Kosovo Transform 2010 Prayer Guide

Please pray today for teams going to Kosovo with Transform 2010. Get prayer keys in the Kosovo Transform 2010 Prayer Guide (PDF).

Kids in Kosovo.

Ivory Coast (Côte d'Ivoire) & Brazil: World Cup Prayer Guides

Ivory Coast squad 2010

Join us in praying for two countries that sent teams to this year's World Cup.  Short-term mission teams from OM have been in South Africa for the month-long event.  Today we are praying through the Ivory Coast World Cup Prayer Guide and the Brazil World Cup Prayer Guide.  Thanks for taking the time to pray for the people in these countries.

 Brazil World Cup squad 2010

Praying for Portugal

Street evangelism in Portugal.  

Today we pray for Portugal, where OM teams will be arriving this month for Transform 2010.  Pray in advance of these and pave the way in prayer, using the Portugal Transform 2010 Prayer Guide.

Portugal has also been part of the World Cup this month, and we continue praying for OM ministry teams reaching out to visitors at the tournament.  You will find more prayer items in the Portugal World Cup Prayer Guide.

Team Portugal 2010

Jordan Transform 2010 Prayer Guide

Heading toward a city in Jordan.

Please pray for those serving the people of Jordan this summer as part of Transform 2010.  You can pray for this Mediterranean outreach with the Jordan Transform 2010 Prayer Guide (PDF).  

New Zealand & Slovakia World Cup Prayer Guides

 

 New Zealand squad 2010

Two more countries from this month's World Cup are our prayer focus today.  For requests, read the New Zealand World Cup Prayer Guide and the Slovakia World Cup Prayer Guide.

2010 Slovakia squad 

Paraguay & Cameroon: World Cup Prayer Guides

Paraguay World Cup squad

We continue praying through the World Cup countries, featuring requests from the Paraguay World Cup Prayer Guide and the Cameroon World Cup Prayer Guide.  Thanks for taking the time to pray through these guides.

2010 Cameroon World Cup

Praying for Italy

Let's remember Italy, where Transform 2010 will begin. This is an outreach to the Mediterranean which starts soon with a one-week conference in Rome.  Get prayer points from the Italy Transform 2010 Prayer Guide.

Italy has also been in the World Cup this month and we are praying for the participating countries.  Learn more in the Italy World Cup Prayer Guide.

top: men of Torino, Italy
below: the 2010 World Cup Italy squad

Israel: Transform 2010 Prayer Guide

Ask the Lord's favor on teams heading to Israel this summer as part of Transform 2010.  Learn how to pray in the Israel Transform 2010 Prayer Guide.  Thanks for praying. 

Japan & Denmark: World Cup Prayer Guides

2010 Team Japan

Though some teams are no longer in the tournament, we continue our prayer tour through the countries of the World Cup.  Today we lift up Japan and Denmark.  For more insights into each, download the PDFs Japan World Cup Prayer Guide and Denmark World Cup Prayer Guide.  

Denmark World Cup squad 2010

Egypt: Transform 2010 Prayer Guide

OM teams will be in Egypt this summer as part of Transform 2010, an outreach to the people of the Mediterranean.  You can prepare the way for these teams through prayer.  Get Biblical background on Egypt in the Egypt Transform 2010 Prayer Guide.

Riding a camel near the pyramids of Egypt.

The Netherlands and Australia: World Cup Prayer Guides

The Netherlands squad 2010.

Today we are praying for The Netherlands and Australia, two countries participating in the World Cup this month.  Learn needs for both countries using The Netherlands World Cup Prayer Guide and the Australia World Cup Prayer Guide.  And please remember OM teams reaching out to soccer fans in South Africa.  Thanks for praying. 

Australia's 2010 World Cup squad.

Gaza Transform 2010 Prayer Guide

A dock in Gaza.

Today we cover Gaza in prayer, as we pave the way for teams headed to the Mediterranean this summer for Transform 2010.  Find a key Scripture to pray, as well as a redemptive prayer in the Gaza Transform 2010 Prayer Guide.

Ghana & Germany: World Cup Prayer Guides

Team Ghana 2010.

We are continuing our prayer tour of the countries participating in the World Cup.  So lift up these two countries, using the Ghana World Cup Prayer Guide (PDF) and the Germany World Cup Prayer Guide (PDF). 

Germany's World Cup squad 2010.

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: