Pray for Serbia

These Serbian kids each received a Bible, one of the first books in their language.

Let's remember Serbia, host to ministry teams this summer as part of Transform 2010.  You can pray using the Serbia Transform 2010 Prayer Guide.  Serbians have also been in South Africa this month for the World Cup.  Remember this outreach with the Serbia World Cup Prayer Guide.  Thanks for your continued prayers.

Serbia's World Cup 2010 team.

Praying for Slovenia

The Slovenia World Cup team after a match.

OM teams are in South Africa right now for a World Cup outreach called The Ultimate Goal Challenge.  One of the participating nations is Slovenia.  Find out how to pray for the country in the Slovenia World Cup Prayer Guide.

Ministry teams will also be in Slovenia this summer as part of Transform 2010, an outreach to the people of the Mediterranean.  Pray in advance for those teams using the Slovenia Transform 2010 Prayer Guide.  Thanks for praying.

A castle in Slovenia.

Praying for Algeria

Men gathering in Algeria.

Today we are praying for Algeria. As participants in the World Cup, Algerians will be in South Africa this month, where OM will be reaching out to fans and players.  Pray for that outreach with the Algeria World Cup Prayer Guide. 

Ministry teams will also be heading to Algeria this summer with Transform 2010.  If you have been reading this blog and the OM USA website, you know God has been making Himself known there in powerful ways.  (See "A Terrorist Has a Dream" and "Jesus Knows Your Phone Number".)  Intercede for the OM summer teams as they connect with Algerian believers.  Read over the Algeria Transform 2010 Prayer Guide.  Thanks for your prayers.

Team Algeria World Cup 2010.

Cyprus Transform 2010 Prayer Guide

Let's lift up Cyprus, the island nation in the Mediterranean Sea where teams from Transform 2010 will be ministering this summer.  Read more in the Cyprus Transform 2010 Prayer Guide.

England and USA World Cup Prayer Guides

England's 2010 World Cup squad.

We are praying for the countries participating in the World Cup. Please remember OM ministry teams who are in South Africa to meet visitors from all over the world and share the Good News of Jesus. Join us today in praying through the World Cup Prayer Guides for England and the USA.

Team USA 2010.

Croatia Transform 2010 Prayer Guide

Kids in Croatia received children's Bibles from OM team members.

It is the first book written in their language besides the Catholic Catechism.

Pray today for Croatia, a country on the Mediterranean, where OM teams will be serving this summer as part of Transform 2010.  Prayer points are available in the Croatia Transform 2010 Prayer Guide. 

Nigeria and Argentina: World Cup Prayer Guides

Team Nigeria, 2010 World Cup

Let's lift up in prayer Nigeria and Argentina, two countries participating in the World Cup this month. Pray through the World Cup Prayer Guides for Nigeria and Argentina.  Remember to lift up OM ministry teams in South Africa for the tournament, as they reach out to fans from all over the world.

The 2010 squad from Argentina.

Bosnia and Herzegovina: Transform 2010 Prayer Guide

j

Pray today for Bosnia and Herzegovina, one of the Mediterranean countries that will be receiving teams as part of Transform 2010 next month. To get an overview, read the Bosnia and Herzegovina Transform 2010 Prayer Guide.

Local kids received backpacks from the OM team in Bosnia.  

South Korea & Uruguay: World Cup Prayer Guides

The South Korea World Cup team for 2010.

 As part of OM's World Cup Outreach,
join with us and pray for two of the participating countries.

Here is a World Cup Prayer Guide for South Korea and a
World Cup Prayer Guide for Uruguay.  

 

Team Uraguay 2010.

Praying for Greece

Like France, Greece will be the focus of both World Cup outreaches and Transform 2010.  Learn how to pray with the Greece World Cup Prayer Guide (PDF) and the Greece Transform 2010 Prayer Guide (PDF). 




 left: A nomadic family in Greece.
below: The 2010 World Cup Team from Greece.   

Praying for France

 French squad, World Cup 2010

Many French nationals will be in South Africa this month for the World Cup, and OM has an ongoing outreach throughout the tournament there.  OM teams will also be heading to France this summer as part of Transform 2010.  Would you join us today in praying for the people of France?  You can pray through the France World Cup Prayer Guide and the France Transform 2010 Prayer Guide.  Thanks for remembering these two outreaches and the precious French people who will hear about God's kingdom this summer.

A young student in France.

Albania: Transform 2010 Prayer Guide

Not only do we want to remember the nations of the World Cup, we also want to intercede for the countries that will be part of Transform 2010, an outreach to the Mediterranean that starts next month.  Loosen the soil for these summer ministry teams by breaking down strongholds in prayer each weekday.  We'll start today with Albania.  Get your Albania Transform 2010 Prayer Guide (PDF).

(pictured:) Men of Albania.

South Africa & Mexico World Cup Prayer Guides

The 2010 South Africa team

We are going to be praying through the World Cup nations in the order they first appear in the tournament (though not on the same day they first appear).  Pray first for the host country for this year's World Cup.  Download your South Africa World Cup Prayer Guide (PDF).

You will see that the Prayer Guides have days on them.  Those come from The Ultimate Goal Challenge (UGC), the OM South Africa outreach providing the prayer guides.  Here at the OM USA blog we'll be on a more condensed schedule but we will pray through all the countries by the end of the tournament.  You can learn more about UGC and download some interesting wallpaper images on their site. 

Today let's also remember our southern neighbors with the Mexico World Cup Prayer Guide (PDF).  Thanks for praying with us!

   Team Mexico 2010. 

Invite your church leaders to impact India from NJ and VA this month

OM USA is hosting two free meetings on the east coast for church and mission leaders. Here's more information on how to invite your pastor.

And here is an overview of the work currently going on in India.



(Note for US viewers: this video uses the international spelling of Mobilization, which uses an 's' instead of a 'z'. So Operation Mobilisation is correct.)

video: George in NYC and free books

OM founder George Verwer visits Ground Zero and Times Square in New York City, offering prayer points and free books.

ShipShots: building for a purpose

OM ship Logos Hope visits Guyana and helps with a local building project:

Buddy Hoffman: teaching pastor at Transform 2010

Aaron Keyes will be joined on the Transform 2010 platform by Buddy Hoffman, lead teaching pastor at Keyes’ home church, Grace Fellowship. Hoffman will be joining OM Director Peter Maiden in teaching a series on the Kingdom of God. Transform creator Gary Witherall says Hoffman “has a deep passion for seeing the Gospel presented effectively”. You can see a welcome message from Buddy here:

Transform2010 - Buddy Hoffman from gfc.tv Videos on Vimeo.

Pray about joining the Transform 2010 movement. Spend your summer serving God’s Kingdom. Learn more and find your outreach on the Transform 2010 page.

short movie about a Muslim who met Jesus

Enjoy More than dreams: The Story of Khosrow, how one man found the Lord Jesus Christ:

ShipShots: lights, children, action!

See what it's like for school kids who visit Logos Hope.

taste and see that the Lord is good

Enjoy this praise dance from Good Shepherd Community Church, a partner with OM India. English lyrics are included:

Aaron Keyes: worship pastor for Transform 2010

Aaron Keyes will be leading worship for Transform 2010, a movement to reach the Mediterranean this summer. A two-week conference in Rome kicks off the event before ministry teams are disbursed throughout the region, and Keyes will lead worship there.  Aaron Keyes is an Atlanta-area worship pastor who has led at other ministry events such as Catalyst. He has a gift for uniting worshippers by keeping them focused on the Word of God. He and his wife Megan, along with their four sons, host a school in their home for young worship pastors. Keyes mentors young leaders on how to first have a vibrant personal faith, then how to transcribe that relationship into a Scripture-filled corporate worship experience for others. Here is Aaron singing Psalm 62:

George Verwer: God of Wonders (& a free book offer!)

OM Founder George Verwer meets with a former Sikh at Niagara Falls in Canada.

ShipShots: lovin' the crowds

Huge crowds turned out to meet Logos Hope in Jamaica. See what the experience was like for one of the visitors, a local school teacher.

OM India: empowering women

OM India presents a look at the needs of women there and what OM is doing to lift women out of oppression.

Last Day for OM Film Crew in Haiti

by David Doughty

Today was extremely busy because we had to make up time from yesterday. It started at another orphanage where we interviewed a young man who survived a building collapsing on him, breaking his arm; a girl whose feet got burned; and also the woman who runs that orphanage.

We ended the day getting shots of the Parliament building destroyed as well as the Palace. At 5 pm every day, the guard marches out to the flag in front of the palace and takes it down. It was really emotional to see them take down their country's flag in front of a destroyed building with perfect precision and stance, even playing a bugle. No one moved during those 5 minutes. Cars stopped on the street, people stood at attention all around. Words couldn't find my throat, let alone my mouth.

Today's picture is from our driver's house.  He lost both his houses and his car that he used as a taxi service. He lost everything. We interviewed him in the rubble where his houses use to be. This area also had an overwhelming smell that I didn't connect with for a few minutes. I will spare the descriptive words I would use to describe it, because I don't want you to visualize like I did after finally connecting the dots, realizing that there were still people buried under the rubble we were standing on.

We leave tomorrow for the airport and a 12-hour travel day.  Thanks for your continued prayers.  

OM Film Crew in Haiti

Carsten Best and David Doughty, videographers for OM, are in Haiti this week interviewing survivors and shooting footage of the overwhelming aftermath. Doughty was able to get online and send this report of their first day on the ground:

Carsten Best interviews a young girl who
became orphaned in the January 12 quake.

Thank you for your prayers. As soon as Carsten and I landed in Haiti, we got picked up and immediately started shooting video while we were driving through the heart of Port au Prince. The devastation is.....hard to put into words. We quickly (after sitting in traffic for 2 hours) checked into our hotel room then went to an orphanage to start our interviews. The picture here is of a little girl that had a semi-wealthy life style, so after the earthquake her world turned upside down. She found the orphanage during a prayer meeting, and that is where she met Jesus. She then realized there was more to life than living for yourself. What mattered then, doesn't matter now.

After that, we went to a church that is mostly standing, though all the buildings around it have collapsed. A little girl who lived next door lost both her parents and we interviewed the aunt who is now taking care of her. This place was a lot harder to be at because you are standing on the roof of a three story building when you get out of the car. Some people have lost their minds, and then you turn around and you have people bathing in the streets out of a bucket. Then you walk into the church and 6 girls gather around a mic and are singing praises to the Lord as the worship band practices with various instruments. There is such a stark contrast of beauty and death. It's the ultimate extreme that I will never forget.

There is no telling what we will find next. I don't think exciting is the right word for it....sobering.....surreal....that might touch more of the emotions that surround everything. Sometimes I find myself thinking...this can't be real. Seeing the National Palace in ruins reminded me of an end of the world-type movie. Again, thank you for your prayers. Please keep them coming.

24/7 prayer for Europe until September 26

Last Friday, 24/7 prayer launched a 6-month vigil for Europe. Join with us in prayer:

What is the BE?

OM USA is the host for BE, an event for those seeking God's purpose for their lives. Learn more and get a registration form on the BE Facebook page.

Be from OM USA Video on Vimeo.

pastors and youth leaders: take your group to the BE

Andrew Scott, COO of OM USA, talks to youth leaders about the benefits of taking your group to the BE. Learn more and get a registration form on the BE Facebook page.

What is BE? from OM USA Video on Vimeo.

Pray for Mission Retreat this weekend

The Journey Deepens is a retreat for those interested in mission but not sure which step to take next. It is being held on the OM USA campus this weekend. Please be in prayer for those attending. Ask that the Lord would use this time to direct each one in His will. Thanks.

greetings from Haiti

OM USA staff member Ray Cooper is in Haiti awaiting the 40-ft container of supplies shipped from OM and scheduled for delivery Monday. He writes:

Greetings from Haiti. These past three days have been filled with kids, kids, more kids and truck rides.  Our team has grown in size. Adding to the three of us are 4 locals who join us each day. All four of them work with youth at their church or orphanages and are eager to gain new ideas and stratagies about childcare.  It's been a blessing to have them join our team. 

The team is praising God for taking care of every need, including transportation and even extra time at the end of each day to debrief and plan for the next.   Please pray for this team as they plan on visiting five more orphanages.  Pray for safe travel and good connections with the kids and the staff.  Pray strength for those serving as translators as they stay very busy in this role.

DIY: turning crates into beds for Haitian orphans

When OM announced plans to ship a container full of supplies to Haiti, OM staff member Randy Jury thought the most efficient way would be to build crates to hold the items. When staffer Ray Cooper heard about the crates, he wondered if they could be designed to reassemble into sturdy bunk beds upon arrival. Ray had been to Haiti since the earthquakes and knew kids in the orphanage were sleeping on cardboard mats or on the concrete floor. So Randy went back to work to create the crates.

Randy Jury and Tom Paver begin to reassemble a crate.

Randy, Ray, and the rest of their crew built 25 crate bunks -- that’s 50 new beds for orphaned kids in Haiti. The measurements fit mattresses being made in Haiti, and the bunks will be painted using supplies bought in country. Nearly one ton of sheets and blankets were included in the container shipment.  Each crate took 2-3 hours to construct but will only take 20-30 minutes to reassemble as a bunk bed.  

Thanks to everyone who helped build or load these crates. The final shipment contained 22,394 pounds of much-needed items for Haiti.  Many of you from Atlanta-area churches were part of this project and it could not have been completed without your help.  The container is on its way and due to arrive Monday morning, much quicker than expected!  Please pray for the container's safe delivery and for an easy distribution.  

OM staffers with a completed bunk.
(clockwise from top left:) Randy Jury, Tom Paver, Carl Hoffman, and Nigel Harman.

LAST WEEK: Atlanta-area Haiti drop-off

OM USA is filling a container with very specific items bound for Haiti. If you are in the Atlanta area ONLY  and can bring any of the following items, please do so by March 22. If you are not local but would like to give, give online to Haiti relief. For more information and directions see the OM USA website.




Please choose from only this list:
tarps and tents
mosquito nets
rice in larger bags
black or pinto beans, dry, in larger bags
spaghetti, dry pasta
toothbrushes and toothpaste
bar soap
crutches, walkers, and wheelchairs

George Verwer interviews one of the original OM members and gives away a free book

OM founder George Verwer with founding OM member Roger Malstead. Hear about Roger's latest project and how you can get a free book from George:

continued prayers for Haiti

Let us not become weary in doing good,

for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.

Galatians 6:9 

Though heartbreaking news from Haiti may seem endless, let us stay diligent and remember those for whom daily survival remains a challenge.  OM has been partnering with local churches in the Port au Prince area to provide food and water to a growing number of orphanages and communities. We have worked short-term with a medical team, a logistics team, and a structural engineer. These skilled workers have been invaluable, as have been the team of nationals working right alongside.

We are grateful for the gifts we have received. Your partnership has allowed us to do so much already. Thanks for standing with us as we continue to show the love of Jesus to a hurting people. Please continue to keep the people of Haiti in your prayers.

George Verwer in India

George Verwer interviews Moses Parmar, Chairman of Good Shepherd Community Church in India about the ministry there.

shoot out in Rome

OM Italy's Matt Gibson invites you to Rome, Italy, where OM will be shooting out teams to all over the Mediterranean this summer.

February International Update

OM International Director Peter Maiden talks about Haiti, Doulos, and several other topics in this month's International Update.

Pray for Haiti shipment & team

OM is partnering with Delta airlines to get supplies into Haiti. A small team left today with a shipment of cargo. Please pray that all goes well with the flight and that the supplies will get to the people who need them most.

Delta notified OM over the weekend that space on this flight would be available, so a call went out to local churches for bedding: foam pads, sheets, blankets, and mosquito nets. The response was so great, there was concern yesterday that not all the bedding would be accepted for this flight. But it was and everything collected will go to Haiti today.

Praise the Lord for His provision. Pray that these materials might bring comfort to a nation that has been sleeping outside for over a month. Pray this team could discern any other immediate needs. Thank the Lord for this new partnership with Delta.

George Verwer in NYC

OM founder George Verwer meets with Joy Christian Fellowship pastor Danny Han in New York City.

Stories of Hope: Like a Dream Come True

Hear about a late-night conversation in this episode of Stories of Hope, the podcast of OM ship Logos Hope.

Are you going to Transform 2010?!

Spend a few weeks in the Mediterranean next with Transform 2010. Here's a video overview:

The Journey Deepens: a retreat

If you have a heart for mission and are beginning to sense the Lord prompting you to take the next steps, you may want to attend a weekend retreat called The Journey Deepens. OM is hosting the March event on our Atlanta-area campus. For information see the Journey Deepens website.

FREE THE DALITS!

Incredible video of the Dalit cup-smashing event that ran throughout Passion 2010. Jill Monaco of One Verse interviews OM VP Michael Kaspar about the story behind the Dalit cups, then several students participate in this prophetic act. Please pray for the Dalits and for the end of the caste system in India.



For $25 you can provide one year of school lunches for a Dalit student.

Bus4Life in Hungary

See what OM Romania is doing through their Bus4Life ministry, a partnership with local churches. You can join the Bus4Life team this summer for a short-term mission trip.

Bus4Life brings hope to Eastern Europe from OM USA Video on Vimeo.

A week of God moments in Haiti

Written by Lane Powell, OM USA Communications

“I knew there were going to be ‘God moments’ through the week when the tap-tap [taxi truck] ran out of gas right in front of the orphanage.” That was the beginning of the visit to Haiti by Henry Couser, a member of OM’s staff in the USA. He had traveled nearly two hours from the airport in the tap-tap, and the fuel lasted until they got to the orphanage gate.

Henry arrived in Carrefour, a suburb of Port-au-Prince, in the first days after the January 12 earthquake. His goal was to visit the three orphanages OM had helped in the past, in partnership with a US church, and assess their needs. He based himself at the first one, where the tap-tap ran out of gas, and found that instead of 200 children, the orphanage was housing 350 and was also giving shelter and food to approximately 1,000 people from the community. And they were coming to the end of their food supply. No outside help had arrived yet. Their buildings were still standing, but, like everyone else in the region, they were sleeping outside due to concerns about aftershocks and damage to the structures. By finding some shops that had not been destroyed, Henry was able to purchase food for the immediate need.

Two days later, Henry was joined by a six-member, trained emergency response team sent by OM’s USA office and led by former OM missionary Rusty Garrison. One of their tasks was to check the rubble of a nearby school that had collapsed on 2,000 students. They could find no signs of life. Faced with this and other sites where children had died in piles of rubble, the team wanted to work at removing bodies. “But we knew that our mission was to help the living, and that had to be our priority,” Rusty said.

Each of the three orphanages was visited, and at each the team found a similar situation: buildings standing but showing cracks, children and staff living outside, food and water nearly gone. Through contacts in the communities, the team was able to find food and water to stock each orphanage. They located a relief aid warehouse which had begun receiving food shipments, but the director was overwhelmed at organizing it and establishing a distribution system. He asked only for the team’s labor of unloading trucks and organizing a supply line in exchange for food they could take to the orphanages. “I’ll never forget the cheers that erupted as we drove into the orphanage gates,” says one of the team members, speaking of arriving with food from the warehouse. As they transported injured people to a hospital in the area, they found that the medical staff had run out of food two or three days earlier. The team provided them with food, as well.

During a week in Haiti, the three orphanages were supplied with food and water to last until a shipment could be arranged, injured people were transported to clinics, and a child whose adoption had been finalized just before the earthquake was helped out of the country with her adoptive parents. Everywhere there were the stories and stunned faces of people still in shock--not yet grieving, only staring at the rubble. There was the old man who, with his wife of 58 years, was visiting from Canada when the buildings collapsed. Her body was removed from the rubble, and he asked Henry to take a photo of her passport picture “so that the world will not forget Anne Marie.” There was the family who lost 15 members in the collapse of their home. Four bodies were recovered and placed in one coffin, but the other 11 were still in the ruins. The family asked Henry to take of photo of the surviving members. The heartbreaking sadness was knowing that hundreds of thousands of people had similar stories.

But in the midst of such tragedy, after the team’s work, there were three orphanages which had smiling children with full stomachs. They understood that God had brought Henry and the team to help them.

Thanks for your gifts to long-term Haiti relief.

Haiti relief video to share

Thanks for posting this to your own sites and helping us spread the word about the long-term needs in Haiti.

Haiti Relief from OM USA Video on Vimeo.

team in Haiti after flight change

The donated charter jet leaves Georgia for Haiti.

The emergency response team sent to Haiti by OM USA in partnership with New Hope Baptist Church was diverted to the Dominican Republic. The team had been given a confirmed landing time for Haiti, yet the air space was closed and they were sent to the Dominican Republic. So they traveled by land into Haiti and have arrived at the first orphanage, the one written about here yesterday. Everyone there survived the strong aftershock of this morning.

We will keep you updated on the team's progress. Word has gotten to them that a second orphanage on the other side of Port-au-Prince was also spared, as was a third orphanage farther away. What powerful reminders of God's heart for the orphan, referred to throughout Scripture. Please continue to pray that the team will be able to get food and water to the kids, as well as pave the way for subsequent teams.

partnership gets team to Haiti

The team packs at OM USA.

The search and rescue team that left for Haiti yesterday spent some time at OM USA before they left. They met members of New Hope Baptist, an Atlanta-area church who partners with the same orphanages this team will be serving. New Hope member Rhodena Buck was able to show pictures from the area and brief the team on who they would meet and what they could expect. During the briefing, the team was treated to lunch by a local Chick-fil-a, with plenty left over to take with them.

Former OM member Rusty Garrison put this 6-man team together and watched as the Lord provided everything they needed. First, each man on this team is certified in search and rescue, a must at this stage in Haiti's earthquake recovery. To get there, a local businessman offered the use of his corporate jet, saving the team $6,000 in last-minute airfare. Another business leader is offering his jet for the return trip, possibly bringing a fresh team with him. A local branch of the NAACP was hosting a parade and rally for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day and half of the funds they raised will go toward OM's relief work in Haiti.

Thanks for your continued support of this team. As you pray and give, you are joining with them.

team en route to Haitian orphanage

Kids before the earthquake, at the orphanage where OM is sending a team.

OM USA is sending out a six-member emergency response team to serve several orphanages in Haiti. Each team member is certified in search and rescue. The group will first search the rubble of a school just outside Port au Prince for possible survivors. As many as 2,000 children may be buried there beneath the rubble. No rescue teams have yet been in the area where they are going.

Water is the greatest need for an orphanage that was miraculously spared. The kids are sleeping outside since it is unknown how safe their building is, but praise God for protecting these children. The town around this orphanage was completely destroyed so the orphanage is providing aid to the neighborhood survivors. Pray for this team as they go, that the Lord will protect them and that they will be able to find anyone still alive. Subscribe to this blog for more updates. And click here to give to OM relief work in Haiti.

Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this:
to look after orphans and widows in their distress.
James 1:27

OM anticipates long-term involvement in Haiti earthquake relief

OM staff continue to investigate the best ways to help with earthquake relief in Haiti. Contact has been made with the two orphanages we have assisted in the past. They have minimal structural damage but are cut off from food and water supplies. We are investigating all possibilities of getting relief supplies into Haiti.

Please be in prayer with us that we can arrange the right logistics to provide some immediate help to these orphanages and surrounding areas. A member of OM USA who has local connections in Haiti will be in the country on the weekend and will further assess the situation and how OM can help. We anticipate having long-term involvement with some local churches once the crisis transitions to a rebuilding phase.

Give to Haiti Earthquake Relief.

How to pray for Costa Rica

OM founder George Verwer talks with the leader of OM Costa Rica about current ministry projects there. Please pray for the needs mentioned here. Thank you.

Give to Haiti Earthquake Relief

OM is sending a leader today to find areas of greatest need, with teams to follow. Please pray for this first responder who will be partnering with members of a Hatian church. Pray he will be able to find the pastor of this church in the chaos of that area, pray for the people of Haiti, and pray for many miracles to happen in these first crucial days of recovery. Thanks for your gifts toward these relief efforts. You can subscribe to this blog for more updates. Continue to pray with us in the coming days.

George in the USA

OM founder George Verwer meets with Andrew Scott, COO of OM USA in the Atlanta-area office.

Passion 2010 crushes injustice

In Atlanta at the Passion Conference:
22,000 students (ages 18-25) raised
$668,000 for global projects
One couple matched that --
bringing the grand total to
over $1.3 million.

For OM, that meant not just one but TWO Dalit education centers will be built in India. The Dalits are one of the world's most oppressed people groups. In their culture, they drink out of clay cups and when they are finished smash the cups, so no one else will be made "unclean" by coming into contact with them. Passion attendees paid $30 for two cups, one to take home as a prayer reminder, and another to break as a prophetic act toward the future of the Dalit people, thereby helping to crush injustice. Proceeds went toward the Dalit education centers, where Dalit children are being equipped and empowered. Here's more from the Dalit cup crushing experience at Passion:

OM at Urbana: Anna's story

Michael Kaspar interviews Anna Lyman about how she found OM through the Urbana mission conference. See more of Anna's story here.

OM at Urbana: Iraqi Bibles

OM VP Michael Kaspar meets with two Urbana participants in St. Louis this week. You can join the students who are buying Bibles for those in Iraq. Iraqi Bibles are $2 each. Just use this form.

Continue to pray for Shiite Muslims

Here are the last two prayer prompts for Ashura (click pictures to read the prompts), a time that ends in many men performing self-mutilation in remembrance of a Muslim martyr.








Shiite Muslims continue to be attacked during this time. Many explosions have gone off during Ashura gatherings all over the Muslim world this week. Pray for the safety of the Shiites and for someone to tell them about the one who shed His blood for them.

Merry Christmas...

...and thanks for partnering with us through the year

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Day 8: Supremacy of Jesus

This Christmas Eve, remember Shiite Muslims who still need to know the love and the supremacy of Jesus.

Click this picture for today's Ashura prayer prompt from cryoutnow.org.

You can subscribe to their email list here.

For an introduction to Ashura, watch this video.

Day 7: Shiite households

While you are preparing your own home for the joy of Christmas Eve, lift up Shiite families who are in a traditional season of mourning, that they might know the hope that you have.

Click this picture for today's Ashura prayer prompt from cryoutnow.org.

You can subscribe to their email list here.

For an introduction to Ashura, watch this video.

Day 6: Influential Shiite Men

As we are preparing for Christmas, Shiite Muslims are preparing for Ashura, a day of ceremonial chest beating, to mourn the suffering of an Islamic martyr, one of Muhammad's grandsons. Join with us in prayer during these 10 preceding days of Ashura.

Click this picture for today's Ashura prayer prompt from cryoutnow.org.

You can subscribe to their email list here.

For an introduction to Ashura, watch this video.

Day 5: obedient followers of Jesus

Click this picture for today's Ashura prayer prompt from cryoutnow.org.

You can subscribe to their email list here.

For an introduction to Ashura, watch this video.

Day 4: stepping out of your comfort zone

Click this picture for today's Ashura prayer prompt from cryoutnow.org.

You can subscribe to their email list here.

For an introduction to Ashura, watch this video.

y 3: seekers of God

Click this picture for today's Ashura prayer prompt from cryoutnow.org.

You can subscribe to their email list here.

For an introduction to Ashura, watch this video.

Day 2: Dreams and Visions

Click this picture for today's Ashura prayer prompt from cryoutnow.org.

You can subscribe to their email list here.

For an introduction to Ashura, watch this video.

Day 1: Shiites and fear

Today is the first of the Islamic month Muharram and the therefore the first of a 10-day observance of Ashura.

Click this picture for today's Ashura prayer prompt from cryoutnow.org.

You can subscribe to their email list here.

For an introduction to Ashura, watch this video.

PRAY: 10 days of Ashura

Today is the first day of Ashura for Shiite Muslims worldwide. Remember to pray for this time, which ends in self-mutilation rituals. To help you pray, you can sign up to get prayer updates for Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria.

Getting ready for Urbana

It's almost time for Urbana 09 and OM USA staffers have been creating the OM booth, a large mixed media display now affectionately termed The Shroud of Tyrone. Read why on our Facebook photo album.