“Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens.” Psalms 67:19

Friday, August 1, 2008 – Pray for Shad, Melissa, Hezekiah, Miriam and Joy Black as they fly for the Ivory Coast to the states today. Pray for smooth transitions in changing planes, and for restful, smooth travel. Pray as they readjust to American culture for a short time. Ask that their hearts would be refreshed for the task at hand. Ask that God would grant them mercy as Shad will be in Louisville studying while Melissa stays in Arkansas with the kids. We praise the Lord for the incredible contribution the Blacks have made in sharing the Gospel with the Zerma people and we know fruit from their labor will be visible for many years to come.

Saturday, August, 2, 2008 – Pray for safe travel as most of the personnel from our company will return to Niger today. Ask God to give smooth flights and good health. Thank you for praying for our Advance time as we met with God and with each other.

Sunday, August 3, 2008 - Pray for our Christian witness ~ in Niger as well as in the United States. Pray that we would be strong in witnessing for the Lord.

Monday, August 4, 2008 - During rainy season many people will live in their fields, guarding and working daily; not having to walk great distances to get to their work. Pray for good health as they are not well protected from the "elements". When it rains only straw huts to protect them, and the rains bring much cooler weather - thus bringing colds and worse, as well as malaria.

Tuesday, August 5, 2008 - Over the years many short term workers have come to work with the Zerma. Ask God to call some to full time career ministry with the Zerma people.

Wednesday, August 6, 2008 - Pray for Albasca a young believer active in his local group of believers. He is temporarily visiting family in a village where there are no known Christians.

Thursday, August 7, 2008 - As prices rise in the U.S. on many items such as gasoline and food, so have many things that Zerma people use and purchase. Gasoline is near $6.00 a gallon. It also affects ministry work. Pray for some world stability on consumer prices.

Friday, August 8, 2008 - Fruit trees have been ordered for our November 'Orchard man' Project. Pray as we order more trees and formulate plans to begin and carry out this long term project with volunteers from Sandersville, Georgia and local Zerma villages.

Saturday, August 9, 2008 - Although the rains began slowly, they have begun. The millet, beans, peanuts and okra are planted and have been watered by the Lord more than once. Pray that the rains continue ~ if they do not, there will not be a good harvest in many areas for the fourth consecutive year. Pray that the Lord will send rain, even though many have yet to acknowledge Him.

Sunday, August 10, 2008 - The 'Niger Pepper' project has run into some long standing and continuing problems (about 7 years). It will be difficult to carry on this wonderful opportunity for many Zerma people unless definite changes can be seen. Pray that we realize clearly if it is not God's timing to continue this project or possibly to work in a completely different area.

Monday, August 11, 2008 – Pray for Kanesa’s health. She has been sick with several different things during the summer. Also millet harvest is coming in September and she is highly allergic to millet. Ask God to protect her health and strengthen her.

Tuesday, August 12, 2008 - Ministry changes during rainy season. Pray for the Christians in the villages that will not have fellowship with other Christians for several months. Pray that they will continue to share the Bible stories with friends and family that are in their villages and Ziggys (temporary country homes).

Wednesday, August 13, 2008 – Ask God to give Kanesa an awesome vacation in the states. Pray that she will get well, be refreshed and return ready to serve the Zerma People.

Thursday, August 14, 2008 – Pray for the leaders of Niger, asking God to give them compassionate hearts for the people they serve and wisdom in making decisions as they govern the land.

Friday, August 15, 2008 – Pray for the believers in K-town, especially the men that Shad has been discipling. His leaving has hit them hard. Pray they remain faithful to their calling and continue to be light to those around them.

Saturday, August 16, 2008 – ANSWER: Thank you for pray for “Ami” last month. Her two younger children’s health is improving. Pray that she will stand firm in her faith even while her neighbors are talking about her and trying to pursue her to return to the main religion here. Ask God to draw her husband into a personal relationship with Jesus.

Sunday, August 17, 2008 – Pray for the church in Goudel. Ask God to continue to increase their numbers. Ask God to give Pastor “Amad.” wisdom and discernment as he leads. Pray for his safety as he travels to Egypt this month for meetings.

Monday, August 18, 2008 – ANSWER: Teresa's Mother, Dean, should be home now. Pray for her as she continues to heal. Thank the Lord for the many miracles that He provided during Dean's illness. Pray for strength for Dean as she begins to care for herself once again.

Tuesday, August 19, 2008 - Pray for Caleb and Caroline Cain as they start a new school year at Sahel Academy. After attending public school in the U.S. for the past year they will have a few adjustments to make. Pray that they would be diligent in their studies and continue to grow in their faith.

Wednesday, August 20, 2008 - Pray that God would continue to bless the labor of Adam’s hands that he might prosper and be successful. Pray that Adam’s hard work and continual asking of God’s blessing would result in many wanting to know about the hope that is within him.

Thursday, August 21, 2008 – Pray for the Hands On Missionaries that will arrive this month to work in K-town. Four girls will pair up and live in the same two villages that the spring Hands-On Girls lived in. Ask God to help them learn the language, to protect their health and to give them relationships with people that are ready to hear and receive his word.

Friday, August 22, 2008 - Pray for the Zerma who have not yet heard the gospel. Pray that God would enable them to hear it, perhaps through us or other believers, a radio program or cassette tape, or even miraculous means.

Saturday, August 23, 2008 – Pray for the villages that Brandy and Kanesa are storying in. Ask God to draw many to Himself and to give them boldness and courage in following Him.

Sunday, August 24, 2008 – ANSWER: Lily passed her exams as did her brother Andrew. Now Lily is looking for a college to attend in Ghana. Praise God for Lily’s faith for her family to come to know the Savior. Pray for their mom to come to know Jesus personally.

Monday, August 25, 2008 - Pray for the summer volunteers as they will return to the states to go to school or work. Pray that God would direct each one of them as they seek to do His will. I am grateful for their partnership in the Gospel these past two and a half years.

Tuesday, August 26, 2008 - Pray for wisdom for Philip and Kimberly Cain as they make decisions about how and where to spend their time in ministry and what strategies to pursue. Pray that they would reflect Christ in all that they do.

Wednesday, August 27, 2008 - Please continue to lift up the Zerma team as we continue to be attacked in all sorts of ways. The battle can be tiring, wearisome, and just plain annoying. Ask that we would be strong and that we would fight against the enemy rather than be lazy against his attacks. We praise God that one battle has been won and our teammates, the Cains, who have been on Stateside assignment for a year, will be coming back this month. Praise God with us as we see how He is working and drawing the nation of Niger to Himself. He is good and He does all things well.

Thursday, August 28, 2008 - Please ask for the Living Water to come to the people of the villages where wells have been dug. Pray especially for Z and B’s compound as the well that is there has become dirty because with all of the rain and parts of the well have fallen in. We have offered to help with the reconstruction of it, but are waiting on them to take some initiative in getting it fixed. May they see the love of the Church and be won over.

Friday, August 29, 2008 - Sena and Ramatou both Christians were scheduled to be married in July but the wedding, very unexpectedly, did not take place for reasons not clear to us. The reasons however are clear to God and we request your prayer for this situation.

Saturday, August 30, 2008 – In July Brandy and Kanesa met several of the top leadership of K-town. Ask God to continue to give them favor with leadership and to draw these men into a personal relationship with Him.

Sunday, August 31, 2008 – Pray for the economy of Niger. Prices are high and so many people are out of work. Ask God to open doors of employment for the Zerma People and to show them that He cares about all their needs.

Kneeling before the Most High God!
The Zerma Team
www. Zermateam.org