December 2003

Monday, December 1 -- " 'Why have we fasted and You do not see? Why have we humbled ourselves and You do not notice?'" . . . Behold on the day of your fast you find your desires. . . Behold you fast for contention and strife and to strike with a wicked fist." (Isa. 58: 3, 4) This past month was the month of Ramadan, a time of fasting amongst the Muslims. For an entire month, they do not eat or drink anything (not even their own saliva) from the time the sun comes up to the time it falls. In doing this, they are "supposed" to seek direction and hear a word from God. They desire vision and dreams, meaning they have found favor with Allah. Pray this time truly will be filled with visions and dreams from the One True God, that shows them the Son of Man that came and died for them to set them free. This is a HUGE weapon of Satan in the Muslim world, but Jesus has overcome the world. He can take this and use it for His glory, destroying the enemy at his own game. I even encourage you to fast yourselves in prayer not only for Niger and the Zerma people, but for all Muslims across the world.

Tuesday, December 2, 2003 -- Rashida was back in the hospital the week after they lost the baby. The doctors say that she does not have enough blood in her system to carry a baby AND keep herself healthy. Continue to pray for Ibro and Rashida as they continue to deal with the loss of their child.

Wednesday, December 3, 2003 -- Pray that God would raise up laborers to work in the harvest among the Zerma people--the crops are in the storehouses, yet the spiritual harvest remains. Many of the Zerma are willing to hear the gospel, yet there's no one to take it to them. Pray that Christians would come, especially from other West African countries, to help spread the Good News of salvation.

Thursday, December 4, 2003 -- Pray for the sickness that is all around Niger. As the weather changes and the dust rolls in, the congestion and sickness comes for both the missionaries and the Africans.

Friday, December 5, 2003 -- Pray for those considering short or long term missions work. It is a big decision concerning family, job, money, seeking God's will in their lives. Ask God to make it clear, their work for Him.

Saturday, December 6, 2003 -- Please pray for Tanda and her new baby, Latifatou. Several years ago Tanda accepted Christ but then married a very strong Muslim who is not in agreement with her staying a Christian. Please pray for strength and wisdom for Tanda.

Sunday, December 7, 2003 -- Moussa and wife Kadija are doing well. Continue to pray for strength during persecution. They too still hurt from the loss of their two children.

Monday, December 8, 2003 -- You prayed last month that God would reveal himself to Muslims as they fasted during the month of Ramadan. We trust that God did indeed do that among the Zerma and continues to do so. Pray that those who encountered the true and living God would continue to pursue the One who is the way, the truth, and the life. Pray that their questions would be answered and that they would come to realize that only Christ can meet their deepest need.

Tuesday, December 9, 2003 -- " Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, be men of courage, stand strong." (1 Cor. 16:13-14) Please continue to pray for the Churches here in Torodi, that they remain strong and faithful. They face a lot of persecution, especially during the Ramadan fast when they will be questioned constantly about their faith. Pray that they will go out to the surrounding villages and be passionate about sharing the gospel.

Wednesday, December 10, 2003 -- Deanna's neighbor and friend Ayssa, is still searching. Continue to pray for her. Planting and watering is a full-time job in our area. As our hearts get weary, your prayers encourage.

Thursday, December 11, 2003 -- Pray for Salou and Aissa, Phil and Kimberly's neighbors. They've been able to observe the Cain family and they've had many opportunities to hear the gospel. They have a good idea of what Christians believe. Pray that they would come to believe themselves and take the step of faith that would carry them into the Kingdom.

Friday, December 12, 2003 -- There seem to be few true Zerma believers. Pray that God will encourage, strengthen and guide in a mighty way each believer that can be a beacon for what God wants them to be for all to see.

Saturday, December 13, 2003 -- Pray for Mark's continued health and strength as he finishes up the last finishing touches on the inside of the house. The Ledlows should have moved in during the first week of so of December.

Sunday, December 14, 2003 --" I will give them a heart to know Me, for I am the LORD; and they will be My people, and I will he their God, for they will return to me with their whole heart." (Jer. 24:7) Please pray for Faith's friends and the others that she has gotten to share the gospel with. Pray that God would soften their hearts and place the desire to continue seeking Him until they find Him.

Monday, December 15, 2003 -- The average age of the population of Niger is 15 yrs. Like young people everywhere, these kids face pressures and temptations to sin and yield to peer pressure. Pray that God would move in a mighty way among these young people, that they would come to know Christ and that a fulfilling and abundant life can be had through him. Pray that missionaries and Christian leaders would find ways to share Christ that addresses their particular needs. Pray that out of this generation of young people, God would raise up men and women who will be the means of making Christ known throughout Niger.

Tuesday, December 16, 2003 -- Many things continue to plague the advance of the Pepper Project. Please pray that we know how to best continue this work that has great potential to create income for needy people and provide an excellent way of outreach ministry.

Wednesday, December 17, 2003 -- This is Lottie Moon Christmas Offering Month and we would like to thank each of you that support us and our work. All of the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering goes overseas to help support the many missionaries and the work. We praise the Lord for you - those who "give" so we can" go".

Thursday, December 18, 2003 -- "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring news of good tidings." (Romans 10:15) We had a volunteer team come out to work with the Zerma Nov. 10-17. Our theme for this time was "Passion for His Glory". During that time, we were praying that we would not get caught up in seeing fruits of our labor, but simply be passionate about sharing His glory to all the world. Pray for the group and that their time would be blessed; that they may see God in a new light, and become passionate about mission work. Pray for the Zerma team, as we capitalize on the work done by this group in furthering the gospel. May we truly be passionate about the glory of God.

Friday, December 19, 2003 -- Pray for the new Zerma Christian, Sali, who is doing great! He has been studying the Word and trying very hard to learn about his new life. It can be a real struggle for the Christians here in Niger; pray that they all can stand firm.

Saturday, December 20, 2003 --" Not to us, not to us, O Lord, but to your name be the glory." ( Ps. 115:1) (From Faith) My heart truly is that I take no glory for anything that I am witnessing, that I am being able to be a part of. It all belongs to the Lord. Pray that others do not praise me in this work, but are simply turned to look upon the One who alone is worthy of praise and glory. May He alone get the glory. II Cor. 6:3-10,

Sunday, Dec. 21, 2003 -- Today is Kimberly's (Cain) birthday. Pray that today would be a special day for her. Pray for Kimberly as she home schools Caroline and maintains a household, while carrying out a ministry to Zerma women. Pray that the seeds she's planted in their hearts would grow and lead to salvation and spiritual growth.

Monday, December 22, 2003 -- Pray for Sali's wife, Hadisha, who is VERY close to excepting Christ as her Savior. This is an incredible step. Out of all the Muslim Background Christians, only 5% are women. This is due mostly to the barriers that women face in this society. Because her husband is now a Christian, one of the major barriers no longer exist. He constantly encourages her to follow the "true road", and she will sit for hours and listen to the Word of God.

Tuesday, December 23, 2003 -- Join Faith today as she continues to pray for revival in the village of Torodi.

Wednesday, December 24, 2003 -- Pray for those Zarma Christians who are being persecuted and ridiculed for their faith in Christ. Pray that God would grant them perseverance and courage to stand firm in their belief.

Thursday, December 25, 2003 CHRISTMAS DAY -- Christmas is a significant time for Christians as we reflect on our Savior's birth. Pray that as we observe this special time, we'd have many opportunities to share with the Zerma about why it's so special. Muslims recognize Jesus as a great prophet but have difficulty seeing him as the incarnation of God. Pray that God would open their hearts to understand all the implications of God becoming a human and dwelling among us, ultimately becoming the means of atonement for all our sins.

Friday, December 26, 2003 -- Boube, the leader of the deaf Church has begun going to surrounding villages, walking many miles, to share his faith and passion with other deaf Africans. This is a huge step. Even some of the older, more established Christians have not got this vision for the others who have NEVER heard. He has already faced much persecution for this act, but continues to go and share. Pray for Boube's strength and safety.

Saturday, December 27, 2003-- Pray that today, as Zerma Muslims kneel on their prayer mats and say their ritual prayers, that God would speak to their hearts in a personal way, revealing Himself as Creator, Sustainer, and Savior in the person of Jesus Christ. Pray that the Holy Spirit would convict them of their lostness and draw them to the One who forgives sin and gives eternal life.

Sunday, December 28, 2003 -- Pray today for Faith's friend, Bebe. She and her husband live near Faith, and Faith has spent a lot of her time learning culture and language from her. Bebe and her husband recently asked Faith to explain Jesus to them. So for days, Faith spent time preparing the "perfect" rendition of the Gospel suited for Muslims, and bathing it in prayer. Finally the day came for her to share her whole passion and the Truth of the Word with her friends. Faith explained to the best of her ability, and they listened intently. After all was said and done, Bebe's husband began to question Faith, testing her in all extremes, forcing her to dig down deep in for Scriptures that proved her point. After a long discussion, they finally reached an impasse: you can't believe in both religions, you must choose one. Pray that the seeds planted by Faith will fall on fertile ground and that Bebe and her husband will choose The One.

Monday, December 29, 2003-- Pray for the church in Goudel. This is a fairly new church that Mark Ledlow helped to build. Pray that they would remain strong in their faith and be witnesses to their village.

Tuesday, December 30, 2003 -- Pray that both Zarma believers and missionaries would seek to be transformed daily by the renewing of our minds, that we would prove God's purposes--that which is good and acceptable and perfect. Pray that this would be a shining testimony to those around us.

Wednesday, December 31, 2003 --- The Bolls will be packing, saying good-bye to friends and family today. Saying good-bye is never easy, but it is especially hard to say to young grandchildren who really don't understand why you need to leave. Pray that the Bolls will have a safe trip - they leave Little Rock, AR for Niamey, Niger tomorrow.