December 2004

Wednesday, December 1, 2004 -- "As a shepherd looks after his scattered flock when he is with them, so will I look after my sheep. I will rescue them from all the places where they were scattered on a day of clouds and darkness." Ezekiel 34:12 Pray today for all the Zerma people who are still scattered and don't yet know Jesus as their Lord and Savior.

Thursday, Dec 2, 2004 -- Thank you for praying last month for the Zerma as they observed the month of Ramadan by fasting. We asked you to pray that God would reveal Himself to them during this time, even as they did their daily prayers at the mosque. Now that Ramadan has ended and people are back to their normal routines, we ask that you pray for those to whom God did reveal Himself through His word, a voice, a dream, or some other method known only to them at this point. Pray that God would continue to draw these people to himself, that we would place His word and His truth continually before them, that he would bring Christians into their lives to share the gospel, and that the results of this would be men and women who've given their hearts to Christ and will be the catalyst to raise up a new generation of committed Christians among the
Zerma people.

Friday, Dec 3, 2004 -- Spend some time today praying for Jeremy & Stephanie Ledlow's schooling. The challenges are many.

Saturday, Dec 4, 2004- This is Lottie Moon Christmas offering month in Southern Baptist churches, where churches are asked to give generously foreign missions. 100% of the offering goes directly to support missionaries on the foreign mission field, to provide resources for them, and to reach the lost people around the world. Pray that Southern Baptists around the world would be generous in their gifts this year.

Sunday, Dec 5 2004-- Continue to pray that both the missionaries and the Zerma Christians would have a burden for reaching the lost. Pray that the Zerma Christians would have a vision for multiplying churches throughout Niger.

Monday, Dec 6 -- Pray for Ben and Cindy Sustar, who are feeling frustrated at how long it takes to learn Zarma! Pray that God will give them the gift of language.

Tues, Dec 7 -- Pray for Teresa Bolls, who recently lost her brother in Texas in a car accident. Pray that she will be comforted and have the assurance from the Holy Spirit that she is exactly where He wants her to be.

Wed, Dec 8 -- Pray for the government and leaders of Niger. Pray that they would govern
with wisdom and discernment, and in the best interests of the people. Pray
that Niger would remain stable and maintain it's stance on religious
freedom.

Thurs, Dec 9 -- "Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD rises upon you. See, Darkness is over the peoples, but the LORD rises upon you and his glory appears over you. Nations will come to your light, and kinds to the brightness of your dawn." (Isa. 60:1-3) Please pray for the Zerma people, that God will shine his light into their souls, that His glory will appear to them in all its greatness. Pray that the nation of Niger will come to worship the Creator and Magnify Him as they should.

Friday, Dec 10 -- For the church in K.T. ( area on the outskirts of Niamey) to restart. Ben and Phillip have been meeting with some key men in the area and they are interested in restarting the church. One of the men has commitment to preach each week. Pray that there will be an out pouring of God’s spirit there and that people in that are will become spiritual hungry for the gospel.

Saturday, Dec 11 -- Pray for Faith today, as she is making the transition back to the USA and seeking God's will and direction for the next place of service He has for her.

Sunday, Dec 12 -- Pray for Jeremy Ledlow, as he will go to college next year and has many decisions to make before that time.

Monday, Dec 13 -- Pray for Phil as he leads the Zerma team and seeks to plan and implement
strategies for reaching all the Zerma with the gospel. Pray that he would walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, pleasing Him and bearing fruit and increasing in the knowledge of God, and strenghened with power so he might have great endurance and patience. (Colossions 1:10-11)

Tuesday, December 14 -- Please pray for Susie, Michael and Teresa Bolls' family. Susie's husband was recently killed in a car wreck (Teresa's brother) and she was gravely injured.

Wednesday, December 15 -- Pray for a Zarma friend here that is a follower of Christ as he witnesses to those around. Pray that God will continue to ignite his heart to share the gospel with fellow Zarma people.

Thursday, Dec 16 -- From Faith: Many people are wondering what I will be doing after I get back, and to this I answer "A man's steps are directed by the Lord, how then can anyone understand his own way?" I have no real concrete plans, but I know I will be doing a lot of traveling for the first couple of months (weddings, speaking engagements, traveling to see family and friends). Please be in prayer for me that God will use this time to pour out His glory on me and others! Pray for my protection as I travel so often.

Friday, Dec 17 -- Kimberly's mother Kaye will be visiting for two weeks this month starting
the 17th. Pray for safe travel, good health, and time well-spent with the Cains.

Saturday, Dec 18 -- Continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose." (Phil. 2:12,13) (Faith recently left Niger...) and it is hard to leave behind my small flock, as if I am throwing them to the wolves. But, in my heart, I know that God is bigger than that, and He is faithful to continue the work he has begun in them. Pray that the Christians in Torodi will remain strong and persevere through all the difficulties they face. Pray that they will shine brightly on the hill for all to see. Pray their righteousness will shine forth like the dawn, and their cause like the noon-day sun.

Sunday, Dec 19 -- Pray for Caroline and Caleb Cain as they grow up here as "3rd culture kids",
neither fully American nor African. Pray that they would incorporate the best of both cultures into their lives as they grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord.

Monday, Dec 20 -- Pray for Ben Sustar and his parents in the states as Ben’s grandmother’s passed away on the 18 of Oct. Pray that they would feel God’s comfort each day.

Tuesday, Dec 21 -- Today is Kimberly's birthday. Pray that it will be a special day for her. Pray for Kimberly as she balances the demands of being a wife and mother, teaches homeschool, and ministry to the Zerma.

Wed, Dec 22 -- 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 so that there would be no question as to where He wants them to go.

Thurs, Dec 23 -- As Christmas approaches, many opportunities arise to talk about Jesus with
Muslims. Pray that we would be wise and discerning in relating to Muslims the Christmas story and that our hearts would be prepared to bear witness about the hope that is within us because of our faith in Christ.

Friday, Dec 24 -- 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.

Saturday, December 25 -- MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JESUS! Pray today for the classes that Teresa Bolls teaches in Ouallam. She has this to say about the class: "God has made them so hungry for His word. As I sit and tell them the stories, they hang onto all that is taught, beginning with the health etc but even showing more interest in the Bible. Before I started classes with them I suggested to them to talk with their Muslim teacher about certain verses in the Qu'ran - the ones that tell about the virgin birth of a Savior." Pray that this day, the day that we celebrate our Savior's birth, that He would reveal Himself to those who have heard of Him from their Muslim teachers.

Sunday, Dec 26 -- Pray for Mark and Deanna Ledlow, as they report: "we are trying to get the office work under control so we will have more time to work with the Zerma people." Pray for their scheduling and that God would multiply the hours in their days so that they will have the time they so long for to be with the Zerma people.

Mon, Dec 27 -- 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.

Tues, Dec 28 -- Pray for 2 locations where the mission team is hoping to start churches: Kwarra Taji & Goudel. Pray that godly leaders will be raised up from the people in those villages.

Wed, Dec 29 -- 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.

Thur, Dec 30 -- "My soul glorifies the Lord and my Spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed for the Mighty One has done great things for me- holy is his name. His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation. He has performed mighty deeds with his arm. He has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts. He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble. He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty. He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful to Abraham and his descendants forever, even as he said to our fathers." (Lk. 1:46-55) I can't even express fully all the joy and praise to my Heavenly Father that fills my soul, for He has been good to me. He has done a mighty mighty work in my life since I first came to Niger, and I can never praise Him enough for the patience and diligence with which he worked in my spirit. I am leaving this place changed, therefore bringing glory to His Name. And that is all I asked....... Continue to pray for me as I go back home. That I will boldly and passionately share the things that God has done in my life and the lives of others here. Pray that I will REMEMBER (never forgetting) what He has done for me, how faithful He has been, and how His love endures forever.

Friday, Dec 31- Pray for all of our missionaries to have wisdom, guidance, and strength as to the use of their time and resources. Pray that their daily lives would demonstrate complete trust in God to reveal His will and provide for their daily needs.