pray for the security and safety of the team members during the civil war. 
• Pray for the residency renewal of the team members in the country. 
• Pray the team is able to travel outside the country to participate in OCC conferences.

Tony Evans says “Prayer is not the pregame; it is the game. It is not the preparation for battle; it is the war.”  “Prayer is the communication link between the visible and invisible world.”

Thank you for faithfully praying for Operation Christmas Child.

Operation Christmas Child Prayer - April 2016

Operation Christmas Child Prayer Reminders:

• Praise God for the 49 countries that have received shoeboxes and volunteer teams are now working hard in Outreach Events to share the Good News with over 7M children.
• Pray for the shoeboxes still in route on ships to children in 8 countries.
• Pray for tax exemption of shoeboxes in six countries in East and South Asia and Madagascar.
• Pray for customs clearance of sea containers filled with shoebox Gospel Opportunities in 12 countries.

OCC Mid-South Prayer Requests

• Please pray for the 2016 recommitment of Mid-South volunteers. Pray that all volunteers will prayerfully consider their continued partnership with the ministry.
• Pray for God to open doors with new churches to partner with us as drop-off locations this year.
• Pray for Franklin Graham and the Decision America Tour as it will be making a stop in Little Rock, AR on April 12th.
• Please continue to pray for the Connect conferences that will be taking place in San Francisco April 7-9 and in Atlanta April 28 – 30.
• Pray for OCC Leadership as they are very busy with Connect conferences and leading ministry.
• Pray for all Connect volunteers in Tennessee this month. For God to continue to use them to move the ministry of OCC forward in the state of Tennessee. Pray for God to open doors with churches and community groups were they have never heard of OCC. Pray for unity among all Tennessee area teams, pray that God would strengthen them, encourage them and protect them. Pray for our Tennessee Area Coordinators as they lead area teams.

OCC NEA Prayer Requests:

• Growth of our team in 2016
• Our 2016 NEA GOAL: 11,222 Gospel Opportunities!!!!! 
• Pray for our NEA Team as search for Relay Centers & Coordinators, new prayer team members, and new donor churches! Praise God for adding to our Area Team this year 
• Pray for those of us going to Atlanta Connect at the end of this month

Turning“Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.”(Matthew 18:3)

We would all like to have child-like faith. Remember when you first accepted Jesus as your Savior? Your heart was completely washed clean and you had never felt like that before.

There is a freedom in children. They laugh loudly, are in awe of their surroundings, and enjoy the simplest things. Teaching children is like dipping a sponge in a bucket of water. They soak up what you say and immediately try to put it into practice.

There’s a recently released Christian song with one line that captures this idea, “May we never lose our wonder.” Isn’t that a major aspect of what Jesus means when He says, “turn and become like children?” When we abide in Him and His words abide in us, our hearts stay tender before Him. Regardless of our circumstances, that abiding relationship sparks within us a wonder at His goodness, His faithfulness, His loving kindness, His compassion and whatever we need from Him today. When we turn toward Him in wide-eyed wonder, it keeps our hearts soft. We can hear Him more clearly causing us to more fully obey what He says.

God is moved by our child-like prayers to touch the heart of a young girl or boy in another country with the Gospel. May those prayers continually be upon our lips.


Middle East, North Africa (MENA) and India Spiritual Impact Story Eurasia Sensitive Country: My name is Kajol Patro from a town in Asia. I am the eldest daughter among four. My parents work as a day labor in the tea garden and therefore we are an extremely poor as a family. Due to this extreme poverty, my parents sent me to the capital city to work as a maid servant in my childhood. Since I was working as a maid servant, I wasn’t getting proper wages or gifts from the owner’s. As a result, I was very sad with my parents. I could not figure out, why they had sent me to work as house maid in my early days, knowing that I will not have formal schooling and belong to my own family. I am a girl from a Hindu Family, but now I have received Jesus in my life and getting gifts abundantly. My family could not believe that anyone can give me such a beautiful gift. With this gift I realize that, I am not a deprived child and I am equally important to God moreover Jesus loves me. Today I am able to eradicate my sadness by means of Jesus. I would like to thank from the bottom of my heart to all the kids who have presented me with such a wonderful gift this Christmas.

International Prayer Requests - General Prayer Requests each country faces:

• Wisdom to recruit, select and lead new and/or transitioning volunteer leadership team members. 
• Provision of resources to reach their God-sized goals for the current year.

India:

Operation Christmas Child - India 2013

• Pray God will use the teams in India to fulfill His will. Pray the teams remain committed and open to serving Him.  
• Pray for wisdom for leadership.

MENA (Middle East – North Africa) - Sensitive Country

• Pray for the early arrival of the shoebox gifts. 
• Pray for the selection of areas for Outreach Events. 
• Pray for the safe storage of the shoeboxes.

MENA- Sensitive Country

• Pray for the upcoming outreach events that will be held in unreached villages.  
• Pray for the safety of the team in light of the political and security instability in the country. 

OCC Prayer: Peru, Suriname and Uruguay

WEEK 4: (March 27th-April 2nd)
OCC Mid-South Requests

1. Pray for Connect volunteers and OCC staff as they travel to the Connect Conferences in San Francisco-April 7-9, and Atlanta April 28-30. 
2. Pray for all Area Coordinators as they lead, equip and encourage their area teams. 
3. Pray for Franklin Graham and the Decision America Tour; he will be in Arkansas for a Prayer Rally on April 12, 2016 at Noon on the Capitol Front Steps at 500 Woodlane Street, Little Rock, AR 72201.

OCC NEA Requests 

1. Pray for our NEA Team as search for Relay Centers & Coordinators, new prayer team members, and new donor churches! Praise God for adding to our Area Team this year! 
2. Pray for our goals for shoebox collections for 2016: 11,222 Gospel Opportunities!!!!! 

OCC International Prayer Requests - General Prayer Requests each country faces:

• Wisdom to recruit, select and lead new and/or transitioning volunteer leadership team members. 
• Provision of resources to reach their God-sized goals for the current year.

Peru - Shoebox gifts collected in the United States in 2015 will be delivered to 258,816 children in Peru. Praise God that over 2,150,100 children have received a shoebox since 1996, when Operation Christmas Child began distributing gifts here. Peru has 30.4 million people and is located in western South America. 27% of the population is 14 years old or younger. 

Peru

Peru - The Greatest Journey

1. Pray for the procedures that need to happen with the government of Peru to free the shipping containers, especially for a favorable technical opinion so that they do not delay the containers in customs. 
2. Pray for the beginning of new work in different regions. Pray the Gospel will advance through the ministry of OCC and reach the children in the neediest areas of Peru. 
3. Pray for me and the mission team I will be traveling with – I am planning to go to Peru on a Medical Mission Trip June 22-29th. Melinda Dixon will be in Guatemala on a Mission Trip during this same time. Be in prayer for her team also. 
4. Praise God for the opportunity to reach out to the children living in the remotest places in Peru.
5. Pray for the new regions that are involved in OCC. 

• Spiritual Impact Story from Peru: The Discipleship Coordinator of Cajamarca tells us that Maria, who is 9 years old, has felt very happy during the discipleship. It has been a challenge for her to memorize the bible verses, but it has been of great value because she remembers them all the time and is able to share them with her friends at school. When they ask her where she learned them, she invites them to church. Maria says, “I like to invite my friends because I want them to know Him too, how beautiful it is to be able to feel Him when we pray or sing. I am happy I know him”. Rico’s family never went to church. He received a shoebox and, after participating in The Greatest Journey discipleship program (TGJ), became enthusiastic about God. He asked the TGJ leader if he could join her church. She went to see his parents, but they wouldn’t allow him to. Everyone began to pray for the situation; Rico prayed most fervently. The Lord answered. His mother surrendered her life to Jesus and allowed Rico to attend the church services. She even requested for the church leaders to baptize her son. 
• http://www.samaritanspurse.org/operation-christmas-child-countries/peru/ 
• Peru Video: https://youtu.be/dP_-TyAx7AY

Suriname - Shoebox gifts collected in the United States in 2015 will be delivered to 16,176 children in Suriname. Praise God that over 103,900 children have received a shoebox since 1997, when Operation Christmas Child began distributing gifts here. Suriname has 579,000 people and is located on the coast of South America. 26% of the population is 14 years old or younger.

Excitement in Suriname!

 

1. Pray that thirty churches will be motivated to participate in this year's project. 
2. Pray for financial provision for the customs process. 
3. Pray more Ministry Partners will start prayer meetings for and with children and that the MP’s will understand the mission of OCC and will be enthusiastic about reaching the children of Suriname. 
4. Pray that the children who don’t yet know Christ will be invited to participate in OCC and will become followers of Him. 
5. Pray for the formation of more regional volunteer leadership teams.

• http://www.samaritanspurse.org/operation-christmas-child-countries/suriname/

Uruguay - In Uruguay, four children arrived at a shoe box distribution without any shoes, and each of the gifts they received contained a pair of shoes. The father and many people in the neighborhood accepted Christ when they saw the power of these simple gifts. 

1. Pray for the upcoming TGJ trainings. 

Children in Uruguay receiving their Shoeboxes!

For some great Praise Shoebox stories visit: http://www.samaritanspurse.org/article/giving-god-the-glory-for-occ-miracles 

“Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.” (1 John 5:14)

Pray with OCC, March, Week 2, Chile, Colombia & Ecuador

WEEK 2: (March 15-22)
OCC Mid-South Requests

1. Pray for Connect volunteers and OCC staff as they travel to the Connect Conferences in Washington DC-March 17-19, San Francisco-April 7-9, and Atlanta April 28-30.
2. Pray for all Area Coordinators as they lead, equip and encourage their area teams. 
3. Pray for OCC Mid-South staff as they travel to meet with area teams in our region. 
4. Pray for Franklin Graham and the Decision America Tour.

OCC NEA Requests

1. Pray for our NEA Team as we grow our team and look for Relay Centers & Coordinators, new prayer team members, and new donor churches! \
2. ray for Josh McCarty as God is leading him in a new direction in his life! 
3. Pray for our goals for shoebox collections for 2016: 11,222 Gospel Opportunities!!!!!

South America is where we will be focusing our prayer this month!
OCC International Prayer Requests
General Prayer Requests each country faces:

• Wisdom to recruit, select and lead new and/or transitioning volunteer leadership team members. 
• Provision of resources to reach their God-sized goals for the current year.

Chile 

1. Pray for the father of a team member who is very ill with kidney problems. 
2. Pray for the Easter Island project. Pray God will continue to guide the team and will use the shoeboxes to open more doors of opportunity. 
3. October 2013: A pastor in Chile said a little girl from his community visited a sick friend. Her friend had many dolls, and the girl began wishing for one in particular—a doll dressed all in pink. She stole the doll, but when her mother found out she made the girl return it to her sick friend. Later, the girl attended an OCC distribution and received a Barbie doll dressed all in pink in her shoebox. She could not believe it, and realized that it was a great lesson to trust God to provide rather than steal what she wanted. Do you trust God to provide for you? 
4. Easter Island is a remote Chilean territory in the South Pacific, but not too remote for Operation Christmas Child. Almost 1,000 Canadian shoebox gifts were sent to Easter Island in 2009. http://samaritanspurse.ca/rss/operation-christmas-child/impact/shoe-boxes-of-hope-on-easter-island.aspx#.VumTwFUrLIU

Colombia. For stories from Colombia click here: http://www.samaritanspurse.org/operation-christmas-child-countries/colombia/

Colombia Operation Christmas Child

1. Pray for the evangelistic events and TGJ discipleship that have started among several Ministry Partners. 
2. Praise the Lord that 2 children per minute are accepting Jesus as their personal Savior through TGJ!!! 
3. Shoe boxes collected in the United States in 2015 will be delivered to 291,168 children in Colombia. Praise God that over 1,254,200 children have received a shoebox since 2002, when Operation Christmas Child began distributing gifts here.Colombia has 46.7 million people and is located in South America. 25% of the population is 14 years old or younger. 

Ecuador. Shoeboxes collected in the United States in 2015 will be delivered to 299,256 children in Ecuador. Praise God that over 1,475,000 children have received a shoebox since 1997, when Operation Christmas Child began distributing gifts here. Ecuador has 15.8 million people and is located in northwestern South America. 28% of the population is 14 years old or younger. 

Ecuador

1. Pray for the teams in Ecuador as OCC is working in each province of the country. Pray that more children will be reached with the message of salvation through this ministry. 
2. Pray that each child who receives a shoebox will also participate in TGJ and that God will provide many teachers to lead these classes. 
3. Pray for the NLT. Pray that the NLT and regional volunteer leadership will prioritize prayer not only in speech, but also in practice. 

• Ecuador distribution video: https://youtu.be/kJnGNU14buM 
• Ecuador OCC information: http://www.samaritanspurse.org/operation-christmas-child-countries/ecuador/

"Commit your works to the Lord and your plans will be established" Proverbs 16:3

March Operation Christmas Child Prayer Requests

March Prayer Reminders:
· Praise God for the 40 countries that have received shoeboxes and volunteer teams are now working hard in Outreach Events to share the Good News with children.
· Pray for the shoeboxes still enroute on ships to children in 32 countries.
· Pray for tax exemption of shoeboxes in fifteen countries in East and South Asia and Madagascar.
· Pray for customs clearance of sea containers filled with shoebox Gospel Opportunities in 40 countries.

OCC Mid-South Requests:
· Pray for Connect volunteers and OCC staff as they travel to the Connect Conferences in Wichita-March 3-5, Washington DC-March 17-19, San Francisco-April 7-9, and Atlanta April 28-30.
· Pray for Connect volunteers in Kentucky this month. For God to encourage new volunteers to join the area teams and to rise up Ministry Coordinators. Pray for unity among the area teams, for protection for them, wisdom, strength and energy. Pray for God to open doors with churches and community groups. Pray for all Area Coordinators as they lead, equip and encourage their area teams.
· Pray for OCC Mid-South staff as they travel to meet with area teams in our region.
· Pray for Franklin Graham and the Decision America Tour. The next prayer rally is in Denver, Colorado March 15th.

OCC NEA Requests:
· Pray for our NEA Team meeting on Tuesday, March 15 6pm at Ironhorse Steakhouse & BBQ in Paragould. The address is 2108 Linwood Drive(Hwy 49). REMINDER: Please take time to watch the webinar before March 15th. This would be a perfect time to invite anyone that you are trying to get to join us.
· Pray for our goals for shoebox collections for 2016: 11,222 Gospel Opportunities!!!!!

South America is where we will be focusing our prayer this month!
OCC International Prayer Requests:
General Prayer Requests each country faces:
· Wisdom to recruit, select and lead new and/or transitioning volunteer leadership team members.
· Provision of resources to reach their God-sized goals for the current year.

WEEK 1: (March 6-12) This week we will be praying for Argentina, Bolivia and Brazil.

Argentina: Shoebox gifts collected in the United States in 2015 will be delivered to 10,000 children in Argentina. Praise God that over 402,700 children have received a shoebox since 2001, when Operation Christmas Child began distributing gifts here. Argentina has 43.4 million people and is located in South America. 25% of the population is 14 years old or younger.

· Pray for the volunteer National Leadership Team (NLT) as they plan for the upcoming season and the distribution of 13,000 boxes. Pray God will continue to open doors for OCC to reach the children who don’t have access to the Gospel.
· Pray God will provide more The Greatest Journey discipleship program (TGJ) teachers so that more children can participate in the program.
· Praise God for His provision this past year.
· Pray as the team continues to extend OCC into new areas.
· Here is a link about OCC and Argentina: http://www.samaritanspurse.org/operation-christmas-child-countries/argentina/#ooid=9yZG0wbjrjlDN1_Z6_XZ7KNFL5-82qkj

Bolivia has 10.8 million people and is located in western-central South America. 33% of the population is 14 years old or younger. Shoebox gifts collected in the United States in 2015 will be delivered to 10,000 children in Bolivia. Praise God that over 564,800 children have received a shoebox since 1998, when Operation Christmas Child began distributing gifts here.

· Pray God will provide capable volunteers to build shoeboxes in Bolivia and that the God will give the team a strategic plan for distributing these boxes.
· Pray God provides likeminded Ministry Partners (i.e. local partners who hold Outreach Events for children receiving shoeboxes) who will carry out TGJ.

Brazil makes up half of the land surface and population of South America. Of the 315 People Groups 18% are unreached. There are 193 languages spoken there. Only 26% of the population is Evangelical Christian. 23% of the population is 14 years old or younger.
· Pray for the customs agent and that the government will grant permission to release the containers.
· Praise God for His provision this past year.
· Pray God provides the right contacts, who will open the doors of this country to OCC, so that the Brazilian children can hear and respond to the Gospel.

· Shoebox gifts collected in the United States in 2015 will be delivered to 10,000 children in Brazil.
· Praise God that over 246,200 children have received a shoebox since 2002, when Operation Christmas Child began distributing gifts here.
· Pray that future governments would not shirk from the painful but necessary process of excising all that is putrid and corrupt.
· Pray for the poverty that still affects 10s of millions. The poor, especially street children and indigenous peoples, often suffer terrible discrimination and exploitation. Debt slavery affects up to 250,000 people.
· Pray for the crime problem. Brazil is the world’s 2nd highest consumer of illicit drugs and the world’s highest rate of firearm homicides. Unprecedented breakthrough, spiritual and social, is needed to turn this around.
· Follow this link for pictures, stories of OCC Brazil and video of OCC: http://www.samaritanspurse.org/operation-christmas-child-countries/brazil/#ooid=9yZG0wbjrjlDN1_Z6_XZ7KNFL5-82qkj

“So Peter was kept in prison, but earnest prayer for him was made to God by the church.” Acts 12:5 ESV

They prayed without ceasing. Fervent, persistent prayer sent an angel of the Lord to unlock prison chains, wake up Peter, get him to put his clothes on, slip past guards, and open iron gates. 

This is the power of prayer. This is why we pray for Operation Christmas Child, we believe in this same power of prayer! ​It is unlocking doors around the world for us to share the love of Jesus through the power of a simple gift-filled shoebox!

February Operation Christmas Child Prayer Requests

During the remaining part of February we will be praying for countries in Africa and South America. Each country only has one request so we will be praying for multiple countries each week. We will focus on 6 countries each week so you can pray for one each day and then have a day to pray for our NEA and Mid-South requests. The following is a list for the next 3 weeks so you will have all of the requests...Thank you for being faithful prayer warriors for Operation Christmas Child!

"Declare His glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples!" 1 Chronicles 16:24 ESV

OCC NEA Prayer Request
You've been waiting for us to reveal the final number of shoeboxes collected in 2015, and we are so excited to share it with you! Please join us in praising God for each of these amazing gospel opportunities packed by all of YOU! Continue to pray for each of the children receiving these gifts, that they will feel the hope and love of Jesus Christ! We are so blessed to work alongside amazing OCC offices in other countries and want to share the totals from each one with you. Check out the number of shoeboxes collected from each sending country in 2015:

Australia - 342,814
Canada - 730,577
Finland - 32,631
Germany - 402,360
Japan - 11,478
Spain - 31,273
United Kingdom - 896,240
United States - 8,765,637
That's a total of 11,213,010!!
It’s not over though…now it’s time to get busy for 2016!

1. Pray as goals are being set for 2016 collections!!! 11,000 is what we are praying about so far for NEA. We will let you know soon when God leads us to our official number to be the NEA Goal for 2016! Melinda should be letting us know soon!

2. Pray as God leads us to add new members to our NEA team that we will place them in the areas where they are the most gifted to serve!


OCC Mid-South Prayer Request
1. Praise God for the many volunteer interest forms and volunteer applications we have received the past few weeks. We are excited to see how God is going to multiply the Mid-South in 2016!

2. Please begin praying for the Connect Conference in Wichita March 3-5. Several of our Arkansas volunteers will be attending.

3. Please pray for all Arkansas volunteers this month. For God to continue to use them to move the ministry of OCC forward in the state of Arkansas, for God to open doors with churches and community groups were they may have never heard of OCC or The Greatest Journey before. That God would create unity among all Arkansas area teams, strengthen them, encourage them, protect them, help the volunteers to find rest and to have good health and that they would most importantly grow ever closer to Him.

4. Pray for the new Arkansas Regional Manager Vicki Pepper. Pray for her as she transitions into leading all of the wonderful area teams in Arkansas and that God would give her wisdom, strength and energy in her new role.

International Prayer Requests1. Praise God for the 22 countries that have received shoeboxes and volunteer teams are now working hard in Outreach Events to share the Good News with children.

2. Pray for the shoeboxes still enroute on ships to children in 35 countries.

3. Pray for tax exemption of shoeboxes in sixteen countries primarily in Africa and South Asia.

4. Pray for customs clearance of the sea containers filled with shoebox Gospel Opportunities in Paraguay and Sensitive Middle East/North Africa Countries.


February 10 – 16th
Africa:
Angola
· Pray for the Prayer Coordinator and the restoration of his sight after recently having surgery on his left eye.

Benin
· Pray for us as we relaunch the shoebox season now that the embargo has lifted.

Burkina Faso
· Pray for the Assembly of God church in Mina that received shoeboxes in 2014. The church saw an increase in number of children attendance, but it was burned by villagers in the beginning of December 2015 because of their evangelization through OCC.

Guinea
· Praise God the World Health Organization has declared Guinea Ebola free.
· Pray for the churches as they receive shoeboxes this year. Pray they are able to meet the needs of the children and families of Ebola victims.

Guinea-Bissau
· Pray for the distributions and TGJ discipleship program. Pray many children and their families will come to Christ this year, especially as Islam continues to grow in Guinea-Bissau and much of the population still follows the traditional animistic religion.

Liberia
· Praise God for the arrival of seven containers at the port of Liberia. Pray for the successful distribution of these containers to needy children in Liberia.

February 17-23rd
Madagascar
· Pray for the outreach event in the Least Unreached People Group of Faux Cap next month.

Namibia
· Pray the new TGJ material in the Oshiwambo language will help spread the Gospel even further and with greater effectiveness.

Republic of Congo
· Pray God will open doors to reach the Unreached People Groups, especially indigenous people, who live in difficult situations.

Sierra Leone
· Pray the volunteers will be no logistical issues at the port.

South Africa
· Pray for the team in Cape Town as they start vision castings at Paarl for the first time in order to impact the unreached children there.

Tanzania
· Pray the authorities will quickly release the exemption documents after the changes with the government positions in the Tanzania Harbor Authorities.

February 24th – March 1st. 

South America
Chile
· Pray for the Easter Island Outreach Events to children. Pray God will continue to guide the team and will use the shoeboxes to open more doors of opportunity.

Costa Rica
· Pray God will open the doors for the team to take TGJ to public schools, especially as the government’s regulations and traditions can make this difficult.

Honduras
· Pray for the husband of the volunteer National Logistics Coordinator who was in a car accident and is now recovering from surgery.

Mexico
· Pray for the more than 330,000 children who will be discipled in TGJ in twenty-eight states throughout Mexico that God would open their hearts and the seeds of the Gospel would not be snatched away.

Panama
· Pray that OCC will be able to reach all of the indigenous groups safely and without influence from insurgent groups, politicians, and customs that can hinder the work of the Lord.

Suriname
· Pray more Ministry Partners will start prayer meetings for and with children.

It's Almost OCC Harvest Time!

Tractors, combines, grain trucks, dust, burning field stubble off...it's harvest time where I live! “And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.” (Galatians 6:9 ESV)
I see lots of farmers in the fields and it is almost time for us to start harvesting the shoeboxes we have been praying for all year. We have collected items, listened to full-circle speakers, went to kick-off events and anticipated the harvest all year! Aren't you thankful we serve a Lord of the harvest? We should continue to rejoice over our anticipated collections and bathe these precious Gospel Opportunities in prayer. “Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever! Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress...they sow fields and plant vineyards and get a fruitful yield.” (Psalm 107:1, 28, 37 ESV). I can't wait to see our yield!

Prayer has a huge impact on our harvest efforts. From packing to distribution, the process of delivering Gospel opportunities through simple shoebox gifts to children around the globe is bathed in prayer. We are asking you to continue to pray for Operation Christmas Child as the year is quickly rolling on by. Pray for:

1. Packing parties that are starting to be planned by many churches and groups. Lift these up in prayer, that they will be successful and that they will hit their goals or even immeasurably more than expected by their year around collection efforts. 
2. Also pray for our leadership teams as they continue to make preparations for relay and collection centers. 
3. Pray for our world goal of 11 MILLION Gospel Opportunities - 11 million shoeboxes means at least 11 million children receive "The Greatest Gift" in their own language! 
   
4. Pray for the USA goal of 8.6 Million - that's right, our sending country is responsible for 8.6 of the 11 Million!!! 
5. Pray for our Mid-South goal (Arkansas, Kentucky, & Tennessee) have set a goal of 737,000 to do our part! 
6. Our Northeast Arkansas OCC Team has set a goal of 10,200 for this season! The church I attend has set a goal of 200. If we each have a goal we are striving to achieve it with God's help we can do so much for His honor & glory! 
7. Pray for the processing centers: I'm excited to announce that the Processing Center (PC) Prayer Walk Ministry that was introduced in 2014 will return this 2015 processing season. Prayer Walks will ensure that each facility and the shoeboxes processed are covered in prayer as the gifts are prepared to leave the facilities on their way to the waiting arms of children! While we all aren't able to go to PC and pray in 2 hour shifts, we can pray by ourselves or with the prayer warriors where we live. As we prepare for this upcoming processing season, we look forward to the wondrous ways in which God will bless the work of our hands and do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine! 
8. Last, Give thanks to God for our partnership with Herschend Family Entertainment (HFE) for the past 5 years to encourage churches to pack shoeboxes through the “Shoebox Challenge.” In 2014, OCC and HFE challenged local churches once again to participate and earn complimentary park tickets to be used in the 2015 season. Overall, some 2,550 churches that took part in the challenge generating 748,141 shoebox gifts. This represented an increase of 109% from the previous year! We are pleased to announce the Shoebox Challenge will continue in 2015, with the goal of 1 million shoeboxes. The 3 parks that participate are: Silver Dollar City Branson, MO, New Port Aquarium Newport, KY, and Dollywood Pigeon Forge, TN.

As I think of all there is to do with collections it can seem a little stressful and overwhelming but Kristian Stanfill's singing "Always" comes to my mind:
"My foes are many, they rise against me, but I will hold my ground. I will not fear the war, I will not fear the storm. My help is on the way, my help is on the way. Troubles surround me, chaos abounding. My soul will rest in You. I will not fear the war, I will not fear the storm. My help is on the way, my help is on the way. Oh, my God, He will not delay. My refuge and strength always. I will not fear, His promise is true. My God will come through always, always. I lift my eyes up, my help comes from the Lord....My refuge and strength always, always!"

Aren't you thankful We can rest knowing Help is on the way and that we serve an On Time God who is our Refuge and Strength ALWAYS! Ephesians 3:20 “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us”

Have and blessed rest of the week & keep praying for OCC,
Jennifer

OCC Prayer, Slovakia, & Pastor Saeed

This week will you pray for Slovakia.  It is a locked central European state south of Poland. Only 1% of the over 5 million population is Evangelical Christian.  There are 20 different people groups that speak 13 different languages.  

1.    Pray that the ministry partners will understand the Operation Christmas Child vision.  

2.    Pray that mission agencies and local churches cooperate to the best effect, with joy and humility. 

3.    Pray for those reaching out to them, for love that will overcome all barriers and stereotypes.

WORLD REQUESTS:

1.    Pray for Pastor Saeed Abedine.  It's been nearly three years since Pastor Saeed, an American citizen, was imprisoned in Iran for his faith in Jesus Christ. His wife Nagmeh, who lives in the U.S. with their two young children, is calling for Christians worldwide to join her in a prayer vigil at noon on September 26—the third anniversary of his imprisonment.  Pastor Saeed has been repeatedly beaten and denied medical care, yet he continues to be a beacon for the Gospel among his fellow prisoners. Please pray for his health and that he will be released soon.  Please remember Pastor Saeed, his family, and persecuted believers around the globe. We can be assured that our God hears the prayers of His people: “Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us” (1 John 5:14).

REGIONAL REQUESTS:

1.    Pray for wisdom to recruit, select and lead new and/or transitioning volunteers. 

2.    Pray for provision of resources to reach God-sided goals for the current year!  Our Mid-south shoebox goal is 737,500 boxes.   

3.    Pray for the Collection and Relay Center Coordinators as they prepare for collection week. 

4.    Pray for Media relations volunteers that they will find favor with newspapers, TV, and radio. 

5.    Pray for Church and Community relations volunteers as they share about OCC.  

6.    Pray for the Full-Circle Tours as they continue.

SHOEBOX SIMULCAST PRAYERS September 22 @ 6:30pm, 24 @6:30pm, and 25th @11:30am.  Our Shoebox Simulcast series is THIS WEEK! We would love each of you to BATHE these three simulcasts in prayer. We want you, our prayer army, to mobilize and build a wall of protection around these simulcasts set for TODAY, the 24th and 25th.

We hope to reach a very big audience to get people inspired to advocate for our shoebox recipients and cast the vision for The Greatest Journey. We believe the enemy hates this and will do anything possible to stop this ministry from moving forward. We ask you to pray and pray specifically over these three dates and times listed above. We ask you to spend devoted time asking God to do great and mighty things through these simulcasts to get more people packing shoeboxes!

You can pray specifically seven ways:

1.    That technology will work excellently for each of the simulcasts. That all people who want to join in will not be hindered or frustrated by using Skype. That our staff will have no issues with our systems, our programs, or our sound. That all participating can hear clearly and fully and see their screen to follow along.

2.    That people will make a concerted effort to join in and be fully attentive. That no hindrance or scheme will keep those intended from being available to participate.

3.    That our OCC Connect volunteers will be better equipped, well-versed, and encouraged by new updates and concrete their knowledge in the basics of OCC.

4.    That our project leaders would learn new ways to implement OCC in their churches, community groups, and prayer groups. That they would be inspired to reach even more children and advocate more passionately for the children of the world.

5.    That individuals who have packed boxes will be encouraged to go deeper with OCC and learn more about how to get further involved.

6.    That church leaders and staff would truly grasp the depth of this project and the worldwide disciple-making movement that it is.

7.    For our goal of 737,000 shoeboxes to come from TN, AR, and KY in these next few months. We ask for God to do it and to do it marvelously! “For you are great and do marvelous deeds; You alone are God!” Psalm 86:10 NIV

Sweet Hour of Prayer & Romania

Aren't you so thankful that we can go to our Heavenly Father for a sweet time of prayer! As the old hymn says "I'll cast on Him my every care and wait for thee, sweet hour of prayer." Prayer is essential to give us the strength, guidance, knowledge, and protection as we go into spiritual warfare every day. I am so thankful that my prayers are heard and answered.  He always hears and He always answers. Ask Him to guide you in whatever you need then wait, expectantly, for Him to answer you in your sweet hour of prayer. 

This week join Operation Christmas Child in praying for Romania.  5.4% of Romanians are Evangelical Christian. There are 23 different spoken languages in Romania. Stories of the hundreds of thousands of orphans and abandoned children in the 1990s broke the hearts of many. While this is still a great need, churches and missions do an increasingly good job caring for these young people, praise the Lord! The relevance of Christianity to youth is a challenge – this is more an issue of church culture and tradition than openness. Churched youth are often dedicated and effective in ministry. Unfortunately, most church programs are not attractive to unbelieving young people. Pray for effective programs and pastors who are willing and able to mobilize the youth into ministry, an area of ministry surprisingly lacking until now.

Specifically:
1. Pray for the regional volunteer leadership team. Pray they are able to find solutions to the challenges they are facing.
2. Pray The Greatest Journey discipleship program will have a great impact in Romania.
3. Pray for the children who have graduated from the program this year.

Give thanks to God for Alina and her story. We are thankful that she is now living in the USA instead of Romania and that God is using her story to touch lives!

NEA Requests:
1. Our 2015 goal of 10,200 - it's shoebox time!!!! Pray we will do abundantly more this year, in Jesus' Name!  National Collection Week is November 16-23.

2. All of the year-around volunteers to be rooted and strengthened as the season is quickly approaching.

3. Pray for the churches that are participating in packing shoeboxes, that they will have success and see good fruit in their efforts!

4. Hobby Lobby will be promoting OCC in their 700 stores nation-wide Labor Day through National Collection Week. Pray for God to multiply this effort.

5. Upward Sports is sending OCC promotional communication to the 625 churches that have a Fall Upward League.  Pray for this to multiply Gospel Opportunities (Shoeboxes).

6. War Room will send an OCC crafted and dedicated eblast to 7 million to promote National Collection Week. When the War Room releases on DVD, it will include at least one OCC/TGJ bonus feature. War Room was the #2 movie at the box office opening weekend and #1 the following (Labor Day) weekend. Praise God for the power of prayer!

7. Lifeway and 5 other bookstores will have Go Boxes and "How to Pack Your Shoebox Gift” brochures, and Jesus Loves Me musical lambs for purchase as a shoebox items this year!  Pray this produces abundantly more shoeboxes than we can imagine!

"But truly God has listened; he has attended to the voice of my prayer. Blessed be God, because he has not rejected my prayer or removed his steadfast love from me!" (Psalm 66:19, 20 ESV)

Gabon & Mali

Tonight will you join me in praying for Gabon & Mali? 

Gabon's specific requests are:

1. Pray God will sustain The Greatest Journey (TGJ) discipleship program teachers so that, despite the delays in starting the course, the children will complete the training.

2. Pray God will work in the hearts of the children so they will follow the full TGJ course with perseverance.

Mali's specific requests are:

1. Pray for peace in Mali.

2. Pray the Ministry Partners who conduct the outreach programs understand the full OCC program.

3. Pray for the effectiveness of the national and regional volunteer leadership teams.

NEA OCC requests:

1. Prayer for our NEA goal of 10,200. 

2. Pray for a successful kick off event on Saturday, September 12th, when Alina Massey, from Romania, will be speaking at First Free Will Baptist Church in Jonesboro, 5407 Stadium Blvd, sharing her full-circle. Join us there at 10am. 

3. Pray for our team to continue to be rooted and strengthened. 

"Father, I thank you that you have heard me. I know that you always hear me...” (John 11:41-42 ESV)

Have a blessed night,

Jennifer 

Sensitive Areas in the Middle East & North Africa

The rest of this week will you join NEA OCC in praying for Sensitive Areas and Countries in the Middle East and North Africa?   

Specifically pray for:

• Wisdom to recruit, select and lead new and/or transitioning volunteer leadership team members.
• Provision of resources to reach their God-sized goals for the current year.
• Pray for the many outreach events that will take place in the next two months.
• Pray God will provide transportation for the refugee children so they can attend school.
• Pray God will use the gifts to reveal His love to the children.
• Pray God will open doors for OCC to reach new areas. 
• Pray the team will get permission from the government to distribute gifts in the schools.
• Pray God gives the team guidance and discernment in selecting distribution areas.
• Pray for the families who have been affected by the severe flooding.
• Pray for the upcoming Ministry Partner training where local leaders learn how to create outreach events to distribute shoebox gifts and share the Gospel.
• Pray for the team as they search for a new consignee.
• Four OCC International Volunteer Leadership Meetings will occur around the world over the next few months. Pray that volunteers will come with open hearts to be encouraged and inspired to further the Gospel to children in their countries. 
• August 5th is our next Quarterly Day of Prayer and Fasting for OCC.

Have a blessed week!

OCC India & Nepal, OCC Around the World

Hello OCC Prayer Warriors! 

Over the next few months, four OCC international volunteer leadership meetings will occur around the world. Pray that volunteers will come with open hearts to be encouraged and inspired to further the Gospel to children in their countries.  Also pray for Nepal. The National Leadership Team of Nepal is made up of an inspiring group of children’s workers. Most of the team members personally care for several orphans. Pray for all affected by the earthquake, for those who have lost loved ones, and for families whose homes have been destroyed. Pray for the Gospel proclamation through shoebox gifts to grow.  

General Prayer Requests Internationally that each country faces is: 

1. Wisdom to recruit, select and lead new and/or transitioning volunteer leadership team members.

2. Provision of resources to reach their God-sized goals for the current year.

Lastly, Spend the remainder of this week praying for India.  

Specifically:

1. Praise God for the training held in three states where 55 volunteers were trained.

2. Praise God for the upcoming Volunteer Discipleship Teacher trainings in Mumbai and Calcutta.

3. Pray for the tax exoneration.

4. Pray God will work in the hearts of the government officials who deal with the exoneration and customs clearance.

5. Pray for the TDW trainings. Pray for the Discipleship Coordinators, trainers, and teachers involved.  TDW is The Discipleship Workbook (same as The Greatest Journey but used in sensitive countries)

6. Pray God will provide the right candidates for the nine teams that will be recruited this season.