(WUH-dye) - Mariam lives a several-hour donkey ride from the nearest town with a medical facility. She lost two of her children at childbirth and two others before they reached the age of 2. Her heart has wanted to mourn these losses, but everyone tells her that to grieve is an indication that she doesn't trust God because these events are merely His will for her life. Apathy sets in. Why should she even care about her family's health when she's seen so much sickness and death? Mariam's story is very common in the small, remote villages that dot the region. The pervasive mindset is that sickness and death are all part of God's will for their lives. This mindset, alongside misinformation and harmful traditional practices, has led to poor health statistics in the region. Pray for women to have the opportunity to learn good health practices. Pray that their hearts and minds will hear and understand stories from God's Word and that women like Mariam will realize that God cares for them and sees their needs. God grieves for the brokenness and sickness that surrounds them, and He wants to offer them life!

Along the northern coast of Mozambique, there lies a fishing village inhabited by lost souls who seek self gain in whatever means possible. Greed, corruption, and inhumane behaviors have consumed the majority of the population. However, amid this pool of selfish gain, there are a handful of brothers who are fighting to defend the vulnerable. They are striving to bring hope to a very broken people. The war is intense. The temptations thrown out before these brothers are real, and in their flesh, they cannot fight and find victory. Please pray that they will cling to the Spirit. Ask that they will find treasure in Christ alone and stay focused on the task at hand. Pray that more Mozambicans will see their lives as a testimony to God's grace and goodness and, in return, find Christ.

There have been many ups and downs in the three years that Faisal and his family have lived in their new country. His three teenagers have worked hard to learn the local language quickly and try to make friends at school. Ahlam, his wife, was diagnosed with cancer, and after surgery, continues biweekly treatments. Having become believers in the first country they arrived in after leaving their homeland, they have searched for a community of faith to become part of since having been relocated. A couple of months ago, they finally found a church that, despite the language barrier, welcomed them with open arms instead of lukewarm distance. Easter was a time of celebration together, remembering both what Christ had done for them long ago and continues doing each day. Praise the Lord for guiding Faisal's family to a church committed to loving and welcoming others of all backgrounds! Pray that the support of these new believing friends will bring great encouragement and comfort to Faisal and Ahlam as they continue to adjust to life far from home and grow in their faith.

(KAH-zahks) - Pray for continued peace in Kazakhstan. Nearby wars often affect life and relationships. Ask for those in positions of authority to make wise decisions about relations with other countries and what stances to take. Pray for unity among the citizens of Kazakhstan, and pray for a peaceful end to nearby wars.

Bullying in Japanese schools is so serious that the number of cases that police had to get involved has reached the highest level in 10 years. Japanese schools have long been infamous for bullying. Why is that the case? The Japanese prize conformity -- all fitting in and everyone knowing their place. Therefore, a student who is different from the rest is often targeted for bullying. Children seldom talk about these sorts of things with their parents because they often don't want to burden their parents. It's also difficult for students to go to a teacher for fear of bringing even more unwanted attention. So those who are bullied often suffer alone. Please pray for Japanese students who are bullied to find hope in Christ and a safe way of escape from trauma inducing situations. Also pray for the millions of Japanese who do not yet know Jesus and are suffering under sin and the work of Satan, the ultimate bully, who will do all he can to discourage and defeat people, relentlessly attacking them where they are most vulnerable. Pray that Japanese might come to know God, a true friend who says, "you are precious in my sight" (Isaiah 43:4 NASB).

(HAHK-uh) - Pray for more believers and churches to catch a heart for praying for Hakka people in Taiwan, China, and around the world. May believers discover the satisfaction of God through intercession for the lost and gain insight into the power they house as sons and daughters of God. Pray that they will be consistent in seeking God's heart for the Hakka peoples. (Psalm 46:10; Ephesians 6:18) Pray for God to work through these prayers in undeniable ways.

(sahn-tee-AH-go) - More than a year ago, you were asked to pray for the Baptist church in the La Dehesa suburb of Santiago that needed a pastor. Please lift up Comunidad Cristiana La Dehesa as they continue to seek a pastor. Pray for them not to grow weary in the search, and ask the Lord to guide them to the right man for the job.

(KON-ah-kree) - Jennifer, a Guinean Fulani believer, went against her family and the cultural norms of Islam years ago by choosing to trust in Christ for her salvation. Since then, her family has tried to get her to reject Christ and turn back to Islam. But she has remained strong, continuing to study God's Word through one-on-one discipleship with Erica, a worker. After years of standing firm in her faith, Jennifer's family knows that she won't reject Christ, but they still make it difficult for her. Recently, she asked her husband if she could attend a Baptist women's conference, and he told her no for fear that it would bring persecution on their family. He also rejects her pleas to attend church on Sundays. Jennifer is discouraged that she can't gather with believers for the fellowship that she desires. Pray for Jennifer, asking that the Lord will encourage her and give her the courage and ability to meet regularly with the body of Christ. Pray that each member of her family will choose Christ for their salvation.

Christian workers in Europe have noticed God stirring in the hearts of second-generation French Chinese. Born and educated in largely secular France yet speaking Chinese at home and often holding to their parent's traditional Chinese worldview, these young adults truly embody a third culture of their own. Some are open to God's calling to go to the nations, but they want to avoid disappointing their parents, many of whom would not approve of their children entering vocational ministry. Ask God to work in the hearts of these parents; may He give them courage to open their hands and release their adult children to Him.

"Pray for our team as we add new team members. Pray for their adjustment to life in Central Asia, and pray for those welcoming and assisting them to be helpful and humble."

(bohj-POOR-ee) - Please pray for Talib. After coming to faith two years ago, his family disowned him, kicked him out of his home, and left him without any support. After this, word spread quickly that he believed, and he also lost his job. Feeling rejected by his family and community, Talib moved to the capital city, where he began sharing openly about Jesus. One by one, people began coming to faith, and Talib started a church, where this past year at Christmastime, five Muslim men gave their lives to Christ and were baptized! Please be praying for Talib as well as other Muslim-background believers just like him who have been persecuted for their faith but are still pressing forward to spread God's Word.