These people have been created by our Loving Father, yet the vast majority have been blinded by folk Islam and ancestor worship–they need Jesus Christ! Pray that God will move his hand within this people group, that he would use his Word, his messengers, and his Spirit to transform them and bring them into his kingdom. Pray Acts 26:18 over them: “I am sending you, to open their eyes so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the dominion of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who have been sanctified by faith in Me.”

The churches we’ve visited seem to show the characteristics of a people “cast down but not destroyed, persecuted but not forsaken” (2 Cor 4:8). Within these churches we meet many gems, small groups of people dedicated to prayer and the battle to raise godly children. Praise God for slow but solid growth within the ministries across this region. Three Makwe men are now faithfully running the radio station, reaching many with the Gospel over the airwaves.  Pray for one MBB called Bwana; he faithfully and boldly goes out to share the word of Christ, and more of the believers are wanting to join him. Pray that the Lord will provide all of their needs according to his riches in glory and bring many more Makwe to faith in Jesus!

Ask the Lord to save the Makwe, to shatter the fears of this animistic people group, and to instead fill them with peace and freedom in Christ. Ask him to send more missionaries to bring Jesus’ way, his truth, and his life that they may be transformed, reborn in him. O God, may you not forget the Makwe people; engrave them on the palm of your hand. Cause their destroyers to leave. May the Makwe lift up their eyes, look around, and see You! (From Isaiah 49: 15-18)

Pray that plans for a much-needed medical clinic amongst the Makwe would continue to move forward. Praise God that needed documents are being processed and progress has been made. May the beautiful hands and feet serving in the clinic bring good news of great joy to many and transform hearts and lives among the Makwe. Pray that the newly assigned missionaries heading to Nacala will be blessed with all they need to make it to the front lines there.

The growing Islamic extremist insurgency, which in March this year claimed over 2,000 lives and displaced 700,000 people, continues to affect the Cabo Delgado Province of the Makwe. The destruction and devastation the Makwe and other Mozambicans have suffered continues to weigh heavy in their lives and on their minds. Praise the Lord that the government is allowing Rwandan defense forces to come in to help secure and stabilize the area. Pray that as the Makwe, traditionally Muslim, receive help, relief, and protection from these outsiders, they would see God’s great provision in their lives. Pray that they see the vanity of their trust in sorcery, witchcraft, and ancestor worship, and that the Lord Jesus would reach down and bring salvation to many Makwe across Mozambique.

As the final foreign workers pull back, the all-Mozambican outreach team leans forward, takes on leadership and moves with confidence, trusting that God, who has called them is faithful. Please pray for this team of Mozambican men and women that they would reach out boldly and with courage as they seek to see the unreached of Northern Mozambique come to Jesus.

Squealing with delight, dozens of bright eager faces flood the small class room space. With focused effort, little fingers work to form letters and numbers, while open minds learn many skills needed for entering primary school. A dedicated, cross-cultural team of workers have come together to offer preschool learning to Makwe children in the North of Mozambique. Their goal is to bless this Makwe community by building educational foundations, all the while demonstrating the love of Christ by being His hands and feet.

The Makwe are under threat with the presence of a militant, extremist group terrorizing their areas. Some have been killed, many houses have been burned and the Makwe are afraid. Many have left their villages in search of better protection in the larger towns. Pray that God would bring peace to the Makwe. Pray that these events would cause them to question their religious beliefs and seek truth. Pray that they would come to know the One who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life!

Recently I did a survey trip into a couple of Makwe villages where there is literally no gospel witness whatsoever. We found white, gorgeous beaches, palm trees galore, and plenty of friendly people in these places. But underneath, there are people whose lives are being lived without Jesus, without truth, without salvation. Pray that God would send workers to these villages!

In a core Makwe village, where previously there had only been reports of one lonely believer, news is coming in of a gathering of Makwe believers–seven new followers of Jesus! Praise God for this turn! Pray for this church, that it might grow strong. Pray that hearts would be protected from falling back. Pray that the leader (the first Makwe believer) would have courage, wisdom, and strength from God to lead his little flock!

For many years we have looked at the Makwe and sensed God’s leading to get involved. They are lost and in desperate need of a Savior! With a “new beginning” in Northern Mozambique, AIM is looking to find workers for this harvest field. Pray that God would raise up passionate, dedicated, loving workers. And that He would prepare hearts to receive Him!

Pray for Sheepfold as they launch Tyrans School of Missions in October. They plan to train 10 African missionaries to reach the Makwe and other UPGs in Northern Mozambique. Pray for the 10 msionaries that the Lord would equip them for the task.

There was a team that came from Tanzania to hold some open religious dialogues with the M leaders in palm this month. The talks were peaceful. Let’s pray that some of the Makwe will start doubting what they have been taught and that this will be a bridge for communicating the Lord. Pray for churches in the area to catch a vision to reach out to their Makwe neighbours. Also that the WORD would be rooted deep in their hearts…in good soil!

The Mozambican couple working among the Makwe are using business as access to the community. This gives them contact with the people and also provides for their needs. The business is struggling and this is affecting them. Pray that God will bless this business.

There was a team that came from Tanzania to hold some open religious dialogues with the M leaders in palm this month. The talks were peaceful. Let’s pray that some of the Makwe will start doubting what they have been taught and that this will be a bridge for communicating the Lord. Pray for churches in the area to catch a vision to reach out to their Makwe neighbours. Also that the WORD would be rooted deep in their hearts…in good soil!

Ramadan Day 21
The Mozambican couple working among the Makwe are using business as access to the community. This gives them contact with the people and also provides for their needs. The business is struggling and this is affecting them. Pray that God will bless this business.

Ramadan Day 5
Many Makwe are listening to the Word in story form, but they quickly forget it. This is so discouraging. Pray that God would give them ears to hear that they may hear and believe. It is important for them to remember the stories since one story builds on the other in the narratives.

Update from Patrick, Sheepfold Ministries, N. Mocambique.
Currently there are 4 missionaries, 1 couple from Dutch Reformed church, SA and 1 couple from Sheepfold. There is only 1 believer who is married to a lady from another people group. He has been to Bible school. Pray that the Lord would strengthen and protect him. pray that the local church would have a heart for the Makwe.

Ramadan Day 25: When Jesus sees the multitudes of Muslims He is moved with compassion for them, because they are weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd. So He says to us, His disciples, “The Harvest truly is plentiful, but the labourers are few. Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out labourers into His harvest.” (from Matt 9:36-38)

Ramadan Day 14: Pray that many Muslims would come to Jesus and praise Him like David did: “Blessed are you, O LORD, the God of Israel our father, forever and ever. Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, for all that is in the heavens and in the earth is yours. Yours is the kingdom, O LORD, and you are exalted as head above all. Both riches and honour come from you, and you rule over all. In your hand are power and might, and in your hand it is to make great and to give strength to all. And now we thank you, our God, and praise your glorious name.” (1 Chron. 29:10-13)

Ramadan Day 3: God’s chosen fast is to, “share your bread with the hungry and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover him, and not to hide yourself from your own flesh.” (Isaiah 58:7) Pray fasting Muslims would sense an emptiness and futility in their fasting and would long to really know God and His ways.