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(VIN-took) - As the academic school year closes on December 1, the youth in Windhoek begin to travel out of the city for the holidays. All too often, this is a time of a lack of supervision for many of the children that, in turn, leads to their harm. Would you please pray that God will protect these children from all harm--physically, spiritually, and emotionally--during their six-week-long break?
As three missionaries were riding a bus, one of them struck up a conversation with a stranger named Kiu. When Kiu found out that the missionary worked at a local church, his eyes lit up. "No way!" he said, "I just became a Christian three months ago, and I've been trying to find a church!" Kiu had been a Buddhist his whole life. But after his brother had passed away earlier that year, his mother reconsidered her hope and become a Christian. Later, Kiu became a Christian too. He had no idea what to do with his new faith, where to find community, or where to find biblical discipleship. The next Sunday after meeting the missionaries, Kui joyfully attended Sogang Tree Church. Kiu believes it was God who arranged the bus meeting. Please pray for him as he grows in his new relationship with Christ. Ask God to ordain "bus meetings" for many more like him.
There is a group of approximately 4,000 people in the Swat Valley of northeastern Pakistan who speak Ushojo as their primary language. The Ushojo language might be at risk of extinction since it is spoken by such a small group of people who intermarry, live, and work among multiple other language groups. The Ushojo are an unengaged, unreached people group; they currently claim Islam as their religion. Pray for any current witness among the Ushojo to boldly proclaim the gospel. Pray that believers will be able to faithfully take the good news of Christ to the Ushojo. Very little is known about the Ushojo-speaking people, but God knows each and every heart. Pray that the Ushojo may soon worship Christ as Lord, to the praise of His glory!
This is not the first time that Sarrah has made the decision to follow Jesus. He made this decision a few years ago while speaking with a believer, but he was just like the Parable of the Sower. When Sarrah heard the Word of God, like rocky ground, he immediately received it with joy, but because he didn't have roots, he forgot about it. But God had a different plan for him. Sarrah had not been a devout Muslim since then. He told a believer that he didn't like the teachings of Islam and that he was deeply hurt by an incident several months ago in the city of Jaranwala where Christians were badly treated. The believer asked him to think deeply if persecuting people in the name of religion could really be God's will. Sarrah said that there's no way that God would want His people to act that way and that he wanted to learn about Jesus again. He decided to pray for his salvation and confessed that only Jesus is the one true God. Pray for Sarrah to put down deep roots and for this small seed of faith to grow and bear much fruit!
Fatima Zorah has lived in Europe for many years now. Originally from North Africa, her understanding of God came mainly from Islam, as she considered herself to be a Muslim. Recently, however, she's been contemplating whether God will let her into paradise. She's had a very difficult life and struggles with depression and suicidal thoughts. After chatting with a believer about God's goodness and the hope that awaits in heaven for those who follow Jesus, she is convinced that God is actively listening and working in her life. She was given an audio player and has access to the Bible in her heart language of Arabic. Thank the Lord for the openness of Fatima Zorah to listen to and receive the Bible! Praise God for His active pursuit and working in her life! With the many opportunities she has had to hear the truth, pray that her ears will be receptively open and her heart ready to believe and accept the salvation and redemption of Jesus. Pray that the Word she listens to will not return void but will accomplish its purpose in her life (Isaiah 55:11), leading her to surrender all to follow Jesus.
Please pray for a local Bible study. The women met originally over coffee, and now there is an actual Bible study! A couple of mature believers are leading, and some young believers and some seekers are attending. Thank God that He has made such a study possible! With the end of the year coming, the group is at risk of dissipating over the holidays. Pray that the group will be sensitive to the Word and that the Holy Spirit will continue to soften hearts and mature new faith. Pray that the study will continue exactly as long as God wants it to, with the members He desires it to have.
(kuh-MY) - A dedicated few from the core group of believers at a local church have caught the vision of reaching others for Christ as an act of faith, love, and obedience to the Great Commission. Believers are so encouraged and thankful to the Lord for raising up servant leaders to go forth into places that have yet to hear about Christ. Please join them in giving thanks and praise for this handful of believers who give of their time to prepare teaching and gladly travel to share the gospel in a village that does not have a church presence yet. Please pray, as villagers both old and young hear the Word of God through Bible storying, that people will come to faith and that a church will be planted among them. Also please pray that more believers in the local church will catch the vision, have the Heavenly Father's heart, and be moved by Him to share His love and His Word with others who have never heard.
During a recent conflict, many people noticed how Abraha, a member of the Honey People who believes in Jesus, was spared, often miraculously, from many of the tragic events. One man told Abraha, "Your God must be real because He protected you when every other household experienced loss." During the conflict, his neighbors were taking notice of God's care and protection over Abraha's life. Abraha has used this opportunity to share the gospel with his community. "He who goes out weeping, bearing the seed for sowing, shall come home with shouts of joy, bringing his sheaves with him" (Psalm 126:6 ESV). Give thanks to the Lord for bringing a harvest from the chaos of this conflict. Pray that many more Honey People will see Jesus in the believers around them and come to trust in Him!
(DEE-goh) - "Please pray for the Digo people on the coast of East Africa," writes the Digo Team. "Ask the Lord to help those trapped in heroin addiction. Unfortunately, heroin is very easily accessed along the coast. Many of the men who sell coconuts and boat rides to tourists are addicted to this substance that robs them of their families when they are thrown out due to drug use. They are desperate for a life change. Ask the Lord to open their minds to the hope that He offers through a saving relationship with Jesus Christ. Pray that they will cry out to Jesus for His help and purpose for their lives. Pray that they will go to the detox center in our area that can help them become free of drugs and hear about the new life that is possible through Jesus. 'Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come' (2 Corinthians 5:17 ESV)."
There is much to be thankful for in the City of Salt and Light. God loves each and every person there and desires for them to repent and follow Jesus. He has local believers who risk much to share His good news and to meet together. There are also many people who are praying for them. Thank you for continuing to lift them up.
(SHWAH-boh) - Pray that the Chuabo churches will love God with all their heart, soul, and mind, and ask that they will love their neighbor as themselves (Matthew 22:36-40). Also pray that the Chuabo churches will be emboldened by the Holy Spirit to share the gospel, regardless of real consequences for doing so.
"Please pray for our Human Needs Team as we begin to use a digital format to get Bibles onto the cell phones of the refugees, immigrants, and displaced peoples. We are praying that we will be able to connect to all the different languages that are passing through the Americas. Pray that people will be receptive and use this closed wifeless hookup option."
