(TWAR-eg) - Daniel* and his wife are from two different countries and, for the past year, have been living together in a third one. They've been trying to get paperwork finalized so they can move to one of their "passport" countries, but almost two years into the process, it's still not complete. Neither can legally work where they currently live, so they're trying to figure out the best way forward while they wait. Meanwhile, they have been hard at work, trying to reach the people around them as well as Tuareg in other places. Daniel has a desire to share the good news with the Tuareg and others who have little access to the gospel. Please pray for Daniel and his wife to persevere as they live together in a culture that is neither of theirs while feeling a desire to reach the Tuareg of the Sahara. Please also ask for clear direction as they continue to try to receive permission to live in one of their "passport" countries. (*name changed)
(soun POW-loo) - Christmas celebrations looked quite different for missionaries this past year, just as they might have for you. Unable to travel to the United States to be with loved ones, one missionary family set a goal of sharing the gospel on Christmas Day. This family, serving in Sao Paulo, took the Brazilian Christmas bread called "Panetone," along with the gospel, to the homeless. After delivering one "Panetone," the missionaries came upon a small, tree-lined park that had a great number of homeless living under tarps and cardboard. Though a little wary of COVID-19 since few were wearing masks, this family pushed forward and had the opportunity to be the hands and feet of Christ, providing a little Christmas for those who were living without hope. The missionary writes: "I witnessed specifically to a woman about the Christ Child and the joy that He brought to the world on the first Christmas." Please pray that this "Christmas Bread" that was shared will result in many soon coming to know the Bread of Life! Pray also that those who received the bread will understand the connection that the Baby born at Christmas is also the Savior who died and rose again at Easter.
The Miller family will be joining the team in Accra, Ghana, and will be working with university students. The life of a missionary is one of change, adaptation, and hellos and goodbyes. They've said goodbye to their home, furniture, and jobs. They've ventured on to their training, which included instruction for both parents and children. In that, they encountered new names and acronyms, new people and new vaccinations, a new way of doing things, and new forms. All of that is being followed by moving and more things to learn about: a new city and more new people. One important fact is not new: Christ has called them to Himself and then to this task. Pray that they will remember this when they face another "new," knowing that His Holy Spirit is with them. Pray for good adjustments, especially for their young children. Pray for the family to work well together in a new land and for the team to have unity. Ask for them to develop good friendships with Ghanaian people. May they continue to walk in faith.
Pray that believers will be able to make contact with and engage the Ganai with the gospel. Members of this people group are traditionally butchers by trade. Pray that the Ganai will have dreams and visions about Jesus. Pray that Ganai "people of peace" (Luke 10:6) can be found.
(MAHL-teez) - Church-planting preparation has been underway in the south of Malta despite all the COVID-19 restrictions. Pray for a new Tuesday night core group, and ask that they will grow together in unity and vision. Pray that soon there will be a healthy, new church plant in the Marsascala area of Malta.
In Daniel 4:37 (HCSB), King Nebuchadnezzar states: "Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise, exalt, and glorify the King of heaven, because all His works are true and His ways are just. He is able to humble those who walk in pride." He proclaims this testimony after a dramatic experience. Earlier in his reign, the king does not acknowledge God. He is so proud that he erroneously thinks that his power, wealth, and influence are the products of his own doing. Then God humbles the king through unexpected hardships. Please pray for the leaders of an unreached people group who don't acknowledge God and pride themselves on their abilities and accomplishments. Pray that God will dramatically turn their hearts and minds, like He did for King Nebuchadnezzar, so that they will have faith in God through Jesus and declare powerful testimonies of God's greatness to the world.
(kwah-luh LUM-pur) - Pray for Malaysian churches as they slowly return to in-person worship. Most of these churches have been completely online since March 2020. Lift up the countless online meetings, church services, small group meetings, and Bible studies. Pray for growth in Christ, and ask that the Malaysian churches will emerge from the COVID-19 lockdown zealous to make Christ known. The churches want to reach out and grow but also face continuing restrictions. Pray for boldness and wisdom.
Anita,* a Deaf woman, had not been able to attend church for weeks because of work. Recently, the Deaf church in her Southeast Asian country decided to start meeting three times a week so that all the members could have more opportunities for fellowship and Bible study. Anita was finally able to join her brothers and sisters in Christ after a dry season! She was so encouraged that the next day, her only day off, she went out to share the good news with friends. Before she left her home, she called worker Bethany Forrester* and they prayed together, asking the Holy Spirit to guide Anita and help her to be a bold witness. God answered their prayers. The power of prayer never ceases to amaze! Praise the Lord that this Deaf church has begun meeting more often. Because of that, Anita was able to meet with the church and be refreshed and renewed in spirit. She then turned around and took the gospel to the lost. Praise the Lord that Anita was renewed and shared the gospel with her neighbors! (*names changed)
(dar es sah-LAHM) - "If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land" (2 Chronicles 7:14 ESV). "Worldwide, millions of people have died from coronavirus. Millions more have been infected. Dar es Salaam has seen its share of deaths both from COVID-19 and other diseases. This verse tells us that now is the time to pray! Please join our Dar Urban Team as we call out to God on behalf of our city. Pray that God will heal this land and restore health to those who are sick. Pray that during this difficult time, the Lord will open the hearts of many Tanzanians to the truth of the gospel. Pray that our brothers and sisters will remain faithful in abiding in Christ and in sharing the good news. Thank you for remembering to pray for the Wandereko, an unengaged, unreached people group living to the south of Dar es Salaam. Pray that our local churches will reach out and engage this lost people group."
As a local church continues to press on in kingdom work, pray for the leaders to have the faith and strength needed to continue to serve the Lord. Ask Him to give them a passion not only for the lost, but also for their relationship with Him. May God bless each leader with a fervor to know God more intimately and also to make Him known more fully among their families, friends, and co-workers.
(BWAY-noce AHY-rehs) - "Pray that God will lead our Buenos Aires Gateway City Team to Argentine partners who have a heart for church planting in the city of Buenos Aires."
(BANG-ah-lohr) - A new unit has opened at Bangalore Baptist Hospital called Advanced Assistive Technology and Rehabilitation. This unit will make prosthetic limbs and other appliances to aid in the rehabilitation of patients after injury, stroke, or other conditions. Pray for those who will receive help from this unit to find wholeness both physically and spiritually.
(uh-JEE-an) - How do you tell someone that they are going to hell? A believer had been struggling with that, and the Lord provided an opportunity to say it to a friend. The two women were walking in a park, and the believer's friend mentioned that it was while visiting a historic site that she had learned that Jesus would come back on judgment day. The believer said, "Yes, that's what the Bible says, and He will take those who follow Him to be where He is." Her friend said, "And the others will go somewhere else." The believer swallowed and said, "Yes, the others will go to hell." They then talked about how hard it is to believe that a good and loving God would do that to someone, but how could He not? How could He let a sin-filled person be near Him? Please pray for this believer's friend, asking that God will do a work in her heart and that she will be one who is forever in eternity with the Lord. Also pray for the believer to continue to have the courage to proclaim the greatest love of all that is available to anyone if they will believe.