Praise God for more encouraging meetings with ‘Timothy’ and some of the other men – despite that the NB women continue to be hard to get together with and disciple. Pray for continued hunger and thirst for God‘s written word to be understood, and growth in their relationships with His Living Word.

The disappointing news is that the big airport meeting was postponed again! Now they’re not even naming a new date. The county commissioner is due for a transfer, and we will soon be gone for a week for our annual spiritual life conference – so pray that God works out the timing to include all who are needed and again for His plans and purposes to be fulfilled.

Some good news: for the baby girl who was breech and her mom who had lost three prior breech delivery babies. Thankfully, the parents heeded our God provided wisdom to go early and stay near the county hospital where they could get a C-section if necessary. The baby was born safely, by C-section the day after they arrived there! We praise the Lord that all is well and they are so thankful, and Jesus gets all the glory for this NB family.

Our teammates, Pastor G&E are again being threatened and persecuted in their village. They’ve had 4 come into God’s kingdom of light since they returned (after a year away due to severe persecutions) in March – the powers of darkness don’t like it! After R’s recent visit there and sharing the Gospel with a prior home guard on his deathbed, the I$lamic leaders started complaining, threatening and actually announced over the Friday mosque loudspeaker that the Christians should just be beheaded and finished once and for all. Pray for God‘s protection, peace, fruit to grow out of persecution, and wisdom to know how to move forward. Much of the village stands with Pastor G&E – but they fear that leadership, and many are very anti-Christ.

The big important airstrip/airport meeting is scheduled for Wed, the 19th. Pray that the county commissioner and all those who should be here will come and everything would be resolved and formally minuted once and for all against an airport being built here (which would force us from our AIC homes, clinic, and all ministry property.) Pray against any schemes of our enemy the devil succeeding, and against any corruption or insecurity in the days leading up to the meeting. Also pray for protection in every way, and against further postponement (travel in the rainy season is always uncertain and these leaders schedules are always packed). May God‘s will be done!

Ella, the wife of one of our NBs, has a BOH (bad obstetric history), and is now nearing the end of a pregnancy- breech baby ( and she’s lost 3 prior breech babies- she only has 1 little girl, who wasn’t breech). Pray for God’s timing for safe labor and delivery – (we are sending her to stay near our County hospital, where a C-section would be an option) and that she will grow in her knowing Jesus’ love and care for her and her family and follow him wholeheartedly!

Deception is such a deeply ingrained stronghold here in O-land. Pray against all the powers of this dark world whose schemes and flaming arrows keep on attacking the NBs. Pray for deliverance from the evil one! Pray that all of our team and believers will utilise the FULL ARMOR that God has provided for us through Jesus – and stand firm: growing in knowledge, wisdom, intimacy and depth of love and relationship with Jesus.

Pray for discipling and gathering of NBs – this remains a huge challenge! The groups are still very fragile and it seems riddled with the fear of persecution and individuals deeply ingrained with deception! Pray for God’s Holy Spirit to be poured out with power to give hunger and thirst for truth, convict and deliver from those roots of sin, and to nourish, grow and bless with the abundant LIFE of Jesus!

We knew one of the NBs had been lying to us. God orchestrated the perfect private meeting, with followup arrival of Timothy (a close friend of his). He was called to repent, and he responded with conviction and humility -to turn away from his sin! He prayed to confess his sin and chose to get back on the right path. Pray the NBs here will be genuine and keen in their sensitivity to the Holy Spirit’s voice.

There is a big government development plan to make our little village airstrip into a big airport (which looks to be a ‘white elephant’) having great consequences for our AIC station. The plan comes with hidden agendas that are not good. Pray in Jesus’ name against all the schemes and flaming arrows of our enemy the devil, who is trying to stop God’s kingdom advancing here!

Security is always a concern in our area, we praise the Lord for a safe and blessed week with our oldest son’s family, visiting and reconnecting, and having wonderful opportunities to share of God’s love and light with old friends and new! It’s been an especially wonderful week with the three grandchildren introduced to the community for the first time – the oldest boy is Raço’s namesake, and the girl is mine- Godantu! With a sweet middle boy too! May God use every interaction we’ve had to draw O into his kingdom!

Keep praying for hunger and thirst for righteousness and truth for the young believers in our area – sometimes the soils seem very rocky! Keep praying for good soil and lasting fruit!

It seems the kids in our main villages are being filtered out of the regular schools, and instead are filling up the daily Madaraza classes. Pray that God would protect the children and instead of more Islamic teaching, that he would draw them to himself. Pray for wisdom as our whole team makes an effort to reach out more to the children.

As the new seeds of more new believers grow – it seems the efforts to strengthen Islam in our communities are emphasized more and more. Pray for God‘s light to shine brightly, and that all of our team and the new believers will keep our full armor in place as we seek to advance the kingdom of God in this spiritual warfare battle.

PTL that ‘Timothy’ had another dream of Jesus coming to him and encouraging him not to fear and to keep on sharing His light! He reported a couple of good group meetings in different areas with various of the NB’s. Pray for an opportunity for our O teammate to come and get to participate with Timothy in some of these groups – both to encourage them and also help assess where we are at.

Thanks for continuing to pray for good security. A suspicious vehicle slowly passing through the area reminded all of us to be on alert. I wasn’t allowed to go out on any village visits for a couple days, but God graciously arranged for three of our NB wives to show up at clinic at the same time and be available to break away to our house for a Bible study tea time. Praise the Lord, it was such a blessing! Pray for the ladies to have more hunger and thirst to learn and grow deeper in Jesus.

Pray for Holy Spirit empowered interactions, and discipling for all of our AICMD team in O-land. One NB, K, in our teammate’s village is studying regularly but facing threats from his wife that she will leave him because of his faith. Pray he will stand firm, and that she would also come to Jesus!

We are thankful that Timothy reports faithful gatherings and meetings with various of the small groups of NBs that are out of our reach. We also long to be a part of them gathering, but it seems we draw too much attention right now. Pray for Timothy to keep understanding and growing in depth of relationship and new truths – and faithfully, wisely and boldly sharing these with the small groups.

Pray that the young believers who profess to follow Jesus really hunger to grow in faith, in the word of God and abiding in Christ. Pray for them and our team: for protection from all the schemes of our enemy the devil!

Pray that Timothy and all the new believers will grow strong and deep in their love and relationship with Jesus as Lord and Savior. Pray for wisdom as we seek the best ways forward to gather them to worship and study, and that all fear will be gone. Pray for protection, wisdom & boldness for each one – to love the Lord with all their heart, mind, soul and strength.

Our worker team and the lead O shepherd, Timothy, realize the truth more and more of the four soils parable. Pray with us for God‘s provision of more O hearts who will be good soil and produce that 30, 60 and 100 fold harvest!

Specifically pray for the wives of these NBs! Pray for wisdom and courage in how to gather all the NBs for teaching, worship and fellowship. Pray for much growth!

God is pouring out his blessings of amazing rains in our village, may they be a sign of the abundance of his Holy Spirit being poured out to Grow and draw more and more to himself! The Ramadan season was tough, and 4 local followers seem to have lost interest. Pray they will come back! Our meeting with ‘Timothy’ last night was so encouraging! He reports a group of nine who met together for study and prayer just a couple nights ago, as well as being called to 2 farther away places to “come and teach us more!” Also one more brand new NB! How we need your prayers to continue and grow – that this fragile fragile movement may also continue and grow!

A big madraza school/center (Islamic teaching center for children, even boarding) is planned to be built in our village. A first load of blocks has been dumped at the site and building has started. Pray against all the schemes that would bring more darkness and bondage. One particular man, AR. is behind much of the funding and pushing for this – he is the same one behind all the problems that our teammates recently had in their village. Pray that God would prevent him from having any success and ability to complete any evil plans that are against God‘s kingdom of light!

After many years of praying and working towards the goal of completing the dubbing of the Jesus film into the O language, we suddenly heard that it is ready for a final review! We praise the Lord and pray that this wonderful tool will be complete, finalized and ready for use – and that it will bear much eternal fruit!

It’s the hottest time of year – imagine not eating or DRINKING from sunup to sundown! We appreciate your prayers for our O communities who are so zealous for God, but their zeal is not based on knowledge…

Pray with us for O-land, paraphrased from Rom. 10:1-4: Our hearts desire and prayer to God for the O is that they will be saved! We testify about the O that many of them are zealous for God – but their zeal is not based on knowledge. Since they do not know the righteousness of God (through Jesus), they seek to establish their own, and so they do not submit to God’s righteousness. Christ is the fulfillment of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes.
Pray that many more O will submit to their need for God’s Gift of Salvation and Righteousness through Jesus our Lord!

We are feeling lots of darkness and spiritual oppression here in the midst of Ramadan – and ask that you would renew your prayers!
The last three meetings with the NB’s were no shows for the men, and no interest for the women. It seems everyone is very tired and concerned about fitting in and pleasing their families and communities by participating in all the evening and nighttime festivities of Ramadan. Deception is such an ingrained part of people‘s lifestyle, and being brought up in that way causes lasting habits/bondage/oppression/demonization. Pray against all these rulers, authorities and powers of this dark world here in O-land. Pray that the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ would shine through!

Pray for all the new believers in O land as Ramadan begins. They are at many different stages of maturity in their faith – mostly very newborn and immature. Pray that they will grow in knowledge, wisdom and understanding of God’s love for them, and that Jesus Paid It All at the Cross – and there is nothing more they need to do to earn their forgiveness.

One of the young believers shared this story recently:

“I had a dream one night and a man came to me in shining light. ‘I am Jesus’. Jesus told me that he loves me and has forgiven all my sins when he died on the cross for me. He said that he has given me eternal life. Then he told me to tell others about the Kingdom of Light and not to be afraid. I will give you great joy as you do this.”

Even before this dream, the believer had been sharing the two kingdoms story with many people, about the Kingdom of Light and the kingdom of darkness. He’s been calling many others to follow Jesus. The dream spurred him onwards with greater vigor and purpose.

Several people as a result have come into the Kingdom of Light! Pray for these young and new believers to grow and share with others.

Pray for the believers to grow in deeper understanding God’s love and the significance of the cross and resurrection that reveals God’s depth of love for us all. More opposition is expected with religious leaders in the area as they try to grab the new lambs and drag them back into the kingdom of darkness. Pray that the NBs will not just endure persecution, but thrive in faith and in their dependence on Jesus and embrace the persecution.
May God’s Church be built and thrive here! We trust that the gates of hell will not prevail against it–as Jesus promised.

Praise God for a few more brand-new lambs in Jesus.
With this fruit, the challenge to disciple them is big, messy and time consuming. The devil is also not pleased and working hard to destroy and discourage some of the new believers – pray for their protection. Pray that the believers will hunger after Jesus and learn to abide in Him and grow in faith and godly practice.

We had a really encouraging visit with the wife of a New Bel. She said it was the first time she ever heard the Christmas story! She’s also making great progress with memory verses and praying together.

One of the other New Bel’s wife and stepsister came into the light this week. Our first follow up visit was ok, but with frequent disruptions from a crew of cute 3 year olds. Pray that each seeker and NBs will grow in knowledge and understanding and closeness with our Savior.

The cow has been purchased for our Christmas feast! And we’re looking at what days to best have a mini kids club. Pray for God‘s guidance, strength, and fruit through all the details and work of these events! Pray that He will draw many more O into his wonderful kingdom of light, and for continuing growth for those already in!

Much of our team will be away for December- we appreciate your continuing prayers for:
–Positive discipleship, and growth for and through all NBs.
-Continuing good security.
-Health and strength for the hot season.
-God‘s leading and Holy Spirit filling and blessing of every interaction for us, our team and all NBs.
–Wisdom and strength for how to make the most of Christmas sharing opportunities!

Pray for a young lady, W, who is coming home from the government hospital on palliative care with a last stage, painful cancer. Pray that W will receive Jesus as her Savior, and for God‘s comfort, grace and peace to help her, her family and us through this hard time.

We rejoice in more encouraging reports from the main ‘Timothy’ Shepherd, of follow up discipleship meetings with some of these farther away recent new believers, and more yet taking God’s gift and coming into the light.
Pray for lots of fruitful growth!

Some days are challenging and discouraging as planned discipleship meetings with some fall through and we see signs of the ‘weeds and rocks’ in some of these new believer soils. We need your prayer so much! Keep praying for hunger and thirst for more knowledge and understanding and an outpouring of the Holy Spirit to grant growth of these fragile sprouts! Thank you!

Pray for hunger and thirst for truth in the New Believers’ hearts and all through our communities! Pray for God’s protection and provision physically and spiritually! Recently some country wide warnings of insecurity and kidnapping of foreigners were issued. It was nice not to have them directed personally at us – but reminded us to keep on our guard and made us thankful for the mitigations we have in place. Thanks for continuing to pray for good security here in O-land.

It’s the long hard dry season when the herdsmen are working long hours to keep their animals alive. The cows only get a drink every other day and it’s a long walk back to the scant grazing. There is little milk available for anyone! The hyenas abound and are whooping and threatening the herds all night long – offering little rest and no relaxation. Pray that the rains will come early (due the beginning of November). Pray for the spiritual reign of Jesus to be crowned king of many O hearts and lives.

The new believers seem to be getting more and more verbal persecutions and pushback from the community and their families. My visits with three of the ladies yesterday felt discouraging and like they are withdrawing! Pray for all of their protection, and that the joy of the Lord would be their strength and that the Holy Spirit would fill them with wisdom in all of their responses and choices and decisions! Pray for wisdom and strength for us as well! So far the men have expressed some of the challenges they’re facing, but have still been faithful in coming for study, etc. Pray especially for the main shepherd leader and his family! May God build his church here and make it strong and help it grow!

Pray for protection of all believers from the schemes of the evil one and evil men. Pray for God’s Spirit to be poured out daily in fresh and powerful ways! That we ALL truly ‘keep in step with the Spirit!’ and abide deeply in Jesus – and that we’ll see much lasting fruit!

Outside madarasa teachers have been brought in and are teaching the children so diligently and forcefully. They are also starting new classes for the women to be instructed in Islam. Pray against these new tactics to strengthen Islam. And pray specifically for the new believers’ families to realize what is happening and hunger, instead, for God’s word, and grow spiritually in Christ.