Dear Praying Partners,

Warm greetings in July to you in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord!

I invite you again to share in our ministry through prayer and intercession. Here are the prayer requests from our regional units.

Please ask our Heavenly Father for His power, presence and provision to be with us that we may continue to do what God has called us to do, even in the midst of many challenges and needs. We hold on to the promise of the Lord Jesus that when we ask in His name He will do it. And so, “brothers and sisters, pray for us that the message of the Lord may spread rapidly and be honored, just as it was with
you” (2 Thessalonians 3:1).

Here is our prayer for you: “May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word” (2 Thessalonians 2:16-17).

In Christ,
Erickson Velardo
National Director

Metro Manila Regional Unit

ISCF

• Pray for revival and strengthening of the ISCF Ministry. Last year, we experienced setbacks such as closeddoors and lack of workforce. But praise God for the faithful partnership of our beloved counselors like AteEdna Martinez, Kuya Conz Perez, student leaders from UP LB and Diliman, among others. May the Lordgrant us favor this year as we seek to focus on key campuses and also invite more partners to help us in reachingout to high school students.
• Pray for permission to hold BS in Quezon City Science Highschool this school year. For UPIS, San Francisco to be able to resume meetings again. Pray for counselors to be recruited for these schools. The IS group in Phil Science has started meeting. Praise the Lord for the strong partnership with other Christian groups in the campus. Mr. Jeff Boja, Ptr. Jun Reyes and Jericho Pascual handle the IS group in Philadelphia. Pray that the two BS groups would be able to resume meetings soon.
• Let us uphold in prayer the chapters in Cavite (Holy Nazarene, ELIMS, Del Pilar Academy, Imus Institute and Tanza National High school), Laguna (Phils. High school for the Arts, LB National HS, and Dayap HS), and Mindoro (Jose J. Leido Memorial School and Community Vocational HS). These chapters are primarily handled by our volunteers and counselors. Pray for opportunities for evangelism and discipleshipinitiatives.

College:

• We praise God for the 19 student leaders (from 12 chapters) and 8 graduate volunteers who attended the Leadership Summit last June 12-13 in Tagaytay. The participants said that they were helped and encouraged by the sessions as well as the prayer and fellowship times.
• Please pray for wisdom and discernment, for strength and courage for our student leaders, staff, and ministry partners as we face this new school year. May the Lord’s love and grace be boldly proclaimed through the chapter plans and programs as well as the personal witness of each IV members.
• Let us pray for the Manila Leaders’ Council to be convened soon. Pray for fresh vision, fervor and commitment for the chapter representatives.

Ministry Partners:

• Praise God for the eight donors who consistently give to our operational funds. Let us pray for more partners to take active part in helping the region financially. Pray that we be able to pay our  P100,000 debts/deficit last school year. Let us also uphold the RAC members and the staff team as they think of ways to generate resources. Pray that we be good stewards of these resources entrusted to us.

Staff Team:

• Praise the Lord for Reinstary Arlegui (associate staff –college) and Rafael Magdaong (full-time staff- ISCF) who joined the MMRU team this school year. Let us pray that they would be able to adjust to their roles and responsibilities. May they find delight as they disciple students and work with volunteers in the region.
• Praise God for good health and working relationship amongst the team. Pray for Joanne as she adjusts to major transitions and a new assignment (Cavite area) this school year. Pray for Shebel, Rhoda, Jun and Mutya- for wisdom, creativity, and faithfulness in the tasks given to each of them.
• Praise God for Ate Elsie, Ging and Kuya Dave who continue to help out in UP Diliman, UP LB, and student training respectively.
• Praise the Lord for Kuya Dave Griffiths! His zeal, sharpness and dedication are noteworthy. We give thanks to the Lord for the gift that he is and has been to us as a movement. Pray for them as they prepare to leave the Phils.

Southern Mindanao Regional Unit

• Thank God for our regional prayer and planning retreat held last June 11-14 at the Tecsons’ newly rented house where 36 people attended.  It was a good time to look up to God, to bond together and to look forward for the task ahead.  Jasher Gasataya’s expositions on portions of Joshua challenged us to be committed to serve the Lord.  Pray for Fenny, Nico, Kareen, Aura Lee, Elan and Micah who were elected to the LCDC ‘09 executive committee as they prepare for the semestral break camp.
• Thank God for Jeremie Probadora, SMRU’s new staff representative.  We thank God too and appreciate Darby Aspacio for training Jeremie on the job.  Pray for good health, safety and inner strength from the Lord as Jeremie travels to connect with graduates around SM.
• Thank God for Darby Aspacio’s big contribution to SMRU ministry.  He is taking an indefinite leave starting July 2009.  Pray for the Lord’s direction for him and his wife Joy for their future.
• Thank God for the two weeks break for Ramon and Jenny Tecson.   They also thank God for the fresh and cool air they breathe in the new house they are renting near Davao River. Pray for guidance and inner strength as they do campus work, visit areas for training and pastoral care, and prepare for regional camps and events.
• Thank God for our campus student leaders, GTs, advisers, and staff who are excited to share the gospel and disciple students.  Thank God also for our faithful donors andprayer supporters.  May we all experience God’s loving presence and exude the fragrance of Christ to others.

Western Visayas Regional Unit

• Praise God for the successful Student Leaders & GT Training last June 19 to 21.   9 GTs & 19 student leaders attended the said event.  Praise God too for providing for the needs of the training.  Students, GTs and Staffs went home refreshed and energized to face the school year 2009-2010.
• Praise God too that campus chapters in the region are now slowly picking momentum.  We exist in 15 schools & universities here in Western Visayas!  Praise God for the initiatives of GTs & student leaders.
• Pray for our Area Assemblies in Bacolod (July 25), Iloilo (July 18) and Roxas (1st week of August).  Pray for the different committees who will work to make these events successful.  Pray for good attendance from students and especially graduates.
• Pray for a positive response as we send out letters to potential donors.  Pray that they will see the need and will respond by giving financially to the region.
• Pray for Eumir Villamor (staff) as he challenges student leaders who will spearhead the Discipleship, Leadership Training Camp this October.  Initial planning is one difficult phase that needs closesupervision.  Pray too for wisdom as he prayerfully choose the members of the exec com.

Central And Eastern Visayas Regional Unit

Praise God for the wisdom He gave as we planned for activities for S.Y. 2009-10. Pray for strength and cooperation for implementation of  the programs for high school and college chapters.

1. Cebu City had already held its first college LGF this school year and it was a success. Graduates also took part as they willingly provided snacks for the students. We also started our meetings on different campuses.
2. Praise God for additional Graduate volunteers (GT’s) for ISCF (Simon, Robert & Clinton). Pray also for passion to disciple students leaders for Christ.
3. IVF Korea Team will come to Tacloban on July 17-30. Pray that culture and language will not be a barrier for a fruitful fellowship and in sharing God’s word.
4. JunHee (KC’08) continued fellowship with new students (Gaygay & Felina) will lead them to be disciples of Christ.
5. Pray that Tacloban will once again have an IV-Home.
6. Our staff worker Laura Pla had successfully undergone surgery last June 30, 2009. Pray for her fast recovery.

Bicol Regional Unit

• Praise God for the positive response of our students and graduates to attend the coming National Conference on Dec. 27 to  30.  They are all excited to attend and they will start to save for the said activity to be able to attend the NC 09.
• Please pray for our students’ preparation for this month of July for their Freshmen Treat in the different campuses in the region. May the Lord use this activity to promote the ministry among the students and also to share Jesus as their Lord and Savior.
• Praise God for the continuing work in Bicol region. Please pray for the chapters’ leaders – Sarah Bona (Univ. of Saint Anthony), Jonathan Nagrampa (Univ. of North Eastern Philippines), Jeremieh Orcine (Camarines Sur Polytechnic Colleges), Obet Nueles (Bicol University Legaspi City) Alphil Goyena ( Sorsogon State College ) RC Padua ( Naga city ) and Carine Lozada and Eliazar Patso ( Partido State University ) May they lead with fresh vision from the Lord and with a steadfast spirit.
• Praise God for the continues support of the IVPM to the ministry.
• Please continue to pray for our students’ awareness about Aids HIV, AH1N1 and its prevention.
• Please pray for the staff Nono and Gerlen Orozco. They changed their status from full time to associate staff starting the month  of July.  May the Lord continue to bless the ministry in IV Home -Iriga. Please pray too for Joni James Roaring for taking the post of Daphne B. Tablizo as the associate staff in Naga City, Pili and Partido areas.
• Thank God for our partners in the region. (GTs, RAC and donors) who continue support and pray for our ministry. May the Lord bless them for their good deeds to our ministry.