Pray for the few believers to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord and give testimony of the goodness of God. Pray many others would believe and be saved.

The Ik are a marginalized people in Uganda. Pray for the small groups of believers to relish their identity in Christ and walk in a manner worthy of the Lord.

Pray for God’s provision for outreach among the Ik. Pray for challenges to be overcome so that the Ik would have more opportunities to hear and respond to the gospel.

Pray for peace and stability on the Ik ridge. Pray the gospel seeds that have been planted will sprout and grow.

Hello dear brothers and sisters, the security in Ik right now has cooled down compared to the previous days and months, so everything is fine and tourists are returning to visit the Ik community in one of the sub counties called Timu. Thanks so much for praying! God bless you.
Joseph Lokol

The security operatives are recommending us not to go up to the Ik-ridge. They say that there are warriors hiding in those areas. Pray that the disarmament will take effect soon. The government has started the process. Please pray for true and lasting peace and that God would make a way for the Ik to hear and believe the Gospel.

Life can be hard for children in Ik. Pray they know that Jesus invited the little children to come to Him and be blessed. May they know the Kingdom of God is given to them too (Luke 18:16)

Please pray that God will provide for Ugandan missionaries who have been working in the Ik ridge. With insecurity in the area and retirement of some key partners, the future of their work seems uncertain. “We don’t really know how our work will look like or if we will be able to carry on. But we are trusting God. Pray that He will open doors.”

Pray for the disciples to grow and be well trained. Pray for our outreach to new villages to be fruitful. Ask God to bless the Ik with a school, health, and water.

Please pray with us for:
1. The disciples to receive training
2. Outreach to new villages
3. Provision of school, healthcare, and water

Pray for Lokine, our person of peace among the Ik. Ask God to continue to work in his life and establish him in the faith and make him a blessing to his people.

Praise God that He has put it on a number of people’s hearts to want to live among the Ik to minister the gospel to them. Pray that all these workers’ needs will be supplied to them. Pray for the right timing and open doors, since travel is restricted. Pray that the Lord will be preparing the hearts of the Ik people to receive Jesus Christ. Pray also that the Ik people will have access to the Scriptures in their language, and will love to listen to it.

Pray for many Ik people to hear the gospel and be saved. Pray for this gospel to spread from person to person, family to family, village to village. Pray for a mighty movement of the Holy Spirit to form believers into churches, and for the Ik to glorify God with one voice for their salvation.

Please pray for my two key friends (and translators) among the Ik; they have distanced themselves from the church and gotten involved with alcohol, adultery, and child abuse – a very sad and concerning development. Pray they ‘come to their senses’ like the prodigal son, and return to the Father.

The translation of the Jesus Film into the local language of Icetod is nearing completion. Please pray that this project can be completed soon and translated in a way that the Ik can fully understand the gospel. Pray that in the future, as the Ik watch this video, that they will desire to turn from their sin and turn to the Lord Jesus Christ who loves them so much.

The Ik are seriously concerned about their gardens this year. Due to rodents, army worms, and heavy, early rains, the Ik are planning for a small harvest, if at all. Please pray earnestly, that God provides for the Ik in a very real and practical way, through a bountiful harvest with enough food for the coming year. Pray that they can see God as always good, despite their circumstances or whatever happens.

In the after school program on Mondays and Fridays, the children have been memorizing Matthew 5:44 in their local language, “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” This is very difficult for the Ik as nearly every night lately the neighboring tribe from Kenya, the Turkana, have been raiding the surrounding villages. Fortunately, no one has been hurt recently. Please pray that the Ik can take this verse to heart, and that they can reach out, pray for, and even care for both the Turkana and the Karimojong. Pray that the children continue reciting this verse in their homes and that their friends and families can hear it too.

On this Wednesday, June 27th, delegates from all four churches on the Ik ridge will be meeting together for a second training as Sunday School teachers. This time the focus will be on the New Testament and each church will be given a book of bible stories already translated into the local language. Pray that all the churches participate and learn a lot. Pray that they understand and find the resources they are given helpful and put them to use. Pray that those attending continue to have a deep desire to train the next generation in Christian living.

Sarah and Kelsey run an after school program for kids. They have finished the Bible stories in the Old Testament, and have just now started the New Testament with the story of Jesus’ birth. Pray that the kids truly take in the stories and see how Jesus transforms lives.

The Ik are in the midst of the current growing season, but their fields are being destroyed by rodents, pests, and an overabundance of rain. They plan to replant this month with hopes to get a sustaining harvest. Please pray that God provides for them the growing conditions necessary for an adequate harvest to sustain them until next year. Pray that they know that God alone is their provider and sustainer, and that in hard times as well as good, that God is sovereign and in control.

The Ik children have been on school holiday for a few weeks, and the second term will begin soon. Please pray for the many school activities. Pray that through the Christian Religious Education classes, Icetod literacy classes, and the after school program put on by the missionary team, that the Ik would begin to have a deeper understanding of God through the Bible stories shared. Pray that they can know the deep love of Jesus and that it would transform the lives of the children. Pray that they bring bible stories and songs home to their families and in doing so, share the gospel with them too.

On this Saturday, delegates from all 4 churches on the ridge will be meeting together to be trained as Sunday school teachers. Pray that all the churches participate and learn much. Pray that they understand and find the resources they are given to be helpful. Pray they are able to put them to good use. Pray also that those attending have a deep desire to train the next generation in Christian living.

Soon the Ik will celebrate ‘Itowes’- a holiday to celebrate the upcoming planting season with the worship of various spirits to help them in the next year. Please pray that the Ik see that the One True God has power over all the spirits of the world; that they see God alone as their provider of rain, sun, and a good harvest at the end of the year, not the spirits they worship. Pray they soon accept God as the Lord and Savior of their lives.

We have now entered into the dry season on the Ik ridge and water is scarce. Pray for Gods abundant provision, that the rains come even during this dry season, and that the Ik see God as the provider of this blessing. Pray also that the Ik thirst for the One True God and seek after him as the Lord of their lives.

Pray for the Pentecostal church in the village of Kapalu. They will have a prayer day and assembly on Saturday and Sunday. Pray that the Ik hear the truth from God’s word and desire to draw near to the Lord. Pray for the pastors and church leaders, that they remain committed in faith and lead the church well. Pray that they demonstrate Christ’s love and example in the church, village, and to the neighboring tribes.

As Christmas quickly approaches, there are many opportunities for conversation about Jesus, and his birth. Some team members have been organizing the Ik in a Christmas drama which has provided a great way to disciple the actors when they practice. Others have invited people to their home to share the Christmas story. The Ik tend to view Christmas solely as the time they get new clothes and eat meat so please pray that God opens the eyes of the Ik to see Christmas in a new way. That as they hear the Christmas story, the Ik may see their sin in a new light, realize their need for a Savior, and turn and repent to follow Jesus.

One of the four local churches on the Ik ridge has been actively evangelizing and organizing another fellowship in the neighboring village of Tulutul. Praise God for their desire to do outreach and share the love and grace of Christ! But there is already a church of a differing denomination meeting in Tulutul. Pray that all the churches on the Ik ridge can work together in evangelizing and discipling as one body of Christ.

Lately there has been an increase in Malaria and Hepatitis B cases among the Ik. A few elderly have died. But both can be prevented either through using mosquito nets or vaccinations. Please pray for the local health center and the village health team. Although these resources are a blessing to the Ik, there is no doctor on staff. Pray that the health workers have wisdom to know how to care medically for the patients. Pray that the Lord will intervene and people would see His good hand of mercy.

Tensions have been high among neighboring tribes, the Turkana and the Karimojong. The Ik live directly between them, which puts them on high alert. Pray for continued safety among the Ik. Pray also for peace among all three tribes, and that soon they may know of the love and grace and peace found in Jesus Christ.

Spiritual warfare is being felt very heavily right now. One Ik man has been going missing for hours or days at a time and always coming back in a trance. His family is very worried and has called in a local witch doctor to aid in his healing. Another young girl had been having pain in her knees and neck since getting injured in the river. The Ik have a lot of superstitions surrounding rivers, so an exorcism was performed on her. Pray that the Ik can see that Jesus is Lord over all of creation, and that they have nothing to fear about the rivers when He is their God. Pray also that they be freed of spiritual oppression and possession and come to Christ for all their needs as He alone is the great healer.

A Sunday school program has begun in one of the churches on the Ik ridge. Praise God for this blessing for the Ik children! Pray that the program continues and that the children receive sound biblical doctrine beginning at a young age.

Forgiveness seems to be a concept that the Ik don’t fully understand and embrace. Even after paying back debts for theft, the Ik tend to hold the term “thief” over others, seemingly unwilling to fully forgive them. Please pray that the Ik begin to have a better understanding of what forgiveness is. And that they can begin to see themselves as sinners in need of forgiveness through Jesus Christ.

The books of Genesis, Ruth, and Mark in the Bible have been translated into Icetod. Although most of the Ik have not been taught to read their language, some men know how to read in English or the neighboring language of Nga-Karimojong. With some encouragement, they have attempted to read these books of the Bible, and get so excited when they realize they can read it! They have been really excited to read the Bible in their heart language. After reading the book of Mark, one pastor exclaimed “This is what I preached about on Sunday, but it’s in my language!” Please pray for continued excitement and interest in the Bible in Icetod, that the Ik have an unquenchable thirst for the word of God!

June was a very dry month for the Ik, and they complained that the sun had burned their crops. The village elders were busy performing sacrifices in the dry river bed in order to bring rain, with no success. One man even mentioned that maybe God had gone away on holiday and forgotten about them. But during the month of July, we have had rain at least three days per week. When the rains finally began one Sunday, some people said, “We prayed for rain this morning in church! God has heard our prayers and has brought us rain!” Praise God from whom all blessings flow! Please pray that God continues to provide rain to sustain the fields here. Pray also that the Ik come to know that God alone is in control of the rains, and that their animal sacrifices are futile.

The Ik have recently been working on a road project and getting paid in large lump sums. Instead of saving the money, many people have been using it on hard liquor and getting drunk which has caused trouble in their communities. Please pray that God works in the hearts of the Ik, that they may see the harmful effects of heavy drinking, and desire to use their money in other ways. Pray that ultimately, they recognize that the void they are trying to fill with alcohol, can be filled to overflowing with the love and grace of Jesus Christ, and choose to follow Him.

The Ik have recently been threatened to be relocated out of the homes they have made near a protected forest. Please pray for wisdom and guidance in knowing how to handle the situation and how best to support the Ik people. Pray that the Ik can stay and live in this place they call home. Finally, pray for peace and partnership for all involved.

The new school term is about to begin. Please be praying that all the children are allowed to attend and that they truly have a desire to learn. Pray for patience and wisdom for the teachers, that they can show the children the love of Christ.

Three area church leaders are currently receiving further training around Uganda. Please pray that they receive sound biblical doctrine in their training. Pray also for the churches to continue to grow, that those in charge while some of the leaders are away will lead the churches well.

Praise God for his work in the new schools on the Ik ridge as the first term is now coming to an end! Although the number of students fluctuates daily, praise God for this provision for the Ik. Continue to pray that the Ik children develop a deep desire to learn and go to school. Pray that their parents allow them to attend, despite the fact that they will have less hands helping with the garden and chores. Pray that God gives the teachers lots of patience and that they can show the children the love and grace of God.

Although the Ik have had a couple of heavy rains in the past months, they have not received the amount of rain necessary to sustain the crops. The Ik rely heavily on rain as they are subsistence farmers, growing their crops solely to have food for the next year. Without rain they have no food. Some of the Ik have begun to sacrifice animals, hoping this will bring the rains. Others have fled to a refugee camp across the border in Kenya. Many more will follow if rain doesn’t come soon. Pray that God sends rain now, and in abundance, to save the crops. Pray that the Ik will see that the rains come from the one true God, not because of their animal sacrifices.