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.

We are planning to run the Kairos course (which shares God’s heart for all nations and his desire to use his people to be a blessing to them) again in November. Please pray for participants to join and be impacted by what they learn. Pray that it may raise up more labourers for the harvest fields.

On the 26th October we are holding a refresher session for everyone who has previously participated in the Kairos course (a missions overview) in Moroto. A Ugandan lady who is a missions mobiliser will be coming to share about mobilisation. Please pray that it will be an insightful time for all who come, and that it will give ideas for how they can advocate for missions in their own contexts.

Please pray for some new initiatives for discipleship among the youth at church. Pray that the ideas will be well received and that God may give all of us a hunger to grow in our relationship with him. Pray that the youth of the church may be an “example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.” 1 Timothy 4:12

Praise God for the Kairos course which recently ran in Moroto. Seven participants graduated and many people from different churches attended the graduation. We are hoping to have a gathering this coming month to draw together participants from this and the previous course. The purpose is to continue encouraging one another as we implement what we learnt into our every day lives. Please pray for this gathering, and for God’s desire for all nations to know him to grow in our hearts too.

There is a community (Lokitelakapes village) we started sharing bible stories with. Since the heavy rain started, we haven’t been able to go because the river is full. Praise God for the constant rain. Pray that God will provide ways and times that we can still be able to share with them.

A couple of weeks ago we found ourselves walking into a situation where members of the community were offering an animal sacrifice to seek healing for someone who was sick. The pastor of the church in that community was able to share that Jesus is the one who heals, and that we don’t need to offer sacrifices any more because Jesus was the final sacrifice. Please pray that the community will find peace and freedom from fear in Christ alone, and for the man who is sick to find healing and life in Jesus.

Karimoja team members Ambrose and Esther will be starting the Kairos course (a short Perspectives course) with a group of Karimojong pastors next week. Pray for good fruit from this course – that pastors in Karimoja would see the Great Commission as Jesus’ instructions to their churches too. Pray the Holy Spirit would be stirring the hearts of church members to go and to send workers to the Harvest fields. Ask that this course would continue to build relationships between different denominations and people groups in Karimoja.

There is an elder in a village that A, E & S have been reaching out to who consistently comes for Bible sharing and prayers. Often he says he has forgotten what he heard, or doesn’t seem to understand well. However, earlier this week after S shared about what it means to be born again, he said, “Now I know why I have been coming all this time. It was so I would understand that I need to be born again.” Praise God for this wonderful encouragement and pray for this elder to grow in his relationship with Christ.

Last Sunday brother Jackson shared the story of Jesus’ baptism in one the communities outside of town. At the end, one of the ladies asked “Can’t we be baptised since we have also repented of our sins?” Praise God! Please pray that God will give wisdom for the next steps, and for His provision in the practical details. Pray these women will continue to grow and mature in their faith.

Pray for 3 teenage boys who are growing in faith and actively serving in the church. Over December they spent time memorising different parts of God’s Word. Please pray that what they are storing up in their hearts may continue to speak to them and help them grow in their relationship with Christ.

On Sunday afternoon we were joined at Bible study by a group of young teenage boys. They listened attentively to our sister Nasur as she shared her testimony and encouraged them to look to the Lord and seek His wisdom. Please pray that what they heard will impact their lives and draw them closer to Christ.

Earlier this month we were able to take a Proclaimer (an audio recording of the New Testament which is loud enough for group gatherings) to one of the communities outside of town. Please pray that it will be well used and be a blessing to the community that enables many to grow in their relationship with Christ.

We have two major radio stations based here which have Bible sharing programmes. Please pray for those who contribute to these programmes, that they may have wisdom and grace to present the gospel clearly and engagingly. Please pray for those who hear, some of whom may not have contact with other believers, that they may be impacted by what they hear.

We have finished running the Kairos course in Moroto. This is a course that shares God’s heart for the nations and how his people have the privilege of participating in what he is doing in the world. We had 14 participants and it went very well. Please pray for all who participated – that our hearts will continue to be impacted by what we heard, our minds stretched and our desire to share God’s Good News fueled by all we are heard and discussed.

We are planning to run the Kairos mission course later this year for pastors and church members to continue sharing the vision of what God’s mission is and how He wants each of us to be involved. When we shared at our last monthly meeting with the pastors there was an enthusiastic response. Please pray for the logistics to be worked out so it can go ahead. Pray that it will really impact those who attend.

Please pray for the elders in the different communities. They have an important role to play, as they are the ones who take decisions, which affects the different families under their care. Pray that the light of God may shine in their lives, so that His wisdom may guide their decisions and therefore bring life to the people around them.

A missionary couple recently left to pursue further studies. Whilst here they were involved in reaching out to four rural communities together with one of the churches in town. Last week the church met with key members from those four villages to see how they can continue to engage and support the communities. It was agreed these key members from the four villages would come once a week to town to learn from God’s Word, and carry back what they have learnt to their communities. Please pray for the 9 people who will be coming from these communities and for the church as they disciple them.

The youth from one of the churches are planning to start visiting patients in the hospital. They hope to be able to pray together with patients and also show love in practical way by giving out soap and sugar. Please pray for opportunities to show and speak of Christ’s love, and for the opportunity for discipleship among the youth.
“And when he [the Holy Spirit] comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgement.” John 16:8
Please pray for an outpouring of the Holy Spirit amongst the Karimojong, that there will be conviction of the realities of sin, righteousness and judgement. May there be a deep understanding of why Jesus came and what he offers to us.

Each Sunday a small group from church goes to share in a village 5km outside of town. Sometimes when we arrive we find community members have already left to break stones to earn money for food. We are wondering if we could stop where the largest group breaking stones is, and ask if they would like us to share from there, before going on to the village itself. Please pray for God’s direction as we explore this possibility. Please pray for protection for those breaking stones. It is very difficult work.

Last Saturday we gathered with church leaders from within town. It was a mixed group, with several church leaders being from other parts of Uganda. One of the Anglican Reverends shared with us about Karimojong worldview, how to enter a new community, and commonly held beliefs that hold people back from trusting in Christ. It was a very insightful and helpful time of sharing and there was a lot of good discussion as Pastors shared their experiences and asked questions. Please pray that the understanding gained from this time may positively impact ministry, as churches seek to reach out to rural communities.

We have been doing Bible storytelling in this community for about two years. We have seen a few people come to faith. In the beginning of this year we started praying for God’s guidance to start a Sunday church gathering. Since most of the community members know only the Roman Catholic church, we hesitated to start something that would be seen as “another religion”. Last week the chairman, who is one of the believers and a committed Roman Catholic member, asked me whether it’s possible to do a formal church where community members can regularly attend! And those willing can be baptized! We thank God for this affirmation.
Pray that the spirit of God will convict many from this community to come to faith in Jesus.

Please pray for Solomon, a committed Karimojong believer who is actively sharing the gospel and discipling others. In March he travels to northern Karamoja to take part in a 6-month missions internship.

Last Saturday there was a gathering of church leaders and pastors. The focus was on praying for unreached communities in Karamoja, and our hope is this burden can be carried back to, and shared with, the wider church congregations. Pray for more pray-ers! Pray that people will be in step with the Holy Spirit in their prayers, and the Karimojong church will be planted and grow in new areas.

The overnight was a very encouraging and exciting time! Many people came from surrounding villages and gathered to watch the Jesus film, pray and worship. Please pray that those who came will continue to reflect on, and be impacted by, all they saw, heard and experienced.

An overnight of prayer and worship to welcome in the new year will be taking place in a village where there is a new church plant. Please pray that all who come will be touched by the Good News, and grow in their relationship with Jesus. Please pray for safety and protection over this time.

We have been transitioning to having local members take turns in leading the Bible study, even in our absence. As we go for holiday we are trusting God that the Bible study will continue. Please pray. We are also trusting God to give us wisdom on how to help these people find churches (for those who don’t have any affiliation with a church) and encourage all of them to be consistent members of the Bible study.

Please pray for a lady I met in a village today while sharing a Bible story. She is severely mentally and/or spiritually ill. Please pray for deliverance for her.
This is a great opportunity for God to gain glory and fame in this village.

Much of the raiding in Karamoja is over livestock but there has also been an increase in raiding houses for whatever goods they can carry off and also poultry or other smaller animals. For my friend C who lives on the very edge of Moroto she has had thieves try to break in her door at least five times since January. Each night she piles as much as she can against the door to block anyone from breaking in. The other night she called me and asked for prayer as the raiders were once again trying to break in. I prayed with her, thinking of Psalm 91 and other Scripture that focuses on God’s protection. The next day she came and said everyone was OK. Shots had been fired at some of her neighbours’ houses but no-one was killed. Please pray for ones living in very vulnerable housing and who struggle for the few belongings they have and yet are targets for such raids. Pray that they will put their trust in Jesus.

Please pray for local churches as they share food with those who are struggling with hunger. Pray that the food may reach those most in need, and that people may see God’s love and concern for them.

Please pray for the village where missionaries Ambrose and Esther have been going to regularly to share stories from the Bible. Praise God for one of the leaders in the village who has been a man of peace- showing receptivity to the gospel message, and mobilising village members to come and listen too. Please pray that God will bless this man and his family, that God will clearly reveal himself to them, and also that this leader will continue to draw men and women to hearing the gospel story.

Please pray for two men who recently joined a bible study here. One man said that he hadn’t heard the bible taught before and wanted to keep coming. Please pray that their hearts will be open to hearing and understanding the truth, and that the gospel will transform their lives. Please pray that God will continue to add more who want to know Christ and understand the bible.

There is widespread insecurity throughout Karamoja, from armed raiding, robbery and road ambushes. A government disarmament has recently begun. Pray for peace, for the army who are trying to address the situation, for leaders of all levels, pray for those who are suffering from these cycles of violence, and for those committing the violence. Finally, pray for the church in the region to be a light in the dark proclaiming the message of peace. Particularly pray for some of the rural church leaders who used to be raiders or shepherds; they know and understand those participating in raids, but they also know and love Jesus – they are uniquely placed to preach about the Prince of Peace to those participating in what is going on.

A group of 8 Karimojong men who are either already leading church plants, or are potential leaders for future church plants are gathered together for a one month residential training. The training is organised by Frontier Missions Team, and is part of a pastors equipping programme which runs over two years. Please pray that the training will equip everyone present to grow in their walk with Christ and in their leadership. Please pray for protection, and that Christ will be glorified, and his church strengthened through this time.

Praise God for an invitation to read the bible with a lady called Nakiru and her neighbours. Please pray for Nasur, a Karimojong believer who is facilitating/leading these times. Pray that God’s word would bear fruit the lives of each who come.

Please pray for Ugandan missionaries Lawrence and Simple as they start a bible study series for Tepeth communities next month. Please pray that these stories will have an impact on the communities they share in and that many will believe. Please also pray for an interpreter who is able to go with them.

They are also wanting to use audio bibles for community discipleship. Pray that the audio bibles will help communities grow in their relationship with Christ, as they hear the Word of God in their language.

I was recently asked by a friend to read the Bible together with her each week. This was a big encouragement because I had been asking God how I could share more intentionally with her. Each week she invites neighbours to come, and we read John’s gospel. There have been some challenges, but it now seems that there is a core group of women who come regularly. Please pray that the Holy Spirit will lead during these times, and that each of us will grow closer to Christ.

Global Link Afrika missionaries Ambrose and Esther write: “We are in stage three of story telling in the villages of Natopojo and Namalera. In the second stage we shared stories about the fall and God’s judgement. Most people were sad about what happened and the state of the world today. We see a yearning for answers/solutions. Pray that the Holy Spirit will birth faith in the hearts of the people from the communities as we share the news about the promised saviour.”

New opportunities
Please pray for over 10 villages near Kaabong, where Ugandan missionaries Timothy, Mark and Ian are prayer walking and hoping to start church plants. Pray for God to lead clearly and to open doors.

Pastors
Please pray that God will raise up leaders for rural church plants, who have a passion for the gospel and for shepherding the churches.

Dormitory
Frontier Missions Team (a Ugandan mission organisation) runs a 6 month residential missionary internship programme near Kaabong. They are hoping to construct a dormitory that will enable them to host more interns, and also run residential training and equipping programmes for local pastors. Please pray that God will provide the resources needed for this, and that their internship programme and residential trainings will be a blessing to many.

In Kotido, among the Karimojong, we meet twice a month with some of the church leaders. It is a time of fellowship, prayer, mutual encouragement, and training. Thank God for these meetings, and pray for His guidance in this time together and that He would raise up people from the church we are partnering with (COU) to walk alongside and help in these meetings.

We work in the health field in Kotido, and the need is big. Pray that God may help us to make a difference to the people we treat, and also to influence our co-workers, so they provide good service, that their heart may go out to the marginalized Karimojong, and they may care and love them the way Jesus would.