January 2005

Saturday, January 1, 2005 -- As you know, our vision for the Zerma is to see a contextualized, reproducing church planting movement taking place among the Zerma throughout the world. Pray that this vision would become a reality beginning in 2005. Pray that Zerma Christians would share this vision with us, even take ownership of it.

Sunday, January 2, 2005 -- January is near the midway point of the best gardening time for most
of the Zerma people. Many had a bad grain harvest last year and will depend more on the garden production. Demand for garden seed is probably twice more than normal. Pray for Don as he visits, helps, prays for many gardeners and also helps make available garden seed.

Monday, January 3, 2005 -- Please pray that Ben and Cindy will continue to make progress in learning the Zarma language.

Tuesday, January 4, 2005 -- Last month, Jeremy Ledlow had a run-in with a pedestrian during a very busy evening near a night market. Jeremy was riding his motorcycle. He says that he saw the person, so he slowed to almost a stop, then the guy changed directions causing him to clip him and took a header over the motorcycle, which knocked him unconscious. THANK THE LORD, HE WAS WEARING A HELMET!! However, he and Deanna had to return to the States in December for surgery on his cheekbone. Pray for his continued swift recovery, and that all feeling would be restored to his face.

Wednesday, January 5, 2005 -- Pray for Ibro as he works on translating Christian materials from French to Zerma for radio broadcast. Pray that God would give him the best words and phrases in order to touch the hearts of the Zerma people who will hear it.

Thursday, January 6, 2005 -- A thank you and a praise to God is due for an answer to prayer that many may have not known to pray for specifically. There are at least 2 women in Ouallam who have taken upon themselves to teach some of the classes they learned through the "Mobile Center". This is exciting for us as we seek "resources that are in the harvest" to help spread God's Word!

Friday, January 7, 2005 -- Please pray for wisdom and the Holy spirit to give Cindy and Kimberly the right words as we begin storying with a seeker and her family. We will have our first meeting on Saturday, Dec. 19.

Saturday, January 8, 2005 -- Please pray for the Ledlow family. They have received calls from the guy that Jeremy hit. Everything is insured, so they will deal with the "normal" issues. It's the other issues that we need prayer for.

Sunday, January 9, 2005 -- Please continue to pray for Ramatou, the woman that Charity spent much time with while she was here. Ramatou has heard the gospel, but has not yet given her heart to Christ. Pray that God would continue to draw her to himself and that barriers and obstacles that stand in the way of faith would be removed. Please pray the same for her husband who has also heard the gospel and reads the Bible regularly, but has so far resisted turning to Christ.

Monday, January 10, 2005 -- Praise the Lord for Volunteers! They come with new insight that
motivates and encourages us greatly. They are able to notice some things that the missionary may not realize, and in the end turns out to be a great deal of help or the openings of another ministry. Pray that God will bless all volunteers' efforts to help so that all the Zerma people might have a chance to hear and understand the Gospel.

Tuesday, January 11, 2005 -- Pray that the needs and spiritual condition of the Zerma would be made known among the nations, and that as Christians around the world hear about this, they would be compelled to pray, give, and come to Niger to share Christ with the 99% who have no hope of eternal salvation.

Wednesday, January 12, 2005 -- Christian leader Alhassan's youngest daughter died in October. Please pray for the family as his wife in particular is taking it badly. Although she is a Christian, this is not the first of her children who has died so young and it is very difficult to accept. She ate and slept little at first but is somewhat better now.

Thursday, January 13, 2005 -- Pray for the Zerma Christians who are suffering because of their faith, that they would not grow weary and that they would feel God's presence and grace in a special way.

Friday, January 14, 2005 -- Pray for Rachel Sustar to be diligent in learning the things she needs to in Kindergarten to be a successful reader.

Saturday, January 15, 2005 -- November saw the Zerma team shrink in size with completion of 2-year terms by Charity and Faith. They added a new dimension to the team and they will be missed greatly. Pray for their reentry to life in the US but especially for the Zerma people they faithfully shared God's love with these past two years.

Sunday, January 16, 2005 -- Pray for the Cain family--that they would be effective in sharing their faith with others. Pray for existing relationships to be strengthened and that they would be a source of encouragement for others. Pray for Phil and Kimberly to have wisdom in parental matters and for Caroline and Caleb to grow in grace and stature and be diligent in their schoolwork.

Monday, January 17, 2005 -- Praise God for His provision, providing things (and people) before we even know we're going to need them. The Zerma team just had an eye doctor from the states come for a mission trip. He was there when Jeremy Ledlow had his accident, and was able to reassure the family that there would be no permanent damage to the eye itself.

Tuesday, January 18, 2005 -- Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers! We could use several pecks of Habanero peppers around here. Pray as the Niger Pepper Project continues to take shape with much patience needed to see this effort to success. It still has potential to provide income and avenues of witness to the Zerma people.

Wednesday, January 19, 2005 -- Please continue to pray that God would raise up key men and women among the Zerma who will provide spiritual leadership, guidance, and encouragement both for believers and those who are still seeking the truth. Praise God for those who are already filling that role.

Thursday, January 20, 2005 -- Pray today for encouragement for Mark and Deanna Ledlow. Their role as business managers places them as the first contact for many Zerma who need financial and physical assistance. Pray that God would give Mark wisdom and discernment.

Friday, January 21, 2005 -- The Mobile Center has been going well once it finally got started
again. With the rains, everyone was gone - from both the villages and the people in Ouallam. When people started requesting classes, it was mostly overwhelming for Teresa. Hopefully by this time she has completed three different "sites" in Ouallam and by January will be able to begin in the villages. Pray for some of the Zerma to feel led to take on some of the classes.

Saturday, January 22, 2005 -- Pray for Jeremy Ledlow. He has been in the United States for surgery on his cheek and took the opportunity to investigate colleges since he will graduate from high school this spring. Pray for God's wisdom and guidance on his decisions and his life.

Sunday, January 23, 2005 -- Millions of people around the world travel to celebrate the holidays together with family and friends. To a lesser extent the Zerma people have been celebrating the season. Pray that it can be a special time to share Christ with others.

Monday, January 24, 2005 -- Many of the Zerma people are non-literate, yet many Christians would love to be able to read the Bible for themselves. Pray that they would have the opportunity to learn and the diligence to persevere.

Tuesday, January 25, 2005 -- After Tanda returned from the Ziggy (country home) she attended some of the Center classes at Amina's compound. Wanting the classes taught at her house, and knowing that she could also teach some of these classes she indicated to Teresa that she needs to be trained. Praise the Lord for this insight and for the possibility of teaching several others to "teach" in their villages so that more villages might be reached with Health and with Jesus!

Wednesday, January 26, 2005 -- It is a cold, dry, dusty time of year for the Zerma people in Niger. Pray for their health as they are not accustomed to the cold weather. Most continue to wear flip-flops and thin cotton clothing.

Thursday, January 27, 2005 -- Pray for the government leaders of Niger, that God would grant them wisdom and discernment and that they would govern with integrity and compassion. Thank God that Niger is a country that respects religious freedom.

Friday, January 28, 2005 -- You are the God who performs miracles; you display your power among the peoples. Psalm 77:14 Pray this promise today, that God would display His power to the Zerma that they would have to recognize Him for who He is.

Saturday, January 29 2005 -- 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 in Torodi, that they remain strong and faithful. They face a lot of persecution; they are questioned constantly about their faith. Pray that they will go out to the surrounding villages and be passionate about sharing the gospel.

Sunday, January 30, 2005 -- Send a card or letter of encouragement today to Don and Teresa Bolls. It costs only $0.80 to send a card via US mail to Niger.

Donald & Teresa Bolls
BP 42
6001 Ouallam
Niger Republic

Monday, January 31, 2005 -- Acts 1:8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses...to the ends of the earth. Pray for our missionaries who have been sent to the ends of the earth, that they would be continually filled with the power that comes from the Holy Spirit.