Praise for a good visit with three Dorobo pastors to two Watta villages near Malindi. The pastors went around to the homes, shared their testimonies, compared their lives as hunter-gatherers and went home enthused about the need to reach out, even across cultures in Kenya. Pray that they can spread this vision in their churches.
Asking for healing and salvation
Today, in one of the Gabbra villages, we were visiting some families and a couple came to ask us for medication for their baby who has a swelling on his neck. We couldn’t help with medication but we asked if we could pray for healing in the Name of Jesus.
Me: “Have you heard and understood who Jesus is and the power that there is in His Name?”
Mama: “I never really wanted to hear but now that my baby boy is sick I would.”
So I explained the life of Jesus and His mighty love and sovereignty. Then I asked again, “Can I pray for healing over your child and also for salvation?”
They agreed and received the prayer with opened hearts.
Before leaving, we gave the family the audio scripture so they can continue listening to the Word of God!
Please join us in prayer! May the Holy Spirit speak to this family’s heart and may they surrender their lives to Jesus as their Savior. Pray for healing for the baby and may the Name of Jesus be glorified among the Gabbra people!
Peace
Pray for peace between the Toposa and the Laarim. There is a lot of revenge killing amongst both groups. Pray for a longing for peace and an openness for the Prince of Peace to give true peace.
Response
It’s now September and the Good News continues to be shared broadly in O-land. Persevere with us in prayer that many O will respond and a Disciple making movement will begin in 2019! Pray for boldness, wisdom, perseverance, joy and encouragement for all of the outreach team and believers in the midst of many challenges.
They Fear the Church
The Nyamwezi fear the church and the changes it will bring to the community. Pray for this fear to be removed.
Two Bible Studies
As of the last two weeks, our team has started 2 Bible studies, one for men and one for women. We’ve invited some local friends and neighbors to come and study God’s word together each Thursday. Pray that the Holy Spirit would speak in the word of God and reveal Jesus to us all. For the friends who come who are believers, may their faith be strengthened and love for Jesus deepened. For the friends who are not yet believers, pray that they would be brave enough to come and that when they do, their eyes would be opened to see Jesus and His salvation! God’s word does not return to Him void, but accomplishes that for which He sent it. May His word have His way in us in these Bible studies!
Awareness of Sin
Pray for the entire community as a whole to understand their sin before the holy God. So often we have conversations ending with our neighbors thinking they are pretty good people and that they are able to pay for their “minuscule” sins without a Savior. Pray that God would make individuals aware of their standing before Him and that He would then lead them to the Cross. Jesus came not for the healthy, but for the sick.
Kidnappings
There have been many kidnappings recently in Bara areas. The poverty and the culture are forcing people to do this in order to find money. Please pray that God will open their eyes to the truth of the Gospel and they would be saved.
Becoming Strong
Please pray for the Ndengereko of Tanzania to welcome and receive Christians who want to share the gospel with them, and pray that the few churches will become strong in the Word of God, in evangelism, and in discipleship. Pray for more churches to be planted to the glory of God.
Suffering and Deception
Ask for an increasing desire to walk in truth and courage. Recently in a situation of sexual abuse, there was increased deception to cover the abuse because of fear of death … and the abuser received no correction or rebuke. She truly believed there was no option and said, “It’s always the girl’s fault. My 12 yr old neighbor was cast out after being abused. What can I do?”
Another girl lies to her mom about where she’s going… when she’s going to study the Word. She believes but denied Jesus when her brothers threatened death. Pray for freedom that comes with truth even if it includes suffering.
Zealous Indeed
The Digo of Kenya and Tanzania have been known in the past for being extremely zealous for Islam. But more and more of them are coming to faith in Christ. Please pray that in the future they will become known for their extreme zeal and love for Jesus.
Meeting and needing boldness
Praise Jesus! A group is gathering again in this city …but each one comes with fears and hurts. Pray that they would encourage each other and pray Acts 4 together for boldness to speak His Word.
Eager to Share His Salvation
Praise the Lord that the Borana who love Jesus Christ are eager to share His salvation with others! Pray for the multiplication of the Borana churches, and that the leaders will be equipped and strengthened to lead their people in ways that honor the Savior.
Each One Plant One
Please pray that the Datooga believers will continue to share the gospel and the recordings of the Scripture stories throughout the tribe, and that these shepherds will come to know Jesus the Good Shepherd. Pray that each Datooga church can plant another one in 2019.
Joy in His Presence
Pray for unsaved women who came to a lunch and heard a short devotional on finding joy in God’s presence, to now begin to come to read the Scriptures together and learn to know Him through Jesus Christ.
Conferences
This week we are involved in a Children Ministry Conference with 40 Children’s teachers from the Lutheran church and next week the Lutheran TOBY Conference, where we are invited to talk about the mission of the church. Please pray for a revival in the church and also that the Christians would understand deeply their role as the Church of Jesus. That they understand that missions and evangelism is not for the pastor only but for everyone who knows Jesus.
Stand together
Pray for the group that has been studying the Bible together on Sundays. Pray that they would stand together in the Truth, seeking God together, persevering even when difficulties come their way.
Children’s ministry
Malagasy missionaries Petera and his wife Francine are moving to Nosy Mitsio at the end of October. Pray for safety in travel and good transition. Pray for them as they build relationships and work in children’s ministry among their Antakarana neighbors. Ask the Lord to open many children’s hearts to the gospel.
Finding freedom
For a few weeks we have been praying for two ladies who are being spiritually oppressed. They are living in very simple huts, not eating and spending most of their time laying down on camel skin inside of their dark huts. They and their families have previously worshipped evil spirits.
These ladies’ relatives and husbands started joining us in our fellowship, and understood and confessed that they need to be free from all darkness.
We frequently have visited their houses, praying for these ladies and with their families.
And last week one of these two ladies voluntarily came to a fellowship! She was smiling and interacting with others. We praise Jesus for the freedom that there is in His Name!
Please pray for all those who are still in darkness and need to know about the truth that sets us free.
Food shortage continues
Please continue to pray for the folks that are still battling with food shortage after the cyclone. We praise God that we were able to buy another truckload of maize and beans but that doesn’t go very far and will be finished quickly.
Scripture engagement
Lots of God’s Word is available to the O people on memory cards they can use in their phones with 100 chronological Bible lessons. Pray that people will not misuse them, and that God’s Word will cut deep to convict, teach, and train. Pray for God‘s leading and wisdom for meetings today between mission leadership, Bible translation leadership, and our team for all decisions concerning upcoming O Bible translation and Jesus film dubbing into the O language. Pray that God‘s Word will go forward with power, with the Holy Spirit, and with deep conviction.
School break follow up
Pray for the student activities planned for the school break. Student disciples are being followed up in the villages. Pray for effective ministry.
Dream about fish
Please pray for Grace. She had a dream last week about a man giving her a fish and telling her to go fishing. When she put her fish in the water, it attracted all the other fish. She really wanted to know the meaning of the dream, and we shared Mark 1:14-17 with her. Pray that Grace will desire to grow in Christ and take seriously what it means to be a disciple! – to follow Him and read/know His Word and also to become a “fisher of men”! Pray that she will be a disciple who makes disciples that make disciples!
Training and outreach
Please pray for the Global Disciples evangelism training now being hosted by our local church. Believers have come from different people groups for training. There will be an outreach happening in an Alagwa village after the initial training. Please pray for the Holy Spirit to be working both in this village, and in the hearts of the believers as they receive their training.
Living good lives
Pray for Clement, Thomas, and Paulo- Lopit men who are pastoring small churches in a number of Lopit villages. They experience a lot of persecution from their families (including their wives) and members of the community because they do not follow the traditional ways. Pray that they will “live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse [them] of doing wrong, they may see [their] good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us” (1 Peter 2:12).
Needing wisdom and courage
Someone in one of the regular fellowship groups was approached and told to stop their meetings. Pray for wisdom and courage for the brothers and sisters of this group to know what to do.
The Lion Has Roared
Pray that Christian leaders ministering among the Nyamwezi will have the clarity of Amos 3:8: The lion has roared—
who will not fear?
The Sovereign Lord has spoken—
who can but prophesy?
Pray that they will be faithful stewards of the gospel, speak out against evil, and not fear the message God has given them to proclaim. Pray that those who hear the Word of God would recognize God at work in their lives, respond radically, and open their mouths to declare their testimony to others.
Diaspora in USA
Many churches will be starting ESL classes again this month. Pray that there will be people from African UPGs who attend. Please pray that our Lord leads us to people whose hearts are receptive to the Gospel News, people who are hungry for the truth, people to whom the Lord has been speaking.
Who He Really Is
I have a dear local friend who I am able to see several times a week and who also helps me learn language. We have been reading through the Gospel of John, praying before we read. A prayer request that has come up is her search for a job. We have been praying for God to provide that in Jesus name. My prayer to God for her is that as we read John, the Spirit would open her eyes to see Jesus and her need for Him, and as we pray, that whether in finding a job or in the search for one, God would reveal Himself to her as the provider of her needs. I long for her to be able to see Jesus for who He is and who He longs to be for her!
Diaspora in USA
Praise for the camping trip in August with international students. Logistically everything went fairly smoothly and we were kept physically safe from the daily bear encounters but more importantly the name of Jesus was proclaimed. Pray for eternal fruit. Pray people will ponder the spiritual conversations.
Diaspora in Wisconsin
We are planning for the family picnic on September 22. Pray that our Somali friends would find time to attend and that our volunteers would be able to build good relationships leading to sharing the truth.
We are also hoping to get the youth who went on vision trip to the UK in July to have a time of connecting with the Somali youth and discuss faith. Pray that this will happen.
Planning a visit
One of the sisters is hoping to make a visit to Volcano Island, in order to encourage the women believers there to meet more regularly. Pray the plans for this work out and may this initiative have positive results for all.
Diaspora in Portland
Pray that Gospel truth which has been planted in the minds and hearts of our Muslim neighbors would grow deep roots.
Two of our students are returning to their home countries. Please pray that God will continue to work in their hearts, bringing to mind what they have learned about Him and even bring other Christians into their lives.
As we prepare for a new school year please pray for a good group of volunteers that have a heart to share God’s love.
Thursday Ladies’ Lunch
Please pray for a lunch on Thursday to which I’ve invited a number of S. Asian women. Pray that those with spiritual hunger will come. Pray that the Spirit will fill the time and my home with warmth and love. Please pray that the Lord will open a conversation that allows me to offer a Bible study to any who would like it. Pray that some brave ones would respond publicly and say they would like to participate. Pray for others to be influenced by their example. Pray for the Lord to use this event to move each unsaved woman closer to faith in Christ.
Diaspora in UK
Praise God for ongoing fruit from DREAM Teams. Reports are coming that more people whom we befriended are choosing Jesus. Please pray for ongoing follow up from our 4 DREAM Teams. Pray especially for the new believers to be grounded in the Word and to receive discipleship through our partners.
Significant Safari
On Tuesday September 3rd, an AIM missionary and three Dorobo pastors – Josphat Musanga, David Lekenge and Jackson Ng’ayami – will make a trip to the Sabaki River area to see some Watta hunters and encourage Giriama Pastor Samson Cheu who has started two small churches among this hunter-gatherer group. Pray for safety on the road and that the car will do well on the safari. Pray for the Dorobo pastors to have a chance to share their testimonies with another hunter-gatherer group. Pray that this might develop a vision among the Dorobo church for cross-cultural ministry. And pray that they would be an encouragement to Pastor Samson Cheu.
Diaspora in Philadelphia
Please pray for al Massira video series happening again. Pray for good attendance and lively discussion! Also pray for my Bible discussion with a Muslim friend turned agnostic. And pray for good follow-up with our Algerian friends.
looking for people to disciple
Please pray for the church amongst the Alagwa who have all been challenged to find at least one person to disciple from outside the church, whilst being accountable to a person from within the church. Some also attended the discipleship training seminar we ran. Please pray that each believer would be faithful and persevere in praying and seeking people to share their faith with and continue discipling them.
Agnostics
Pray especially for the increasing number of agnostics who exalt education, knowledge, and tolerance above truth. Many are researching on the net and find resources that are filled with clever sounding lies and barely disguised despair and yet reassurance that ‘sins don’t matter.’ Pray that the Spirit of truth would guide them to all truth, that they would discern lies, and receive eternal hope in Christ. May each one see that tolerance despises the cross; that grace honors the cross.
Diaspora in Canada
Thank you for your prayers for this summer’s four MAC Camps. We had nearly 50 mostly African kids in each! Our day camp for 5-10 year old North Africans, had 25 campers…and a parents’ BBQ!
Finally, Camp Rhino in the last week of August had 12 mostly Syrian kids. Our counselors were in awe at the trauma some of their campers have lived through. Four kids had lost their fathers in the war, 2 saw it happen. One little girl from Damascus went for a canoe ride with JB and sighed under her breath, “Am I dreaming? This is the best day of my life!”
Now for the follow up!! Please pray for the seeds of the gospel to take root.
