Pray for continued efforts for clean water procurement among the Nyamwezi. A number of wells dry up at this time of year during the six month long dry season, May-October, when rains are nil or scarce. Pray for efforts to restore water availablity to dry or broken wells and in findng locations for new wells. Pray over these locations of water to not only be places for physical refreshment but also for eternal living water to be available at these water sites in the sharing of God’s Word.
Vulnerable Young Lady
Selina (a new believer who was baptised at Easter) is growing in her identity in Christ. A few months ago she timidly asked to learn to read & write. What we discovered together is that she already has some ability to do that, she just needed someone to come alongside to help her grow. She is in a discipleship process growing in those skills as she studies and memorizes the Word of God! It is a joy to watch her slowly bloom in confidence of who she is in Christ! Pray for her continued spiritual growth and protection as a young lady quite vulnerable in this lost culture.
Persecutors
The Ndau are living in a spiritually dark world controlled by many witchdoctors. Pray for those that have converted to stand strong in the Lord as they face many challenges. Some might lose their homes or be cast out the community. Pray for the witchdoctors themselves to see God’s mercy and grace.
Sins Forgiven
The S. Asian widow listened carefully to the gospel, and then prayed with her Christian friend to ask Jesus to wash her sins clean with His blood and give her eternal life. She was thrilled to receive a Bible with the date written in it. There is still so much confusion in her head about Islam and the Bible, the things each one teaches. Pray for her to be protected in her faith in Christ, and that she will continue to meet regularly with her friend to read the Scriptures and pray. Pray that she will share her faith with others, and grow in her conviction that this is true. Pray that she feels great freedom as she rejoices that her sins have been forgiven! Pray she will sense that her Father in heaven loves her and has a plan for her life. Pray that her faith will not be shaken.
A Special Campaign
Praise the Lord for two new godly evangelists who are providing leadership to the Ndengereko believers. Praise Him that our Nigerian teammates, who still work on the coast, have been active in a campaign that saw every household in the village receive a Swahili/Arabic New Testament. Praise the Lord that the believers are not discouraged, that they have not returned to their old lives now that they have found Jesus! Pray that the church wouldn’t lose their saltiness. That their light would shine before the community, so that they may see their good works and give glory to the Father who is in heaven.
Local Seekers Join in Bible Study
Praise God for growing opportunities to share the hope we have in Christ with our neighbors! Not only are the Christian Admin, supervisors & staff attending & sharing in leading the twice weekly prayer & gospel- immersed devotions during the farm tea break, but local seekers are joining in as well … listening, observing & asking for prayer! Pray for the salvation of these seekers!
Children
Amongst the Ndau, children are not a priority whilst young. There is an emotional disconnection between parents and children. Please pray with us for the new Christian families for love to be demonstrated to the children and for the cycle to be broken.
Catalysing a Movement
Please pray this overarching breakthrough prayer for the M people: “Father, we ask You to raise up M disciple makers who will catalyze a movement throughout the M hills and beyond.”
Learning to read
Pray for the plans to do a Teacher Training from 25-27 July for those who will use the new Lopit learning-to-read books and materials. The hope is that 1000 copies of the last two primer books will be finished and printed soon. Pray for many to learn to read.
A Soothing Balm
We know of several men interested in following Jesus. One of them has actually told us that he knows that Jesus is the one true God and that Islam has people caught in lies. But they are afraid. They are afraid of losing what little they have- wives, children, community. Please pray that perfect love would drive out fear. Pray for their wives to come also and stand with them. Pray for a community of believers to form as a soothing balm against alienation and rejection.
They Had To Leave
Unfortunately, two Somali ladies left a Christian safehouse on Thursday, because they were not helping out in the house as they had agreed to do. One of the ladies is my teacher at the school. Please pray for her as she stays in places unknown to us, and that she will not be swayed to go back into Islam. She believes in Christ, and was baptized in December 2016; lets pray that she will remain faithful to the word of God.
The Power of Prayer
Praise God for the power of prayer! The local church women’s prayer group is flourishing! They recently visited Bibi Chai (an elderly homebound lady who is a new believer) to pray for her. Bibi lives with her daughter, who used to leave the house when we began to pray or share God’s story with Bibi, but now lingers doing “necessary chores” during our visits … listening & observing. That day her daughter was bed ridden with malaria and actually asked for prayer for her healing! And Jesus heard and answered those prayers! In subsequent visits, the daughter has given praise to God for answering our prayers & is asking for more prayer for God’s blessing on her life. Pray that she may come to know her Healer as her Savior too!
Encouragement to keep going.
Please pray for encouragement. The evangelists from the Lutheran Church that we work with are afraid of coming back to their own villages because of the insecurity. We have heard many cases of Malasos (Cattle thieves) killing people and causing fear in the villages surrounding Betroka. May God bless the work of those who went out in the Name of Jesus and bring many Malaso ( the very Bara people we want to reach out with the Gospel) to Christ.
Marriage bonds
The Ndau are a polygamous group and as this is an unreached group many of those converting have several wives. Please pray for the whole marriage relationship. Pray that:(1) the husband will love his wife (wives) as Jesus loves the church, (2) that the wife (wives) will submit to her husband as the Church submits to Christ, (3) that the children will be God fearing and obedient to their parents.
Asking for Prayer and Bible Reading
A S. Asian Muslim woman is beginning to ask for prayer and Bible reading every time she and her Christian friend meet. Please pray for a regular scheduled meeting between the two of them and that through consistent study of the Scriptures she will put her faith in Christ
Response of Receiving!
My new Ako, who God allowed us to participate in the miracle of saving her life and sharing the Good News after severe delivery complications has completed her 40 days of seclusion. She brought her healthy baby boy for his first round of immunizations. She came with an invitation from her husband, “come and celebrate with us…we’ll provide the goat, you bring the rice and sugar.” ***Pray that this follow up with the larger extended family may bring the response of many of them not only hearing, but God’s drawing them to RECEIVE His grace through the Messiah – and be on fire to pass it on to many more!
Blind
As they discussed the Night of Power and visions, an Arab woman described how her mother had seen a dove come from heaven and touch her head. A blind woman was walking with her and when told about it said, ‘You should have let me know! I would have asked for my sight.’ Yet right after the story when they heard of Jesus…they rejected him. ‘We ask for visions, but not of the Messiah.’ Ask that in their longing to see, they would not reject the only One who gives sight!
New believer keen to share
Niki, an Antakarana believer, recently lead another woman to the Lord and now they both want to come to Nosy Mitsio for a month in December and help minister and share the gospel. This will be an amazing witness to the people on Nosy Mitsio, who are bound in the ways of Islam and ancestor worship. Pray for there to be an open house and open hearts to receive them. Pray for Niki and her friend as they grow in Christ and prepare to witness to their fellow Antakarana. Pray for protection from spiritual attack as they and the team there bring the gospel message to the Antakarana people. Pray that other Malagasy believers would follow the calling to missions among the unreached in Madagascar.
Elderly, Widowed and Childless
Please continue lifting up Bibi, an elderly lady who believes in Jesus but who last expressed fear at following him due to family influence. Please ask for her to have a revelation of Christ. Please also lift up her physical and emotional needs, as she is elderly, widowed, and childless.
Steps towards Life
Please pray for Ediofo and his wife Apuke and their 4 boys as we begin a Bible study at their home. Pray for open hearts and the Spirit’s leading in their lives. Give thanks for their step to come to church together as a family for the first time and pray thay as we study the Word together they may step into eternal life through Christ.
Young people reading the Word
A 16 year old Arab girl asked to see and read the gospel in Arabic. She read chapters at a time and asked insightful questions. Her 13 yr old brother came up and said, “Of course, you are talking of Jesus, right? And have you spoken of Peter or John the Baptist yet?” He had read for hours on the net! Pray that young Arab children would hear and believe!
A Week Of Bible Study
Please pray for the next Scripture translation week in July. Pray for all the translators to be able to attend, and for God to prepare their hearts as they come for a week-long Bible study! Particularly pray for the translators who are not believers, that their hearts and spirits would be touched by God, and that they would respond to Him. Please also pray for the challenging logistics to come together well.
Eternal Facts on Film
Praise for continued opportunities to reach out to remote villages of Nyamwezi sharing the Jesus Film in three locations. Pray that the Lord will quicken hearts to receive the Good News and for people to understand and believe as they hear God’s plan of salvation through Christ. Pray for local partners in the process of planting churches in these rural villages as people respond.
Audio Bible recording needed
Pray that the Bible would be recorded in the Didinga language so it can be added to the audio ‘Bible story tellers’ players, that many may hear God’s Word and believe in Jesus.
The Seminar Intensified Her Desire
Praise God that a lady who earlier expressed serious interest in following the Lord was able to attend a Bible seminar, where her desire to follow Jesus was furthered. Please pray for this woman to grow in her faith and understanding even as she lives with her Muslim family. Ask the Lord to draw her whole family to Himself.
6 new believers baptized!
This week we have an awesome praise for the Digo!
It had been a difficult week for the Digo, dealing with illness & funerals. But in the midst of those trials God was working and on Sunday, 6 new Digo Christians were baptised!! Please pray for these believers as they return to family and friends and deal with the suffering that comes with following Jesus. May they have grace to stand firm in their faith.
Courageously loving his mother
A young Berber man was baptized last week and has been begging his mom to see the difference in his life. She threatened to tell the soldiers and have him killed. He pleaded with her to see Christ’s arms open on the cross ready to receive her. Pray that each who believe will be courageously loving and tell their families.
Another new believer!
Several weeks ago a group of young men gathered on our compound to watch the “Following Jesus” video which is a follow-up of the Jesus Film. Carlo was hanging out with his friends and stayed to watch. As the African actors were explaining to each other the way to breathe out your sins and breathe in the Holy Spirit, Carlo described a ‘shaking of my body” and an urge to know the Holy Spirit. As soon as the video ended, he shared this desire with the group. With a bit of instruction and guidance he prayed to accept Jesus into his heart and thus began his new life in Christ! Pray for God to renew Carlo’s mind and help him walk in newness of life.
Quranic teacher reading the Bible!
A couple of weeks ago, during Ram@dan, one of our workers was visiting the home of her best friend, and a local madrasa teacher was there tutoring her friend’s young son in Quran studies. Very unexpectedly he asked our worker if he could borrow a Bible in his language to study. Please pray that this religious teacher would be captivated by the Word he has been given and that as God has promised, His Word will not return void but would bring Life to this teacher.
believer baptized!
A man who has believed for years was baptized last week. He has tasted persecution and fear but in great courage chose obedience. There were many tears. Ask for many more to believe and obey.
refreshing in a dry land
Please join us in praying Isaiah 35 for the Karimojong people. We are seeing the wastelands in souls being refreshed and blossoming with the joy of the Lord. Doors are opening as never before to share about His good news and the abundance that comes from changed hearts and lives. May His glory be displayed and received. Please pray for God to strengthen those who have tired hands and hearts, and weak knees from the labors. Thank you for praying.
In The Throne Room
Directing our prayers to God in His throne room, we are assured of His listening ear on behalf of the Nyamwezi to become part of His Kingdom. Pray that the Nyamwezi would consider carefully their spiritual condition as Ramadan ends. Pray that they would realize their need for Jesus as their Savior, for many have heard the Gospel and not yet made a decision to trust Christ as their Savior.
Praying for Her Children
Praise God for a believer being discipled who is starting to pray in earnest for the salvation of her children. Please pray with her!
She Has a Desire to Learn More
Please pray for a young, Rangi Christian woman who is looking to attend Bible School. Praise God that she has a desire to learn more, and pray that it would be possible.
Bible stories in Didinga
Please pray for many to hear the Word of God as audio players- ‘Bible Story Tellers’ are distributed in Didinga communities with Bible stories in the Didinga language and the Bible in English on them. Faith comes from hearing, pray many would hear and believe.
Complete Deliverance from Demonic Spirits
Please pray for an Alagwa believer who is passionate to see his mother released from demonic oppression. His mother has heard the gospel and would like to be prayed for and to follow Jesus. Right now, the demon gives her power her to practice as a witchdoctor and has a fairly large amount of control over her. Last Wednesday evening this man planned to go with two older Christians to pray for his mother. Please pray for this woman’s complete deliverance and that she would commit her life whole heartedly to Jesus.
A Wonderful Provision
God has reopened a wonderful door in the Rendille world. One of the most amazing tools that God has used to bring Rendille into His Kingdom is Adult Literacy. This program was shut down some years ago due to lack of funds. However, a couple in the UK has given funds to get the program going again. We have enough funds to carry us through December and maybe into April 2018. There are trained Rendille teachers and godly Rendille evangelists ready for the job! We have the funds to open one village class now. Pray that God uses this class for His glory and that He will provide so that we can expand classes into other villages. It is such an outstanding outreach program and excitingly uses Rendille to reach Rendille!
An Influential Sheik
Praise God for an influential Sheik in Kondoa who recently attended a Bible seminar in his town and who received well what was shared. Please pray for this man to come to true understanding of faith in Jesus, as his heart does seem to reflect a genuine desire to follow what he knows is true.
May God speak as they sleep!
Pray for one young woman who has had three dreams from God. However, since sharing this with a worker she has been reluctant to talk in more detail. Pray that God would keep bringing those dreams back to her mind. Pray that she would have courage to be found by the God who is pursuing her! Pray also for a young believer who dreamed about an island woman searching for truth, in his dream this woman had a dream (!) that he was the one who would give her the answers. Pray that there would be women who are dissatisfied and searching for more, pray also for this young believer and others like him, that they would recognise with joy that they do have the answer to what others are searching for.
Equipped Mightily
Emmanuel, a new Zigua believer, is attended a training for new believers June 20th. Please pray with us that God will equip him mightily to tell others (including his grown son) about God’s Kingdom and Jesus. Pray also that Tanzanians will be assigned soon to the missionary team as we believe we will all be more effective if we have national team members.
