January will be the beginning of another semester. Pray for the Lord to send us new students that He is seeking.
• COVID cases are rising. We do not know how strict the measures will get. Pray for the Lord to give us creativity and adapt to the context around us.
• Pray also for a few students with whom we have started building really good friendships. Pray that they will be open to hearing the Lord’s voice
Local believers
Pray for local brothers and sisters who have a burden to share the good news with their families. Pray for wisdom and boldness to share the good things God has done for them.
Jesus Film
The Jesus Film is being recorded into the Kanembu language this month. Pray for good recording process. And pray many would watch the film with open minds and hearts.
Kingdom of Light
Pray for a family as they begin studying Bible stories about living in the Kingdom of Light. Ask the Lord to speak to them and grant them faith to believe.
Amos
Amos, Jared, and another man were discussing the conditions of the world, when Jared said there is a solution. Jared asked his Christian friend, Amos, what the solution was and he replied “prayer”. Jared said it is the blood of Jesus Christ because he washed our sins away. Pray for Jared and Amos to have more opportunities to discuss these important topics.
Cancer?
Pray for a local sister as she is facing a possible cancer diagnosis: pray she will receive healing, grace, and strength; and through whatever plans God has for her, that her unbelieving family will see His glory and come to the Truth.
Loss and gratitude
Today on the way to the church, we found several flocks that died during the rain because they were too weak from the long drought. It is very difficult to explain the feeling of loss and gratitude for the rain at the same time.
Pray for the families who have lost their entire herd, since for most of them it is their only source of income. Pray for the Lord’s provision and that in the midst of all this, we can see the manifestation of God’s Power for the salvation of many.
Gospel seeds
Pray for the seeds of the gospel being sown amongst the Karimojong to grow deep roots and bear much fruit as the Lord transforms lives. Pray for many Karimojong to be born again and walk in a manner worthy of the Lord.
Afghanis
Pray for churches to develop hearts and programs to reach out to Afghani refugees. As these traumatized people come, pray they will be welcomed by Christians and the Lord would soften their hearts towards to the truth and power of the gospel to save.
Healing and drawing
A woman (A) is dangerously ill with preeclampsia in her 24th week of pregnancy. She’s the leader of the occultic worship in our village, and her husband (U) and extended family are very resistant and hard hearted to the gospel, and to adhering to medical treatments! Pray that God’s unfailing love will draw her and her extended family (including a chief and some very influential people) through His healing power and grace, to COME TO JESUS, and be His vessels in leading others to Jesus’ saving grace!
Stone to flesh
The god of this world has blinded the eyes of those who don’t believe, but the Lord opens blind eyes and turns hearts of stone into hearts of flesh! Pray for the Lord to stretch out His merciful hand and save many Antandroy.
Mama S and Mama H
I have started reading the Bible 3 times a week with 3 of my Muslim neighbors. Mama S has said she believes Jesus is God. Mama H has said she needs to follow Jesus. Please pray for these meetings that knowledge would form about the Truth but more importantly that the Holy Spirit would transform their hearts and that they would turn to Jesus and follow him whole heartedly.
A change of heart
Lokwangan went to school outside the Laarim community up to grade eight. He speaks good English and is volunteering at a primary school in Napak. Lokwangan had been abusing alcohol a lot, like many other teachers at that school. After he and Noblesse spent time looking together in the Scriptures, Lokwangan’s desire has changed. He has stopped alcohol consumption and he is very interested in the Word of God. Noblesse and Lokwangan have been using the Bible in English, and a book by Navigators called “Knowing God” to study together. Pray that the truth of God’s Word will keep transforming him into a strong believer who will soon be ready to reach out to many others for Christ.
Transformational thinking
By request from some new Som.* students, we started a second English class, though they are not beginners. One of the books we are using is ‘Mental Independence – an innovators guide to transformational thinking’. Please pray with us, the students have found this book very helpful in assisting them to think outside the box. It helped us delve into matters of faith very easily as we accept each other’s independent views and opinions. This was new to them. Acceptance. We discussed about building bridges (not walls) between Muslims and Christians. Pray that God will help them see the Light of His Word as we share what the Scriptures say. One lady was also excited to know there is something like unconditional love and forgiveness.
Fun classes
Pray for our relationships with our English students as we have some fun classes going on right now. Pray for friendships to grow and for more than just English to be shared with our new friends.
Ponder
Just met B, a mother of a 9 month old and 4 year old who just got divorced. Life is hard for her! No real interest in talking about spiritual things but I got to share of the personal joy that comes in knowing Jesus is near rather than distant in hard times. Please pray that seed would cause her to ponder.
Stand firm
Pray for the few Fulani believers to be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might, and to put on the whole armor of God, that they might be able to stand against the wiles of the Devil.
Faster Beats the Drum
Late into the night until the early morning the drum beats, faster and faster. Those following traditional African religion have gathered this month for large meetings, dancing to the beat of drums, loud and fast. With such intensity on their worship grounds, up on the hills – sites chosen by a witchdoctors’ revelation – those lost without God seek lost powers and answers when rains are late or sickness visits them. Locals are asked to contribute towards the purchase of the animals to be sacrificed. Pray that God would show forth His power and control, love and grace for those caught in the traditions of their ancestors’ black magic and witchcraft. Pray for present day Elijahs to share God’s rescue plan from the darkness. May the Holy Spirit lead them to choose to trust in Divine protection through the blood of Jesus Christ.
New missionaries
Please pray for Lawrence and Simple, Ugandan missionaries who have recently moved to Karamoja. They are focusing on working with local churches to share the gospel with the Tepeth, an unreached people group. Pray for them as they settle into a new culture and community, as they seek to learn language and build relationships in the community. Please pray for invitations and opportunities to reach new villages, and for people of peace in those villages who will welcome the gospel.
Movement!
We would like to thank God for the movement which is going on now among the Datooga. Many people are asking us how to believe in Jesus. The other thing to praise God is that two church planters will be graduating from college this year and will work to plant two Datooga Churches. Pray for the Lord’s blessing on these two men.
Tear down strongholds
Ask God to have mercy on Chadian Arabs and to tear down strongholds that keep people imprisoned in deception and fear. Pray for Chadian believers to be lights and ministers of the gospel to their neighbors.
Send laborers
Lord of the Harvest, send laborers to the Tuareg, that the name of Jesus might be honored and glorified and many receive your great salvation!
Bless
Pray for the Malagasy believers with hearts to bless their Karana colleagues. Ask God to draw many to Himself.
outreach
Pray for gospel seeds being sown amongst the Aringa to find fertile ground and bear much fruit. Pray for the Ugandan missionaries- ask God to open a door for fruitful ministry.
Anxious
Pray for Lokolong, one of Jacob’s disciples. He has asked prayer for protection for himself and for others. Because of his age, this is the first year Lokolong has been given a gun and the responsibility to defend himself, others, and the cattle against potential enemies when they take the cattle out each day for grazing. He said this added responsibility has made him anxious. As cattle raiding (and subsequent shootings, death, and retaliation) are endemic in these cattle-keeping communities, pray for Lokolong’s safety, but also pray that as a Christian, he would “set an example by doing what is good” (Titus 2:7).
Grieving and illness
Many families are facing loss recently, lots of people have lost relatives because of tribal conflict, illness, and because of lack of water and food.
Pray for comfort for so many who are grieving. Pray for those who are sick and that they open their hearts to the only One Healer and Way. Pray for Salvation and that they find strength in the Lord in midst of hard times.
Fire
Please pray for 30 families who lost their homes in a fire. God has provided money to help with buying food and replacing cooking pans and Jerry cans. These were distributed through the local church. Please pray that the community clearly sees God’s care, faithfulness and provision through this situation. Please pray for the leader of the church and his wife as they seek to love and serve the community and point them to Jesus.
Meeting together
The believers are meeting for Christmas this Saturday! How wonderful that three women who wouldn’t speak to each other before are now all going in one car to the meeting. And both men and women will be present. Pray that trust deepens and this church is bound together by the Holy Spirit.
Mat
Mat is a Rangi believer. He and Bobby have started spending time together. Mat wants Bobby to teach him the Farming God’s Way methods and he has told Bobby he wants to learn more about the Bible and be discipled. Pray he will learn more about what the Bible says and have the desire to share with his neighbors.
Diaspora in Canada
An old friend from the Horn of Africa surprised us by showing up at our door after a seven-year absence. After some catching up, the conversation turned to the parable of the Unforgiving Servant (Matt 18:21-35). Our friend heard the Gospel. Pray for her response.
Local church
Pray for the local church, that God would envision them for the coming year, bringing unity and a passion for their communities.
Lasting peace
Last month, peace talks between the villages of Lohutok and Ibahure were arranged by an inter-church committee for the South Sudan Council of Churches. It was encouraging to see the church rise up to address this decades-long conflict between the villages. The peace talks seemed to go well, and an agreement was signed between the two villages. Please pray for a lasting peace, that will only truly come by salvation through the Prince of Peace.
Diaspora in Missouri
Pray for our friend, MH, who is from Somalia and is a truck driver. He travels long distances across the USA for his job. Pray he will hear the Gospel and meet vibrant Christians in his travels. Pray that our conversations will include Jesus and the Gospel.
Seeds planted
Dan, Joel and Noblesse have completed their term of service and are now on their way back to their home countries. We are thankful for the faithful service of these three young men. They have spent two years in the remote villages of the Laarim; they have endured sickness, loneliness, heat. They have learned language and shared the gospel. Pray that the seeds of Truth they planted among the Laarim will continue to take root and grow and bear much fruit. Pray for the believers to “stand firm and hold fast to the teachings…passed on to [them]” (2 Thessalonians 2:15).
Diaspora People
Diaspora people are immigrants and refugees who live in our communities. Some diaspora people come from countries and people groups who haven’t had access to the Gospel, such as Muslims. Many have experienced loss of their home culture and family and are disoriented in their new environment. Diaspora people are looking for community and support to survive in a new culture. Pray that they will meet communities of Christians and local churches who welcome them.
Translators
Pray for the Bible translators who are not yet believers- as they are learning more and more about Jesus, may they give their whole lives to him.
He’s given up
Roza is really enjoying the year long air stewarding course she’s on… even after a teacher called her out in front of the whole class as a believer! She wanted everyone to know… but not like that! A few students have been a bit ‘cold’ since, but most have been accepting. Ask that as they watch her, she would shine brightly.
Her sister no longer identifies as a muslim (though not yet a Sister), much to her parents’ anger. She seems to be slipping towards depression so pray that she would surrender to Jesus and find joy and peace.
Roza’s father has ‘given up’ trying to persuade Roza to give up Jesus… after she agreed to research with him and ended up using his special library books (he teaches at the mosque) to discredit their ‘prophet’! She’s becoming quite the apologist! Pray that the arguments she presented would really cause him to ponder the Truth
Mama Sam & Mama mKubwa
Mama Sam & Mama mKubwa watched the entire Jesus film in Kirangi with Kelly. They were intrigued but at the same time uncomfortable. Pray the Holy Spirit would pierce their hearts and that Jesus would remain on their minds creating questions for Kelly.
Diaspora in Hong Kong
Pray for Muslims who are attending Chinese language classes in Hong Kong taught by Christian teachers. Pray that their hearts would turn to Jesus through their contact with Chinese believers. Pray for more Muslims to join the Chinese classes.
Lord, Heal and Restore the Days
Lord, we lift to You ministers of the Gospel as they interact with others and are more likely to become ill from exposure to viruses. We pray you will protect, heal, and restore strength to them. Joel 2:25 promises, “I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten, the hopper, the destroyer, and the cutter, my great army, which I sent among you.” Pray for leaders as they encourage others during this troubling period of physical attack on the body. Pray for the ministry of the church to new widows, orphans, and those grieving. Pray for unbelievers who are anxious to know the Gospel of peace, finding peace with God in all their circumstances.
