Global servant
Updates and Prayer Requests
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06.27.2025
Melanie Baggao: In the context of the U.S. bombings in Iran, Mel led the worship in her congregation in Beirut last Sunday as they focused on “clinging to God with each other, like they normally do, reminding each other who God is, what the face of humanity looks like, and encouraging each other to trust our God who is above all things and holds all things together”; and she encourages us to do likewise. That afternoon she and her housemate showed up for their Lebanese friends who had invited them “because God has them there during this time with these people.” She goes on, “Our lives and our witness does not stop because of the risks we face here… If I am to believe that when the scripture says, ‘love casts out fear,’ I choose to err on love. I encourage you to do the same and generously love those God has placed in your corner of the world today.” Pray for Mel, for those with whom she serves and for those they serve. Also pray for a previously scheduled trip Mel has to the U.S. and for her safe return to service in Lebanon.
Kit Ripley: The New Life Center Foundation’s post-flood repairs and renovations at the Chiang Rai residence and the Chiang Mai office have been completed (deep cleaning, electrical rewiring, removing moldy ceiling tiles, raising the floor of the office, repainting, and replacing broken doors, air conditioners, water pumps, furniture, and security cameras). (Those facilities had been flooded in September and October of 2024.) She has a little more than a month remaining in her sabbatical leave and says that all is going well, that she is “taking time to rest, get exercise, pray, and produce art... [and is also] reflecting on the last 22 years of ministry, and seeking discernment for the next season of ministry.” At the end of her sabbatical she will have a solo art exhibit opening on August 1 at the Mosaic Market Art Gallery in Chiang Mai. Pray for Kit, for the last part of her sabbatical time, for her art exhibit, for her home assignment time that will follow, and for the time she will share with us in March.
Rich and Laura Freeman: They once again thanked us for our support and partnership, and then shared about the ministry among refugees. A Turkish pastor involved indicates that our prayers strengthen them and our contributions bless their ministries. Their refugee outreach programs include evangelistic meetings for Afghans in a rented house in a city center and providing them with meals, providing food aid for Syrian refugee families living in tents in another area, as well as providing food aid to many other refugees facing financial hardship in nine cities.
05.02.2025
Melanie Baggao in Lebanon: The International Community Church in Beirut where she worships held a Good Friday service, a potluck Easter breakfast and an Easter worship service. As Insaaf (the organization Melanie leads) continues its wholistic ministry to the needs of migrant domestic workers (MDWs), continue to pray for her and the rest of the staff, as well as for those they seek to serve. Melanie is also thankful for the staff of the Simsim Kitchen-Lebanon who taught the women to make a popular Arabic sweet that people there use celebrate their holidays. Please also continue to pray for peace in the region.
Faye Yarbrough sharing in the U.S. about her service in South Africa: Continue to pray for her as she shares about her ministry with churches and individuals during her current home assignment time, and pray for her Mission Partnership Team as they continue helping raise her support. She also asks for prayers that Christ be made known in work with and advocating for special needs children, prayers for the Teleios Christian School and Busy Bee Pre-School (learners, families, leaders, teachers, staff), and for the extended Village School ministry.
Melanie and Faye both participated in IM’s “Miles for Missions 2025 Fundraising.” They enlisted donors to support their walk, and each walked 5K on a day during Holy Week – Mel in Lebanon and Faye here in the U.S. The funds they and other participants raise are helping IM in all of its global ministry.
Kit Ripley in Thailand: Continue to pray rest and renewal for Kit during her current sabbatical and for her continuing to discern the ways God is calling her to use her gifts in the next chapter of her service. Also, Kit plans to be with us March 8, 2026. Begin to pray for the ways she will share her gifts and her ministry with us at that time next year.
Rich and Laura Freeman partnering with pastors in Turkey: On April 1, Rich wrote, “Thank you for standing with us in the country of Turkey! I wanted to share with you about a ministry taking place in Turkish prisons. [A partner pastor] is really providing help and support for prisoners who have lost their Hope.” They have been providing that “help and support for prisoners with letters, books, and both financial and spiritual aid for over ten years.” Late last week, Rich also shared that a 6.2 magnitude earthquake with many aftershocks hit Istanbul and that a partner pastor and church there are responding to the needs of those affected. Pray for these two pastors, for the people they serve and for Rich and Laura.
Molly and Eliberto Juarez in El Salvador: Continue to pray for them and their team of volunteers in their ministry of teaching peace-making skills in public schools in El Salvador.