July 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)

Friday, July 1, 2005-ANSWER: In March you prayed for Susie, Teresa’s sister-in-law, who was seriously injured in a car accident that killed her husband and one of her sons. Susie is back at work now and continues to heal emotionally and physically. The truck driver that caused the accident settled out of court, so all of the legal matters have been settled. Thank you for praying. God performed a miracle in sparing Susie’s life.

Saturday, July 2, 2005-During the first week of July, the IMB missionaries will be attending meetings in Ghana. Pray for safe travel and smooth border crossings and a good time of instruction, fellowship, and spiritual renewal.

Sunday, July 3, 2005-Pray for the team that has come from the states to lead these meetings in Ghana. Pray for good health, patience and flexibility if things don’t work out according to the plan and for Christ to be honored by all that is said and done this week.

Monday, July 4, 2005-Pray for a refreshing time for the missionaries as they meet together, encourage one another, exchange ideas and spend time in worship and study of God’s word during this week of meetings in Ghana.

Tuesday, July 5, 2005-Pray for the missionary children to remain healthy during this week. So often when a large group comes together from so many different places it is easy for small viruses to begin making rounds. Pray that our children will be encouraged and for new friendships to be made.

Wednesday, July 6, 2005-As Jeremy Ledlow graduated from High School June 11th, he and his parents’ lives have been filled with changes. Pray for all the logistics to fall into place as Mark and Deanna get Jeremy settled in the states with a place to live, a vehicle and registered for college. Ask God to bless them with quality family time with each other and with extended family and friends.

Thursday, July 7, 2005-Kim Rhoades left Niger June 21st after a 3 week volunteer trip of helping make God's love known among the Zerma. Pray for the many she had contact with in that short ministry time - that the seeds she planted will reap a vast harvest. Also pray for Kim the next few weeks as she reflects upon what has taken place in her life among the Zerma people.

Friday, July 8, 2005-Teresa recently led a Baptism course for several women and one ten year old boy. Pray that they all understood and will follow through with Baptism. Baptism and making public your faith in Christ is a HUGE step among so few believers. Being made fun of, rejection by friends, or being disowned by family members are very real prospects in this culture.

Saturday, July 9, 2005-ANSWER: Last month you prayed for Ben and Amadou, a local believer, and for the weekly meeting with some of the leaders of the major religion here. God is definitely at work and your prayers are making a difference. One of leaders is feeling God’s conviction; he brought a packet of poison and read Mark 16:17-18. Then, he asked Ben and Amadou if they truly believed God’s word in these verses and would drink the poison. No one drank the poison, but this marked a turning point in the relationship. Pray for these leaders to desire a relationship with Christ and for Ben and Amadou to have the right words to share.

Sunday, July 10, 2005-School is out for the summer just as most are in the US. Many students here in 9th through 12th grades have lived far from home during the school year because the upper grade schools are located in Niamey and/or larger towns. Many students will go home and see their village and family through "different eyes" as they become more educated. Some of these have come into contact with Christianity. Pray for these students as they grow in understanding and especially as they learn what it means to be a Christian.

Monday, July 11, 2005-Pray for Ron and Sharon Hill, Volunteer Mobilizers with the IMB. They will be traveling throughout West Africa this week, meeting with the various teams to develop strategies for utilizing volunteers in sharing the love of Christ among those peoples who have not yet heard the gospel. Pray for safe travel, good health and for God’s strategies to be put into action.

Tuesday, July 12, 2005-Mark and Deanna Ledlow will be sharing about their work here in Niamey and the Zerma People with churches and various groups in Arizona. Ask God to give them wisdom in knowing what to share and how to share it.

Wednesday, July 13, 2005-God's Word will be heard today on radio broadcasts, audio cassettes, and through personal encounters. Pray that the Word will take root in the hearts of those who hear it, that it will be understood, and that it will draw men and women to Christ.

Thursday, July 14, 2005-Today is Don Boll’s 56th birthday. As best I remember the statistic of the average adult life span here is about 45 years. Add the fact that very few people here know the day they were born much less the month and year and this puts a little different twist on a birthday celebration. Praise God with me that I have attained such an "old age" and ask God's comfort for the many Zerma people who have lost parents, grandparents, spouses, and friends at such a young age.

Friday, July 15, 2005-Teresa Bolls leaves for the states for vacation today. Pray for safe travel and quality time with family and friends.

Saturday, July 16, 2005-ANSWER: In March you prayed for God to raise up Zerma men to become strong spiritual leaders. God is answering this prayer through the efforts of a local Zerma pastor who has been mentoring several believers. Amadou is one of these believers and is ready to move into a leadership role. After much prayer, he has been offered and has accepted the pastorate of the Goudel Church. Goudel is a neighborhood within Niamey. There once was a thriving church there, but due to ungodly leadership the church disbanded.

Sunday, July 17, 2005-Pray for the Cains, the Sustars and Amadou’s family and other believers as we work to clean up the Goudel church property, pray over the area, meet and greet people of the neighborhood and rebuild the wall around the church property. Pray that we will be seen as a light among darkness and that many would come and hear about Jesus.

Monday, July 18, 2005-Pray for Amadou to have wisdom in leading this new church. Pray that he will be able to locate the believers in the area and that they will desire to grow in their faith.

Tuesday, July 19, 2005-Rainy season has arrived. In some areas the first rains have been so heavy they damaged houses, causing some to collapse. Pray that those who lost their homes would have the means to rebuild. Continue to pray for adequate rains and a good harvest this year.

Wednesday, July 20, 2005-Sandi wants to learn how to read and write on our porch at night because we have a light and he has to work in the daytime. A local believer named Harouna will be teaching him. Pray for Sandi who is not a believer and for Harouna to seize moments to share Christ with him.

Thursday, July 21, 2005-Please continue to lift up Brooke Hooten, Brandy Nelson, and Kanessa Snow as they prepare to come to Niger to serve for two years. Pray that they will close out their time in the states well and that God would bless this time of spiritual and physical preparation for moving to Niger and working among the Zerma People.

Friday, July 22, 2005-We accept on faith that God is at work among the Zerma, challenging and convicting them of the truth. Pray that God would help us to be sensitive to where He is working and with whom. Pray that we would have answers to their questions and be able to communicate clearly in the Zarma language. Pray this month for God to give us many opportunities to lead others to Christ.

Saturday, July 23, 2005-Ask God to give Don Bolls wisdom, patience and insight as he assumes the role of business and financial facilitator while the Ledlows are in the states. Ask God to give him opportunities to share Christ’s love with those he comes into contact with each day.

Sunday, July 24, 2005-The demands of ministry and daily living can often be spiritually draining. Pray that each of us would be committed to walking with the Lord on a daily basis, spending time in the Word and in prayer. Pray that God would fill us with His Holy Spirit, enabling us to do more than we can think, ask or even desire.

Monday, July 25, 2005-Pray for Yacouba and Renata, a local pastor and his family, as they travel to Germany and the states this month. Pray for safe travel and for many opportunities to share how God is at work among the Zerma.

Tuesday, July 26, 2005-Continue to pray for Shad and Melissa and their son Hezekiah who are now in orientation at the Missionary Learning Center in Virginia. This is a key time of preparation as they transition from life in the U.S. to life in Niger. Pray that their time at the Center studying, attending classes, and learning about language and culture would be put to good use and prepare them well for the next two years.

Wednesday, July 27, 2005-This time of the year is very difficult for many people because of the lack of food and it is worst this year because of last year’s bad harvest. Ask God to give the missionaries wisdom in deciding who to help with limited funds and ask God to bless them with a good harvest this year.

Thursday, July 28, 2005-Last month we asked you to pray for “M,” a boy who truly desires to know Jesus. He and his two aunts have been participating in a Bible storying group led by Kimberly and Cindy. His aunts have lost interest and are no longer coming. “M’s” father will no longer allow him to participate in the group. Pray for “M” and his parents that God would speak to them and place a desire in this family’s heart to study His word together.

Friday, July 29, 2005-Today Karis Sustar turns 2 years old. Ask God to keep her healthy and to give her a heart that desires Him.

Saturday, July 30, 2005-Ask God to direct ‘The Pepper Project.’ We pray that he will draw believers to this project who will take ownership of it and that it will be successful for them.

Sunday, July 31, 2005-ANSWER: The rains have begun and people have been able to plant. After a long, hot dry-season the rains have been truly refreshing.

That all may hear!

The Zerma Team
www.zermateam.org