Thursday, July 15
Afghanistan
The recent history of Afghanistan has been marked by warfare, chaos, and religious extremism, but the International Assistance Mission (IAM) has never closed its doors. For over four decades this Christian humanitarian organization has served the Afghan people as they work toward the reconstruction and development of their homeland.
Established in 1966, Noor Eye Care is the oldest and longest running IAM program. Virtually every Afghan receiving eye care or even wearing glasses is a beneficiary of this ministry, which the PC(USA) has supported throughout its history. IAM carries out a witness of presence in a country often hostile to and misinformed about both the West and Christianity.
Kazakhstan
Appointed as mission co-workers in 1993, a couple who we will call Luke and Mary were among the first PC(USA) mission personnel to enter Central Asia after the fall of the Soviet Union. Luke is pastor to a Christian businessmen’s committee. Trained in music, he also served as the director of a Christian cultural center, an institution he helped to found. Mary began a hospice ministry, which may have been the first one in Central Asia. They have decided to have their home remodeled so churches can have some space for their programs and for retreats. In a land where open evangelism is not allowed, these mission co-workers have used music and hospitality, among other things, to show forth the kingdom of God.
Let us join in prayer for:
PC(USA) People in Mission
Please pray for people in mission in these countries.
Partners/Ministries
International Assistance Mission [Afghanistan]
Noor Hospital [Afghanistan]
PC(USA) Agencies' Staff
Lisa Longo, FDN
The Rev. Philip Lotspeich, GAMC
Prayer
God of light, help our mission co-workers in Kazakhstan to reach out to their community with the good news of your Son, Jesus Christ. We also ask that you guide the ministry of the IAM in Afghanistan as it witnesses to the love of God in a Muslim nation. Amen.
Daily Lectionary
Ps. 97, 147:12–20 and Ps. 16, 62
Josh. 3:14—4:7
Rom. 12:1–8; Matt. 26:1–16
