March 2006

“Sing to the LORD a new song, …The LORD has made his salvation known and revealed his righteousness to the nations.” Psalms 98:1,2

Wednesday, March 1, 2006 - ANSWER: The Zerma team prayed through Brandy and Kanesa’s house in Kollo at the end of January. Brandy and Kanesa have also been diligent in hanging up Bible verses in Zerma throughout their house. This has lead to many Biblical discussions with those that come to visit them. They have also felt God’s hand of protection over them as the spiritual warfare in and around their house has eased up a bit over the past few weeks.

Thursday, March 2, 2006 - We (Bolls) didn't receive the February prayer letter! It was our fault but it made us realize a helpless feeling of not having a valuable tool to help guide specific prayer in leading Zerma people to Christ. Several people devote much work in seeing that we and you receive this prayer letter. Please pray for them and that effort. If you don't receive it, please contact Cindy Sustar at Sustar@Braveheart.com. We consider prayer a vital part of winning the Zerma people to Christ.

Friday, March 3, 2006 - The Ouallam 'study group' continues to have problems that prevent it from functioning as a true church. Even though a large amount of time, money and effort have been spent by several missionaries in this town of 10,000 people, it continues to struggle in several areas. Please pray for God's direction. It appears that a strong leader would help.

Saturday, March 4, 2006 - Today is Ben Sustar’s Birthday. Pray for him to have wisdom as he disciples Amadou. Also ask God to bring Zerma men into his life who are interested in studying the Bible.

Sunday, March 5, 2006 - ANSWER: Thank God for the four men who continue to study the Word of God with Amadou in the Goudel community and ask God to move them to a place of choosing to follow Jesus and become leaders in this new church start who multiply themselves. Also, ask God to give courage to an elderly man, M, in Goudel who came to Amadou’s house for worship for the first time on February 5th.

Monday, March 6, 2006 - Teresa Bolls will be teaching classes March 6 - 8 in the neighborhood of Mossi Windi. Pray that these women can understand and apply some of the health and nutrition work that will be taught.

Tuesday, March 7, 2006 - Pray for Shad and Melissa as they begin encouraging the Zerma people to sing praises to God in their own language and to even begin to create new songs.

Wednesday, March 8, 2006 - Today is Mark Ledlow’s Birthday. Pray that Mark will sense God’s presence in his life today and feel empowered and encouraged as he shares Christ with those he comes in contact with.

Thursday, March 9, 2006 - ANSWER: Thanks for your prayers for Phil's bible study with Atta. Two other men have begun to attend-pray for their salvation and for Atta as he shares Christ with them. Pray that God would give Atta a hunger for his Word and the ability to share the reason for the hope and joy he has in Christ.

Friday, March 10, 2006 - Ask for the favor of God to be given to Bill Bray and his video team of high school guys who will be here March 10-15 to shoot footage and record music for video segments they will produce to promote work among the Zerma people.

Saturday, March 11, 2006 - Pray for Kanesa and Brandy’s two friends both named Fati to come to know Jesus.

Sunday, March 12, 2006 - Hundreds of pepper plants are growing in the village of Kaoura, ready to be trans-planted. Pray for Moussa as he heads up this effort, that it will bring in more income for his family and that it provides an avenue of witness as he has endured several years as a follower of Christ among hundreds who do not.

Monday, March 13, 2006 - March 13 - 22 Teresa will be teaching the women of Kondabey neighborhood. Pray that these ladies will be able to understand and use some of the health, hygiene, nutrition lessons and even family planning that will be taught. There are also some very strong statements about a loving God. Pray that these ladies will see that there is a difference in a God that is fatalistic - and a God that loves them so much that He sent his Son.

Tuesday, March 14, 2006 - ANSWER: Praise God that Brandy and Kanesa’s friend “O” has chosen to follow Jesus and is actively and excitedly sharing each verse she learns from the Bible with friends and family.

Wednesday, March 15, 2006 – Bill Bray’s team from Glenview Baptist Church leaves today. Pray that God’s hand will cover the editing and production process of developing the Zerma videos. Pray that a quality product will be developed that will lead many to pray and participate in sharing the gospel with the Zerma People.

Thursday, March 16, 2006 - Today is Phillip Cain's birthday. Pray that God would give him wisdom, vision and discernment as he leads the Zerma team and seeks to plant churches among the Zerma people.

Friday, March 17, 2006 - Pray for Phillip Cain today as he travels to Tampa, Florida for a mission’s conference along with several other team leaders from West Africa. The focus of this conference will be on West Africa. The International Mission Board is hoping for representatives from 200 churches to attend. Pray that out of this conference many of these will gain a vision and commitment for helping spread the gospel in Niger and throughout West Africa. Pray that out of this conference we would gain many new partners and prayer supporters for the Zerma team.

Saturday, March 18, 2006 - Pray for Kimberly, Caroline, and Caleb as they travel back to Niamey from Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, today. Pray for their safety on the roads and through the border stops.

Sunday, March 19, 2006 - Ask God to help Brandy and Kanesa learn a set of Bible stories in Zerma so that they can share them with those that are interested in learning about God.

Monday, March 20, 2006 - Ask God to give wisdom and protection from evil for Amadou and Hassi and their children as they Pastor the Goudel church because people are coming for worship and want to know more about Jesus.

Tuesday, March 21, 2006 - Pray for the believers in Kollo, that are being persecuted – they will embrace suffering and trust God to strengthen them and deliver them.

Wednesday, March 22, 2006 - Ask God to open up an opportunity for us to speak to the leader of the Goudel community, G M, and be clear on what we are doing – starting a church – and truly understand how we can serve his community.

Thursday, March 23, 2006 - Pray for “B”, Kanesa and Brandy’s friend, to be set free from darkness and see and accept the truth of Jesus.

Friday, March 24, 2006 – ANSWER: Praise God for an elderly man in Kollo that has chosen to follow Jesus. Two local pastors have been sharing with him for quite some time and Sunday, February 12, he gave his life to Christ. Pray that he will grow strong in his faith and share the gospel with his friends and family. The elderly are held in high esteem in this culture and viewed as having wisdom. Pray that God will use this man to draw many into the kingdom.

Saturday, March 25, 2006 - Pray for Melissa Black and Miriam (our daughter to come) as the due date is today.

Sunday, March 26, 2006 - Pray for Eric, a volunteer who will be here from March through May helping the Zerma team with research. We praise God that He has called Eric to fill this request and ask you to pray that he would be God's instrument for helping spread the gospel among the Zerma. Pray for safety as he travels and for good health during his time here, which will be the hottest part of the year.

Monday, March 27, 2006 - Phil will be traveling back from the U.S. today. Pray for safe travel as he flies back to Niger. Pray for those who've made commitments to partner and pray for the Zerma, that those commitments would be strengthened and that God would give guidance and wisdom about the next steps to take. Pray for those who feel led to come to Niger as volunteers over the next year and that God would use them in mighty ways to accomplish His purposes among the Zerma.

Tuesday, March 28, 2006 - March 27-31st Teresa Bolls will be teaching the ladies of Zongo neighborhood. Pray that they will truly apply some of the teachings taught concerning God, health, hygiene and nutrition. Pray also that the Love of Jesus would be able to be felt through Teresa and the teaching.

Wednesday, March 29, 2006 - ANSWER: Praise the Lord for the way He opens doors for us to work! The Bolls were approached to do latrines in the Ouallam area, so they put in a Hunger Relief Project. Pray that as Don works on the actual "digging" of the latrines - Teresa and several volunteers will be able to do the health, sanitation and Gospel presentations. Praise the Lord that Southern Baptists are willing to help others in ways that should help improve their quality of life - both physical as well as spiritual.

Thursday, March 30, 2006 – Continue to pray for Moumouni and Alhassan who live in separate villages. These two men devote a lot of their time to sharing Christ with others, freely and openly. Pray God's blessings on these men and the many that come in contact with Christ through them.

Friday, March 31, 2006- Melissa Black’s mother is having some health issues. Ask God to give the doctors wisdom in diagnosing what she has and how to treat it. Melissa’s parents are planning a trip to Niger in April to see their new granddaughter.