We thank God for the Som* film ‘Creation to Christ’ – the translation from English has now been completed. Pray for successful filming/recording process.
A Time of Encouragement and Coaching
Our recent time in Naliel has been deeply encouraging. We witnessed firsthand the steady progress of the church, local leadership, school, and mission base. A key highlight was the intensive peer-to-peer coaching with our base team—Jejo and Artis—as we continue to equip and sharpen one another for the work ahead. Please pray for continued progress.
Despite the ongoing hunger crisis affecting the community, the school officially reopened on April 26th, though attendance is low due to food scarcity. Sadly, we’ve had to restrict some learners from attending simply because we cannot currently provide meals at school. Please pray for provision.
Teaching them to obey
“…teaching them to obey everything…”
This was one of Jesus’ priorities in the Great Commission.
His desire was that, as we go out to proclaim His glory and make disciples, we would also teach them to obey everything the Master Himself taught His first disciples—truths that we now receive through the Word of God. Pray for Bara disciples to grow in obeying Jesus.
Intense pressure
Many changes have occurred in recent months in West Africa. Islamization seems to be hardening, and the few churches and the Christian community in this vast country are under intense pressure and facing numerous challenges. The small, newly established churches are being tested, and the enemy wants to destroy these small, still fragile communities. Many expatriates are unsure whether their visas will be extended. Our brothers and sisters need our prayers to stand firm in the storm, to remain anchored in the hope and truth of the Word, and to have the courage to face insecurity and opposition.
Need more leaders
Praise God that the Christians in Hurri Hills are continuing to grow in their faith. Please pray that more leaders would be raised up to shepherd the flock.
The Neighbors Just Outside During Church
One village church is just a few feet away from a couple of thatched homes. The grandmother of one home has placed shrines to the spirits of their family ancestors very close to the entrance of the church. Quite the visual of the seen and unseen spiritual battle in this oppressed area! As church began, six of the neighbors sat on logs visiting and would not accept invitations to come in and hear about the Good News, but they would allow me to sit with them on the log and read the Bible with them outside the church. Two children sat with the adults and one of them made the decision to receive Jesus. PTL! The women refused, and the man said maybe next week… Pray for this young girl, who was so happy to receive Jesus, that she may be allowed to go to church and that she will be a light showing Life for her family.
Sacrificial lamb
Give thanks for ‘Mary’ and ‘Elisheba’ who are reading with L and A on the plateau. We just read the story of Abraham offering Isaac. Of course they know this story a little differently- as Abraham offering Ishmael, and aren’t sure of the significance. We shared how we believe that Jesus is our sacrificial lamb, taking our place. Ask that they would remember and think on this as we prepare for Eid al-Adha next week, (the annual celebration of Abraham’s sacrifice).
Households seek together
Pray for whole households/groups to seek and come to know truth together. We long for groups to meet together to worship God and love and encourage one another.
Disciple makers
Please pray with us through Acts 26:17(b) -18. Pray that the Lord would open the eyes of the Som* people that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God and that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in Jesus.
Pray for those we are discipling and for us to grow as disciples of Jesus and disciple makers for Jesus, and that each one of us would have relationships that lead to opportunities to share Jesus.
Demonstrate Jesus’ worth
Please pray for H, a young believer who came under some spiritual attack this month and almost returned to Islam. Please pray for him to stand firm in Jesus no matter the cost and to demonstrate Jesus’ worth to his community through his life.
New work
Thank the Lord for two young workers who are preparing to go and work on an island where no one has worked before.
Pray that they will be accepted by the community.
Pray for an entry strategy.
Pray that God will provide relationships that will bear fruit.
Pray for provision as they work there.
Persecuted
Pray for MBB mother and son H. The son is being persecuted by relatives who he is living with in another town who are not believers. He lives with them as he has to attend school in their area and they pay his school fees. Pray he and his mother will persevere in faith and the Lord will intervene and make a way for H to continue his schooling in peace.
Give deep hunger
Praise Jesus for continued hunger and humility and child-like faith. One widow when she heard of the bronze snake in the wilderness and connected it to the cross, she said, ‘Do you mean like the One who died, was in the tomb and came alive again?’ She then asked for the next story. Jesus, please continue to give deep hunger.
Find new family
Mighty God, we ask for humility, for hearts that are willing to consider honestly the gospel. We pray that you silence the lies of the enemy that offer false refuge in a false prophet and false religion. May Arabs hear and believe and find new family in Christ.
Want to hear more
Praise that a Saharawi young adult got to hear the testimony of a worker. May she want to hear more and one day find her identity in Jesus.
Joining the Family!
Rejoicing about a recent Nyamwezi BMB who was baptized earlier this month. For years, he has sat outside the church under a tree, listening to the church services, not willing to enter the church, and not accepting the message of salvation through Jesus. Then a visiting evangelist shared the Gospel with him and the seeds planted over the years grew into belief. He was baptized with 13 other people from three different local churches. After the baptisms, many of those baptized asked for their photo to be taken by the baptismal. It really touched my heart to see that when his church group gathered, mostly from one family clan, they looked over and called the Nyamwezi man to join them in the church group photo, saying, “We are all one family now!” Praise God for this visual demonstration of this village church welcoming in a BMB, forever joining the family of God!
Only source of lasting peace
Please pray for peace to continue after lots of clashes in Dukana and North Horr this week. Four killed, one injured and many homes burned to the ground. Now the police have several people in custody and have asked everyone in the town to come together to rebuild the lives of those who have lost everything. Some have started to help including our church but still tempers run high from factions in town that want to chase away the smaller clan. Please pray that the Gospel would go forth and many will come to faith in Jesus Christ who is the only true source of lasting peace.
Listen and respond
Pray for ‘Hadassah’, the friend of a former teammate, who has been meeting with other team members recently. She has had many dreams about Jesus but never committed to studying the word. But last week teammate M was able to give her a book and a link to our Gospel of Luke app. Please ask that she would read or listen and respond in faith.
Unity
Pray for the unity of the local brothers and sisters. Pray that those struggling in their walk with the Lord will get the right discipleship.
Church building
Praise God for the new church building that has recently gone up in Kimatong! The believers have come together with some help from the missionary team to erect a simple structure for their worship services. Pray that the church would grow in depth of love and knowledge, unity and commitment to peace.
Hunger to grow
Pray that the young believers who profess to follow Jesus really hunger to grow in faith, in the word of God and abiding in Christ. Pray for them and our team: for protection from all the schemes of our enemy the devil!
Stronghold
The stronghold of Islam and animism is strong in the Rangi people. Without God’s intervention, it is impenetrable. Pray for the Lord to reveal Himself to the people here through miracles, visions, and dreams, and for Him to soften hearts and open doors.
Eid-al-Adha
Pray for the country as they are feeling restless about not being allowed to sacrifice a sheep this upcoming Eid (June 6), when Muslims commemorate the willingness of Abraham to sacrifice his son. (There is a severe shortage of sheep due to drought.) Ask that from that anxiety they will look to the ultimate sacrifice for their sins.
Leadership meeting local believers
Please pray for our first ever meeting with our ministry church partners this coming Sunday. This is the first time local church leadership are coming to meet with local Fulani believers since our ministry started here. Pray for a fruitful meeting and deeper relationship.
Women’s English Club
Pray that women will continue to attend and invite others.
Ask that it would be a place of encouragement, connection, and spiritual opportunity.
Pray for those leading to have creativity, joy, and sensitivity to each woman’s needs.
Need for a savior
Pray for those who have been engaged with and have some knowledge of the gospel. Pray that the LORD will grant them light and revelation and make them aware of their need for a Savior.
Killed a water buffalo
Praise God for my fruitful time helping a UPG lady in the Nile Delta with her C section, living with the family in the village, and serving them during her recovery last month. The head of the household named the baby after me and held a celebration in the village where they killed a water buffalo and invited us to be part of the village! Pray that the people in this village will come to know the Lord as we serve them.
New Believers
Please pray for the new Matumbi believers who have left Islam to follow Christ over the last year. Pray for their protection, that they would experience Jesus daily and boldly share how He has changed their lives with others.
Open hearts
Pray for our students as we continue using Bible stories with our level 6 class. Ask God to open their hearts and minds to understand and believe the message.
New group!
Pray for the new fellowship group down in the south of the island that both team families are part of. They often have new people coming every week! Pray for God to build His church!
Prisoners still
Please remember the prisoners in Libya. Pray they would be of good courage by the power of the Holy Spirit. Pray for their families missing them dearly, children growing up without them. Pray the Lord would intervene and cause the authorities to change their minds and let them go.
Fruitfulness
Ask for fruitfulness among the locals brothers. Pray that God will bless the works of their hands as they share with others the good things God has done for them.
Firm in their faith!
The team is so encouraged by the local believers who are firm in their faith and beginning to step up to lead. Recently, leaders from seven churches came together to be trained in preaching skills and church structure, led by one of the local believers. Pray for the believers to use the gifts they’ve been given to build up and strengthen the church.
Grow strong and deep
Pray that Timothy and all the new believers will grow strong and deep in their love and relationship with Jesus as Lord and Savior. Pray for wisdom as we seek the best ways forward to gather them to worship and study, and that all fear will be gone. Pray for protection, wisdom & boldness for each one – to love the Lord with all their heart, mind, soul and strength.
Expanding relationships
Diaspora in Minnesota: Pray for the women we teach English to. Yesterday, we got to meet a part of the family we did not know before and we are thankful for expanding relationships.
Local testimonies
We have recorded 6 testimonies of local Bara believers. Pray as we show these, along with the Jesus Film, that the Bara people will be touched by the power of the Gospel to change lives- even their lives. Ask the Holy Spirit to open eyes and hearts to the Gospel.
Grow in grace
Please pray for our community relationships, where we seek opportunities to have spiritual conversations with our Muslim friends. Pray the Lord would open ears and hearts to the truth.
Pray for the Bible studies we have with our new brothers in the faith. As a team, we have invested time in discipling children, teenagers, women and men, seeking to help them grow in the grace and knowledge of God. Pray for the Spirit to renew their minds and deepen their faith.
Bearing fruit
We want to thank God for the many S* contacts we have who are bearing fruit. Some are believers, some are seekers, and the majority are open minded. Pray for us as we seek God’s wisdom to get the word to their hearts and that it will be well received and accepted as the true word of God.
God has connected us with a S* organisation that is spreading peace, unity and justice and are ready to listen and work with other people who are of different beliefs, colour and nationality. They provide a platform for peace in which people’s differences and misunderstandings can be dealt with non-violently through dialogue and meaningful discussions. Pray that The Lord will guide us to use this platform to share the Good News.
Talked about prayer
Diaspora in Scotland: Praise God for an incredible conversation I had with a young woman last week as we had coffee together. For a whole hour we talked about prayer. Pray for continued spiritual conversations.
Keep Praying for MBBs
Please continue lifting up our Sudanese MBB brothers and sisters in prayer, especially those in the refugee camps and difficult regions we are engaging. Persecution is very real. One of our disciples was shot while reading his Bible. Two women were killed in the Nuba Mountains when it was discovered they were Christians. Most recently, in Juba, a believer was scalded with hot water after her faith was revealed. These dear ones are paying a high price for following Jesus. May we stand with them in prayer!.
