Alcohol, fighting and idleness is a large issue among youth in these communities. Pray for transformed hearts of forgiveness, compassion and love among the young Lopit men. Pray for godly men to minister to their hearts and needs. Pray that they may be the future leaders that the Lopit church needs.
Strong and Courageous
Pray that the Didinga believers will be strong and courageous (Joshua 1:9), believing that God is always with them. Pray they will be bold in living out their faith and sharing it with their friends and family.
No Witness
Recently I did a survey trip into a couple of Makwe villages where there is literally no gospel witness whatsoever. We found white, gorgeous beaches, palm trees galore, and plenty of friendly people in these places. But underneath, there are people whose lives are being lived without Jesus, without truth, without salvation. Pray that God would send workers to these villages!
Conviction of sin leads to seeking God
In praying for the Central Africans who have lost so much and been displaced from their homes, I identified with the Psalmist in Psalm 83 who prayed for God to stop their enemies from destroying them, and to render justice. Then I saw the purpose of this prayer in verse 16: “Cover their faces with shame, so that men will seek your name, O Lord.” I realized this should be my prayer for the Mbororo who have gotten involved in the bloodshed and destruction, as well as the other militants in CAR—that they be convicted of their sin, and seek God. Please pray with me.
Communications to share the Gospel
Pray for phone network to return to the area and believers in Kapoeta to continue to share the Gospel to each village. There is a strong group of youth focused on this currently.
Seeking healing seeking Jesus!
There is a man by the name of Mo who is very well educated and knows the Koran well, unfortunately he’d been unhealthy for quite some time. He started going to a local Digo church because he was noticing the Muslim people doing one thing even though the Koran said something else.
Many locals said he would stop going to the church when he got the medicine he needed, but that hasn’t been the case! He’s been at the church regurlarly and asked for a Bible so he could start studying it. His wife is also coming to the church now!! Please pray for this couple, that they would become strong in their relationship with Jesus both seperately and together.
2 Thessalonians 2:16-17
May the Nyang’atom believer continue steadfast in the Word. ‘Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father who loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good hope through grace, comfort your hearts and establish them in every good work and word.’ (2 Thessalonians 2:16-17)
counting the cost
‘Will you send me verses every day, lots of them?’ Praise Jesus for the desire He has placed in Joy’s heart to read his Word. Ask for courage for her as she fears those who have killed others for speaking unacceptably. May she and her sister see the worthiness of Jesus, count the cost and follow Him. Ask for them and the many young people like them who are searching to believe.
Florida Diaspora
Pray for the Muslim community that prays at the Masjid Al-Hayy (“Ever Living Mosque”) in Sanford, Florida. Most of the 1,300 attendees come from East Africa’s Kutchi community. The 43,000 sq. ft. mosque is one of the most elaborate in North America and reflects the growth of the Muslim community in central Florida.
South Sudanese evangelist presses on
Pray for Benjamin, a young South Sudanese evangelist who has been working to establish a church on the border with the Lokwa people. Benjamin has had many challenges and temptations and he needs a lot of prayer. He has maintained his faith despite the many attacks of the evil one.
New believer!
An Arab woman just chose to follow Jesus last week. Ask for growing hunger and for consistent discipleship. Ask that she and each new believer courageously identify with Jesus and boldly discern how to testify of grace to their community. Ask also for fellowship with local believers.
To Meet Jesus
SALAMA is her name. She is a Sakalava woman seriously practicing her mu$lim faith from childhood. It happens that she is a helper in a Christian home for the last couple of months. She openly talks about her faith and respects the Christian faith her boss has. She has heard about Jesus but is not excited about it. As the month of fasting is getting closer she is so excited and has prepared herself for the event in a big way. She has asked she would be given a break every Friday from next week so she could go to mosque, which her employer agreed to. Please pray for Salama that she would meet Jesus in her dreams during this time.
Young church near the Lokwa
Pray for the church plant that has started on the edge of the Lokwa people’s border. Pray that this young church plant will act as a spring board for reaching the Lokwa. Pray for the 33 young people who were baptised last year in this church plant. Pray for discipleship and mobilization for these new believers to reach out to their community and to the neighbouring Lokwa.
Peace for Eternity
As God has set eternity into the hearts of men (Ecclesiastes 3:11), pray that the Didinga will seek and turn to the only One who can bring them peace for eternity.
Whole Families
Please pray for the Lord to bring S. Asian families to faith in Christ as He brought Lydia and her household to Christ, as He brought the Philippian jailer and his household to Christ. Pray that they will be released from their bondage to other religions and find strength in following Christ together.
Hunger
Every year around May, June and July we hear the same call. Hinga, hinga! Hunger, hunger! Pray for sustainable solutions to the problem of insufficient crops and funds among the Lopit. Pray that they may fully recognize and utilize the resources the Lord has provided for them and acknowledge Him as the giver of all things.
Desire and Excitement
Please pray for an Alagwa man who has been listening to and learning the Bible stories. He now wants to gather his two best friends and share the stories with them. He has a desire and excitement to share Jesus with his friends and then the community. Thank God for his passion and please pray that the Holy Spirit enables him to persevere with his plans.
High School Religion Exams
Two S. Asian high school girls asked their Christian neighbour to answer questions about Christianity so they can pass their religion exam. When they brought the questions, however, they were mostly about peripheral practices rather than the gospel and doctrine. Please pray for more questions to come up and that they will come to faith in Christ.
church planting
Please pray for the work of the Good News Hospital in Mandritsara, at the centre of the Tsimihety region. The project has a vision for a church to be established in every town and village in the Mandritsara district, and in the capitals of the other districts in the Tsimihety region. 70-80 village church groups have started through contact made through the project over the last 20 years. Please pray that this vision would become more of a reality in the coming years, and that the project would maintain a clear gospel and church-planting focus.
Children’s work and Oral Bible
Pray that the Lord will keep the children in His hands and protect them against abuse and that they will continue coming in great numbers to learn about the Lord and accept His love for them.
Pray for the oral Bible translation for wisdom to find the correct words in context and for persistence through long hours of concentration, all to the honor of the Lord.
NT translation work starting soon!
We are about to start the New Testament Translation for the Suri (Kacipo-Balesi).
In the last few weeks Pastor Dunyi from Mewun and Matthias Feurer from Wycliffe Ethiopia (who has been working for several years amongst the Suri (Kacipo-Balesi) in Ethiopia, met in Addis Ababa (Ethiopia) to lay the foundation for the Bible Translation. Pray for us, as we are putting a translation team together. May God provide committed mother tongue translators. Pray for more finances. Pray also for spiritual and physical protection.
In the Power of His Resurrection
Please pray for the Zigua to come to faith in Christ through the testimony and friendship of the Christians who live among them. Pray that they will leave behind any trust they have placed in Islam or witchcraft, and that the Zigua will know Him and walk in the power of His resurrection.
Prayer for Business Opportunities
The S Asians in Madagascar are a largely closed community but they have Malagasy working for them in their homes and as employees in their businesses. They also access the services of the Malagasy through, for example, health and beauty services. Pray for the Malagasy believers who are in these positions to pray regularly and fervently for their Gujarati clients and employers. Pray that the Light of Christ will shine through them.
Clement
Pray for Clement, a young Lopit believer from Imuluha village. He is full of energy and loves the Lord. Pray that he will remain strong in the Lord, grow in faith and share with many of his friends and family.
Blessings and Needs
From a Rangi Evangelist: This week join us to thank God for his blessings of rain on the Rangi homelands. Here in Busi it’s raining; crops are doing very well. Pray for my little son Baraka, he has not been well. Pray for our ministry work here. Pray for the Muslim kids we minister to, that God opens their minds to the truth of the gospel.
Southern outreach
Please pray for the vision to establish new churches within the southern part of the Tsimihety region, which until now remains largely unreached. This will be the focus of the Good News Hospital, Mandritsara, community health outreach during 2018.
More discipleship training
100 believers are gathering now for follow-up discipleship training. Pray for A and J who are leading the training. Pray for several of the key leaders who are ill. Ask God to raise them up and make them fit to attend. Pray for God’s blessing on this strategic meeting.
Needing the savior
Pray for Mama Sy, a new friend who has a troubled home life. She has been very open so far to our good news, ask for wisdom in sharing and for her heart to receive. May she meet her saviour in her suffering.
Overcoming Fears
Please pray that the Alagwa will overcome any fears they have and put their faith and confidence in the Lord Jesus Christ as their Saviour. Pray that those who have done so will be a powerful influence and example to others who are considering whether to take the step of faith.
Pockets of Believers
Praise the Lord that although the Digo have previously been known for their zeal for Islam, now there are pockets of them turning with zeal to Jesus Christ. Pray for more and more churches to be formed, and for the Lord to greatly protect the believers who are so new in the faith. Pray for many Digo to turn to Christ.
Planting crops and the Word
As the rains come and people start planting crops, pray that Word of God is planted in the hearts of the Kachipo. Pray the Truth will bring great fruit and changed lives.
Pray for the San Pastors
* Please pray for the pastors’ (Gerrie, N!aici and Leviet) ministry amongst their people. May our Lord keep them steadfast in their ways before Him. Pray for their families as well to support them and for good health.
* For the church board to walk closely with the Lord and for guidance by the Holy Spirit.
* For protection on the roads when they drive/walk to the villages in the bush.
Animal Husbandry
Give thanks for an animal husbandry workshop held in March and the lessons learnt about animals and what a gift they are from God as well as our responsibility to care for them. Praise the Lord for the fruit from this workshop as men from four villages heard the Word and truly thought about God’s great gifts to us. Pray that the men from this workshop may have changed hearts and lives as a result.
Great Upheaval
Please pray for a S. Asian family who are in a time of great upheaval. Pray that they will be delivered from the strong “community” that keeps them fearful of following Christ and leaving Islam. Pray that the Saviour will show that there is no other solid ground to stand on except Himself.
Bible school outreach a success!
Thank you so much for your prayers; the visit was a great success. Some students left Monday morning already with a sense of calling to work amongst the unreached after finishing Bible college! Many (including elders, pastors, and their wives) left with a heart to continue praying for the Alagwa. They encouraged the believers, especially one student who was an MBB and gave his testimony Sunday morning. Please continue to pray for all who came that the Holy Spirit would water the seeds that were planted in their lives.
Growth, Please
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.
Rain!
Praise God for the arrival of rain and the time for cultivation. Pray that the Lopit might turn from their rainmaker worship and other spiritual practices surrounding this time and recognize God as the One who provides for them.
Seekers found!
The other day, two of our team members stumbled upon three young women reading the Gospel of John in a tattered Bible. Pray that the Holy Spirit would speak to their hearts and call them by name to follow Jesus. Pray against the attacks of Satan. Pray their entire household would come to faith in Christ.
translation and fellowship
Please pray for the weekly Tsimihety Bible translation workshop which takes place each Saturday morning in Mandritsara, the central town of the Tsimihety region. This group of men and women is led by Madame Marline and is the only multidenominational gathering amongst Tsimihety believers that we are aware of.
Dangerous Doctrines
Recently, a heresy brought from Korea is approaching the Somali believers; their teaching makes them very confused. Some Christians are trying to help them to understand what the Bible says. Please pray that the Holy Spirit will speak to the Somali believers, so that they won’t be enticed by the heresy.
