The International Miners Mission is registered charity 221853 and company limited by guarantee 90484

CONTACT DETAILS David Shillitoe, General Secretary

5 Old Rectory Court ~ 61 Wood Street ~ Barnet ~ Hertfordshire ~ EN5 4BL Visit our website at www.minersmission.com email David at dshillitoe@minersmission.com

Thursday 28th May South Africa:- Thanks to the generous sacrificial giving of IMM UK supporters, Pastor Mohau has been able to commence building his house! This will be such a benefit to him and Bulelwe as they currently live above the church that Mohau pastors. Mohau is a diligent and passionate preacher with a heart to reach the lost for the Lord. Ask the Lord to bless them with a baby soon.

Friday 29th May Ukraine:- In any conflict or disaster the people who often suffer the greatest trauma are the children. Please pray for them that they will be introduced to their loving Father and experience His peace in spite of everything that is around them.

Saturday 30th May Please pray that the Lord will raise up more younger Christians to come alongside IMM’s ministry to support and pray for the work amongst miners and their families. May they have the vision and leading of the Lord to move this forward into the future.

Sunday 31st May Please pray for Stuart Burns, General Secretary of IMM USA, who has the huge task of overseeing the continuing development of IMM’s

ministry in the two American continents. Please also pray for the Board of Trustees who support him as Stuart promotes and fundraises on behalf of the IMM USA to ensure the smooth running of numerous projects of Christian outreach to miners and their families.

IMM USA Board: L to R: Paul Liggitt, Stuart Burns, Gary Bittner, Ben Wilson, Tom Gilliam, Catherine Wilson. Not seen: Clarke Kennedy, Stan Morton, Howard Whitfield.

Please send all correspondence to: David Shillitoe ~ General Secretary 5 Old Rectory Court ~ 61 Wood Street ~ Barnet ~ Hertfordshire ~ EN5 4BL

Glynn-Vivian Miners’ Mission Incorporated 1906

THE INTERNATIONAL MINERS’ MISSION

APRIL – MAY 2015

Wednesday 1st April South Africa:- Pookkattu and Molly Paul have suffered a break in at their home in South Africa recently and among other things Molly’s jewellery was taken. Please pray for them as the experience has left them shaken. Molly’s father died a couple of months ago. May they know the security and the love of the Lord during these sad and testing times.

Thursday 2nd April Ethiopia:- Please pray that the 20 miners who received Christ as their Lord and Saviour when Mohau gave an impromptu talk when the conference minibus stopped in one of the mining areas around Shakiso, will be encouraged in their faith and that they will be a mighty witness in their community.

Friday 3rd April Ukraine:- Alex B. writes; “Thank you so much for your prayers for us here in Ukraine. Anxiety is in every heart here; but God gives His strength to His children to keep the good spirits and to help neighbours around. We believe God see us and all the difficulties surrounding us.” Please continue to support them in your prayers.

Saturday 4th April Romania:- Please pray for Cornel and Sanda Hudulin who are still dealing with the consequences of the car accident they were involved in five years ago. It has been a long ordeal with many court hearings and delays. Ask the Lord that they will receive fair compensation.

You, O Lord, keep my lamp burning; my God turns my darkness into light. Psalm 18:28

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Sunday 5th April Praise God for the ministry of Etienne in Butihinda, Burundi. There is much work to be done amongst the Batwa (pigmies) who tend to be despised, uneducated and live in great need in very poor housing. Thank the Lord that 10 new houses have recently been built for them.

Monday 6th April Sierra Leone:- Praise the Lord for His protection of Pastor Dennis Mannah; that the area he mainly works in has been relatively free from Ebola. Pray that Dennis will soon be in possession of his motor bike provided by IMM supporters which will make a huge difference to the number of communities he is able to reach and minister to.

Tuesday 7th April Sierra Leone:- Thank the Lord that the Ebola epidemic in Sierra Leone seems to be abating although it is leaving devastation and many shattered families and communities in its wake; also the threat of the withdrawal of the mining industry. Please pray that the Lord will make Himself known in these communities and that the witness and ministry previously supported by IMM evangelists will break forth and produce fruit at this time of uncertainty.

Wednesday 8th April Asia:- Peter Robertson (IMM Asia-Pacific) has a real heart for China and is currently looking into reaching miners in the Chinese mine fields. Please pray that the Lord will give him vision and a strategy for the work. There is great need for the Gospel to be taken to millions in China including the tens of thousands of miners often working in dangerous conditions.

Thursday 9th April South Africa:- Rev. Patrick Langa has a hunger for the Word and a desire to sharpen up his ministry skills. Praise the Lord for his enthusiasm and willingness to study further through the International School of Bible and Missions (ICBM). May he be richly blessed in his studies and have many opportunities to share his faith and passion for the Lord in his community.

Scene in the vast Rustenburg Platinum Mining area

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Sunday 24th May There is a harvest waiting in Ethiopia and Beletew Kibede, General Secretary of Addis Kidan Baptist Church asks for our prayers for the divine guidance of God as they seek the Lord where they are to plant new churches. The new motor bike which has been arranged for the team of pastors and evangelists around Shakiso to share will enable their territory to be expanded and increase the number of mining communities able to hear of the saving grace of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Monday 25th May Ukraine:- Many Protestant Churches in the Donetsk and Luhansk region are experiencing persecution from the established Church. Many buildings have been destroyed or damaged. Please support the believers by your prayers that they may be strong and faithful and experience the loving grace of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Tuesday 26th May Bolivia:- Thank God for how He has led IMM over 20 years of ministry in Oruro, Bustillos, and Potosi. Spiritual warfare is very real as many miners believe Satan is the god of the mines and bring him offerings for their protection. Pray for leaders Eliseo Quispe and Ruben Paco as they seek God for the best ways to reach pagan miners, with the Gospel of Christ. The Word says that the god of the air has blinded the eyes of those who don’t believe. Please pray that their eyes be opened to the Love of Jesus.

Wednesday 27th May One of the important tasks of the Trustees of IMM is to ensure that the grants being made to various churches and agencies working in mining areas are being correctly applied to the ministry to miners and their families. Please pray for great wisdom when they meet at regular Committee meetings.

Beletew, General Secretary of Addis Kidan Baptist Church and his family.

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Monday 18th May Zimbabwe:- Pardon Chingovo writes: “There is great need among the impoverished mining communities.” Pray that IMM’s four faithful workers will be guided by God and strengthened each day. May the Lord grant them wisdom and all the resources that they need to stay strong and focussed on their work amidst such need.

Tuesday 19th May

Chile:- Pray for Victor Varas, Pastor Luis, Cristobal Mangini and Mike Jackoboice, as they seek to win copper miners for Christ. May they experience the comfort and encouragement of the Lord and get new vision, passion and hope in the work that He has called them to.

Wednesday 20th May Bolivia:- Thank God for the faithful ministry of Nicolas, Beatriz, Florentino, Elisa, Arminda, Ruth and others. May they be greatly encouraged in spite of many challenges. Just as revival impacted coal miners in Wales in 1904, let’s pray that God will in these days send a mighty spiritual change in Bolivia & beyond.

Thursday 21st May South Africa:- Please uphold Vusi Ndinisa and his family before the Lord that they may receive grace to balance the needs of family and the intense ministry pressures upon them from the local church, school, police, and IMM SA. Praise God for Vusi’s valuable contribution.

Friday 22nd May

The small east African country Burundi is top of the Global Hunger list with ¾ of the people undernourished. Pray for IMM sponsored Etienne and Chantal as they help many in great need. The gold mining area invites many who come to search for gold in an unregulated way in order to avoid paying taxes.

Saturday 23rd May Romania:- Milhai and Lidia work mainly in the town of Targu Carbunesti some 18 miles south east of Targu-Jiu having a population of nearly 9000. Lidia is building relationships with the children teaching them to pray and reading them Bible stories while Milhai preaches the Gospel to the adults. Ask the Lord to encourage them today.

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Friday 10th April South Africa:- Pastor Ambrose Muymi is a mine supervisor working in the platinum mining communities of Lideg and Mogwase. The new Bakobung Platinum mine has just opened bringing much needed employment in the area. May he see many opportunities to share the Saving Grace of the Lord Jesus Christ with the miners and their families he works with and that the Lord will grant him favour as he seeks His will.

Saturday 11th April South Africa:- Pray for the Rodrigues family as they develop effective ministry in Rustenburg, where many platinum miners live. Pastor Rodrigues is establishing partnership with the Mozambican church to start the Miners’ Ministry. May they know the Lord’s guidance and strength have all the wisdom he needs in this new challenge.

Sunday 12th April South Africa:- Pastor Elijah Dube needs our prayers as he has some health issues due to diabetes, blood pressure and arthritis. He is struggling to travel long distances and to stand long. However, his passion for ministry in the local church and region is still alive and he is blessed in encouraging many to follow Christ.

Monday 13th April Philippines:- Pray for Peter Robertson (IMM Asia-Pacific), Bishop Joy Bendoy, (Adviser) and Pastors Salvador, Wenceslao, Roland and Largo, that God would keep them spiritually strong and safe on dangerous roads and tracks that lead to remote mining locations. Praise God for their enthusiasm to go out and reach these men working in difficult environments.

Tuesday 14th April Ethiopia:- Thank the Lord for the provision of a motor bike for the evangelist team in the Shakiso area provided by a faithful IMM supporter, who appreciated the vital importance of communication with the scattered churches. This will make a tremendous difference to the ministry opportunities available in these remote areas.

Wednesday 15th April Peru:- Thank you for praying for Roberto and Martina Masca in Peru. Ask God to encourage them today in their challenging ministry to reach some 3000 miners in Orcopampa, a large gold mine way up in the Andes mountain range. There have been strikes by the miners from time to time in recent months, as they demand more pay.

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Thursday 16th April Burundi:- Etienne reports that he is pleased with his new motor bike. A number of conversions have taken place and over Christmas some 600 children were entertained and fed. This has enhanced Etienne and Chantal’s standing in the area, which makes it easier for them to work among the mining communities.

Friday 17th April Bolivia:- A mission trip to the various mine areas in Bolivia is planned to start shortly involving Stuart Burns (General Secretary, IMM USA) and (hopefully) the Missions Pastor of his local church. Their aim is to ensure that the various ministries in the mining areas supported are focussed, effective and sustainable. Please pray for all the plans being made and for good health and travelling mercies over long and difficult terrain.

Saturday 18th April Ukraine:- Alexander K writes that although the war is being fought very close to them most of the pastors and deacons continue to stay and minister faithfully. They are hoping that God will decrease the times of suffering because of His great mercy to Ukrainian people. May they be encouraged in the face of so many hardships.

Sunday 19th April Ukraine:- In spite of the cease fire, the people of Artyomovsk and Kramatorsk are still witnessing fighting and a number of people have lost their lives. Funds have been forwarded to help meet some the desperate need being faced by the church in Artyomovsk, near where the salt mine is located. There is also much concern about division in some churches regarding the rights and wrongs of the civil war going on.

Monday 20th April Ukraine:- There are currently 35 people in the Rehab centre at Chasov Yar under the care and support of Andrey and Christina who appreciate the prayerful support and encouragement from IMM. They thank the Lord for His blessing.

Alexander and Vasily

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Tuesday 12th May In Burundi, IMM sponsored Evangelist Etienne seeks out boys working in the artisanal gold mines and has organised a football team for them. Several have found Christ as Saviour and Lord and have been able to return to school, rather than work in the mines. Please pray for this very effective ongoing ministry.

Wednesday 13th May South Africa:- Prayer is urgently requested for a number of miners who struggle with issues of traditional beliefs, cultural practices involving marital unfaithfulness and related complications which hinder their Christian life. This is a really challenging matter. Ask the Lord that people in the mining communities grow closer to the Lord thus bringing harmony in society so that God’s Kingdom may grow.

Thursday 14th May Ukraine:- Pastor Alexander says that the Baptist churches in Donbas coal mine area have been divided by the firing line but are working hard to keep the unity and support between them sending money and aid to those separated. Thank the Lord for the unity of these brethren may they find creative ways to continue building the Kingdom of the Lord.

Friday 15th May Romania:- There is great need in the ex-mining communities of Sambotin and Curtisoara. Mines have closed and many miners are unemployed and living in considerable poverty. Gabi Popescu organises Bible lessons and games and programmes for the children. Marian Popescu and his team need much wisdom as they seek to reach the mining families and their communities for the Lord.

Saturday 16th May East Kentucky, USA:- Connie and Sharon Boggs take food and clothing to the elderly, the unemployed and the downcast where many coal mines have closed. May God encourage them today and may their actions open the way to communications about the love and grace of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Sunday 17th May Ukraine:- Please pray that the Lord will draw hearts to Himself in this time of trouble and fear in the Donbas coal mining region. May the witness of those who already are in a loving relationship with Him impact others and many more come to experience His saving grace.

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Friday 8th May Romania:- Marian and Gabi Popescu inform us that they continue to be actively engaged in the programmes of outreach to the churches around the town of Targu Jiu. The work of ministry to the villages is carried out by IMM sponsored evangelists, Mihai Dragu, Daniel Gheoghitan, Samuel Trasca and Aurel Tulpan, all of which are sponsored by IMM UK. Praise God for their untiring work involving travelling quite long distances.

Saturday 9th May

Romania:- Marian Popescu writes: “Pray for us! We need the support of our Lord in these troubled times. Only He can give the guarantee and comfort which we need daily. Christ’s love is measured in the great price He paid at the cross, as C.H. Spurgeon said, “we can measure the greatness of the accomplished redemption of Christ, only by understanding the enormous price that He has paid.’”

Sunday 10th May ‘Let the little children come to me’, Jesus said ‘and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.’ In many parts of the world poverty forces many children to work in the mines at the expense of their health and education. Please pray for these children and the local churches providing food, healthcare and education for them.

Monday 11th May In Zimbabwe, many children in mine areas are orphans because their parents have died due to HIV/AIDS. There are hundreds of ‘street children’ and Rev Derek Marijeki in Shurugui and Zvishavane mines is supported by IMM Switzerland who have a fund to provide support for these children. They play football and hear the Gospel preached. A few have been funded by IMM to pay for their school fees.

Girls as young as 10 work in the mines

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Tuesday 21st April South Africa:- Rev. Faki Bodibe is an influential leader in the mining community and in the AEC Church. Pray for good health and strength for his ongoing ministry. We praise God for Pastor Faki’s faithful encouragement of the miners work undertaken by IMM South Africa.

Wednesday 22nd April Romania:- Consideration is underway for a visit by representative IMM UK trustees to Targu Jiu, the last visit being for the 2010 Romanian Conference. Please ask the Lord for guidance and wisdom for establishing a suitable date and for the organisation of this trip.

Thursday 23rd April South Africa:- Pray for Moses Hlongwane, a graduate of the Miners Bible School actively involved in the discipleship studies (he is a miner who lost his leg in an accident). By God’s grace, he drives a car, and preaches the Gospel in four Southern African languages and in English. Pray for his wife Maria and daughters Molina, Rito and son, Excellence.

Friday 24th April Ukraine:- Vasily reports that there are more and more refugees seeking help the closest battle being only 20km from Artymovosk. Vasily and his church are using every opportunity to serve people with dinners and preaching the Word of God. May there be much fruit and many hearts open to the Love of Christ.

Saturday 25th April South Africa:- Pray for Andrew Mayathulla and family for the witness through the “Living by Faith” ministry in Freedom Park. Andrew and his family have a commitment to reach the miners and a heart to give spiritual care to the children and caring mothers of a home for disabled children.

Sunday 26th April IMM Peru Coordinator, Santos Valero, has begun to pastor a new church near his home in Chiguata. Thank the Lord for this opportunity and ask the Lord to bless Santos with insight, wisdom and that people may grow in their relationship with God and come to love Him more. May they be a light in the area drawing souls into everlasting life through Jesus Christ, our Lord.

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Monday 27th April Portugal:- We continue to remember the faithful ministry of Jorge and Adelia Paradela around Braganza in remote North East Portugal. They continue to reach out to many needy people in an area where the tin mines are all now closed.

Tuesday 28th April Sierra Leone:- Many children attended the Bible club in Tongo Fields led by Pastor Dennis Mannah last year. Pray they will be protected against the Ebola crisis, and their faith remains strong. News is sparse but please pray that there may be ongoing work amongst the many children who need to hear of the love of the Lord Jesus for each one of them.

Wednesday 29th April South Africa:- Patrick Langa writes; “90% of miners in our area are from outside South Africa. They come to work for their families and have to stay a long time before they can visit their loved ones back home. It is a huge task to encourage them to stay faithful and try to visit their families regularly. Miners are very stubborn in their culture but when they get saved, you will be amazed to see how committed they are.”

Thursday 30th April Zimbabwe:- We thank God for the exceptional opportunities that Kurt Feurer (IMM Switzerland) had during his time in Zimbabwe at the end of February/beginning March this year, along with Joni Germann, both of whom represented the IMM during the 30 year celebrations of the collaboration with ‘Mine Ministry’ in Zimbabwe under the leadership of Rev Pardon Chingovo.

Friday 1st May Zimbabwe:- Kurt Feurer had the opportunity of visiting many of the mine sites where ‘Mine Ministry’, is run by the Zimbabwean Baptist Church. In Mashava township there are two asbestos mines and Rev Elias Katiyo leads the ministry. It was possible to visit miner’s compounds and Kurt was able to pray with the men and encourage them.

Patrick Langa

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Saturday 2nd May Zimbabwe:- The new church building at Rutendo was officially opened and it was a great joy for Pastor Mohau Mofokeng and his wife Bulelwe from South Africa to be present on this auspicious occasion. Much of the cost of the building materials had been faithfully purchased with funds provided by supporters of IMM Switzerland. Praise God for His goodness!

Sunday 3rd May Zimbabwe:- We thank God for the Chamboko family who live in Gweru. Mr Chamboko acts as the treasurer of the ‘Mine Ministry’ in Zimbabwe and Kurt Feurer had a good time discussing matters with him and having fellowship with this dear Christian family.

Monday 4th May Zimbabwe:- Kurt Feurer also was able to visit the Shurugwi mining area where there are several mines extracting chrome ore. They were able to hold a special church service and Pastor Pardon Chingovo was with Kurt who brought a message of encouragement to the fellowship. Praise God for this opportunity.

Tuesday 5th May Zimbabwe:- On another day Kurt Feurer (IMM Switzerland) was taken to visit the Kadoma mines. Here gold is mined and Kurt was able to preach to a group of miners and their families. Please pray for these people because many of them are in great spiritual and financial need.

Wednesday 6th May Zimbabwe:- Kurt Feurer praises God for safe travelling during his time in the large mining area of Zimbabwe. In all he travelled some 1000 miles around several different mining locations. He was able to share wonderful fellowship with evangelists and pastors working in the mines. Pastor Chingovo writes: “Rev Kurt is stronger than younger people. A man of encouragement, we were amazed by his energy and his passion for the lost. May God bless him and his family.”

Thursday 7th May Romania:- Please pray for Daniel Ghiorghitan, who is himself a working miner, as a while back he was involved in an accident at the mine, which meant he has been on sick leave. This fact reminds us yet again of the often dangerous nature of work in the mining industry. Please pray for Daniel’s full healing.