A S. Asian woman listened as two Christian women shared the gospel with her. She began to understand that yes, God is merciful, but He is also just and cannot simply ignore sin just because she says “sorry.” She is feeling burdened by her sinfulness. Now she heard and understood for the first time that Jesus died to be the perfect sacrifice for sin, so that God could be both just and the justifier of those who put their faith in Jesus Christ. Pray for her to take that step soon.
In Every Town
The Rangi are one of the largest ethnic groups in Tanzania who remain mostly untouched by the gospel. Please pray for the Lord to send more Christians to share Christ with them, and pray that one day there may be reproducing, indigenous, Christ-centered churches in every town among the Rangi.
Blaring Speakers
Pray for physical & spiritual strength for all the believers (local & expat) during this oppressive month when all the community around us is immersed in this dark ritual of deception. We wake with the calls to false prayer & speakers blare lies throughout the day & night from homes & mosques. May all followers of Christ seize every opportunity, especially in this season, to give witness of the truth & hope found in the Savior.
Father of a Girl with Cerebral Palsy
Baba Fatuma is the father of the little girl with Cerebral Palsy who is now walking after prayer. Like his wife, he has heard witness of the Savior & he has stated a desire to come to church & is now joining the believers during their twice weekly prayer together during their morning tea breaks on the farm. Pray for his salvation & the salvation of his whole family.
Losing Language
The Ndengereko are gradually losing their distinctive language and culture as they mingle and mix with the coastal Swahili of Tanzania. As they loosen old traditions and ties, may they acquire new loyalties and a new culture by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.
Life Springing Up
The M homeland is vast. But in various places, people are hearing about salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. Pray that eager new believers will carry the Word about Jesus from village to village, and that the Spirit of God will cause spiritual life to spring up everywhere they go.
Unprecedented Hunger
This is a time of unprecedented openness and spiritual hunger among the Gabbra. Pray for the salvation of many as they hear the Word of God, discuss it together, and believe in Christ.
Like Job
Pray for Mama M, a Samburu sister in Christ, who is going through some trying times. Normally her husband is quite reasonable, but recently he has been drinking too much. He has mistreated her, her two co-wives and their children. Last week her mother died. In addition, last week a planned fire got out of control and burned down her house, the houses of her co-wives and the house of her mother-in-law. Pray that her faith and trust in the Lord will remain strong in the midst of these troubles. Pray also that her husband will stop drinking, and decide to follow Jesus.
Recovering and Responsive
When the Bibi (matriarch) of a local Digo village became very sick Saturday morning, all the usual Quranic rituals were performed. That didn’t bring results so the local missionary was asked to come to the house; he requested permission to pray for her and was hesitantly allowed. The Bibi was unresposive and seemed quite close to death so the family took her to the hospital, by the afternoon she was responsive and recovering! Pray that this Bibi would understand Jesus is the one who healed her, not the rituals. Pray that she’ll become accepting of the missionaries living in her village & will allow interaction between that family & hers. Pray for that entire family to become known for their passion for Jesus!
Jesus Christ Honoured
Please pray for the Dorobo churches and pastors to continue to spread the gospel throughout their whole tribe, and for the Lord Jesus Christ will be honoured, obeyed and faithfully followed by all who believe in Him.
A new openness
Praise God for all those who have heard the good news over the past few weeks of fasting. On vanilla island two workers have had multiple times each day to share with friends and neighbours, and also with those they don’t normally interact with and rarely engage with in conversation. In the past when they’ve begun to share Truth people have either turned away from the conversation, interrupted with an objection, fallen asleep, or changed the subject! But in these last few weeks, people have stopped what they are doing to listen, they’ve pondered their statements, and asked inquiring questions. Pray that people would continue to think on what they’ve heard and that these seeds would send down deep roots into their hearts. Pray that many would be discovering a hunger in their hearts for something more than what Islam can offer them.
Zealous and Passionate
Please pray that as the Digo have been known for being zealous followers of Islam, they will change and become passionate followers of Christ. Pray that many will come to faith in Him during Ramadan.
He Knows of At Least Five More
Please pray for our new believer Emmanueli. As the holy month begins, persecution against him has stepped up. He went to a funeral for a relative and people refused to shake his hand. He told them, “though you have rejected me, I do not reject you. And someday, I have hope that we will shake hands again”. When he is insulted, he continues to stand firm, and offer the other cheek. He told us, that God’s word is what gives him the strength to do that. He feels like it has really found its home in his heart. He continues to testify boldly. He asked for more Bibles to hand out and knows of at least 5 more people who are interested in following Jesus, but are afraid of the isolation. Please pray over the holy month that more people who are truly seeking God would find him. Pray that those disillusioned with the status quo would find the inner strength to step out in boldness. Pray for the harvest!
Reading and Sharing
Please pray that Datooga believers will continue to read Scripture and share stories from the Bible with their friends whenever they are not busy with their sheep. Pray that they will grow in their desire to know Jesus, the Good Shepherd, and to belong to His flock and be in His fold.
Faithful perseverance.
Matthew is a Rangi believer who has grown much ever since he decided to follow Christ. He is currently serving Christ in an evangelical church here in Africa. He has withstood all Islamic pressures and threats against him. Some of these came from his family members, Muslim friends, as well as the community. He has stood the test and he is now very strong and bold to share Christ to all people. He just got married June 10! Please pray God’s blessings on this couple and for many more Rangi believers like them!
Two Sisters Together
While visitng Bibi Chai’s ( a new believer) elderly sister in mourning for the death of their brother, God opened the door to share again with her of the hope found in Jesus & the sister agreed to hear more of God’s story AFTER Ramadan. Pray for the opportunity to share with her & for her salvation! It would be awesome to have these 2 sisters worshipping together in the family of Christ!
God’s Power Released in His Life
Abdi, a Rendille student, has a “Christian” father and a Muslim mother – they are separated. He says he’s a Muslim, but he’s not fasting this month of Ramadan. However, Abdi has a temper problem – he can become very destructive. I was just beginning to have a good relationship with him and having some talks, when something happened with other teachers that set him off. Last weekend he went on a destructive binge and has now been suspended. But God is able to work and we need prayers. Would love to see God’s power released!
An Influential Man
Please pray for M, an influential man in a Rangi village, whom workers have been praying for for a number of years. Please ask that, during this month of Ramadan, Jesus would reveal himself to M, call him, and give him courage to turn and bring many others with him.
Prayers for a leader
Pray for Chief Omar, who lives in a large village in Eastern CAR. Recently one of his relatives was kidnapped for ransom by a rebel group (after coming up with the large sum through the extended Mbororo clan, the child was later released). Despite many trials, Chief Omar continues to show a spirit of openness to the Gospel. Pray that God would use him to lead his clan into streams of living water!
Update from others
AWESOME Toposa worship today. The physical size of the church in Kapoeta has more than quadrupled. And it was packed with Toposa women. No men. About half of them are the result of a new church plant last year. The young Toposa leaders love Discipleship. Their joy and love of the Lord is contagious.
Soft hearts
It is the special month of fasting for most people in my community beginning on May 27. Please pray that during this time when they are seeking to earn salvation that God would soften their hearts to understand HIS saving grace. Pray for boldness for me as He gives me opportunities to share.
Light vs darkness
The kingdom of light and the kingdom of darkness do not mix; they clash and display their powers. Thanks be to Jesus for He has the victory; light is not overcome by darkness. Evidence of the darkness shows in the communities about- a young man was sacrificed because he was accused of withholding the rain, then heavy rain fell, so the people feel justified in their actions. Please pray for the Light to shine.
A Tragic Happiest Memory
Pray for Hassan, a Form 3 Rendille student. His Christian parents took him to Ethiopia to live when he was a small child. At some point, his grandparents collected him and brought him to Kenya and raised him as a Muslim. He is a bright student and has been in Christian schools most his life. But his happiest memory is when he first was able to fast for Ramadan. Would love for God’s word to penetrate into his heart. He knows the Bible well, but the enemy is strong. Pray for his deliverance.
Sweeter Than Honey
The Nyamwezi are widely known for their skills in beekeeping and harvesting honey. A welcomed guest may be offered honeycomb dripping with sweet honey. Deliciously sweet! This month many spend extra time reading as they fast. Pray that those who have Bibles or are listening to the Bible on audio players will find God’s Word sweet to taste and desire it more than honey. Psalm 119:103 “How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!”
Seduction of a cult
Pray for protection from a local Christian cult. They follow the teachings of a man called William Branham and among other things don’t believe in the Trinity. They first appeared on the scene about ten years ago and at that time some of the older believers choose to follow them. Now it seems that there is some mixing going on between that group and the local church. There is much to attract them – a charismatic leader, a place to meet for fellowship, and it’s possible that financial incentives may also play a part. Pray for discernment for local believers, that they would recognise the teachings of this cult for what they are. Pray also against the seductive hold money has on the hearts of some believers, pray that God would bring them to true dependence on him.
A Load of Debt
A S. Asian family struggles with a load of debt they incurred before they became believers. Please pray for the Lord to help them pay off their debt and “owe no one anything except to love one another.”
Pray for Aaron
Praise the Lord for His provision of food through the UN last month as well as abundant rain and crops nearing harvest. For now food continues to be tight for many families, but there is hope.
Please pray for Aaron, a church leader at the Ohilang church. Give thanks for his growth in the Lord over the past year and pray that the Lord may continue to grow and strengthen him. Pray for perseverence, boldness and trust in the Lord as he often needs to stand up under cultural pressure.
Young men still raiding
The cattle raiding which had decreased a bit following prayer focus and the chiefs’ of our people group meeting with government leaders and the chiefs’ of the neighboring people group. However the young men are not at all involved in the peace efforts and they are off raiding with a vengeance…and dying! We had two deaths this last week in our village. This afternoon there has been a steady stream of young men with guns, knives,bows and arrows going past our compound to the river to prepare for a raid (they will gather and “seek the counsel” and “sacrifice” we’re told). Pray that the Lord will make Himself known to this group!
Needing work
Please pray for believers to find good business ideas and good financial disciplines. One had a taxi business that worked well for a while, but now people get in his car just to harass and threaten him.
Antandroy who live amongst other people groups- an opportunity.
Antandroy travel to other areas to escape the drought in their area. They make charcoal and plant cassava and rice. In our village on Nosy Be, there are a lot of Antandroy families. Please pray that God would raise up workers to reach out to these people, while they are far away from their homes.
Diaspora Testimonies Affect Arab Families
When Zainab’s foreign believing sister-in-law in America persevered in love in her marriage to Zainab’s alcoholic brother, her view of Christians changed. She sought out Christians in her home city and said she wanted to read the New Testament. Pray that Arabs who have contact with believers will communicate the beauty of Jesus to other family members. Ask that they would be drawn to study the Word.
Is it enough?
Pray for islanders as they fast – some fast because they are seriously seeking to please God, some fast because they always have and always will and have never really thought about it, some fast just because everyone else does, some fast and take pride in their achievement, a very few fast and wonder whether it’s enough.
Hearing About Jesus At the Same Time
As Ramadan has begun, the prayer of our team is that we’ll have opportunities to share with the Digo about who Jesus is. In a local village, one of our team members has been breaking the fast with a Muslim family and has had several opportunities to speak His name to them. Please pray for that family as they continue to observe the fast but are hearing about Jesus at the same time.
Leading One Another to Witness
Praise God last Sunday the local church members taught a Disciple Making Movements seminar to their fellow members in order to help them as a church strategize how they will engage their lost neighbors with the gospel! It is exciting to see the local church members leading & exhorting one another in this way! Pray they will put this training into practice immediately – especially during this oppressive month! May Christ’s kingdom come & His will be done here & now!
Life carries on
The ceasefire seems to be holding, although there have been rumours of sporadic attacks by the government forces and complaints by the opposition party. Loads of folks have returned to their homes and life is carrying on. Many are living in darkness and their eyes need to be opened to the Gospel. Pray that we can make inroads during this period of calmness in spreading the good news.
Teetering on the Brink
The Rendille have strong churches and believers in Christ in some villages, but other villages are teetering on the brink of becoming Muslim instead of traditionally animist. Please pray for many Rendille to become evangelists, traveling to those villages that have not yet embraced the gospel. Pray that they will not exchange one false religion for another.
A Seminar For Seekers
An evangelist was able to do a seminar to which a number of people came who have had significant exposure to the Bible and the gospel through Christians. Please pray that the teacher’s words would take root and they would see the contrasts with their Muslim beliefs, especially during Ramadan.
May She Understand the Victory
A young S Asian woman comes to meet with a missionary. Pray that she would pay good attention and have understanding of the victory we have in Jesus as the One who won all the blessing/merit she needs and also took all her shame upon Himself to give her a completely clean heart before God.
May They Eagerly Seek Assurance
Pray that during Ramadan, Borana believers will find that their Muslim friends and neighbours are eagerly seeking to read Scripture with them and talk to them about how to know for sure that their sins are forgiven and they have the hope of eternal life.
No Longer
Pray that the Nyamwezi will no longer think of their identity as being primarily Muslim, but will begin to identify with Jesus the Messiah, and follow Him.
