November 2005

"Look at the nations and watch and be utterly amazed. For I am going to do something in your days that you would not believe, even if you were told.” Habakkuk 1:5 (NIV)

Tuesday, November 1, 2005 - Caroline Cain has been diagnosed with scoliosis and will have to wear a back brace for 20 hours a day for at least the next couple years. Pray that the brace will help correct the curvature of her spine so that she won't need surgery.

Wednesday, November 2, 2005 - Pray for Kanesa and Brandy as they adjust to Niger and begin language study - pray for their health and for perseverance as they learn to live in a new culture and speak a different language.

Thursday, November 3, 2005 - As Ramadan, the month of fasting ends, pray that God would reveal himself to the Muslims in Niger. Many of them claim that they are more focused on God during this time, so pray that they will do some honest soul-searching and seek the truth.

Friday, November 4, 2005 - Please continue to pray for the many relief agencies that are trying to work through the hunger crisis. Pray for discernment to best know how to work together with these various agencies and to share the Love of Jesus through the situation.

Saturday, November 5, 2005 -Pray for the Zerma team today as we will be having our team meeting. Pray for decisions that will be made.

Sunday, November 6, 2005 - Pray for the Bolls as they will be really busy trying to begin classes in another village and will also be working with various villages by encouraging them to grow small gardens.

Monday, November 7, 2005 – Answer: Thank God for photos our friend Tim has taken both in Quallam and surrounding villages and in the city of Niamey.

Tuesday, November 8, 2005 – Ask God to prepare the people of Goudel so that when Amadou and Hassi share the gospel, the people agree and follow Jesus.

Wednesday, November 9, 2005 – Are you interested in coming to work with Zerma believers for a week or two? Pray that God would call volunteers who will come and be a mentor among Zerma Christians. There is a pressing need for pastoral leadership. This team would seek to invest themselves in the lives of Zerma believers, encouraging and assisting potential leaders to develop pastoral/shepherding skills.

Thursday, November 10, 2005 - On October 6 we asked you to pray for; two ladies who came to the Ouallam Church, listened to the story and enjoyed the songs. After the service, they brought Issifou to the Boll’s house. Issifou’s mother died September 6th, he was 2 months old and in very poor health. Teresa gave him some formula. Thank you for praying for Issifou – he was too weak to make it and he died a few weeks ago. Please continue to ask God to reveal himself to these two ladies.

Friday, November 11, 2005 - Pray for Shad and Melissa Black to maintain a close relationship with Jesus, so they can be "ready for every good work." Ask God to give them direction and leadership as they begin ministering to the Zerma.

Saturday, November 12, 2005 – Ask God to help Amadou and Hassi’s lives to be a light in Goudel so that the people will find freedom in Jesus.

Sunday, November 13, 2005 - Please pray for the volunteers that are making arrangements to come to Ouallam – in January and more in February. Pray that the hearts of the people would be receptive to learning more about Jesus. Pray that the volunteers are able to complete their necessary paperwork, get the funds and have safe trips.

Monday, November 14, 2005 - This year we got a jump on gardening season, buying and getting seeds available for farmers in September. There are always a few "early birds" who plan their gardening when it should be. October should well be into preparation time with established nursery beds in November. Pray for these folks and their gardens and that it will be a good time to visit and pray on site to show them love and concern. Pray for our seed supplier Sandi to accept Christ as his Savior.

Tuesday, November 15, 2005 - We were very excited to hear about a village where we have never worked called Wiratondi and 5 people there who are interested to study about Jesus. It doesn’t happen often that we hear about a village like this through another believer. Pray about this village and the visit we will do there this month. Pray that the believer who told us will take an active role in discipling them. By the way, they heard the messages over the radio broadcast on Yilowa FM 95.9

Wednesday, November 16, 2005 - We have a volunteer request in for November entitled "Gardner". At least 2 people have shown interest in this request and it may be answered by the time you read this. This person is to share his expertise in various aspects of gardening with the farmers here, witnessing and prayer walking local gardens. Pray that the right person answers this request.

Thursday, November 17, 2005 - You have prayed often for God's word to go forth among the Zerma, that they would have opportunities to hear the gospel in their own language. We are confident that those prayers are being answered even now and ask that you continue to pray that the Zerma would hear the Good News through radio programs, booklets and tracts, personal witnessing, cassette tapes, etc.

Friday, November 18, 2005 - Most of the time in a worship or Bible study situation when we ask someone to pray we get the response, "I don't know how" or "You pray". Recently as we walked home Ramatou asked Teresa why only she and Donald pray. Praise God for that question. Teresa replied that just the Sunday before a Christian man refused to lead in prayer. Ramatou said, "Please ask me to pray, I want to be a better Christian and work more in the church!" We hardly ever hear that kind of statement from a believer. Thank God for Ramatou and ask Him to encourage her growth in faith.

Saturday, November 19, 2005 - Pray for Brandy and Kanessa as they will be continuing their orientation as well as language study. Pray that they would learn how to best live in Niger and minister to the Zerma people. Pray for the Zerma friends and helpers in the language and culture learning.

Sunday, November 20, 2005 – Do you speak French? Are you interested in sharing your testimony? Come work with the Zerma team this December as we share the hope of Christ with those that will be in Niamey for The Francophone Games, December 7-17, 2005. This will be a sports and cultural event with athletes, artisans, musicians, and visitors from 57 French-speaking countries. Pray that the gospel will be proclaimed boldly during this time and there will be tremendous harvest of souls for the Kingdom of God.

Monday, November 21, 2005 – Ask God to give Zerma leaders visions and dreams that reveal who Jesus really is to them.

Tuesday, November 22, 2005 - Pray for the Zerma men and women who have chosen to follow Christ. Many of them face major difficulties, apart from being Christians in a Muslim country. Pray that their faith would grow and that their lives would reflect God's goodness and faithfulness.

Wednesday, November 23, 2005 – It is beginning to cool down a little which is a welcome relief from the heat for expatriates, but it is also the time of year for sickness among the Zerma people. It is difficult for them to avoid colds and other illness that are common during this season. Pray that God’s healing hand will be on them and that they will realize that God alone heals.

Thursday, November 24, 2005 – Today is Thanksgiving. We are truly thankful for you, our prayer warriors and teammates. Thank you for standing in the gap for the Zerma people so that the darkness can be shattered.

Friday, November 25, 2005 – During 2006 the International Mission Board will be focusing on West Africa and those people groups that still need to hear the gospel and have an opportunity to respond. You can join God at work among the Zerma People by coming as a volunteer and using the skills that God has given you, whether it is tell Bible stories, repairing sewing machines, writing Bible based dramas, playing soccer, etc. How does God want to use you to share His love with the Zerma?

Saturday, November 26, 2005 – Pray for the existing churches in Niamey and their pastors. Ask God to give them a spirit of unity and passion to share His word boldly and with love and patience.

Sunday, November 27, 2005 – Answer: Thank God for Amadou and Hassi’s passion to share Jesus with the people of Goudel and for him providing a house for them to move into so they can live in Goudel.

Monday, November 28, 2005 – Join us in asking God to draw those Zerma people to him that have already heard the gospel message and know the stories. Ask God to speak to their hearts, drawing them into a relationship with Him.

Tuesday, November 29, 2005 – Ask God to give our missionary children special relationships with Zerma children and the opportunity to live out their faith and share with their friends. Children are powerful witnesses for Christ and we praise God for these treasured gifts.

Wednesday, November 30, 2005 - Today is Caroline's 12th birthday. Pray that she will have a special day today. Pray that the Lord would mold her into a godly young woman.