We want to have Kutchi friends come to a Christmas program on December 16th. Pray the Lord will draw them to Himself.
Some of our Muslim friends want to come to church. Pray for them to see through culture to the life giving message.
We have a Christmas program for a mosque planned on December 24th. Pray for sensitive witness and open hearts.
A young woman who doesn’t yet believe said that on Christmas, she lights candles, listens to Luke 2 and Christmas hymns in Arabic (from Egypt and Lebanon)… and then listens to Hark the Herald. Ask that she would believe the truths she hears: ‘God and sinners reconciled.’ ‘Veiled in flesh the Godhead see…’ ‘Jesus our Emmanuel’
On Oct 17, 2018 you prayed for this request: “Please pray for our Islamic outreach training for Kilwa Masoko pastors on 22- 24 October 2018. Pray for passionate vision casting and effective training in Muslim outreach. Ask the Lord to send many Tanzanian workers into His Muslim harvest field!”
And God answered: “The training went well. 11 local pastors and wives came for at least part of the 2-day training. The teacher, Cecil S. had many good insights on Islam, being sure of the Christian faith, and unity as believers. Plans are being made for him to return next year for a longer course open to lay leaders of the different churches.” Praise the Lord.
One of the disciples who attended the discipleship training last month is traveling to share Jesus today with several other villages. He’s been invited to pray with a family whose child is 4 years old yet unable to walk. Please pray with us for traveling mercies, open doors, and open hearts on his journey. May Jesus be praised!
On Apr 25, 2018 you prayed for this request: “Please pray that the Borana believers will continue to share the gospel in villages where Christ is not yet known. Pray for this wonderful movement of the Spirit that is causing more and more churches to spring up among the Borana. Pray that even the Islamic leaders who are trying to squelch the work of evangelism will be saved.” And God answered: “In March 2018 one young man graduated from Bible School and is now Pastoring 1 church + two outreach points about 40 kilometers from Moyale town. A second Borana man will graduate in March 2019 and become the associate pastor of AIC Moyale Town with a lot of local responsibility as Pastor Bonaya is the Assistant Bishop of Marsabit.” Praise the Lord.
Our team and partner church recently did a JESUS film outreach to two villages. It was met with unexpected welcome, open doors, and opportunities for the Gospel. Praise God! God moved in the hearts of the people and even drew some to Himself as several became believers. However, with this unexpected open door to work in these villages, came a realization: What do we do with the believers in these villages? It was decided to have a rotation of men from the church go out to the villages on Sundays to begin doing Sunday services with the believers there, to get them meeting together and in God’s word together. We are seeking the Lord’s wisdom and guidance as we begin to move forward and start working with the people in these villages! Prayer is very needed!
On Jul 20, 2018 you prayed for this request: “This past week a Mzee was seen exiting a local mosque, it was suprising because for the past 20 years this Digo man has been following Jesus. He said he is going because he knows what the Bible teaches about Jesus but he never learned what the Quran says. Even with the little time he’s spent at the mosque, it’s evident how quickly Satan works to turn people’s minds against God. Please pray that through conversations with missionaries and encounters with other Digo Christians this man would recognize the lies he is being told, and return to Jesus.” And God is answering: “While this Mzee has not returned to Christ yet, he has had several spiritual conversations with a local missionary and other Digo Christians. He’s also come seeking prayer in Jesus’ name. We continue to pray that the truth would be made known to him.”
Please pray for the father of a girl who was treated at the hospital, had a wonderful outcome, and made friends with some missionaries at the hospital. He returned shortly afterwards to have an eye surgery himself. A smile was on his face, he was willing to interact with the missionary, and one could see an openness on his contenance. Pray that the Lord finds his heart. They came all the way from Somalia.
The following request you prayed for about a certain Rangi man named Yusuph: ” Jan 17, 2018 Please pray for Yusuph. He needs a job that will support him till God opens the way to attend Bible school.”
Sep 17, 2018 “We praise God for one Rangi student and four from other Muslim UPGs who have joined Majahida Bible college for Bible Training. Yusuph from the Rangi people is zealous to reach his own as soon as he finishes school.”
And God answered: “We praise God for Yusuph, he’s now in school and he is doing very well in his studies. God has also provided supporters for his school fees. Thank you.” Praise the Lord.
Praise God for an adult grandson of an elderly believer to come to know the Lord as his Savior. Now both grandfather and his adult grandson want to share Jesus with others in their family. The grandson has given an invitation to meet with three other family members in order to share the Good News with them. Pray old and young alike will desire to make a decision for Christ in this family. Pray for other whole families, from one generation to another to embrace the Lord.
On Jan 16, 2018 you prayed for this request: “We are sending off another new Rendille high school graduate to university and it feels a bit like sending sheep to the wolves. Pray for Somo. Pray for Dibo and Andrew, two other graduates who continue with university studies – both are staying close to God and need His protection.” And God answered: “Our university students we mentioned earlier are doing well – so far, they are staying with God and resisting the many temptations to stray. One student was asked by a professor to lie for him at a hearing. When this student hesitated, the professor threatened to lower his marks. Anyway, the student stood firm, the professor was fired, but he’s awaiting the grades and may receive an undeserved D for not doing as the professor asked. Pray for Dibo – he’s earning a reputation for being honest – may God continue to help him be a light and a testimony. How grateful we are for people who pray!”
Please remember a young local brother who has been facing increased persecution in the village he lives in. He was taken in by a local woman, but last week, they preached at the mosque that no one should feed him, so he didn’t get to eat much last week. Praise that he is standing firm, continuing to meet with other believers and seekers and continuing to pray for sick people among his family and friends. Ask for encouragement and for his witness to draw others to Jesus.
On Jul 26, 2018 you prayed for this request: “Pray for the Dorobo church at Songoroi on Mt Eburru that partially collapsed during recent heavy rains. Pray that the rebuilding project will galvanize the believers as they work together, raise funds together and complete their building. Pray they continue to be a light in this area.” And God answered: “Dorobo church is nearing completion!”
Christmas parties: December 8: with Arab Refugees, and December 11 with 3 Congolese families. Pray they would feel welcome, hear and accept the truth. Dec. 12: Pray for preparations to welcome refugee families to church for a Christmas meal, activities, and message.
Bible Studies: Please pray for a men’s study, a women’s study, and ESL group study. We have curriculum, but a low desire so far. May God change their hearts.
Pray for deeper connections with Libyan families in their community.
Drunk and beat up, Baba C stumbled up to my house. “Lecho! Lecho! Help me! I’m dying!”, he cried. When we looked closer we saw his head was split open, bleeding onto the tree he was leaning against. “I’m dying!” Help me!” he said again. “Okay, Baba C. We’re going to get you some help.” As we were driving to the hospital, the story was pieced together that they were playing a card game, gambling, and ended up fighting over the money. While we were waiting for the nurse, I tried to comfort him. “No, Baba C, you’re not dying. Maybe you are receiving a second chance, a new life.” And I shared the gospel with him. This past week Baba C came to visit me and thank me and let me know that he has thought about it and is ready to make a decision to follow Christ. He’s tired of his old life and needs the power of Jesus to change. Praise God! That same day he went to my teammate’s house and they led him in a prayer of repentance and receiving Jesus and he seems eager to study the Bible and grow. He even said he hasn’t had a desire to do drugs since the day he prayed! Please pray with us for Baba C to continue to experience new life in Christ and to grow as a disciple. Pray that he would be bold in sharing what Christ has done for him.
On May 3, 2018 you prayed for this request: “Pray that the Church among the Sandawe will grow both in numbers and in maturity. Ask the LORD to give wisdom, perseverance and compassion to church leaders and missionaries.” And God answered: “A young Sandawe evangelist, Kristoffer, has completed half of a six month Bible School course. He will be taking over the preaching for a tiny new seedling church in Tumbelo. As a result of a recent outreach in Tumbelo, there are 12 new believers, including the parents and sister of Kristoffer.” Praise the Lord!
Most of the missionaries living among this unreached people group will be departing this month. Pray for the Discipleship Bible Study leaders as they facilitate the gatherings of believers and pre-believers in the communities of Kerenge, Kuduli, Yei, Kali, and Chawa. Thank God that He has given His Spirit to teach, remind, and counsel them. Ask God to give them wisdom beyond their experience, persistence in face of difficulties, and grace and truth for the task ahead of them.
On October 21, 2018, you prayed for this request: “One potential new extended family group are considering allowing the start/restart of regular Bible studies. One part of a group has invited a worker for Monday night. And God answered: “Though the date was changed, this meeting went very fruitfully. The elder who invited us had a very sick wife, who he brought us to see shortly after we arrived. After much good discussion, sharing the Gospel of Jesus grace as Saviour and also Healer, as well as a thorough medical exam of his wife, we really didn’t have a solution for his wife’s weakness and pain. They agreed that we could pray for her in Jesus name. We saw a little improvement that night, as she was able to sit up for the first time in a month. More reports each week of improvement, until we just heard that she’s able to stand and walk with a stick slowly to get around her home. We plan to do another followup visit soon, and the family remains very welcoming and open. Continue to pray that they would agree to host a regular Bible study for their extended family, and that God’s Word would convict them of their need for Jesus’ Salvation.” Praise the Lord.
Please pray for the new Somali believer who is a language teacher. He became a believer in August. We are praying that he will know how to conduct himself, and when and how to reveal his faith to his family.
• Please pray for the upcoming Christmas party for Muslim friends- that the Lord would open many hearts to the Christmas story.
• Pray for opportunity to continue the Al-Massira video series with a Muslim family.
• Pray for ESL Living Nativtiy outreach on Dec 8, pray that non-Christians would attend and be open to the message.
On Feb 3, 2018 you prayed for this request: “Please pray that the Datooga will soon have the Bible story set recorded and complete, and that those recordings will multiply and spread far and wide as shepherds and their families share them with others. Pray that many Datooga will come to know Jesus, the Good Shepherd.” And God answered this way: “A story set of short 4 minutes stories from creation to Ascension was crafted, recorded and in a format that could be listened to in various locations. 7 local radios with memory cards containing the complete set were distributed via the Evangelists to use in their local churches and communities. There is a small team of Datooga believers familiar with the crafting and recording process who have the technology available to record more stories as they are needed.” Praise the Lord!
On Nov 11, 2018 you prayed this request: “On November 12 the M version of the Jesus Film will be shown publicly for the first time in a Muslim village. Please pray for protection from the Lord for all the logistics. Pray that many people will come see the life of Jesus, and hear the invitation to receive Him by faith. Please pray that the Holy Spirit will work powerfully to overcome any obstacles, and that many people will come to Christ this night.” And God answered: Over 200 people came to the showing of the Jesus film. Praise the Lord!
As the dry season approaches the rain has slowed to an almost complete halt. There is still Sorghum crops in the fields which need rain to make it through to harvest. Stalk borer destroyed much of the first crop so please pray that the Lord would provide the rains needed at the end of this season to bring in a good harvest for the Lopit community. Pray that as He does this, the eyes of their hearts will be opened to know Him as the bread of life and the living water.
The Jesus Film is being shown regularly in Toposa villages, and there has been a great turn out in each place to see the film. Pray that those who see the film respond to the Gospel, and that there will be open doors for the Message to spread.
On Mar 29, 2018 you prayed for this request: “Praise God for the ladies’ Bible study group in one area, which came out of the desire of a ‘secret’ believer that many other neighbours would hear God’s Word. Pray for this believer, that she would grow in Jesus and would seek to run this group completely on her own.” God answered this way: “She is quick to pray for salvation and health for those around her. And she is bold and outspoken, as well as being very compassionate. When discussing studying God’s Word with others, she said ‘I will be a teacher’. Since that day, with a couple of groups listening to Bible stories, she has begun owning the role of teacher!”
Please pray for translation of the Bible into Neem. It seems that it is forever blocked. Pray that no fear or other distraction will stop the checking of the Genesis translation- (completed many years ago but not published) in December.
On Apr 23, 2018 you prayed for this request: “Please pray for a certain Samburu village where many women and children have come to faith in Christ and meet for worship, but no men join them. The missionaries have been praying for over a year that five godly men will become part of the church. Please pray for the Spirit to overcome whatever it is that holds the men back from rising up to join that fellowship of believers.” And God answered: “Praise God for the six Samburu women, two Samburu schoolboys and one Samburu man who followed Jesus in baptism on November 4. Pray with us that they may stand strong in their faith and grow in their love for Jesus. We have been praying for five Samburu men in our area to follow Jesus. Praise God for this first Samburu man. “
Please pray for the salvation of Zaruna and Bisania, Muslim neighbors to a Christian family among the Rangi. Pray that they may hear of Jesus’ love and grace and sacrifice for their salvation at Christmas time. May they be so filled with joy that they “sell all for the pearl of great price,” despite any persecution they may encounter.
On Apr 19, 2018 you prayed for this request: “Please continue to pray for the new Zigua believer. He was evangelized by the only Zigua believer in our church and claims Matthew as his new Christian name. Pray against the fear of persecution. Pray that he would be rooted in the Lord Jesus. Pray that others would see the change in him and desire also to know the Lord.” Here is God’s answer: “we are seeing growth happen in his weekly discipleship meetings!” Praise the Lord.
Prayer for the chiefs of the Laarim people: Lord, you have placed these men in leadership over their people. You have allowed them to hear the gospel in their own language and to experience the presence of believers among them. You have given them authority and skills, and now we pray that you make them wise and discerning in their use of their knowledge and position. May they not be selfish and greedy, but instead be just and fair, encouraging the people to obey God and His instructions for living well in the land that God has given to them. Amen.
On Jun 13, 2018 you prayed for this request: “Two different local churches are hosting kids camps over the next two weeks. Please pray that the teachers would be full of joy and have wisdom as they teach these precious children. Pray that the children would learn more about Jesus and if they are already Believers, that they would know Him better and love Him more through the camp ministry. And for those that don’t yet know Him, ask that the children would be so drawn to Christ, that He would be irresistible to them.” And God answered: “A local missionary and a visiting student joined each camp group for one afternoon to play games. It was hilarious and delightful. Even the adults got into the fun. Children seldom have opportunity for play so this gave them a chance to enjoy play in this way and to laugh together. Isn’t laughter a wonderful gift from God!” Praise the Lord.
This past week I heard about M – a young man who has been seriously studying the Quran from a young age. He has traveled to the Middle East to further his knowledge of the Quran and was teaching others here in the capital city. Through M’s own intense study of the Quran he gained an interest in Jesus Christ and eventually realized that Jesus is the way to salvation. M secretly sought out Christians and a church where he could find answers to his many questions. Not long ago he even took the step of being baptized. Family members soon found out about his new faith and beat him and locked him up several times. A local church recently decided to help him head back to his home area in eastern Chad but after being dropped off at the bus park, relatives found him trying to escape and they beat him and took all of his stuff and destroyed it. A fellow brother in Christ took care of M’s wounds and this past week helped this brother to again secretly travel out east. M was able to get on the bus but there has been no word since his departure – we are fearful that he was found by family members and that they have done something to him. Please pray for M and that his faith would stay strong despite whatever he may be going through at the moment. There is a small MBB church in his hometown out east that is led by some men from his same people group. Pray that if he has made it out there, that he would somehow be able to connect with this church.
Praise! The village of Andavakabiby met together on Thursday to continue to listen to the gospel of Matthew. They listened to chapters 1-5. One prominent man stated how this was good truth, and he wanted to have the stories on his phone so he could listen to them while he worked. They all agreed that Jesus was correct when telling us to turn the other cheek and love your enemies. Pray that their ears would continue to be open to the story of Jesus and that other villages will accept the offer to come and have the stories played for them.
Africa Inland Church (AIC) is currently focusing on four areas where they are evangelizing: Mogos, Lotien, Riwotoo and Kapoeta Town. Mission leaders are being trained to plant churches and to equip new believers to share their faith. Their hope is that there will be an evangelist focused on teaching Bible stories in every Toposa village. Pray that the Word grows deep roots in the hearts of believers and that they are bold to share their faith.
Praise God for the six Samburu women, two Samburu schoolboys and one Samburu man who followed Jesus in baptism on November 4. Pray with us that they may stand strong in their faith and grow in their love for Jesus. We have been praying for five Samburu men in our area to follow Jesus. Praise God for this first Samburu man. Pray that his testimony may influence others to consider the claims of Jesus Christ, so that more Samburu men will make a commitment to Jesus.
We had the joy of recently hosting a seminar on Grace which both Christians & seekers attended. Finally these seekers, who have been wavering between works based salvation in Islam & salvation in Jesus by grace through faith, said they clearly understand it must be through Jesus alone – there is no other path to salvation. It can’t be both. Praise God! Pray they would put their faith in Christ alone.
Praise God for news that more disciples are being added to remote discipleship groups! Ask God to renew the minds of these new believers, fill them with the Holy Spirit, and give them boldness to share their faith with others.
Praise the Lord and pray for the 6 kids that went forward in church to make Jesus their personal savior. Pray that they will continue to grow in their faith in Jesus. Pray for their protection from Satan and persecution. Pray for our team as we go forward as to how to disciple them well. May His word be planted in good soil.
From 27-29 November, the Sakalava music group from Nosy Be are visiting Mandritsara to have a three day workshop with Tsimihety worship musicians, looking at ways of sharing the story of the Bible through songs in local dialect. Please pray that this would be a real encouragement to both groups as they share testimonies and ideas. Please pray that this would lead to the growth of God’s church amongst the Sakalava and Tsimihety people.
We need wisdom to know when and how to share spiritual truth with our ESL students. Ask the Lord to open the hearts of our students. Pray they would ask questions about faith. And pray that the Lord would raise more workers for the ministry here.
