Diaspora in Florida: Pray for our Muslim friend “Timothy” who invited us to his Christmas party where the story of Jesus’ birth was read from Matthew and Luke in front of about 30 of his Muslim friends. I hope to visit Timothy again soon. He seems very despondent. Pray he would cry out to God for revelation of the truth.
Meet together
The churches in three Lopit villages – Imuluha, Ohilang, and Ibonni – want to meet together once a month for worship and fellowship. This is possible because of peace between these three villages. Pray that these believers would commit themselves to meeting together monthly to “spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together…but encouraging one another” (Hebrews 10:24-25). Pray that the love and peace between the believers of these different villages would display the unity of the Spirit and attract many others to come and find out more about Jesus.
2024 Goal
Pray for our goal of reaching 200 new villages with the Jesus Film in 2024. The whole program is run by Malagasy partners and the head of it is a Bara Pastor. Pray that God will send funds and help us go alongside them. Pray for many in these villages to respond to the Gospel and be saved.
Promised to read
Diaspora in Florida: Pray for Imam “Barney” who has promised to read the New Testament with a local pastor. Pray the Lord will open his eyes to the truth as he reads.
Cookies and stories
Praise God that S came to decorate cookies with her daughters and I could share stories about the birth of our Savior. Please pray they have open hearts to receive Jesus as Savior.
Clear testimony
Diaspora in Georgia: Please pray that all the students in my ESL class will attend faithfully and each one will give a clear testimony of faith in Jesus by the end of the school year. Praise the Lord that several have already done so. Praise the Lord for Sayaka from Japan who meets weekly with me for further Bible study.
Also, please pray that Muslims and Africans will come to our ESL classes.
Prisioners
Pray for all those in prison because of their Savior, Jesus Christ. May they know His comfort, His freedom despite chains, and in the lonely times apart from family, may they know the companionship that only God can give. Remember their families, as they miss and long to be together. “Release them Lord!”
Conflict
Over the last months, conflict between the Toposa and the Laarim people has been worse than usual with multiple revenge killings and frequent cattle raids. Recently a chief in Loryok where Jacob had lived years ago was attacked and killed in his garden. Please pray for the Toposa and Laarim youth who carry out these acts to be struck with the fear of God in their hearts. Pray for the young believers to have the courage to stand against the peer pressure and represent righteousness, even when they are looked down upon and insulted for refusing to go on raids.
Accused
Pray for S., a friend of ours who was accused of stealing equipment from a school in the village. Pray for the truth to reign and a fair trial. Pray for open doors for the gospel through this hardship.
Ministry in Khartoum
The situation in Sudan continues to worsen, with no sign of peace or an end in sight. Despite this, many Christians have decided to stay in places like Khartoum to care for the believers who cannot leave. Please pray for Camilia, a woman we met at a conference in South Sudan in November, who had traveled from Khartoum to South Sudan and then returned to Khartoum to continue her ministry! Pray the Lord will equip her with the weapons that are “not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds” (2 Corinthians 10:4).
Encouraging times
David and Tessa have had some encouraging times the past several months with Logwe, Kalifah, Susanna, and several other believers in the community. One particular highlight was when they shared a meal together with Logwe and his wife Nacici (a recent believer), and Kalifah and his wife Naji (for whom we are still praying to give her life to Christ). They were so encouraged to meet together as married couples, reading from God’s Word and fellowshipping together. Pray for these couples to live as lights in their communities.
Prayer focus
In this new year, we are focusing prayers for i3 on the unity of the body (for patterns of healthy communication, repentance and forgiveness) and for there to be believing i3 families growing together in their faith, adults, youth and children! Please pray with us.
Women
One of us has been discipling two MMB ladies separately. They are always looking forward to the lessons and walking through life with one of our lady members. Pray for their maturity in faith.
Another Som** lady requested to learn the keyboard and improve on her vocals. She wants to get into singing. She is open to use gospel music as a means of learning to play the keyboard and to sing. Pray that God will speak to her heart through the words of the songs.
Shame
Diaspora in Wales: Illiteracy is something the women in our classes work hard at covering up. It remains a source of shame for each lady and their families. Pray for wisdom for how to provide additional assistance beyond Monday and Tuesday classes. Pray for a spiritual awakening that each one will embrace Christ who removes all shame.
Local church
Please pray for the local church as there are many transitions happening at the moment. Please pray especially for Petro and Mama Grace as they take on the leadership. Praise God for the passion God has given them both to minister amongst the Alagwa.
International Student night
Diaspora in Florida: Pray for the International Student night on Jan 13th- pray for good conversations and connections.
And pray for Hannah, a new contact from North Africa, for good conversations with her.
Difficult season
Pray for Pastor P., the pastor of a local church here, and the church leadership. The congregation is going through a difficult season, including a court case, and the leadership needs wisdom and guidance on how to lead the flock well and bring unity to the believers.
Only Jesus
Diaspora in Hong Kong: Please pray for the many Africans I meet in Hong Kong- for their resilience and mental well-being. Whether they are Christians or unbelievers, they are all waiting for relocation or deportation, and many of them are suffering greatly from mental illness or captivity. May they see that Jesus is the only one who can set them free.
Threats
Pray for Mama A and her daughter, both are MBBs. The husband is threatening the daughter that he will not pay for her education until she denounces Jesus Christ, and that he will reclaim back the house initially the Kadhi court had granted to the wife after they divorced when she became a believer. Pray for the safety of the young girl who is currently living with the father.
Peace and reconciliation
Diaspora in Canada: Several families near and dear to us have hurt each other deeply, some very recently, others nursing long term hurts. Impulsive behaviour, deep wounds, and lack of forgiveness have contributed to huge rifts, much pain, and alienation. Please pray that God will intervene in this terrible situation and use us as His agents of “nabadda iyo dib u heshiisiinta” (Peace and reconciliation).
Stand firm!
Mike, the strong believer from our area for many years – working with our team in outreach, and as a Bible translator, is facing a new series of hard temptations. His job, and his wife have been successfully wrenched from him by her family and all of their tactics. Now the community spokesman is offering him a huge monthly salary and a new young wife, if he will only turn back from following Christ. Pray for God‘s strength and joy in the Lord, that Mike may stand firm, and continue to grow in his love relationship with Jesus, and that God will provide for him in every way!
Embrace Jesus
Please pray for Baba Suleiman, a Digo man, and his wife from the Druma tribe. His wife has Christian background and his mother-in-law is a believer. He has been exploring the teaching of Jesus. Please lift him, his wife, and their ten children in your prayer, asking for the grace and understanding to embrace Jesus as their Savior.
Truth take root
Diaspora in Michigan: Praise God for the 27 families who came to the Christmas party. Pray the truth of the gospel of Luke would take root in their hearts.
Break time
Diaspora in Brazil: This is a very strategic break time during the month of January where the university students don’t have classes. The African students have nowhere else to go so this is a great time for Alexandre and Walquíria to invite them into their home. Pray for open hearts and minds!
Be unafraid
Pray that those who hear the truth would believe the truth and follow Jesus unafraid of those who threaten them.
Christmas and Yalda celebrations
Diaspora in Finland: We give praise that the Christmas parties went well.
I was invited to an Iranian traditional Yalda Night celebration after a conversation with an Iranian man at one of the Christmas parties. It was very interesting being the only “foreigner” among about 30 Iranian Muslims. Most were students or professors at the University.
Pray for wisdom in following up with people from the Christmas parties and with 2 of the Iranian men from the Yalda Night party. Pray God would open their hearts to receive Emmanuel.
Increased threats against MBB’s and partners
We have received information that a key suspect linked to terrorist activities targeting Som* Christians was apprehended in Nairobi. Disturbingly, he was temporarily released and is expected to return to court on 10th January.
Authorities have advised for heightened vigilance within the Som* Christian community and partners as they urge the public to stay informed through official channels.
Pray for protection and wisdom for partners as they continue to work in the vineyard without fear.
Drawing Yemenis
Diaspora in Germany: Praise God for 2 new Yemeni friends that I met in another city in Germany. Our visit went wonderfully well with R&M, R gave his life to Jesus today, praise the Lord! Let’s keep praying for him, he is 200 km from us. He was asking if there is someone who can disciple him and he would love to get baptized! He already started talking to the other Yemenis in the Camp.
We know other Yemenis brothers, two are part of Injil and one is leading a group. Praise God how He is drawing Yemenis in Europe.
Trial
Pray for Mama and Baba J., whose 7-month old son has severe disabilities and developmental delays. Pray that their faith in God would be strengthened through this trial in their life.
Came to church
Diaspora in Washington DC: Praise God for a former English student who came to visit us and came with us for a worship service at church. His English has grown tremendously and he seems to be growing in his depth of conversation as well. Praise God for his openness to attend church. Pray the Lord will continue to work in his life and draw him to Himself.
Fulness of Life
Please pray that God would break down the spiritual strongholds which continue to hold Alagwa hearts captive. May they be free to know and follow the One who gave himself fully to bring them fullness of life.
Young disciple
Pray for R. a young Antakarana man who has a heart to reach his own people. Pray for him and his discipleship, and for an upcoming training and mission trip he will be a part of in early January.
3 more families!
Guyo has reported that three more herdsmen‘s families have come into the Light! Pray for growth in faith and knowledge, and protection, and that all these new believers will also share the message of the kingdoms of light and darkness with those they love!
Evidence of the grace of God
Marino, one of the early Laarim converts, hosts a church service in his compound. Recently I visited and about 40 people, predominantly children, but also a group of youth, and a few adults came. All sang heartily and were attentive to my teaching. Marino’s son, Daniel, a primary 4 student, read “feeding the 5000” story from the Laarim New Testament. This reminded me of my recent reading from Acts: “When he arrived and saw the evidence of the grace of God, he was glad and encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts” Acts 11:23. Please pray for the growing number of Laarim who have believed and turned to the Lord!
Empower the youth
In a town where opportunities are scarce for young people, Jana dedicates Sundays to instilling wisdom through Bible teachings and practical skills like frying ‘mofo-sakay.’ It’s more than a snack; it’s a strategy to draw them closer to the transformative message of Jesus. Please pray for these teenagers. “Empower the youth of Betroka with grace and knowledge in the face of adversity.”
Repent and believe
Pray for humility to listen to God, to believe that He has authority and speaks the truth in Scripture. Ask for repentance from rejecting God’s grace and from oppressing the weak.
Seek Him!
Praise that there were lots of chances to share about the birth of Jesus and all that was said about Him at His birth. Pray that those who heard would have a growing desire to learn more about Jesus and would seek Him!
Cookies
Pray that many ladies would come to an evening of cookie decorating and be able to hear the Christmas story.
Forgiveness!
Thank you for praying for reconciliation. The two Fulani brothers have forgiven each other! Together they organized a Christmas celebration for the entire community- a powerful testimony to their reconciliation. People from the village came and were able to hear the Christmas message. I spent some special time with the children and also told them the story of Christmas with illustrations. Let’s pray that these seeds of the Good News fall into hearts ready to welcome it.
Women meeting
Diaspora in Canada: A small group of North African women meet twice a month to share a meal and discuss a theme. We take a biblical text to begin the discussion. 4 women participate regularly and really enjoy this time. Pray for them, that the Holy Spirit enlightens them and gives wisdom in the discussions.
