Dear PTH Friends,

Do my prayers matter?  Are my prayers effective for Point To Hope Ministries?  Have you every wondered or questioned the effectiveness of your prayers?  Have you thought:  ‘I’m just ‘one’ sitting in a quiet place at home praying,’ or perhaps, ‘I’m out of the loop, … ‘Life is so busy but I am praying in my heart as I go to-and-fro.’ … Like your prayers are “Tip-Toeing” … silent … are they being heard?

Romans 12:4, “For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function.”
1 Corinthians 12:27, “Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually.”

Well, let me tell you about the vitality of the “toe” in the Body!  Believe me, the body depends on the toes!

Sunday morning after the PTH conference, I was walking from Annie’s house to gather a small handful of clean laundry and a couple glassware items.  On my way into the house, I warned another gal exiting…. “Be extremely careful – slick steps!!! (You can probably see where this is going).   Well, coming out of the house, I found that ‘slick spot’! At the fear of spreading clean underwear all over the porch and breaking the glass I was carrying, I tried to fall ‘gracefully; a slow motion spill!  It could have been really bad considering the back of my neck hit on the edge of the step; but it more awkward than anything … it was as if a hand intercepted my head and broke my fall.  However, at the other end of my body, was my big toe torched – it wasn’t so fortunate; it bent in a way that was never intended.  For the next few days, I couldn’t do anything without realizing how much I appreciated that big toe, yet how its function generally goes unnoticed.

Here is my point:  Your prayers are vital to the Body of Christ and the Kingdom plans and purposes that are going forth – whether in your home, your church and community / state, or around the world.  Although I was ever so grateful my fall was everted, I was still reminded for the next couple days, how important that big toe was even though it was crammed in a shoe – out of sight!   Spiritually speaking, even though you may think you are tucked away, … “Tip-toeing’ in prayer, out of sight …. unnoticed!   – Think again!  Your prayers are the very foundation  to fulfill Kingdom plans … and those ‘tip-toe’ prayers are the member of the body that permits it to function as ONE … His Body!  Thank you intercessors and friends for your faithful prayers.

That is kind of a silly analogy about prayer, but I want you to be reminded how very much your prayer coverage is effecting the Kingdom of God!  PTH is so appreciative and thankful!  The Kaikoura, New Zealand 1st PTH Conference was very fruitful … the seeds of your prayers came through strong in support of Nancy and the PTH team and what He had in mind for NZ!

I am sure I can speak for all the PTH team when I say that we were all blessed to hear the pastor of Kaikoura share that their prayers had been:  “Lord, send someone to Kaikoura to give us what is needed for us to advance the Kingdom of God in this little town.”  How confirming because last year, Nancy heard the Lord say go to Kaikoura, New Zealand.

What a humble privilege for all of us (including intercessors) to be the ‘answer’ God chose to go because a littler church in Kaikoura, NZ was beseeching God:  “Lord send….”  So whether you traveled with PTH – ‘head or toe’ … physical body or spirit of prayer you are God’s chosen answer to Kaikoura, New Zealand.

So many testimonies came forth from our time in New Zealand.  The testimonies that are coming forth are so transforming, glory to God!  The conference was powerful but the greatest miracle was salvation of a new believer.  Nancy’s messages were a ‘right-on-time’  message for this season in NZ; For His people / His Body!  The workshop speakers delivered teachings from the Word that will change lives forever.  Even though Nancy’s messages and the workshop speakers’ topics are a continuous theme,  the message and delivery is never the same!  Lives were changed and transformed.  People were filled with the Holy Spirit, delivered from various things that hinder a closer walk with the Lord, hearts and minds healed.  So many encouraging reports!

Your prayer coverage brought much favor and strength!  The time went so quickly and it was hard to leave all of our new New Zealander friends.  I think we felt like we had known them our entire lives.  What an awesome God we serve!

In the wee hours of the morning (Tues; 6/6), Nancy and I headed to the first of 10 capitol prayer assignments – Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea.  Other PTH team members heading back home in increments.

June 6, 2016 Capitol (Parliament) Prayer; Papua New Guinea:

As soon as we arrived in Port Moresby, we dropped our luggage at the hotel and headed to the capitol.  Hearing the instrumental song “ Old Rugged Cross” playing throughout the hotel lobby of the hotel was a pretty good indication we were in a good place.

Heading to the capitol of PNG:  Our taxi driver’s name was Jonah … he said it wasn’t his birth name but “he” renamed himself!  When we arrived at the capitol, the first impression was it was so massive, yet sooooo quiet …still!  Our taxi driver gave some basic thoughts regarding the capitol but then another man came out of the Parliament building …. “David.”  David was warm and welcoming, but informed us we were too late to go into the capitol building.  That was perfectly okay.  We didn’t plan to or need to go inside. We only needed the eastern side of the capitol, which is basically where David found us.  Nancy, asked if we could just stand and pray for their government.  So, David said he would be back.  Our taxi driver seemed to ‘hang with us’ so we didn’t have the normal secluded spot to carry out the mission.  So, we kind of included him in prayer since he agreed with the power of the scriptures we were reading (Matt. 23:2-33; 2 Tim. 3:2-5) as we repented, prayed, and made our declarations.  Come to find out, Jonah was an elder in his church – New Covenant Holy Spirit Revival Church.

Well, David did come back and would you believe, “he” changed his mind and decided it wasn’t too late to go inside.  But, we were not allowed to take pictures; absolutely no pictures allowed inside the building.  No problem!

Listen to this:  There have been some changes in the structure of the government, for lack of better terminology.  The once welcoming landmark of a totem-pole that greeted every one who entered the door of the parliament was replaced with an extravagant banner displaying the WORD OF GOD as the very foundation of the banner; .  This is the new structure for this country and its government.  David took us upstairs into an enormous chamber area where members of the Diplomatic Corps and foreign dignitaries assembly, along with seats for media personnel, a broadcasting section, audience, and yes, the grand seat of Speaker of the House.  And would you believe, in the center of the chambers, incased in glass, was a huge 404 year old gift from an American missionary – a first edition original King James Bible.  Upon its arrival in 2015, PNG’s prime minister Peter O’Neill declared:  “Receiving this Bible today adds to the sense of significance as we define our nation.”  How awesome is that!

While David was so graciously turning on the lights in the assembly room (located on the lower level), Nancy and I were able to complete the mandate using symbolic symbols:  break the chain representing the 21 hypocritical sins (noted in the scriptures above), the gold-trimmed read ribbon (glory & blood), dime (10 or testimony), and heart to represent His heart/new heart.)  When we finished, guess what David asked????  Would you like me to take your picture?  (remember – no pictures).  But God’s favor!

Thank you again for your prayer coverage!  Today, Nancy and I have a travel day; making our way to Timor-Leste.

Blessings to all!

Sarah Tarter
PTH Prayer Facilitator