Daily interfaith debates in our city are always a men’s affair. These are organized by Somalis who are always the majority. Last week a Somali lady boldly joined and shared that she no longer belongs to the other side. She was called names and almost beaten up. We thank God she was escorted away to safety. Pray for her boldness to continue and that she will connect with other believers who will strengthen her through prayers, connections, love and fellowship.

What a joy it was to have two children of an MBB being dedicated with other children on Sunday. For obvious reasons, the dedication of the two was performed in private.
Pray that the children will grow to know and love Jesus as Lord and Saviour. May they mature to serve Jesus all their lives.

Recently several believers and a couple of workers were arrested for promoting our faith. All have since been released. The workers were deported. Pray for the believers to remain steadfast, to be wise as serpents and innocent as doves as they navigate difficult times and persecution. Pray the Lord will strengthen and encourage them and continue to build His church.

A Somali girl is in Kenya for a life saving vascular surgery. She will have the operation tomorrow. It’s a complicated surgery- pray for wisdom for the surgeons. And pray for the impact on her family- for them to really know the love of Christ. Christians have paid for her transport to Kenya, her stay the last couple of months, and for her surgery. Many “cousins” are following her story.

Most of our MBB’s are struggling financially. Please pray that God will open doors for them to support themselves and their families. The majority are not engaged in any form of employment or income generating schemes.

The visit by pastors from 9 different African countries plus Brazil and the USA was very successful. Their presence in prayer within our city and their interaction with MBB’s was a blessing and an eye opener to many of them.

We want to thank God for the successful recording/filming of The Hope film – Creation to Christ in Somali language. Continue to pray for the final editing and uploading of the film on sttn.org website. This will bring it to be part of the +70 languages that have already been completed.

Pray for this short-termer who will be with us for about a month, that he will be able to engage with the many S* teams that play football most of their free time. Pray that this may be the beginning of starting a football academy to reach these youth with the love of Jesus. After one month, he will move to another city to do the same.

We have a S* friend who has been praying with us. She had dreams of vying for a political seat in the next general election. Instead God has opened the way to becoming an assistant police chief. In the eyes of other S* and the community, it is a big post!  She will be influential. Please pray that she will hear the call to follow the Saviour and use His Word to influence her community and all those that she will be leading.

Finally, after delays and some challenges in starting to film this ‘Creation to Christ’ story (sttn.org – school to the nations), dates have now been fixed. Pray that all S* actors will be available on the dates selected. And that the whole program will run smoothly. This includes transport, accommodation, food, proper working of the production equipment, constant supply of power/electricity, etc …

We will be hosting 30 African pastors from 9 different African countries, and pastors from the USA and Brazil. They are coming to our vineyard on a day visit for a prayer walk and interaction with the local Somalis. Pray for God to answer their prayers and for miracles to happen and for the people’s hearts to be opened to know the Truth. May the seeds of the Word that they plant last and give growth and may eyes be opened to God’s work.

A student from Mali is studying in Nairobi and gave her life to Jesus. Her family back home have disowned her after hearing about her transformed life. Pray that a friend she was referred to will be able to build lasting friendship and disciple her to be rooted in Christ and His Word. Pray for provision for all she needs especially resources to continue studying/working. Pray for her family at home to know Jesus and to be reunited with her.

Pray for Sharon, a local sister, who is under threats of going to prison because of her faith. Pray for courage and wisdom and mercy.

Pray for Cush, a local brother who has strayed away from the faith. He is currently threatening to expose the workers and our local brethren to the authorities. Pray that God will silence his voice, the he will repent from this evil and turn back to God, and that God uses all this for His glory.

A former Sheikh has become a believer! He is well known. Pray for protection over his life, for a new home with good and loving friends, for discipleship and for God to guard his heart. We pray that this victory will draw more of his former friends and associates to God’s Kingdom.

Diaspora in England: Pray for a Smli woman from our English class who says that she cries at night because she’s scared of going to hell and she has no way of knowing where she’s going after she dies.  She’s heard how different this is for Christians and how we have assurance of salvation.  May she reflect more on this difference and be curious to find out more, and decide to put her trust in Jesus.

One of our friends, a S* MBB lady, is overwhelmed by the number of new believers who are being referred to her. This is great news, and we thank God! Pray that we will be able to get our contacts together to help in discipleship and building good friendships with the new believers. Pray for these new believers to walk in the Light together and encourage one another.

⁠⁠Pray for boldness and courage for the local brothers and sisters to actively share their faith with their close contacts. And ask for fruitfulness in the efforts of those that are already doing so.

Finally, the Creation to Christ film will be shot at one of the company’s sites in a couple weeks! There is still a lot of pre-filming details and getting the MBB actors to be done. Pray that we will get the right actors and that God will help us run this whole program smoothly until completion.

⁠Pray for local believer Sharon’s healing and growth in faith as she interacts with God’s word.

My S** language teacher who I consider open and a seeker agreed to study the Bible and study material when I am away for a few weeks. Please pray for him that God will open his eyes to see the Light and his heart to be convicted. Pray for many questions that I will be able to answer when we meet up.

We want to thank God for the increase in the number of debates being held between believers and the Muslims. This openness and freedom of expression is creating room for the Seed to be planted in their hearts and for friendships to be built and new relationships made. May God continue to open our eyes to these opportunities and to use them to spread the Gospel.

Local believers are beginning to organize themselves. Pray especially for application of the trainings they are receiving and for deepening fellowship amongst them. Ask that a united, Holy Spirit- filled local Church would arise!

⁠Praise God for the growing number of people reading the word in our country. Pray the seeds planted would yield much fruit.

Today our language teacher, a Som** Muslim, came for our prayer meeting. He is very open to learn about and discuss the Bible. We are also working together in some community projects. Pray that the Holy Spirit would use these opportunities to draw him to Christ.

We thank God for the Som* film ‘Creation to Christ’ – the translation from English has now been completed. Pray for successful filming/recording process.

Pray for MBB mother and son H. The son is being persecuted by relatives who he is living with in another town who are not believers. He lives with them as he has to attend school in their area and they pay his school fees. Pray he and his mother will persevere in faith and the Lord will intervene and make a way for H to continue his schooling in peace.

Pray for the unity of the local brothers and sisters. Pray that those struggling in their walk with the Lord will get the right discipleship.

Pray for those who have been engaged with and have some knowledge of the gospel. Pray that the LORD will grant them light and revelation and make them aware of their need for a Savior.

⁠Ask for fruitfulness among the locals brothers. Pray that God will bless the works of their hands as they share with others the good things God has done for them.

We want to thank God for the many S* contacts we have who are bearing fruit. Some are believers, some are seekers, and the majority are open minded. Pray for us as we seek God’s wisdom to get the word to their hearts and that it will be well received and accepted as the true word of God.

God has connected us with a S* organisation that is spreading peace, unity and justice and are ready to listen and work with other people who are of different beliefs, colour and nationality. They provide a platform for peace in which people’s differences and misunderstandings can be dealt with non-violently through dialogue and meaningful discussions. Pray that The Lord will guide us to use this platform to share the Good News.

We thank God for a partnership with a S* organisation whose vision is to promote co-existence among societies regardless of religion, ethnicity, race or colour, and its mission is to provide a platform for peace in which people’s differences and misunderstanding can be dealt with non-violently through dialogue and meaningful discussions. We will get an opportunity to share our faith in their meetings and promote peaceful dialogue.

Pray for God to open doors for us to do greater things with our presence and through His power and in His Name to these people.

Pray for “4 F’s” for Somalis :

Fellowship: an established and consistent meeting of local brothers/sisters.
Families: especially for marriages to happen between believers to raise up believing families, also for whole families to come to faith.
Fog: referring to the veil that the enemy has put over the minds and hearts of unbelievers (2 Cor 4:4), that it would be lifted, the fog would be cleared.
Foreigners: for the workers who are here to be unified, joyful, protected against discouragement and burnout, refreshed.

Lift up brothers and sisters during this season of Ramadan, that God will give them wisdom to navigate the pressure from their close community.

The film translation of Creation to Christ (from English to Somali) was completed and sent to the producers some time back. We are waiting approval so that the film can be recorded and distributed worldwide where Somalis as located. Please pray for fast tracking of this process so that those waiting for the film and other materials can get them quickly.

The elders of one of the smaller towns are welcoming help with the young men in their community addicted to qat (a leafy plant chewed for its stimulant effect). This is delicate since the economy is so tied to this import. Pray that through this tangible help, this community would hear the Good News and be empowered by the spirit to turn from the destructive addiction to qat, from darkness and embrace true Joy, light, and truth.

Pray for our friends and acquaintances as they fast during this month of Ramadan. May God open their hearts and shine His light as they pray. May they see and know Jesus as He reveals the Truth to them.

⁠Pray for creative ways of sustainability for the brothers and sisters who don’t have sources of income. Ask the Father to give viable and sustainable solutions for this.