Somali of East Africa: Pray for peace and the resolution of inter-clan fighting. Pray in the midst of conflict, people will seek and find the Prince of Peace.
Father’s love
Saharawi of North Africa: Please keep praying for this Valentine’s event. One S lady will share what the Quran says about love and I will share what the Bible says about love. We will have dialogue and fun activities. May connections be made and deepened and hearts drawn toward the Father’s love.
Remind them
Chadian Arabs: Please continue to pray for three students to want to study outside of class. There is one student who is reading outside classes with me, who hasn’t come for a few weeks and keeps having other commitments, although he says he wants to continue. Pray for more students to study with us.
Pray that God would still work in past English club participants and remind them of truths they have heard, especially during Ramadan.
Gospel conversations
Diaspora in Alberta:
- Praise God for the Gospel opportunities we had in January – one with a friend who always seemed closed to that kind of conversation. Pray that we can get together again soon, even during Ramadan, and continue going deeper with spiritual discussions.
- Pray that our Somali neighbors would accept our invitation to our house soon and that God would guide our conversations as we get to know them.
Daily Bread
Muslim UPGS in the Nuba Mountains of Sudan: Intercede for those facing severe hunger and food shortages. Ask God to provide daily bread for families who have lost crops, livestock, and access to markets. Pray for emergency food supplies to reach remote communities quickly. May the Lord sustain the most vulnerable, especially children and the elderly. As physical needs are met, pray that hearts would be open to the hope of Christ and many would come to faith in Him.
Pray for Protection and Boldness
Laarim of South Sudan: Pray for protection and victory amid spiritual opposition for this growing body of believers. Ask God to give them perseverance through trials, triumph over sin in their personal lives, and courage to remain steadfast when facing difficulties from within or outside the church.
Pray for boldness and faithfulness in sharing the gospel. Ask that, despite challenges, the young Laarim church would be emboldened by the Holy Spirit to stand firm in their faith and be a strong witness in their community.
Another village
Today we went to another village to share the gospel and also play soccer with the kids. The river had risen, making it hard to cross; the road was rough, and a cyclone was threatening. But we pressed on anyway, confident God was with us. Dozens of children showed up in the village of Edazo! Once again, we proclaimed the Gospel, starting with creation, sin, and God’s provision for our sins!
We have the goal to visit 150 villages this year and broadcast the Jesus Film (where it has not yet been broadcasted), Mary Magdalene (from JesusFilm org), new testimonies of local Bara converts, and The Movie: Walking with Jesus. Also, some of the team will train disciples, mobilize dozens of churches in The Mission of God, and challenge them to become living witnesses of Jesus Christ.
Pray for us and for the Bara we share with!
Profound demonstration*
Diaspora in Minnesota: Pray that in this challenging time in Minnesota, Christians can truly be a light to the Somalis around us. Pray that the Somalis will see how Christians care for them—as a neighbor—in profound ways demonstrating the Gospel.
Lots of views!
The video on our YouTube channel explaining the good news in the local language now has over 50000 views! Pray for all those who watch the video to be touched by it. May it lead them to search for the truth, and find it when they search with all their heart (Jer 29:13).
Baptised!*
Diaspora in Quebec: Please pray for the trio of Algerians who got baptized last Sunday. Pray that this would be a special marker in their life that they can go back to as they continue to face hardship for their decision to follow the Lord, and as Satan will no doubt continue to try and pull them away. Pray for their integration into our church, that they would discover more and more their vibrant roles and gifts to serve in the Lord’s kingdom.
Seeking seekers
Pray for many opportunities this coming week to share truth with people as we go walk around the community. Pray for the Spirit to lead us to seekers.
Free English Classes
Diaspora in Scotland: Free English Classes will hopefully start on the 9th February. Later than we hoped but please pray that word would get out that we’re starting and people would come. Please especially pray for people to stay for the optional Bible study that we will run after the class.
Ancestral strongholds
Please pray for ancestral strongholds to be broken and the truth of Christ to reign amongst the Ndau.
Resettling
Please pray for a pastor who used to live in a refugee camp in Kenya who has come back to South Sudan to share Christ with his own people. We are so grateful for him. He is wanting his wife and child to come join him. Pray that they can find a good safe way to get back and for safety. Pray that God would give them wisdom, strength and provision as they settle in here.
Witchcraft and sorcery
Pray for the many who are involved in witchcraft and sorcery. It is a very secretive part of the culture and yet an important factor in almost everyone’s life here. Pray that they would be freed from the chains of darkness and enter the Light of Christ.
Care for the flock
Pray for Pastor Barako as he pastors his churches. Pray he would abide deeply in Jesus and His word and the Lord would fill his cup and enable to care for his flock.
Many interested
Pray for the village of Bevoako. There are a few believers there and many interested in learning the Bible. Ask the Holy Spirit to confirm the truth of the gospel and draw many to Christ.
Bow their knee
Ask the Lord to provide for and empower the evangelists and pastors reaching out to the Datooga people and for many Datooga to bow their knee to King Jesus.
Translation work
Pray for the ongoing translation work. Pray for wisdom and discernment for the translators and for effective distribution of translated texts. May many read them and believe the message.
Lord build your church
Pray for the small group of believers to be encouraged in their walk with the Lord and persevere despite hardship. Pray the Lord would build His church amongst the Ik.
Daily Bible studies
Daily Bible studies continue with the men. Please pray for the Holy Spirit to open their hearts to understand the Scriptures and to be drawn to Christ.
“Pray for me also, that I may be given the right words when I begin to speak —that I may confidently make known the mystery of the gospel.” Eph 6:19
Time to challenge
Pray for ‘Hashiri’, a lady that I have been sharing with. I feel it’s time to really challenge her. Pray for the Spirit to help and guide, and that ‘Hashiri’ would not just accept things to please me, but really wrestle with the truth and decisions she has to make.
Carrying on
We attended two different Christmas meetings last year. We were encouraged seeing how our Fulani brothers organized the meeting in our absence. During the meeting an old man raised a question regarding the two main religions. I was impressed by the way the followers responded to that question. Pray for a true conviction for this old man and others who took time to come. Lift up the couple laboring among them to depend on the Holy Spirit for amazing results.
Need is still great
Pray God will open the door for the Gospel so that people here can hear the good news. Pray for local and foreign missionaries to return to serve Usandawe, as the need is still great.
Police visit
Last night we had a visit from Central police. The officers came and asked us about what we doing and interrogated the students too. We told them that we are Christians and running a church discipleship program.
They said they heard there are Somalis studying with us. One police officer was a Somali and he asked the Somalis why they were studying the Bible. They threatened to take us all to the police station. We prayed and thankfully they didn’t arrest anyone but they said they will come back again. We have 15 young people with us including 3 Somalis. We believe someone is inciting the police against us because of the MBBs that we are discipling. Please pray for God’s protection and the guidance of the Holy spirit for wisdom on how to move forward.
Medical outreach
We are finishing a medical outreach in a village of mixed Arabs and Neem treating mentally ill and epileptics in the name of the church. While one of us sees patients (50+ preregistered!), another is spending time chatting with those who are waiting. Pray for stamina for the doctor with so many new patients and for open hearts and minds for those listening. My colleague is using film and audio as he talks with people. We pray for many seeds to be sown.
The authority and kindness of God
Praise Jesus for several new believers. One brother asked for prayer for his four year old son who does not speak. A few days later, he came to visit and his son said, “Cookies” and “thank you” and “here it is!” God displayed his authority and power and kindness! This brother (less than a month old) comes several times a week to pray with the other believers and brought his cousin to meet Jesus last Thursday. Rejoice and may each one listen to and obey their Lord.
The Grace of Sabbath Rest
It is rainy season and the Nyamwezi are busy planting their main cash crop of tobacco. Other local farmers are also engaged in planting. There is much to do to plant corn, rice, beans, cassava, peanuts, cabbage, onions, and greens. Every day the land seems to cry out to be a work day- tilling the ground, planting, and weeding. Even Christians may not intentionally pause from their gardens in order to focus on spiritual refreshment and physical rest. Pray that Christians will share God’s plan for a Sabbath rest with their Nyamwezi neighbors, disconnect from their busyness, trust God, and find renewal in fellowship and in worshiping together. May the Nyamwezi find new joy in the grace of God to enter into His rest.
Valentine’s event
Pray for a Valentine’s event that we will hold with Saharawi ladies and believers. May they be touched by the pure love of God.
Pray for interest
Praise God for student S’id who is studying with me. Pray that he would continue studying God’s Word and fully surrender his life to Christ. He is interested and desires to know the truth, pray for clarity and conviction.
Pray for the Women’s English club to be fruitful and a place of bold proclamation. Five new women students are starting classes, pray they are interested in joining the club.
May the Gospel reach them
Sudan is full of UPG’s. Pray for the Gospel to reach them, in spite of the turmoil of war! Pray for pastors and preachers in South Sudan and Sudan to boldly teach the reality of God’s forgiveness of sinners through Christ’s death, and the joy of forgiving others as God has forgiven us. Pray for God to graciously pour out His Holy Spirit and open people’s hearts to His call of mercy, that people may trust His promise of grace and set their hearts on obeying Him.
Resistant and in bondage
The Digo in Tanzania are resistant to gospel-centered outreach initiatives. Pray and ask the Lord to soften the hearts of elders, religious leaders, and local authorities toward Christian workers, removing suspicion, fear, and misunderstanding.
Pray against spiritual bondage rooted in superstition among the Digo. Pray that God would accompany His Word with signs and wonders to counter the dark spiritual influences.
Not fear
Pray for defeat of terrorists and criminals and all who promote and practice violence, including foreign powers. Pray the evil men would repent, tremble before God, throw down their weapons, and cry out to Jesus Christ.
Pray for release of hostages and kidnapping victims. Pray the Lord would protect & help His people, His church, His workers.
Pray for pastors, church leaders, evangelists and workers, that they would not fear, but boldly and wisely proclaim the gospel. Pray that the Lord would guide His people, esp. church and missions, in knowing what to do when faced with increasing violence and danger.
Fled
Please for our local sister who fled to the neighboring country under threat of persecution. Ask God for peace of mind and an open door for her to return home to her family.
Repent and come back to God
Rehuasi’s is the first video testimony of this year. Psalm 66:16 is an invitation that says:
“Come and hear, all you who fear God, and I will tell what He has done for my soul.”
The Bible is also a living invitation for us to know Him and to testify of His great love. This is exactly what happened with Rehuasi—a former cattle thief, once involved in the cultural practices of witchcraft among the Bara people, who encountered Christ and today serves as one of the evangelists.
Pray for Rehuasi and his ministry. Pray for those who watch his testimony. May many more Bara come to faith!
Click to see Rehuasi’s testimony:
Considering getting ‘dunked’
Praise God that ‘Ma Fiona’ on the plateau is considering getting ‘dunked’, as well as ‘Ma Fae’ who has believed for a while now. Pray that they would both get a clear confirmation from God that this is His will and have courage to declare their commitment. (Dunkings here are semi-public events: of course we do not seek attention, but there is no way of guaranteeing complete privacy at the river or sea.)
Hosting boy again
Pray for the little boy that the worker will host for the 4th consecutive summer, Lord willing. May this be the summer of salvation. Ask the Spirit to bring to his mind the stories he has heard and soften his heart to believe.
Many are believing!
Two older men believed about two months ago… one married to the other’s sister. They spoke to their wives and neighbors and they believed. Each had an older daughter who hadn’t yet believed but last week after receiving several audio passages of Scripture said, ‘We gather as a family with our neighbors to hear these and I send them to my friends. Every one who hears these says they are wonderful. The Lord God Jesus is powerful!” Pray for the Lord to continue to gather His people together and mature and strengthen new believers.
John
A leader in the church on Nosy Mitsio was able to attend a meeting in Nosy Be with other Malagasy missionaries in a time of worship and sharing strategy. He was greatly encouraged as he is the only faithful Antakarana believer in his whole village. Pray for John as he faithfully shares Jesus with his community.
Translation projects
Please pray for the Lopit Bible translations projects that are happening. Pray for wisdom and discernment in how to best communicate God’s truth.
Pray for the schools to function well so that literacy will improve. When translations come out, pray that people will accept them and understand them even if there are differences in dialect. Pray that audio versions will soon become available. Pray that the Lopit would grow in their love and knowledge of God’s Word.
