Pray for good progress on the Kisandawe Bible translation of the books of Mark and Ephesians.
Still imprisoned
Over 3 months ago, at least 10 Libyan Christians were arrested by the Libyan government. They were arrested because they had left Islam. One Nigerian & one Pakistani believer have also been arrested because of their association with these believers. They are being held for proselytism.
Please pray with us that these men & women would be set free. Pray that God would touch the hearts of the captors & government officials. Pray that the Libyans would be given the right to gather & worship Jesus.
We love Libya & we want to bless the country with our prayers.
Be drawn
May those who have never heard the gospel be drawn to Christian websites and tv programs. May they meet true believers from any nation and may those believers speak the gospel. May Arabs believe the gospel and be bold to gather together in obedience to Christ.
No hope
Please pray for Mama Amina and her family, who live next-door. There are several kids, no father figure, no job, not enough food, and no hope. Pray for doors for the gospel to be opened and for her to believe.
Refugee camps
Many Mwani who fled terrorist attacks in northern Mozambique in 2020 remain in refugee camps in towns like Nampula and Nacala. Pray as missionaries in these areas provide relief, meet basic needs and build relationships with these precious people who are under such duress. Ask the Lord, The Great I Am, to bring comfort, provision, care and true love through his family and the local church. Being a Muslim people group, fear can dominate their lives: fear of death, sickness, surviving, of the power of evil spirits. Pray that the perfect love of Jesus Christ would become known to them, accepted by them and that fear would be forever cast out of their hearts.
Kids camp
Diaspora in Canada: Praise the Lord! Shah’, the Iranian man interested in studying the Bible, accepted Jesus as his Saviour in early June! Pray for his continued desire to learn about God’s Word, and for me to have wisdom in discipling him.
Pray for MAC Kids’ camp that starts the end of July. We hope to sign up 150 pre-teens and teenagers for camps in Ontario and Alberta. Right now we have around 60 paid campers (40 for Alberta, 20 for Toronto). Pray that the Lord will fill the camp seats and bring children ready to listen openly to the gospel, and for the children’s salvation in order to change their lives and follow Jesus faithfully.
Shared Abraham and Isaac’s story
Diaspora in England: Praise for the good visit with the Sudanese woman (M) and that she was happy for us to pray for her and her family.
Pray for the conversation class – we shared the gospel last week using the Abraham/Isaac story. May the women continue to reflect on what we shared.
Considering baptism
Please continue to pray for one of the secret believers, who has recently been talking much more seriously about getting baptised. She knows that if she does, she will be the first in her community. Please pray with her for the courage to take this step of commitment. Please pray that God would give her a deeper understanding of his vast love for her, that she would sell everything for the pearl of great price.
Continue the work
The team has planted a lot of seeds. Pray for these seeds to bear fruit and that God would reveal himself to many. Pray for the MBBs to be convicted to continue the work of reaching the lost.
Pray for Believer and Joy, that they would take on a new discipling role for the younger believers.
July 4th
Diaspora in Washington DC: Pray for our July 4 picnic hosting friends on our church grounds with our pastor and his family.
Praise God for our co-laborer, Katheryn, who is heading up summer Grow English events beginning in July. Pray with us for our volunteers and students to faithfully attend and continue to learn about the love of Jesus while they grow their English.
Movement across West Africa
The Fulani are the largest nomadic people groups in the world. God has opened their hearts for His word. These people groups are dearly in our hearts and we love them. The South Sudan mission trip made me think of the possibility of a movement of the Fulani people group to Christ across West Africa by doing short term mission outreach trips across West Africa and preparing more Fulani believers for church leadership roles and making disciples who will make disciples in those short trips.
Keep praying for the Fulani scattered across West Africa and the world.
Summer camp
Diaspora in Germany: Pray for us as we organize a summer camp this week in North Africa to train MBB’s in discipleship, read the Bible & answer questions, and promote fellowship with one another.
Pray for protection for the summer camp as the police are very active again. We want to be invisible to the enemy and visible to God.
Pray that MBB’s are encouraged, strengthened in faith, and filled with the Holy Spirit.
Pray for protection during the trip and that nobody gets sick or has an accident.
Painful hip
Please pray for Jacob’s disciple and dear friend, Lokolong. A week ago he developed some pain in the hip area that gradually worsened to the point that his mobility has become greatly limited. It is very painful for him to stand up from a sitting position and walking is very difficult as well. Pray that Lokolong receives the right medical advice and treatment in Torit, and would be able to continue his work in the gardens. In the midst of this challenging time, Jacob has been grateful to spend more time with his friend, having some good times in the Word and prayer, often with other fellow believers. Pray God would use Lokolong’s struggles with illness and pain to learn to trust: “My (God’s) grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9).
Believe the good news
Pray for the students who graduated last Saturday to believe the good news they have heard about Jesus. Ask God to reveal himself to them and that they will have visions or dreams of Jesus. Pray that they will be bold in speaking about what they are learning and will ask questions.
Pray that relationships with students will continue even after graduation. Students have been invited to continue to study more stories, so pray that many of them will want to study more.
Evangelizing on Saturday
Three local pastors gather together every Saturday. We share the Word of God with each other and go out to spread the gospel. Please pray for us that God may fill us with the Holy Spirit, increase our passion for the lost, and empower us to boldly proclaim His truth. Pray that the Digo tribe receives the gospel, comes out of darkness into the light, and is transformed by the power of the Word, bringing glory to Him.
Returning to be a blessing
Today Sambivelo will return to his village. We brought him to the capital city to be trained as a healthcare worker and he has completed his training. We gave a lot of medical care whilst living in the village. Sambivelo is ready to do the same. Pray he would be a blessing to his people.
Receive an inheritance
These people have been created by our Loving Father, yet the vast majority have been blinded by folk Islam and ancestor worship–they need Jesus Christ! Pray that God will move his hand within this people group, that he would use his Word, his messengers, and his Spirit to transform them and bring them into his kingdom. Pray Acts 26:18 over them: “I am sending you, to open their eyes so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the dominion of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who have been sanctified by faith in Me.”
Eid al Adha
Today is a big day across the Muslim world as many slaughter a sheep in remembrance of Abraham killing the ram. Some do it just because ‘they’ve always done it’ and don’t even know why…missing the symbolism we know from the OT. Others hope it will count in their favor before Allah when he weighs their sins. Many this year can’t afford a sheep because of rising costs and worry what their neighbors and Allah will think. Pray that they’d see the hopelessness of working for their salvation and realize their need for a Savior outside of themselves, The Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.
Reading together
Please pray for Ma Dorcas and her family, whom I’m trying to start storying with up on the plateau. There is definitely interest, but it is a chaotic household. The most recent ‘setback’ is that once again a relative has taken their Book to read for themselves. In a way this is great news! But I long for us to read together. Also keep praying for Matthew and Harvey, brothers on the plateau who fell out a long time ago. There are possible plans for them to meet – please pray for reconciliation.
Church teams report
Praise God for nine area church teams who went to the Nyamwezi villages of Igalula, Msiliembe, Utulaideka, and Kipalapala. For three days in each location, the teams faithfully proclaimed the Gospel house to house, sang and praised God in the village centers, and taught the Word. There was objection to the Message and though tolerant of the activities, leaders discouraged attendance, but God led some to come and turn their lives around. Prayers were answered, twenty-six new believers have put their trust in Jesus! New land was purchased at Igalula as believers seek a place to worship together. In Msiliembe believers who had been apart came together again to rebuild their church. Pray for one more outreach this weekend, to Goweko, for an outpouring of the Holy Spirit in that town!
Some have heard
Though animism/ancestor worship is the dominant religious practice among the Antanosy, praise the Lord for those who have heard about Jesus Christ and received the gift of salvation. Despite being in a remote location, and there being very little evangelism there, pray that those who have found Christ and follow him would continue to grow through the work of the Holy Spirit. Pray for missionaries, especially for Malagasy believers, to answer the call to missions! Ask the Lord to send his people to serve and reach more Antanosy; ask for a church planting team and for a Bible translation project to begin.
Under constant threat.
Amazigh (Berbers): Pray for believers living under constant threat of being imprisoned… that they would know how to proclaim the gospel boldly to the ones God brings to them.
Visit
Praise God for the opportunity to visit with a new S friend in her home. Please pray for her housing situation and for the Lord to provide her with the blessing of a child.
New life
We are so thankful for men and women from all over the world—including African countries!-who have answered the call to bring the gospel to the Sakalava people. One young missionary man shares how encouraged he is for the opportunities to testify in the name of Jesus Christ. He was able to tell one Sakalava friend about the attributes of God and what the Bible says about the end of days. Another friend, as a result of their discussions about the Good News, has begun to attend church. God will fulfill his promise that his word will not go out void. Pray that it would cut these dear friends to the bone and marrow, bringing new life in the Prince of Peace!
Precious holy intimacy
Continue to pray for those imprisoned for leaving Islam to follow Jesus. May they have precious holy intimacy with Christ more than they have ever known. Protect their hearts from lies of the accuser and his followers. Pray they would be released.
Divorced
Diaspora in Washington DC: Pray for S, a new believer. Her husband has divorced her because of her faith. They have joint custody of their daughter. She is fearful of her husband’s influence over their daughter. Pray for S to grow strong in the Lord and for her daughter to believe as well.
“Explorers arrive in Namibia!”
Praise the Lord that a group of African missionaries from Zambia were able to participate in an exploration of ministries in Namibia. This is an encouraging answer to prayers for more harvesters, so please pray that these faithful men would be led by the Holy Spirit to work amongst the San, both to evangelize and to nurture the growth of San believers there. Also continue to pray for the translation work, that many more Bible stories would be effectively translated, distributed and shared across San land.
Christian marriage
Praise for the wedding of two island believers this past weekend in a Jesus- centered ceremony on i1. They will shortly be returning to i3 and combining their families of 6 kids. Pray for their marriage; that they would establish good patterns of relating to one another. Pray for their kids in this big transition, especially the 2 moving to i3 after several years on i1.
Growth in faith
Praise God for the growth in faith among the Makhuwa Nahara! One local believer has been convicted to tear off the amulets that his superstitious family members placed on his child, who has been sick. He told missionaries there, “I will not fear the spirits in the name of Jesus.” Lift up this man of faith and his family, that the Lord would bring healing and blessing beyond measure, and that many more would trust in our Healer God. Lift up another Christ-follower who has been leading a group of seeking “cousins” from the majority religion. They meet weekly, and there are altogether about 10 men and women studying scripture together in order to understand more about “Isa al Masih”. Ask for the Holy Spirit to guide them into repentance, deliverance, and freedom in the Lord Jesus.
Shaken
Amazigh (Berbers). There have been some shaken by the bold public choice of some to follow Jesus. Although there is much suffering, praise Jesus for even Muslim family members who acknowledge the choice was made deliberately and thoughtfully and with joy. Ask for many to hear Jesus’ voice calling them.
Trip report
Praise God for a wonderful trip to visit the Falata (a Fulani tribe) people in South Sudan. Praise Him for many opportunities to share the Good News. Pray for gospel seeds to bear fruit.
Ask the Father to send workers to live among the Falata as nomadic pastoralists.
Ask the Father to establish His church among the Falata.
Pray for L
Hong Kong Diaspora:
Father God, please strengthen the faith of this homeless Muslim single woman, L, who loves reading the Gospel but struggles to believe in Jesus’ miracles. Lord, may you provide for her physical needs, including shelter, food, and safety, and surround her with people who love and care for her. Open her heart to the truth of the Gospel, and help her to see the love and power of Jesus. Show her the depth of your grace and mercy, and draw her close to you.
Seeds Sown Long Ago
Praise God for Gospel seeds sown long ago and the work of the Holy Spirit still reaping a harvest today! A Nyamwezi man said he adhered to the Islamic religion of his wife, but would like to become a follower of Christ. He said he had an old book from his Christian father, and he has continued to read it. It was a copy of a Swedish Free Mission hymn book written in the Nyamwezi language. He reads it frequently even though he doesn’t know the tunes because the words hold great meaning to him. Pray that he will keep seeking the Truth and hear more Gospel teachings, and that the Holy Spirit will change his heart to make a decision to receive Christ as his Savior. Pray he will read the Bible, too, and treasure it even more than his father’s hymn book!
Reason for our hope
Diaspora in Wales:
Pray for the upcoming end-of-term activities for Women’s Sewing (June 26th) and English (June 27th) classes.
Please ask God to open hearts and minds of the attendees as we discuss the reason for our Hope through Jesus Christ.
Workers for the Gabbra land
Pray for more full time missionaries for Gabbra land. There are so many new opportunities for sharing the Gospel, discipleship, woman ministry and other projects.
Pray that soon these needs will be met. Also pray that the Kenyan church will be committed to support local workers.
God is at work!
Our children ministry is growing! Last week about 1,200 children came. Thanks Jesus. Pray for the Holy Spirit to work in their lives.
The past 3 weeks our local team has shown the Jesus Film in 26 new villages and 40 people accepted Christ in Salaza (the village we went to last month with Pastor Emanoela) and 32 people in Ananbomary, with the work of Pastor Tomoeira.
God is at work!
Pray for fruit
Thank God for the trainings and vision casting Mark has done in Juba and Doro camp in Blue Nile area. Pray for fruit from the visits.
Thank God for the faithfulness of disciples.
Pray for rain in most areas.
Thank God for peace between neighbours.
Pray for provision for disciples in Toposa land.
Books have arrived!
We have received our first shipment of Genesis and Exodus! For the first time we have scripture in bound books that look beautiful and like respected Holy books in this island’s local dialect. Brought over from Tanzania by a friend on a boat. More coming in his next shipment. Please pray for these first books to be the start for all scripture to be made into such respectable books. Pray for the others to come without issue. Pray for safe distribution amongst believers and beyond!
Find fertile soil
As many locals prepare for their summer holidays and travel around the country, ask that they would encounter believers and willingly talk about Jesus. Often when they aren’t in their own neighbourhoods being observed who they talk to and what they talk about, there can be a greater willingness to discuss important issues. Ask that many seeds would be planted this summer which would find fertile soil.
New outreach
Our evangelism team will visit Amboasary region (Mahafaly). Pray for a good visit and opportunities to share the Gospel with this UPG in south Madagascar.
Pray for the conference which will be held with the FJKM church in Mahafaly-land. May God awaken His church and built it so the local believers can reach the Mahafaly people for Christ.
