Nuba Mountain partnerships

We are at our GNAC conference in Yida, South Sudan. This year’s conference offers a unique opportunity to witness what God is doing through His Church in the Nuba Mountains and to foster deeper collaboration in both gospel action and proclamation. We are focused on seeing the transformation of the Nuba Mountains through the gospel, education, capacity building, and relief work. Mainly focused on reaching UPG’s.

Pray for local missionaries, laboring in hard places, to be refreshed and encouraged and to leave the gathering knowing that they are not alone. We have a lot of new partners this year, pray everyone leaves with a sense of how they fit into the overall vision and practical next steps.

On Saturday, a small group of us will travel up into the Nuba mountains visiting a Bible translation center, which is working on 30 unreached people group languages, and then on to Kauda to visit an agricultural project and a possible location for a leadership development course. Pray for God’s blessings on these projects.

Difficult times

Recently several believers and a couple of workers were arrested for promoting our faith. All have since been released. The workers were deported. Pray for the believers to remain steadfast, to be wise as serpents and innocent as doves as they navigate difficult times and persecution. Pray the Lord will strengthen and encourage them and continue to build His church.

Major accident!

Urgent: Please pray! We just heard that 27 students from the Heiben area of Nuba Mts on their way to take exams in another location (they have to travel far) were in a major accident and were injured. Please pray for help, healing, and ability to still make their exams.

Surgery tomorrow!

A Somali girl is in Kenya for a life saving vascular surgery. She will have the operation tomorrow. It’s a complicated surgery- pray for wisdom for the surgeons. And pray for the impact on her family- for them to really know the love of Christ. Christians have paid for her transport to Kenya, her stay the last couple of months, and for her surgery. Many “cousins” are following her story.

Peace in Troubled Times

Pray for peace and safety in Tanzania following the Oct 29 elections which were marked with protests, internet blockages, and underlying uncertainty. There seems to be mostly calm contentment within in the region of the Nyamwezi. Pray for Christian believers across the country, especially among youth, to seek God’s leading in all they do and say, and to trust that God’s hand is in control. Pray for those in the church who lead within the community and sit among the leaders of the land. Pray for boldness to preach truth and for God’s guidance in all conduct.

Giving thanks

We give thanks that:

  • Our translation work is starting to spread. Many pastors want to use it to reach the people deeper in the forests.
  • the Malagasy church among the Antanala is growing. In our area we see already three new local churches and many are joining the existing churches.
  • Several groups from other regions have been welcomed in our area. Under guidance of local Christians, they have preached the Gospel even deeper in the area.
  • We see the different denominations starting to work together. This is mostly on the deacon level (the pastors are still a little cautious).

Ask God to continue blessing this work and building His Church.

Bible study

Diaspora in England: Pray that many of our English students will stay after class for Bible study and that the Lord would speak to them in His word.

Neem project

Trying to bring church and local people into contact, we organised a training on how to make liquid soap with some instruction about treating and avoiding diarrhea (having had cholera locally). There was good attendance, and we could read some of Proverbs also. We hope to repeat this for others who couldn’t attend because of several funerals that day. Pray that this will truly encourage relationships between the southerners who attend church and the local muslim ladies and help them to understand that the Bible has good words in it. Pray for this pre-evangelism outreach.

airport meeting

The big important airstrip/airport meeting is scheduled for Wed, the 19th. Pray that the county commissioner and all those who should be here will come and everything would be resolved and formally minuted once and for all against an airport being built here (which would force us from our AIC homes, clinic, and all ministry property.) Pray against any schemes of our enemy the devil succeeding, and against any corruption or insecurity in the days leading up to the meeting. Also pray for protection in every way, and against further postponement (travel in the rainy season is always uncertain and these leaders schedules are always packed). May God‘s will be done!

Pray for their salvation

Diaspora in Georgia: Pray for Maria, Yesenia, Jennifer, Iryna, Lieu, Niafo, Uzma, Zohra and Barathi to put their faith in Jesus Christ.  Pray also for two Muslim women and three Buddhist monks who come to our ESL classes to be saved.

A friend from church and I hope to connect Christian moms who want gospel outreach, with immigrants who want American friends.  Pray that these friendships will draw immigrants and new believers into our church.

Tidikelt Tamzight Amazigh

The Tidikelt Tamzight Amazigh are a small tribe found only in Algeria. They live in the south, primarily in the Salah area and Tidikelt region.

They speak Tidikelt Tamazight, a language which has two dialects and is classified as a severely endangered language

Pray for the speakers of the endangered language of Tidikelt Tamazight to know the love of Christ never ends.
Ask the Lord to send messengers of His love to the Tidikelt Tamzight. Ask God to send laborers of Christ’s love into the harvest among the Tidikelt Tamzight, though little is known about this small tribe and few strategies exist to reach them.
Ask the Lord to raise up believers from near cultures with a burden to bravely go and share the Gospel with the Tidikelt Tamzight.

Exploring Christmas story

Diaspora in Wales: Pray for the spiritual discussions during the Tea/Coffee times of the English and Sewing classes as we will explore different components of the Christmas story this month. Pray that those who come will be spiritually hungry and see their need for a Saviour.

Gone viral!

Our new recording of a song in the traditional style of this island has ‘gone viral’ with over 13,000 views. We are so grateful. The track was even played in a restaurant! Pray that its message of finding hope in the good news would spread far and wide.

Great connections

Diaspora in Calgary: We’ve made some great connections through the New Canadian Hub already this semester.  Pray for ongoing Gospel conversations and friendships.

Afghans

Diaspora in Michigan: There are many Afghans expressing interest in God and His Word. Please pray God would bring them together, which will eventually lead to an Afghan church.

Gym

Praise God for answering prayers for the gym, which now has many members! Many of these members are from the church, pray that we would be able to add some more Ms and pray for O and M, our two M members who have been hearing the gospel 4 times per week.

The real Jesus

Diaspora in Ontario: Please pray for FY, a long-time friend, to find affordable housing for her and her family.  She lives in deplorable circumstances with a lot of challenges and is very lonely.  Pray for us to have wisdom and insight on how best to help her.  Pray that she will be open to God’s offer of salvation through the real Jesus, not her M one.

Open eyes

Pray for my language helper, who has begun repeating the scripture I share with her. Pray God will open her eyes to truth. Pray also for a young girl who has begun meeting with me to exchange language-learning and is willing to listen to the Word. Pray for God to open her eyes and for me to have creativity in sharing with her.
Pray for the men with whom Tam’ engages to understand and accept the Truth he shares. Praise God for the love He has given Tam’ for the Chadian people.

Parenting class

Diaspora in England: Pray for our current parenting class.  We have 7 women attending, all Mslm. Pray for deep conversations about parenting to lead to deep spiritual conversations.

Breech baby

Ella, the wife of one of our NBs, has a BOH (bad obstetric history), and is now nearing the end of a pregnancy- breech baby ( and she’s lost 3 prior breech babies- she only has 1 little girl, who wasn’t breech). Pray for God’s timing for safe labor and delivery – (we are sending her to stay near our County hospital, where a C-section would be an option) and that she will grow in her knowing Jesus’ love and care for her and her family and follow him wholeheartedly!

Students

Diaspora in France: Praises for a great start to the new ministry year, building relationships with new students and further developing established relationships with former ones!

Pray for F, a new female student from Morocco.  She is warm, open, and curious.  Ask the Lord to open her heart with a desire to study his Word.

Pray for X & X, an Asian couple we’ve been working with the past year. In December they will leave for work in another country and we are asking the Lord for another clear opportunity to again present His Good News and answer more of their questions before they go.  They seem as eager as we are to continue our friendship even after the move.

Leader

Pray for John*. He is a leader in the church on Nosy Mitsio and an example of trusting Jesus and giving Him glory. Pray for his spiritual protection and growth as a believer and a leader.

Bear lasting fruit

Diaspora in Brazil: Pray that the love of Christ may be revealed in our every action. May God grant us wisdom, sensitivity, and discernment to serve with excellence and compassion so that many may see Christ and believe in Him.

Praise God for the doors He has opened. Pray that these new opportunities will bear lasting fruit and transform lives.

Lord, speak to them

Superior 1 and Superior 2 have now completed all the stories! The students have gained a deeper understanding of who God is. Please continue to pray as they spend the next few weeks reviewing and preparing for their exams—that the Lord would speak to them through visions and dreams. We know He works in ways we can’t always understand, and we’re praying that these students would see Him clearly, turn from what they follow now, and choose to follow Christ. Graduation for Superior 2 is scheduled for November 15. Pray for their hearts.

Thanksgiving dinner

Diaspora in California: Pray for the activities with international students. Pray for the 2 new students from N. Africa who have joined our activities. This month we have a Thanksgiving Dinner Nov 15 which is a good opportunity to share our faith. Whatever we do, may all the students come to know God’s grace and salvation.

Audio recording

We are working on finishing up the audio recording for the book of Matthew. Pray that these final recording sessions are quiet and productive. Pray then for the final editing of the audio files to go smoothly and for the Matthew and Luke apps to be made before the end of the month. As always, pray for the hearts of islanders to be open to hearing from the Holy Spirit as they interact with God’s Word in all its forms here on Vanilla Island.

Needing peace

Diaspora in Washington DC: Praise God for a sister in Christ!  May God grant her steady full time work so that she can develop financial stability and independence in her choices.  May God allow her continued growth with her faith, and friends who will continue to build her up in the body of believers.

Pray for our young friend Ahmed, who is a cancer patient and who has been suffering seizures again recently.  Pray against the attacks he feels and ask for God’s peace to comfort him and his family.

Teresa

Pray for Teresa, a Gabbra believer, as she ministers to and loves a small community of Gabbra in the name of Jesus. She has won the respect of the chairman of the village and two other elders. They come to all of her Bible studies and Sunday gatherings. She also has a growing following of women and children. They sing and dance and learn about Jesus.Pray for more to become believers. Pray for the Elders of the community to continue their support and to believe as well.

Church and Discipleship

The churches remain active, though not all are consistent due to the busy farming season. Simon Loumwa and Mary Nachaukwa continue to press on faithfully to strengthen the church. Please keep them in your prayers for endurance and fruitfulness.

“Do it quickly”

Diaspora in Ontario: I met Jordan, a seeker, during street evangelism. I first met him 3-4 months ago and we prayed together. This time, Jordan shared that he wants to end his life. He hears voices telling him to ‘do it quickly’. Pray that the devil’s lies will be exposed, that Jordan sees his life as precious, and that the Lord will protect him and reveal Himself to him.

I also met Tony and Han during street evangelism. They are in 10th grade and hope to study computer programming in the future. I shared the gospel and they both repented and believed in Jesus! Praise the Lord for their confession, pray for their commitment to the Lord to grow.

Grow deep roots

One woman had a dream she was talking with a sister and ‘one she couldn’t see clearly’ who spoke the same words as Jesus spoke on the waves: “Take courage. It is I. Don’t be afraid.” She had heard the gospel only once but is asking the LORD Jesus to help her. Pray for her and those like her who are just now hearing about Jesus, that they would believe and follow Him and grow in the knowledge of Christ, growing deep roots.

Seekers come

Pray for those who want to come and worship and learn about the Bible, but are denied by family members and social pressure. Pray for an open door for seekers to come and opposition to be defeated. May the Lord bind the strong man and plunder his house!  Mark 3:27.

The Gospel is the power of God.

The Gospel is the power of God.
It is the truth that transforms, that sets people free, that changes hearts — the power that brings us out of darkness into the light, out of the kingdom of Satan into the kingdom of the Son of God’s love. This is the story of Refomeo, a former sorcerer and cattle thief who heard the call of Christ and surrendered his life to Him. Pray for many in his family and village to come to Christ as well.

 

 

 

Not meeting

Pray for the group in the airport town which we have heard has not been meeting regularly with ‘Esther’ on i1 and there are concerns that the young men aren’t taking their faith seriously and are falling away. Pray for the group to meet, to see faith as a priority, and for them to grow to maturity.

Live the truth

We continue to ask for the reuniting of families who are separated because of believers who were put in prison for the gospel. We pray for courage for believers who are in prison, and those who are out but live in fear, that they would all believe and live the truth of God with them and in them and for them.

Son struggling

Pray for a family who lives close to the missionaries. The oldest son struggles with addiction and has been a physical threat to his younger siblings on several occasions. Pray for safety for the family, and for the Lord to open the door for the young man to be healed from his physical and spiritual bondage or removed from the situation.

Ponder

Praise that several Saharawi ladies came to a festival where they heard the gospel presentation, Christian music and two testimonies. Pray they will ponder what they heard and believe.

Translation Work

The translation team is doing very well. They have completed several books of the Bible including Jonah, Mark, Luke, and John, as well as nine chapters of Acts. They are now working on portions of Genesis. Please continue praying for the team, and that the completed portions will soon be inserted into audio formats for broader access.

Oppression

Please pray for our team, as we often feel a lot of spiritual oppression and attack and discouragement.
Pray for continued protection over the Bible translation work, and that God would work in the hearts of the translators.

Financial stability for MBB’s

Most of our MBB’s are struggling financially. Please pray that God will open doors for them to support themselves and their families. The majority are not engaged in any form of employment or income generating schemes.