December 2005

“Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.” Luke 2:11

Thursday, December 1, 2005 – Answer: Kanesa and Brandy arrived safely and are settling in well. They have begun language study and are moving forward, quickly.

Friday, December 2, 2005 – Two close friends of Teresa and Don’s were both pregnant, due to give birth about the same time. Hadjara’s son was born healthy- Salamatou’s son was breached and the doctor could not turn the baby in time, thus the baby did not live. Life is so precious and sometimes not long enough. Pray for the Bolls as they minister to these ladies. Salamatou is a Christian, Hadjara is not yet.

Saturday, December 3, 2005 - Pray 1 Thessalonians 1:2 for the new church start in Goudel.

Sunday, December 4, 2005 – Answer: You have been praying for laborers for the harvest; December 4th & 5th, a team from First Baptist Church in Benton, KY, will be traveling to Niger to work with Mark and Deanna and putting the missionary library on computer.

Monday, December 5, 2005 – In October you prayed that Teresa would be able to begin to do health clinics working with Samaritan’s Purse feeding stations. This did not happen as there were several other non-Christian groups giving out lots of food and medicine and Samaritan’s Purse was not able to work in the Ouallam area. Pray that doors will open to education the people about health and that it would not just be a feeding program but a changed way of life that will have a deeper impact.

Tuesday, December 6, 2005 - The worst of the famine is over for Niger this year, although as usual there are many who had a poor harvest and have little to eat. Pray for those who are hungry, that they would find food; and pray for those who are spiritually hungry, that they would find the Bread of Life.

Wednesday, December 7, 2005 - Pray for the Francophone Games being held this month in Niamey, beginning Dec. 7th. Three thousand athletes from 57 French-speaking countries will compete in soccer, table tennis, boxing, judo, athletics (track and field), basketball and traditional wrestling. Alongside these sporting events, there will also be dance, painting, photography, music, literature and sculpture. Ten thousand visitors are expected during this big event. Pray for the churches and believers who will be involved in evangelistic efforts during this time and that many would come to know Christ through their witness and ministry.

Thursday, December 8, 2005 – Gardening season is in full swing now. Pray for the seeds that will be planted that there will be a harvest. Pray as the Bolls go out to visit and witness that the gospel seeds will also show forth a great harvest.

Friday, December 9, 2005 - Pray for Deanna's friend, Ayssa and her family. Three of her children now attend the only school in town that meets on a regular basis. Biba, Hama and Boubacar, are all being taught not only the normal school curriculum on a daily basis, but also the Bible. Pray for them to bring this information home and that it will impact their family life.

Saturday, December 10, 2005 - "Doctors without Borders" has been doing massive food distributions in the Ouallam area. Praise the Lord that many have been helped in this endeavor. Pray for follow up - as the relief will be leaving in December, but the problem is not solved.

Sunday, December 11, 2005 - Thank you for your generous support of the Lottie Moon Christmas offering this month. The funds from this offering are used to support International Mission Board missionaries around the world by purchasing the housing, vehicles, and other resources that enable us to carry out our ministries effectively.

Monday, December 12, 2005 - Pray that the Lord will not only allow us to partner with Glenview Baptist Church in Texas but also that the people in this church will see specifically how they can be involved using their talents to spread the gospel among the Zerma.

Tuesday, December 13, 2005 - Pray for wisdom and guidance as Shad and Melissa seek to help the Zerma people learn to worship God in their own language.

Wednesday, December 14, 2005 – Answer: 2 Cor. 1:11 “On Him we have set our hope that He will continue to deliver us, as you help us by your prayers. Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many.” Thank you so much for your prayers on our behalf. In October Cindy and Teresa worked several hours and a few days on the address list for our prayer letter. Just typing the names of our friends and prayer supporters – and talking about our prayer requests – we realized how important you are to the ministry to the Zerma. We thank God for you!

Thursday, December 15, 2005 – Pray for health as Melissa is now halfway through her pregnancy.

Friday, December 16, 2005 - Kimberly's mother Kaye will be arriving in Niger today and visiting for about a month. Pray for safe travel, good health, and time well-spent with the Cains.

Saturday, December 17, 2005 - Answer: We praise the Lord for working out a wonderful opportunity for Teresa to teach various classes in Ouallam using health, nutrition and sanitation. If you would like to know more about how this came about, please contact us and we will give the details...

Sunday, December 18, 2005 - Pray for the paperwork that is being done for future volunteers. Pray for the volunteers that God is calling out to help in the furthering of the Kingdom in Niger among the Zerma people. Pray that the missionaries would be able to have "God's eyes" in seeing the needs and the faith that God would call the people that He wants to come.

Monday, December 19, 2005 - Answer: Praise God Kanesa has settled in and adjusted to the culture quickly, God has also given her joy and peace about my new home. Pray that she will find women to be language and cultural helpers. Pray that God will continue to heal her physical body and restore her energy.

Tuesday, December 20, 2005 - As our IMB mission grows, so does the job of facilitation. Pray for added strength and wisdom for Mark and Deanna in this job God has placed them. Also, pray for opportunities for Mark and Deanna to find time away from the office to share the gospel with the Zerma people.

Wednesday, December 21, 2005 – Today is Kimberly's birthday. Pray that it will be a special day for her. Pray for Kimberly as she balances the demands of teaching home school, ministry to the Zerma, and being a wife and mother.

Thursday, December 22, 2005 - Please continue to pray for Kanesa and Brandy's language study, as they have four weeks left. Our prayers is for them to be able to grasp it quickly in order to speak the love of Christ to the Zerma People.

Friday, December 23, 2005 - Answer: Praise God for His provision of good language helpers.

Saturday, December 24, 2005 - Merry Christmas! Although the majority of the Zerma don't celebrate Christmas as we do, many of them recognize it as a day Christians celebrate the coming of Christ to earth. Pray that the Zerma people would come to understand the real reason Christ was born into our world. Pray that they would hear the gospel this month--that they can have forgiveness of sin, assurance of salvation, and an abundant life through the one and only Savior.

Sunday, December 25, 2005 – Pray for us all on Christmas day that we may show the TRUE meaning of Christmas as we celebrate Christ's birth in this lost land.

Monday, December 26, 2005 - Pray for the Ledlow family, as this will be their first year away from Jeremy during the holidays. Also, pray for direction in Jeremy's life and that he will seek this direction from the One who knows him best.

Tuesday, December 27, 2005 – When Kanesa and Brandy completed language study they will move to Kollo. Pray that strongholds would be broken and that their home would shine as a beacon of light and a place of refuge for the Zerma people.

Wednesday, December 28, 2005 – Pray for the various volunteers that are preparing to come to Ouallam in the next few months. December, January and February are the best times to come due to the heat and the “work” that can be done during these months.

Thursday, December 29, 2005 – Pray for Fati and Hawa – non-Christians but interested. Pray for the Bolls as they minister to them in the name of Jesus.

Friday, December 30, 2005 - Pray for David Weems as he comes to Ouallam the month of January. He will be joining the Bolls in their work. Pray for David as he will be making preparations for the trip. Praise the Lord for the volunteers He is calling and -that they are answering the call.

Saturday, December 31, 2005 – Happy New Year! The International Mission Board will be placing a special emphasis on West Africa during 2006. As a result of this we hope to see an increase in both prayer support and the number of volunteers assisting us in our ministries. Pray that many would respond to this effort by becoming more involved in our efforts to reach the Zerma with the gospel. For more information see the IMB Web site at www.imb.org or our team Web site at www.zermateam.org.

Crowded around the throne!
The Zerma Team