Please pray for the people in Kilwa as the team continues in relationship building, that the local people will see the love of Jesus for them.
Jesus Film
Praise God for Pastor John Kashu who has been showing the Jesus film around the Mau Forest near his home church of Oloolbung’aiko. Each showing results in new believers. Pray for good follow up in the local churches and for suitable transportation for Pastor Kashu to carry on this ministry.
Renewed contact
Diaspora in Ontario: A local imam has renewed contact with me. He attended church with me for one of his comparative religion classes. Pray for this renewed friendship to grow and to result in Gospel fruit. I have begun to visit this friend’s mosque. Pray for relationships to be built and good opportunities to wisely, gently, and boldly to share our Hope there in the coming months. Most of our UPG friends attend there.
Heard the gospel
Pray for those who have heard the gospel story and now travel to see family over the next month. Pray that they will continue to seek and to hear the message of Christ this Christmas season.
Joyfully throw off deceit
May those who have just begun to hear stories of Jesus not reject the truth when they compare it to the lies they have been told for centuries. May they joyfully throw off all deceit and all sin that easily entangles, and follow Jesus, the truth, running the race set before them.
Open hearts
Diaspora in Michigan: Pray for open hearts to seek the Truth. We’ve had several families stay for the Bible stories every Friday night at the end of our Conversation Cafe. Pray this interest will continue to grow.
Interested
Pray for Ham’ and Mool’ who are interested in Jesus Christ. May the Holy Spirit work in their lives and draw them to Jesus.
Seeking midwives
Praise the Lord for the new maternity building being officially opened at the Good News Hospital! Now we are seeking some more great midwives in order to fully staff the unit. Please pray that we would find the right midwives to employ, and for development of the midwifery team both spiritually, and in their midwifery practice so they can serve the families of Mandritsara with love and diligence.
Sharon
Praise God for the spiritual progress of Sharon, our local sister, and pray the Lord will establish her in His word.
Value school
Pray that the community will see the value in supporting the Timu primary school. And to value getting an education in their locality. I am part of a team teaching at the school.
TikTok
Diaspora in Ontario: Please continue to pray for some of our UPG Christian friends and we who have been mentioned by name, and location, as enemies of Islam on TikTok. Our friends are still quite concerned and fearful. Please pray for the Spirit to restore confidence, boldness, and wisdom in dealing with this. Pray for me as I continue to mentor and encourage one of the younger members of this family. 4 grandchildren of the family have renounced their faith in Jesus. Pray for them to return.
Persecution
Pray for two churches that are under persecution now in Toposa- Nakeon under Bongo and Nakurkur under Namurpus. Some of the disciples’ leaders are under trial. Please pray for them.
A new way
Pockets of violence have erupted on several islands over the past few weeks, due to
old rivalries, misunderstandings, poverty. Pray with us for the peace of the Lord to reign in the islands. May He show people that there are better ways of dealing with conflict.
May they see that violence only serves the darkness, and the Dark One himself. May
they see in Jesus a new way of showing strength through humility and forgiveness.
Obsessive thoughts
Pray against a spirit of jealousy and obsessive thoughts in the lives of several local brothers. We see how their minds are being held captive by lies. Ask that the Rescuer will break through and return to them the ability to think reasonable, truth-filled thoughts. May they be released from these blinded and destructive patterns of thinking and doing.
Mighty work of the Spirit
Praise Jesus for the mighty work of the Spirit in the lives of new believers. Pray that those who don’t read well, and those who do, will choose to listen to or read the word of God and learn how to commune with him. One man asked yesterday, ‘If we get interrupted when we are praying, is that ok?’ He was relieved to know we can continually turn back to God in prayer and prayed with a brother for his family’s salvation.
Learning to read using the Bible
Praise God for a group of six adult literacy learners at Songoroi on Eburru mountain, who are learning how to read using the Bible as their main text. Pray that as they read the Word, they will come to a true faith in Jesus. The group recently sang some songs for a visiting team from the US. This adult literacy program started after a seminar in August at our Malewa River campsite. Pray for other adult literacy classes that have also been started.
International students
Diaspora in California: Pray for the activities with International students. Whatever we do, may the students come to know God’s grace and salvation. Specifically pray for salvation for Rohit, Thomas, Chris and a new student, L, from Morocco.
Resist the Evil One
Pray for the Laarim believers: Logwe and his wife Nacici, Lokai, Lokolong and his younger brother Lolimo, Paulo, Susanna, Nyao and his cousin Lokwam, Maria, and others who have come to faith over the last few years through the presence of the missionaries. Pray for their perseverance amidst opposition for following Jesus and refusing to take part in sinful practices. Pray that they resist the evil one and find daily victory in Christ.
Learning about farming and Christ
Please pray for the local farmers as the planting season approaches, especially the ones learning about Farming God’s Way. Pray that they would learn more about who Christ is and what He has done for them.
Christmas camp
Diaspora in France: Pray for our Christmas Camp that our team is hosting for one week over Christmas. Pray that each international student and young professional who comes will feel loved and welcomed and hungry for the Truth of the season! Many are open-hearted. We are particularly praying for Mr. Lee* to yearn for a relationship with Jesus.
Keep their hearts tender
We pray for those caught in places of war and violence, to not be hardened or made callous to suffering. Keep their hearts tender and longing for the peace only Jesus gives. May they forgive quickly those who have wronged them and leave revenge to God. May they come and worship Jesus who said, ‘Forgive them for they know not what they do.’
Medical outreach
Pray for our nurses in Toposa-Naliel Health Centre, where a dedicated medical team is volunteering to serve the health needs of the community. Their efforts have been impactful, and they are making great strides in reaching out with love and care. Their 6 weeks of serving has come to an end and they report back home end of this month. We wish to continue having them serve God through medical work.
Pray that the Lord will manifest Himself among the Toposa people and bring a revival across the region, drawing hearts to Jesus.
Received Jesus!
We thank God for the open doors to the good news of Jesus every day at the Hospital.
We thank God for Saha’ and his wife Ash’ who received Jesus at the Hospital. Saha’ is the man we were helping and sharing the good news with for the past two months. The one we prayed for unity with him.
Pray for the people for whom the truth has been planted in their hearts and minds, that God the Holy Spirit’s work of faith and transformation in their lives would bring them to salvation.
Courage
The Ik live between the Turkana and Dodoth, and are often caught in the middle of their historical cattle raiding and violence. Lately it has not been bad. Please pray this would continue.
Pray for more laborers, including medical practitioners, especially for Ugandan workers to have courage to come to this part of their country to reach the Ik.
Camp de Noel
Diaspora in France: Praise for 4 students who are attending the ‘Camp de Noël’ in Switzerland, Dec 22-27.
Twenty students signed up, a good part of them being Muslims. Pray for the organization, teaching, life together, Christmas celebration, etc.
Know when to speak
Pray for our island sister, ‘Rachel’. She has been bold. She has been fearless in the face of all the opposition that has come against her. She has remained faithful and
steadfast, even though the enemy has tried to silence her over and over. Each time,
her faith grows and more people take notice. Pray for discernment for her now
following recent events. May she know when to speak and when to be silent.
Pray for the local body as they react to what has happened to her because of her boldness and how the Lord has delivered her. May fear be cast from their hearts in the name of Jesus and may they grow in courage and faith.
Needing rain
Please pray for the many families who are relying on farming for both food for themselves as well as extra income. Planting season has started and is completely dependent on the rain. Pray for God’s favor and provision for these people.
Heal his heart
Pray for brother Kash, our local brother, who recently had conflicts with one of God’s team. Pray that he comes back to his senses and allows the Lord to heal his heart.
Christmas feast!
The cow has been purchased for our Christmas feast! And we’re looking at what days to best have a mini kids club. Pray for God‘s guidance, strength, and fruit through all the details and work of these events! Pray that He will draw many more O into his wonderful kingdom of light, and for continuing growth for those already in!
Mediation
I plan to mediate between two couples whose marriages are in trouble. I’m grateful that each party on both sides have shown an interest in mediation and finding the solution to the challenges affecting their marriages. Pray that each party will allow the spirit of God to convict them even before the discussion so it goes well and their marriages are healed.
Christmas Celebration
We celebrated Christmas early on 14th December with the children in the village. Please pray that Jesus will reveal Himself to them as they learned about Him by asking, “Why Christmas?”
There are men in communities in the newly planted churches who have come to faith but struggle with the cultural perspective of manhood. Pray for a breakthrough and freedom from the past life. Pray for real changes in their lives which can be seen by the communities.
Cyclone!
Cyclone Chido hit the islands Saturday. V1 was the worst affected, with 20 known deaths and 250 injured and many more expected, and massive damage. The other islands also had flooding and wind damage. Please ask for comfort for those who have lost loved ones or homes, and provision for those in need. Pray for aid to arrive quickly for people who have lost everything and need shelter, food, and clothing. Pray for believers to be a blessing to those in need. May the Lord use this devastation to open hearts to Him.
Pray for mercy for the people of Mozambique as Chido now heads towards them!
Basic theology course finished!
We want to praise the Lord- this last weekend we celebrated the end of our very first Basic Theology course with our Pastors and their leaders. Please pray that they will continue to study the material and have a hunger and thirst to know Christ more!
Coming season
Pray for peace over the coming season – Christmas and the dry season in the months after always brings more insecurity as people have more time on their hands and alcohol is more available.
Pray also for unity amongst the believers. Our prayer is that the believers here would learn what it means to be the Body of Christ, loving and serving one another.
Advent
Pray for this advent season that all the Light-bearers both foreign and local will share many good stories and songs with those who haven’t heard. This season is often filled with opportunities for hospitably. Pray for the seekers to encounter the love and welcome of Jesus through the lives already changed by His coming!
Booklets
The translated booklets (Luke, Acts and the stories) have arrived on Madagascar. I still need to collect them and have an inspector look at them. Pray that goes well.
We’re planning a trip to our village this month, together with Neto and Jonoro. Pray for a good visit and that the booklets will be out of customs so we can distribute them.
Cyclone!
Cyclone Chido was projected to hit Northern Madagascar yesterday and the islands today and then Mozambique tomorrow. If it doesn’t change course it will be devastating. We have not ever seen a cyclone come directly over Northern Madagascar. Pray for God’s mercy and help during and after the storm.
Christmas events
Diaspora in Florida: Pray as we have many up coming events for this Christmas season…3 upcoming parties and packing over 350 Christmas Packages for care gifts.
Make the most of Christmas opportunities
Much of our team will be away for December- we appreciate your continuing prayers for:
–Positive discipleship, and growth for and through all NBs.
-Continuing good security.
-Health and strength for the hot season.
-God‘s leading and Holy Spirit filling and blessing of every interaction for us, our team and all NBs.
–Wisdom and strength for how to make the most of Christmas sharing opportunities!
Books being translated
Rejoice with us about the many new books of the Word being translated, checked, and tested.
Ask for wisdom and protection for our translators. Praise that a new mother-tongue-
translator is getting involved with the team checking and that this is going well.
