July 2006

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. Matthew 11:28-29

Saturday, July 1, 2006 – ANSWER: Praise! Thanks for praying for Eddie, a summer missionary, who helped us with research during May and June. He was able to interview almost all the pastors or church leaders in Niamey and we now have some good information which will help us better plan how and where to start churches. Pray for Eddie as he begins studies at Princeton Seminary this summer.

Sunday, July 2, 2006 - Brandy and the volunteers from the University of Mobile were able to go into several villages and meet with the elders. Ask God to give Brandy direction and continued favor with the leadership of these villages as she does follow-up and more in-depth sharing of the Gospel.

Monday, July 3, 2006 - Please continue to pray for Meghan and Kimberly, two of our summer missionaries, as they complete their assignment to prayer walk around Niamey and develop prayer resources for use with our prayer supporters. We hope to make these materials available soon. Pray for their health and safety and for their travels as they return to the U.S. this month.

Tuesday, July 4, 2006 – Happy Independence Day. We rejoice and celebrate with you the freedoms that America has. We are asking God to show each of us what our role should be in maintaining those freedoms and sharing the gospel with those he brings into our lives. God is always faithful. May we be as faithful to walk through the doors He opens.

Wednesday, July 5, 2006 – ANSWER: May 13 was "Day of the women of Niger". Teresa was invited to several of the planning sessions before the big day. It was to be a really big day; several villages were to walk up to the top of a "central" plateau where all could meet together. All the Leaders were invited to speak; the Préfet; a government official, the Mayor, the Judge and 2 of the Religious leaders. It would be televised and in the newspapers. It was a three day celebration. Teresa did not realize until a few days before the event that she was one of the Religious leaders! During the Muslim leader's talk, the sound system went out. It came back on when Teresa was speaking. God opened another way for the word to go out - National TV - and doors continue to be opened.

Thursday, July 6, 2006 – After the "Day of the Woman," the Préfet in Ouallam made a surprise visit to the Bolls' home. He asked Teresa to pray for him - and he has called her to please come to his office and pray again. When we had volunteers in Ouallam, the Préfet was so pleased to meet them. He asked if we could pray for him. OH - that our prayers would be answered!! Join us in praying for this government official to accept Christ.

Friday, July 7, 2006 - ANSWER: As the "drama" volunteer group went to Tiloa with the Bolls, Teresa was explaining better how to clean a wound and care for it. One man from Waru who had come to Tiloa speaks up: "Listen to Madame - she told me how to care for my leg and I did what she said. You all know how bad my leg was -- for two years my leg hurt. You all know I spent over $100 on doctors and medicine, but Madame showed me how to wash it and soak it with salt water. She prayed to God - and I was healed! See my leg!!!" Thank you for praying for the health lessons. You are more involved in our ministry than you will ever realize because of your prayers.

Saturday, July 8, 2006 - This is the farming season in Niger and farmers are dependent on the rain to grow their crops. Pray that adequate rain would fall this summer so that they might have a good harvest. Pray also for a good harvest of souls.

Sunday, July 9, 2006 – Pray for Atta as he shares the gospel with his friends and brothers. Pray that God would give him understanding about what to say to them and how to say it. Pray for Atta that he would grow and be strengthened in his faith.

Monday, July 10, 2006 - Team arrives from First Baptist Church Canyon, Texas. They will be leading discipleship classes in Goudel and Kollo, prayer walking, and working on illustrations of Old Testament Stories. Pray for safe travel, good health and effective ministry time while here.

Tuesday, July 11, 2006 – ANSWER: June brought more people to the Ouallam church than we have seen in a long time. This was probably due to the presence of several volunteers and your prayers. Pray that many will continue to come and accept God's love for them.

Wednesday, July 12, 2006 - Please pray for the many volunteers who will be joining us over the next few months--for most of them this will be their first time in Africa. Pray for their physical, emotional, and spiritual preparation and for all the details that go into getting ready for an overseas trip. Pray that God would prepare the Zerma here to receive them and their testimonies. We also ask that as you pray for these things, you would open yourself to the possibility of coming as a volunteer yourself.

Thursday, July 13, 2006 - July means rain and a temporary halt to latrine construction on the Ouallam Hygiene and Sanitation Project. Pray this would be a good time of reflection and regrouping to restart construction in September.

Friday, July 14, 2006 - 56 years ago today, Don Bolls was born. By statistics he is about 10 years past the average life span of a Zerma person. Please pray that his age will be a positive witness to those older but also to so many that will never reach Don's age.

Saturday, July 15, 2006 – ANSWER: While 3 volunteers from Illinois and 2 from Mississippi were in Ouallam, we wanted to go to the bush or rainy season home of some national friends to minister. They had already moved their camp twice. We were in two vehicles, driving around trying to either find the friends or the way home. Bonnie, from Illinois prayed "Lord, please send us help!" and less than one minute later a woman walked up, got in the truck with us - and showed us the way - driving right up to the people. It wasn't a random help-- thank you for your prayers.

Sunday, July 16, 2006 - June volunteers Debbie, Connie and Bonnie from Winchester, Illinois helped with a medical clinic in the village of Gathwan. Pray that the few Christians in the village were encouraged and that the others that were treated will reflect on Christ's love that was demonstrated.

Monday, July 17, 2006 - Please pray for Meyhaw, a 21 year old widowed mother of a young daughter. Brandy has been spending time with her since moving to Kollo, but due to the strong Islamic hold on her family, the ground is very hard. Meyhaw has gone to Togo for the next month to be with her husband’s family. Ask that God would send a Christian Zerma speaker to her, even there, that could minister to her in ways that she will understand, and that it would result in her salvation and a changed life.

Tuesday, July 18, 2006 – ANSWER: During the first week of June the Bolls were able to complete classes for 50 of the 100 latrines that Hunger Relief and the IMB are helping to put in the Ouallam area. Many prayers were prayed the first week when 5 volunteers were in Ouallam. The second week of June - when there were 6 volunteers (2 from MS, 4 from GA) 10 latrines were completed in one day! It was a great day! The volunteers that were doing the prayer walking prayed over the work of the latrines and the different blessings and requests that God can use through a latrine. God can and will use various means to minister - even a latrine!

Wednesday, July 19, 2006 – This month rains will make bush travel(no paved roads) by 4 wheel drive difficult. And the peppers in the Niger Pepper Project are in the 'bush'. Pray that we can travel in between rains and that logistics will work so the peppers can be processed with minimal to no loss.

Thursday, July 20, 2006 – Pray that Zerma believers would understand the importance of forming churches and reaching others with the gospel. Pray that God would instill in them (and us) a burden for the lost and a vision for seeing that all the Zerma have an opportunity to know Christ -- that He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.

Friday, July 21, 2006 - Pray that God would reveal Himself to the Zerma--especially those who are truly seeking Him. Pray that they would have opportunities to hear His word and respond to it.

Saturday, July 22, 2006 - ANSWER: I (Teresa) really appreciate your praying for us - but a specific answer came on my birthday. My foot had been hurt for 13 weeks, 2 doctors had been consulted with differing ideas on how to help. The first one recommended surgery and the second one said to wrap it up - and keep it from being moved. As long as I stay off it, it was better... but trying to teach the health and Bible classes for the Ouallam Health and Hygiene project prohibited much rest. On June 1, the end of the day, my foot was burning and was not in agreement to be wrapped again! I still have to rest it, but it seems God's work and your prayers are the best all around healing. Thank you so much.

Sunday, July 23, 2006 – Pray for Brandy and Kanesa and the church in Kollo, asking God to penetrate the hearts and minds of the people who are currently counting the cost of becoming a disciple of Christ.

Monday, July 24, 2006 – ANSWER: Thank you for praying for the volunteer team from Steep Hollow Baptist Church in Bryan, Texas. They opened new doors for follow-up by sharing their testimonies with people they encountered and showing the Jesus Film to over 150 people. The peoples’ response was – “just teach us-we do not know this Jesus.” Thank you for your prayers. The team was healthy and their time here was incredible due to you covering them in prayer.

Tuesday, July 25, 2006 – Pray for the Ledlows as they adjust to an empty nest and for Stephanie as she adjusts to college life in the states. Ask God to give all of the Ledlows His peace, comfort and strength as they boldly follow Him.

Wednesday, July 26, 2006 ANSWER: The Ouallam Sanitation and Hygiene (Latrine) project has opened so many doors. Teresa was invited to a 3 day Health Conference with many government officials and all the Health Clinic's workers in the Ouallam area as well as several other areas. The last day, just after one of the meetings, the King of the area introduced Teresa to the Mayor of Simiri and to the Deputé of the Simiri area. Later that night the Mayor and depute paid a visit to the Bolls' home. They have seen some of the gardening, wells, and the pepper project in the village of Kaoura and asked Don if he could come and help them to fix some of their wells, and to teach others in these areas. "Doors" keep opening for so many opportunities. Pray that the Bolls would be obedient and go and do what God wants -- knowing that God will provide the wisdom and energy!

Thursday, July 27, 2006 – Ben and some of the seniors from Sahel Academy have been riding in taxis throughout Niamey and sharing their testimonies with the taxis drivers. They have ridden in 6 taxis in the past two weeks and 5 of them have arranged times and meeting places with Ben so they can learn and study the Bible more in depth. Pray that God draws these men to himself and empowers them to share their new faith boldly.

Friday, July 28, 2006 - Banibangize and his main helper, Djibrilla, along with several other workers have been working long and hard trying to get the 50 latrines finished before the rains. Djibrilla was sent in a taxi to Niamey and was in a car accident. His hand was hurt badly and he has not been able to work. Please pray for Banibangize and Djibrilla as they finish up the 50 latrines that are in various stages and for healing for Djibrilla’s hand.

Saturday, July 29, 2006 – Today Karis Sustar turns 3 years old. Pray that she will seek to obey her parents and that God will direct her strong will in ways that will glorify him. She opens many doors for us to share the gospel as she sings praise songs in Zerma and is just a joy to be around. Everyone that meets her remembers her.

Sunday, July 30, 2006 - ANSWER: Praise God for the amazing time with the volunteers from the University of Mobile and West Texas A&M University. God worked in them and through them in ways that we cannot even fully know yet. Thank Him for His mercies upon the teams as they faithfully shared the gospel each day.

Monday, July 31, 2006 –ANSWER: The Blacks have met a Zerma believer that is a musician and he has agreed to work with them to develop praise and worship songs in Zerma. Thank you for praying that would bring just the right people across their paths.

The Zerma Team - Zerma Team Website: www.zermateam.org