Baptism

Last Sunday brother Jackson shared the story of Jesus’ baptism in one the communities outside of town. At the end, one of the ladies asked “Can’t we be baptised since we have also repented of our sins?” Praise God! Please pray that God will give wisdom for the next steps, and for His provision in the practical details. Pray these women will continue to grow and mature in their faith.

Discipleship

Pray for 3 teenage boys who are growing in faith and actively serving in the church. Over December they spent time memorising different parts of God’s Word. Please pray that what they are storing up in their hearts may continue to speak to them and help them grow in their relationship with Christ.

Bible study

On Sunday afternoon we were joined at Bible study by a group of young teenage boys. They listened attentively to our sister Nasur as she shared her testimony and encouraged them to look to the Lord and seek His wisdom. Please pray that what they heard will impact their lives and draw them closer to Christ.

Audio Bible

Earlier this month we were able to take a Proclaimer (an audio recording of the New Testament which is loud enough for group gatherings) to one of the communities outside of town. Please pray that it will be well used and be a blessing to the community that enables many to grow in their relationship with Christ.

Radio programmes

We have two major radio stations based here which have Bible sharing programmes. Please pray for those who contribute to these programmes, that they may have wisdom and grace to present the gospel clearly and engagingly. Please pray for those who hear, some of whom may not have contact with other believers, that they may be impacted by what they hear.

Kairos course

We have finished running the Kairos course in Moroto. This is a course that shares God’s heart for the nations and how his people have the privilege of participating in what he is doing in the world. We had 14 participants and it went very well. Please pray for all who participated – that our hearts will continue to be impacted by what we heard, our minds stretched and our desire to share God’s Good News fueled by all we are heard and discussed.

Kairos

We are planning to run the Kairos mission course later this year for pastors and church members to continue sharing the vision of what God’s mission is and how He wants each of us to be involved. When we shared at our last monthly meeting with the pastors there was an enthusiastic response. Please pray for the logistics to be worked out so it can go ahead. Pray that it will really impact those who attend.

Elders

Please pray for the elders in the different communities. They have an important role to play, as they are the ones who take decisions, which affects the different families under their care. Pray that the light of God may shine in their lives, so that His wisdom may guide their decisions and therefore bring life to the people around them.

Discipleship

A missionary couple recently left to pursue further studies. Whilst here they were involved in reaching out to four rural communities together with one of the churches in town. Last week the church met with key members from those four villages to see how they can continue to engage and support the communities. It was agreed these key members from the four villages would come once a week to town to learn from God’s Word, and carry back what they have learnt to their communities. Please pray for the 9 people who will be coming from these communities and for the church as they disciple them.

Hospital outreach

The youth from one of the churches are planning to start visiting patients in the hospital. They hope to be able to pray together with patients and also show love in practical way by giving out soap and sugar. Please pray for opportunities to show and speak of Christ’s love, and for the opportunity for discipleship among the youth.
“And when he [the Holy Spirit] comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgement.” John 16:8
Please pray for an outpouring of the Holy Spirit amongst the Karimojong, that there will be conviction of the realities of sin, righteousness and judgement. May there be a deep understanding of why Jesus came and what he offers to us.

Breaking stones

Each Sunday a small group from church goes to share in a village 5km outside of town. Sometimes when we arrive we find community members have already left to break stones to earn money for food. We are wondering if we could stop where the largest group breaking stones is, and ask if they would like us to share from there, before going on to the village itself. Please pray for God’s direction as we explore this possibility. Please pray for protection for those breaking stones. It is very difficult work.

Culture and worldview insights

Last Saturday we gathered with church leaders from within town. It was a mixed group, with several church leaders being from other parts of Uganda. One of the Anglican Reverends shared with us about Karimojong worldview, how to enter a new community, and commonly held beliefs that hold people back from trusting in Christ. It was a very insightful and helpful time of sharing and there was a lot of good discussion as Pastors shared their experiences and asked questions. Please pray that the understanding gained from this time may positively impact ministry, as churches seek to reach out to rural communities.

Natopojo church plant.

We have been doing Bible storytelling in this community for about two years. We have seen a few people come to faith. In the beginning of this year we started praying for God’s guidance to start a Sunday church gathering. Since most of the community members know only the Roman Catholic church, we hesitated to start something that would be seen as “another religion”. Last week the chairman, who is one of the believers and a committed Roman Catholic member, asked me whether it’s possible to do a formal church where community members can regularly attend! And those willing can be baptized! We thank God for this affirmation.
Pray that the spirit of God will convict many from this community to come to faith in Jesus.

Missions internship programme.

Please pray for Solomon, a committed Karimojong believer who is actively sharing the gospel and discipling others. In March he travels to northern Karamoja to take part in a 6-month missions internship.

Praying for unreached communities

Last Saturday there was a gathering of church leaders and pastors. The focus was on praying for unreached communities in Karamoja, and our hope is this burden can be carried back to, and shared with, the wider church congregations. Pray for more pray-ers! Pray that people will be in step with the Holy Spirit in their prayers, and the Karimojong church will be planted and grow in new areas.

New Year Overnight

The overnight was a very encouraging and exciting time! Many people came from surrounding villages and gathered to watch the Jesus film, pray and worship. Please pray that those who came will continue to reflect on, and be impacted by, all they saw, heard and experienced.

Overnight

An overnight of prayer and worship to welcome in the new year will be taking place in a village where there is a new church plant. Please pray that all who come will be touched by the Good News, and grow in their relationship with Jesus. Please pray for safety and protection over this time.

Bible Study

We have been transitioning to having local members take turns in leading the Bible study, even in our absence. As we go for holiday we are trusting God that the Bible study will continue. Please pray. We are also trusting God to give us wisdom on how to help these people find churches (for those who don’t have any affiliation with a church) and encourage all of them to be consistent members of the Bible study.

Deliverance

Please pray for a lady I met in a village today while sharing a Bible story. She is severely mentally and/or spiritually ill. Please pray for deliverance for her.
This is a great opportunity for God to gain glory and fame in this village.

God our refuge

Much of the raiding in Karamoja is over livestock but there has also been an increase in raiding houses for whatever goods they can carry off and also poultry or other smaller animals. For my friend C who lives on the very edge of Moroto she has had thieves try to break in her door at least five times since January. Each night she piles as much as she can against the door to block anyone from breaking in. The other night she called me and asked for prayer as the raiders were once again trying to break in. I prayed with her, thinking of Psalm 91 and other Scripture that focuses on God’s protection. The next day she came and said everyone was OK. Shots had been fired at some of her neighbours’ houses but no-one was killed. Please pray for ones living in very vulnerable housing and who struggle for the few belongings they have and yet are targets for such raids. Pray that they will put their trust in Jesus.

Hunger

Please pray for local churches as they share food with those who are struggling with hunger. Pray that the food may reach those most in need, and that people may see God’s love and concern for them.

Man of peace

Please pray for the village where missionaries Ambrose and Esther have been going to regularly to share stories from the Bible. Praise God for one of the leaders in the village who has been a man of peace- showing receptivity to the gospel message, and mobilising village members to come and listen too. Please pray that God will bless this man and his family, that God will clearly reveal himself to them, and also that this leader will continue to draw men and women to hearing the gospel story.

Bible studies

Please pray for two men who recently joined a bible study here. One man said that he hadn’t heard the bible taught before and wanted to keep coming. Please pray that their hearts will be open to hearing and understanding the truth, and that the gospel will transform their lives. Please pray that God will continue to add more who want to know Christ and understand the bible.

Insecurity

There is widespread insecurity throughout Karamoja, from armed raiding, robbery and road ambushes. A government disarmament has recently begun. Pray for peace, for the army who are trying to address the situation, for leaders of all levels, pray for those who are suffering from these cycles of violence, and for those committing the violence. Finally, pray for the church in the region to be a light in the dark proclaiming the message of peace. Particularly pray for some of the rural church leaders who used to be raiders or shepherds; they know and understand those participating in raids, but they also know and love Jesus – they are uniquely placed to preach about the Prince of Peace to those participating in what is going on.

Training for leaders

A group of 8 Karimojong men who are either already leading church plants, or are potential leaders for future church plants are gathered together for a one month residential training. The training is organised by Frontier Missions Team, and is part of a pastors equipping programme which runs over two years. Please pray that the training will equip everyone present to grow in their walk with Christ and in their leadership. Please pray for protection, and that Christ will be glorified, and his church strengthened through this time.

Open hearts

Praise God for an invitation to read the bible with a lady called Nakiru and her neighbours. Please pray for Nasur, a Karimojong believer who is facilitating/leading these times. Pray that God’s word would bear fruit the lives of each who come.

Bible stories with the Tepeth

Please pray for Ugandan missionaries Lawrence and Simple as they start a bible study series for Tepeth communities next month. Please pray that these stories will have an impact on the communities they share in and that many will believe. Please also pray for an interpreter who is able to go with them.

They are also wanting to use audio bibles for community discipleship. Pray that the audio bibles will help communities grow in their relationship with Christ, as they hear the Word of God in their language.

Bible study

I was recently asked by a friend to read the Bible together with her each week. This was a big encouragement because I had been asking God how I could share more intentionally with her. Each week she invites neighbours to come, and we read John’s gospel. There have been some challenges, but it now seems that there is a core group of women who come regularly. Please pray that the Holy Spirit will lead during these times, and that each of us will grow closer to Christ.

Story telling

Global Link Afrika missionaries Ambrose and Esther write: “We are in stage three of story telling in the villages of Natopojo and Namalera. In the second stage we shared stories about the fall and God’s judgement. Most people were sad about what happened and the state of the world today. We see a yearning for answers/solutions. Pray that the Holy Spirit will birth faith in the hearts of the people from the communities as we share the news about the promised saviour.”

Opportunities

New opportunities
Please pray for over 10 villages near Kaabong, where Ugandan missionaries Timothy, Mark and Ian are prayer walking and hoping to start church plants. Pray for God to lead clearly and to open doors.

Pastors
Please pray that God will raise up leaders for rural church plants, who have a passion for the gospel and for shepherding the churches.

Dormitory
Frontier Missions Team (a Ugandan mission organisation) runs a 6 month residential missionary internship programme near Kaabong. They are hoping to construct a dormitory that will enable them to host more interns, and also run residential training and equipping programmes for local pastors. Please pray that God will provide the resources needed for this, and that their internship programme and residential trainings will be a blessing to many.

Love as Jesus would

In Kotido, among the Karimojong, we meet twice a month with some of the church leaders. It is a time of fellowship, prayer, mutual encouragement, and training. Thank God for these meetings, and pray for His guidance in this time together and that He would raise up people from the church we are partnering with (COU) to walk alongside and help in these meetings.

We work in the health field in Kotido, and the need is big. Pray that God may help us to make a difference to the people we treat, and also to influence our co-workers, so they provide good service, that their heart may go out to the marginalized Karimojong, and they may care and love them the way Jesus would.

Freedom

Freedom from fear and bondage
Ugandan missionaries Lawrence and Simple have been building relationships in 3 Tepeth communities. They have seen that witchcraft has a strong hold in people’s lives. Please pray that as Lawrence and Simple share the gospel, many will see that Jesus offers a better way, free from fear and bondage.

Hunger
We are currently in dry season, and food is scarce. Some people have migrated to neighbouring regions to try and find food. Please pray that the rains will come soon, and that this year will bring a good harvest. Please pray that God will provide for people’s needs, and that as he does, he may clearly be seen to be the provider.

Peace and comfort

A tragic accident
On Thursday last week, there was an accident in Kotido and a young girl passed away. Pray that God may comfort her family and that his peace may fill their hearts, even though though they don’t understand what happened. The family are neighbours to my language helper. Please pray that, God willing, I may have the opportunity to visit the family, have time with them, and that God may give me the right words to share with them.

Seek the peace
Jeremiah 29:7. Pray for peace in the region. There are frequent cattle raids among the different Karimojong clans. When this happens, revenge is common, and as a result several deaths have occurred. Furthermore there is an ongoing disarmament process. We know that Jesus is the only one who can bring true peace, so please pray for peace in the region and that the Karimojong people may experience true peace.

Outreach

Full Gospel Church Moroto is in the middle of a two week outreach to different areas of Moroto town. Please pray that the gospel message will be shared clearly, that God’s Spirit will touch people’s hearts, and that many will come to know Christ.

Three Ugandan missionaries have just arrived in a village called Lotirir. They will be serving in the church health centre for one year. Please pray for them as they settle in, build relationships, learn language and seek to serve the community, showing Christ’s love in word and deed.

Gospel seeds

Pray for the seeds of the gospel being sown amongst the Karimojong to grow deep roots and bear much fruit as the Lord transforms lives. Pray for many Karimojong to be born again and walk in a manner worthy of the Lord.

New missionaries

Please pray for Lawrence and Simple, Ugandan missionaries who have recently moved to Karamoja. They are focusing on working with local churches to share the gospel with the Tepeth, an unreached people group. Pray for them as they settle into a new culture and community, as they seek to learn language and build relationships in the community. Please pray for invitations and opportunities to reach new villages, and for people of peace in those villages who will welcome the gospel.

Fire

Please pray for 30 families who lost their homes in a fire. God has provided money to help with buying food and replacing cooking pans and Jerry cans. These were distributed through the local church. Please pray that the community clearly sees God’s care, faithfulness and provision through this situation. Please pray for the leader of the church and his wife as they seek to love and serve the community and point them to Jesus.

Kindness, justice and righteousness

Jeremiah 9:23-24 This is what the Lord says: “Let not the wise boast of their wisdom or the strong boast of their strength or the rich boast of their riches, but let the one who boasts boast about this: that they have the understanding to know me, that I am the Lord, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight,” declares the Lord.
Please pray that God may grant many Karimojong the grace and understanding to know him, and to reflect his kindness, justice and righteousness to those around them.

Translation work

We are currently seeking to translate some discipleship materials into Ngakarimojong. Please pray for the three young men who are involved in the translation, and for wisdom in who to ask to review the materials. Please pray that these materials will be a means for growth for many.

Psalm 89:15-17

May more Karimajong people decide to walk in the light of the Lord. May they learn to acclaim the Lord and enjoy the blessing of life with Him. May they rejoice in His name and celebrate righteousness (instead of darkness). Lord, you are their glory and strength – help them to recognize you.