The young Nyamwezi woman is now 36 weeks pregnant- a month to go before delivery and she is still well. This is her third pregnancy- the first baby died at 7 months, the second died in utero at 22 weeks. There are a lot of hopes placed on this little one! She watched the Easter story on TV, and today we read from Mark and prayed together. Please be praying that the Lord would deepen her faith and that the new baby will be healthy. Pray she and her husband will give all the praise to God, as well as openly confessing their new faith in Christ and living as Christians before their Muslim family.

Pray that God touches the hearts of Nyamwezi church members to be leaders in the church and convicts them to reach out to their communities.

Pray for pastors who are sent by their denominations to minster in Nyamwezi areas, but who often are not Nyamwezi themselves. Pray for courage and adaptability that they would reach beyond their own tribal familiarity and grow in their love for those who don’t know the one true God. Pray they would live out the Gospel in all they do and say. Many pastors don’t have opportunities for ongoing training as they lead their congregations. Pray for good collaboration over the next year in efforts to offer ongoing training, support, and encouragement for national pastors.

Pray for a young Nyamwezi couple who have become secret followers of Jesus. They are studying the Bible and growing in their faith, but he comes from a very strict Muslim family of religious leaders, and until now they have not confessed their faith in Christ to any family members. Pray for the Lord to fill this couple with courage and deep love for Jesus that is willing to suffer persecution for His sake.

Pray that two Christian families’ friendships in the village will open opportunities of introducing people to Christ and that the Holy Spirit would move their Nyamwezi neighbours along the path to belief in Christ as Savior.

Please pray for the salvation of two Nyamwezi night guards, who have been studying the Bible with a missionary for many months. Pray that they and their families will put their faith in Jesus Christ and follow Him.

Pray for Nyamwezi to surrender to God’s loving control. Pray for Christians for boldness in giving an invitation to respond to Christ whenever sharing theological truths. Pray for non-believers to understand the Gospel, “Christ died for our sins, He was buried, and He was raised again on the third day.” (1 Cor. 15:4) Pray for understanding that only God could do that for us. Pray that those who understand and believe these truths would offer their lives to Jesus, that they would allow Christ to change them in any way He wants. Pray for recognition of sin, no reluctance in confessing sin, and giving lives over to authority under Christ.

Pray that Satan and his spiritual world of evil would loose their hold on the Nyamwezi. Particularly pray for a new outreach area among the Nyamwezi. For fifteen weeks, fifteen to twenty people have been attending a weekly Discovery Bible Study group at this location and are encouraged to share what they learn with family and neighbors – and they do! Pray that people would come to know Jesus, believing that God was willing to humble Himself and take on the form of a man. Pray that the truth of God’s Son coming down to earth and living among us would not be offensive but instead be a magnetic draw to know the God who was willing to share in our sorrows.

Just after Christmas, a man came explaining how he’d come to be a new believer in Jesus. He was now seeking a place where he could fellowship and learn more about the Bible. His wife had prayed with us earlier that year for her unsaved husband while she was pregnant and in distress. In the last year the Lord has touched this husband’s life in a number of ways. He is now convinced Jesus is the Son of God! Pray this young couple would grow in depth of knowing the Savior and that they would share Christ with their neighbors.

Praise God for a man coming like Nicodemus to meet and ask, “What must I do to be saved?” That day the angels rejoiced as he placed his trust in Jesus. Pray for regular follow-up and nurturing in his new found faith. Pray for further opportunities to share the Gospel Message within Nyamwezi villages throughout the month of December. Pray that they may be in awe of the signs related to the birth of Jesus. Pray especially that people will understand the truth that Jesus is the Promised Savior about whom the prophets foretold who came to save all.

New life is evident everywhere as the rains begin, quenching the thirsty land. A dreary, dry landscape has been transformed with green grass, trees displaying every hue of green, and land freshly plowed. On Sunday, a boy who came to church received Christ as his Savior. He and three others were baptized. Pray for growth of new Christians and for more to come to know Jesus as Savior to experience life renewed, born again. Pray for harvest among the Nyamwezi!

Pray for Christians living among the Nyamwezi that they will have the right attitude, the right answer, and not be surprised by the nature of questions from those seeking answers about Christianity. Praise God for hearts that are wanting to draw near to the Truth and an openness to hear about His Word. Pray that those seeking would believe. Pray that those sharing the Gospel will be adequately prepared with knowledge and understanding about our hope in Christ. May we “always be ready to give an answer to everyone who asks you for a reason regarding the hope that is in you, yet answer with gentleness and reverence.” 1 Peter 3:15

Praise God for two new brothers in Christ, who have come to faith out of Islam this week! One is an older man who has been examining the Scriptures for over a year. Pray that in his new found faith he would have zeal to share his decision with others. Pray that he and his whole household would follow Jesus, and that the Word of God would nourish and encourage them. The other new believer is a young man, whose friend has been witnessing to him for many years. He told his friend this week, “I want to receive Christ as my Savior”. His father and brother have also come out of Islam. Pray these three would have influence on the mother, who has yet to receive Jesus. Pray this young man would be as Job, treasuring “the words of His mouth more than my necessary food,” (Job 23:12).

No evidence was found against friends who were held without bail for three months. They are especially grateful to be home just before the new planting season begins. We visted several times while they were in custody, leaving Bibles and booklets. They specifically thanked us for our visits and prayers for their release. Both of them also mentioned excerpts from Scripture that they had been reading while in custody, including the need to forgive those who had accused them. Pray for this as they reunite with family and villagers. As we rejoice over their physical freedom, pray also for their salvation- spiritual freedom. “Bring me out of prison, that I may give thanks to your name!” Psalm 142:7

“Lord, remove the veil from the eyes of the Nyamwezi and give them a longing to know your truth, that they may have new life in Jesus.”

Pray for whole Nyamwezi families who are drawn to the Son, hearing chronologically stories about God’s character and man’s need for a Savior. Also the Jesus Film has been shown to numerous groups in public places. The response is unclear except that the film is watched with attention to what is being spoken. Some are requesting to see the again, and if it might be shown at their homes so their entire household and neighbors may see the film. Pray that those curious would know the Truth, and that the Truth will set them free.

“Lord, remove the veil from the eyes of the Nyamwezi and give them a longing to know your truth, that they may have new life in Jesus.”

Pray for whole families who are drawn to the Son, hearing chronological stories about God’s character and man’s need for a Savior. The Jesus Film has been shown to numerous groups in public places. The response is unclear except that the film is watched with attention to what is being spoken. Some are requesting to see the film again, and if it might be shown at their homes so their entire household and neighbors may see the film. Pray for those curious would know the Truth, and that the Truth will set them free.

We are saddened by a recent surprising turn of events as two of our closest friends were arrested without bail on serious charges that appear to be fictitious. Pray for their hearts to turn and trust God completely through this tribulation. Pray that through this they would know Christ is Redeemer physically and spiritually. Pray also for their children at home without mother and father. During our visits, we have seen the marginalized have little choice but to accept oppression and corruption as part of life. Praying this would change. Pray while they await judgement in court this week, that they would be granted a fair and just trial.

Pray for witnessing opportunities with friends who don’t share our faith- they will gather together this afternoon in their individual homesteads to say prayers over their dead.

Praise God for successful drilling of a borehole that has brought forth plentiful water to a village where fresh water was inaccessible. It is wonderful that so many are blessed immediately and may drink from this well! All are amazed and rejoicing to see fresh water come forth from ground that has long been dry. May villagers recognize that this water is from God and desire to know Him. Pray for continued proclamation of the Gospel in the area and receptive hearts to receive living water (John 7:37-39)

Pray for continued efforts for clean water procurement among the Nyamwezi. A number of wells dry up at this time of year during the six month long dry season, May-October, when rains are nil or scarce. Pray for efforts to restore water availablity to dry or broken wells and in findng locations for new wells. Pray over these locations of water to not only be places for physical refreshment but also for eternal living water to be available at these water sites in the sharing of God’s Word.

Praise for continued opportunities to reach out to remote villages of Nyamwezi sharing the Jesus Film in three locations. Pray that the Lord will quicken hearts to receive the Good News and for people to understand and believe as they hear God’s plan of salvation through Christ. Pray for local partners in the process of planting churches in these rural villages as people respond.

Directing our prayers to God in His throne room, we are assured of His listening ear on behalf of the Nyamwezi to become part of His Kingdom. Pray that the Nyamwezi would consider carefully their spiritual condition as Ramadan ends. Pray that they would realize their need for Jesus as their Savior, for many have heard the Gospel and not yet made a decision to trust Christ as their Savior.

The Nyamwezi are widely known for their skills in beekeeping and harvesting honey. A welcomed guest may be offered honeycomb dripping with sweet honey. Deliciously sweet! This month many spend extra time reading as they fast. Pray that those who have Bibles or are listening to the Bible on audio players will find God’s Word sweet to taste and desire it more than honey. Psalm 119:103 “How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!”

Pray that the Nyamwezi will no longer think of their identity as being primarily Muslim, but will begin to identify with Jesus the Messiah, and follow Him.

We know God will answer at the right time! The Lord hears and answers when His people cry out to Him. Pray for the Holy Spirit to work among those who have heard the message to respond in faith. Keep praying for what our hearts long to see – an established church among the Nyamwezi. Pray for boldness in proclaiming the Gospel message among the Nyamwezi, effectively sharing the Good News and the meaning of Christ’s final sacrifice on the cross. Pray for believers from among those who have heard. Pray for the harvest!

Pray for local congregations and partner missions to join in opportunities to reach the Nyamwezi. Pray for Tanzanians to be engaged in church planting movements among the Nyamwezi.
Pray that churches would be deepened by prayer for the lost and in sending out their own. Pray for courage and equipping of local believers to respond to the call, “Whom shall I send, and who will go?” to engage with their Muslim neighbors in sharing the Resurrection and the Life in everyday context.

Pray that the Spring rains will continue and that the Lord would bring forth an abundant harvest to sustain subsistence farming families throughout the year. As you pray for crops, please lift up introductory training in April for farming techniques that integrate godly principles for more yield in properly caring for creation. Pray for twenty to attend and for attendees to be people of peace and influence in the community; bridge people who would have their hearts open to God’s truths and to communicate those truths to others.

Many Nyamwezi believe that wearing amulets and charms will keep them safe. Some charms have bits of bone or powders in them, or small bits of paper with Koranic verses written on them. Many young children can be seen with lengths of black cord tied around their bellies or wrists, or wearing a necklace of black cord with a small pouch tied to it. Pray against the spiritual forces at work, for freedom from fears that bind hearts, and that those who are believers in Christ may boldly proclaim the Good News and introduce others to the One who made the materials in the charms and bracelets. He is more powerful than those materials or the powers ascribed to them. He is Almighty. He is the Victor over darkness. He sets the captives free.

Pray for an increase in the frequency of sharing Bible stories so continuity is not lost. Pray that the Nyamwezi would come to a saving knowledge of Jesus as believers proclaim the Gospel message regularly in homes and to individuals. Pray for more open doors to share God’s Word as relationships are built in villages. Pray that the Nyamwezi will see the real Jesus we know and love and that they would know God longs for a personal relationship with them. May the Lord keep opening doors to the lives and hearts of those who are lost, in households and in neighborhoods.

Please pray as chonological Bible Storying is ongoing in a number of settings among the Nyamwezi: at homesteads, under trees, in villages, in schools, at neigborhood children’s clubs. These meeting times provide a place to share each other’s stories about drawing either closer or farther from God, and hearing God’s narrative from the Scriptures of His stories for our lives. The Nyamwezi are already aware of the supernatural realm and are open to talking about the Creator and spiritual matters. Pray for relationships as they are built, faithfulness in coming to hear God’s stories, oneness as a community, and for hearts to understand God’s unfailing love for each person, whatever their story.

Approximately one-third of Nyamwezi say they are Christian. They are the neighbors who may be the only Jesus some people ever see. Please pray that they would reach out in conversations with their non-Christian neighbors and share their stories of salvation and how God is personal in their lives. Ask that God’s love would be unleashed. Pray for those who are drawn to relate with their Christian neighbors, that they would likewise be drawn to God and come to know God in their own lives. “Draw near to God and he will draw near to you.” James 4:8

As we look this advent season to our Hope in Jesus Christ, we praise God that New Testament audio Bibles will soon be ready in the Nyamwezi language. Access to scripture is an essential component to church planting in any culture. Due to low literacy rates, many Nyamwezi must hear, rather than read, the Bible. They have a strong oral tradition and a keen ability to memorize detailed stories. Pray that many will hear the New Testament and listen to it intently. Pray for completion of this audio project by Faith Comes By Hearing, and for distribution in this vast region. Pray that the audio Bibles will help many come to salvation, gain basic biblical literacy, and grow in their faith. For the first time in their lives, these people will have the opportunity to hear the Bible in their own language, study it, and allow it to change their lives.

Pray for Nyamwezi farmers as planting season begins now. The first rains have come, a reason to give praise back to the Lord of the Harvest! Nyamwezi people are largely agriculturalists, so every able bodied person takes to the fields now to plant. Some lack seed to plant as yields from last year were short and all of the harvest crop was used to feed their families. Other seeds were destroyed by weavels or worms. Now people must find ways to purchase still viable seed in the market as well as hoes. During this season, pray for spirtual seed as it is sowed in many ways throughout the Tabora Region. Pray for the ground to be fertile where spiritual seeds are sown. Pray that spiritual seeds will take root.

Praise God for the eleven leaders in a mosque and others who viewed the Jesus Film! Pray that they would respond to the call of Jesus, as Lord and Savior. Pray they would desire further conversations about Christ. One man stood afterwards and said, “I am 83 years old and have never heard this story. Thank you for sharing it with us.” Ask God for a hunger and thirst for the truth and for the atmosphere of openess to continue.

Pray for Christian women who have converted to Islam in order to be married to a Muslim. One woman, I will call her Angel, attended a vibrant Christian church for 15 years, sang in the choir, and then she married a Muslim. As part of her conversion to Islam, Angel has taken on a new Muslim name and is being taught how to worship in the mosque. After five years, she still feels like an outsider. As we read Scriptures together, her face lit up with joy, and she recalled a choir song that she had once sung. She sang it aloud and has not forgotten any of it. Pray that she will be able to return to worship and fellowship with others knowing Jesus as her Lord.

“He has put eternity into man’s heart” (Ecclesiastes 3:11), so the Nyamwezi have eternity in their hearts, but they strive to enter Paradise by living rightly by their works. Pray that they would know the “depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God!” (Romans 11:33), understanding that in Christ, they are fully saved by grace.

A 16-year old Nyamwezi boy explained sincerely that he expects to go to Heaven because he has not sinned. He seems to believe he is sinless, or at least hasn’t committed any “major” sins, or he may have a perspective that shame or guilt is only present if you’re caught. Pray for understanding that all wrong doing is sin (1 John 5:17), for pride to be broken, for acknowledgment of sin, and for people to know they need a Savior.

Pray for believers to be bold in speaking forth the truth with those who believe that Christianity and Islam are simply two different “dhehebu” (denominations), worshipping the same God. Pray that the Nyamwezi would know God not as a distant supreme being, but as their Father who longs for a personal relationship with them, who sent His son to die for their sins, who leads us as a Shepherd. Pray for those ministering to the Nyamwezi that they would not “cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ.”  Acts 5:42