"For as the earth brings forth its growth, and as a garden enables what is sown to spring up, so the Lord GOD will cause righteousness and praise to spring up before all the nations. Isaiah 61:11 1 Thursday – On February 18 there was a coup d’état in Niger, so now the former president is no longer in control. Prayers are needed for a smooth transition to a new government. Although the Zerma team was separated, as well as the children being separated from their parents, God had all of us in a safe place during the gunfire battle and the cell phones and internet worked during the whole time. 2 Friday – Ask God to comfort and continue to speak wisdom to Rachel, Christin and Karis as they have processed living through the lockdown at their school during the coup in February. 3 Saturday – Lack of rainfall in many parts of the country last year has caused many hunger related problems here this year. Pray for us to have wisdom and discernment in knowing when and how to help with hunger relief among the Zerma people. 4 Sunday – As many Christians celebrate “Easter” today pray that the people of Niger will understand that eternal life is to know the one true God and Jesus Christ whom He has sent. Praise the Lord that we serve a Risen Savior. 5 Monday – Please lift up Lilly as she continues to struggle with anorexia. Pray that God would set her free from this stronghold and give her a daily hunger and thirst for the Word and prayer. 6 Tuesday – Pray for the neighborhood of Bobel as Cindy, Kimberly and Ami have followed up with several of Ami’s friends. It seems many are ready to follow Christ. PTL! 7 Wednesday – Kanesa and Brandy are doing well in the States and love their new job at PF Chang's. Please pray that God will provide Godly community for them to be involved in and some good friendships to help them in this time of transition. 8 Thursday – Praise God for Ami and her family. Her husband chose to follow Christ at the beginning of March after losing their 3 year old daughter in Feb. Ask God to continue to comfort them and heal their hearts. 9 Friday – 25 years ago today the Bolls arrived in Niger after many years of preparation. Thank you so much for supporting and praying for the Bolls these years and please pray that they do the work that God has called them to do. Pray for strength, wisdom & health. 10 Saturday – Steve Evans will be hosting a Storying Training Conference for believers in Niamey that Cindy Sustar has organized. Pray for many to come, understand and develop a passion to share God's Word with others. 11 Sunday – Today is Ben and Cindy’s 13th wedding anniversary. For most of their married life they have been missionaries. We praise the Lord for having them serve on the Zerma team. Pray for their continued ministries in the Zerma as well as American communities. 12 Monday – Pray for our health, especially in hot season. Pray for protection from infections and skin irritations which have been plaguing members of the team. 13 Tuesday – Pray our team desires God’s way more than anything. Also pray for the believers in Niger to discover their role in leading others to Jesus and how best to live out their faith in mentoring. 14 Wednesday – Praise God for the children who have memorized many of the Bible stories at the Welcome Clubs for Children. They are also learning new songs and hymns which they are enjoying. It is a joy to hear them singing a song of praise to God as they are walking down the street! 15 Thursday – Please continue to lift up the people of Ktown as Brandy and Kanesa are gone. Ask God to meet physical needs as well as give them dreams and visions that lead to a relationship with Christ. 16 Friday – Praise God for the Zerma girls and teens who meet on Friday evenings. We’ve completed the study of Ruth and are beginning the stories of Jesus’ birth, ministry, death, and resurrection. Pray that these girls would see Jesus as more than a prophet, but as God’s Son who loves them and has provided the means to a relationship with God. 17 Saturday – Pray for the Zerma to be protected from the evil one who blinds their hearts and minds to the truth. 18 Sunday – Please lift up H and Ami as they are pregnant. They are really struggling to eat as no one in their family currently has any income. Ask God to protect the little ones in their wombs and keep them healthy, especially as they do not have the proper nutrition they need. 19 Monday – Thank you for your prayers for the men Phil is discipling at the village of “S.” We have added a couple more to the group and it’s encouraging to see the Word of God take root in their hearts as they discuss the Scriptures from week to week. Pray that God would give them insight and understanding into His Word and that like the seed planted in fertile soil, they would bear much fruit in their spiritual lives. 20 Tuesday – Pray that Teresa will be able to continue the AIDS/Health classes. Preparation of fields, many leaving their villages, and rainy season coming may once again curtail classes. Pray for the ones who have attended the classes will remember and share with their friends and families. 21 Wednesday – It was a joy to revisit a Hunger Relief funded gardening project area at the village of Karafalley that was done about 23 years ago. All 5 wells looked good and had water in them. Many gardens were close with garden produce and several large mango trees scattered about. Thank God for this continuing witness through Christian love in giving to help others. 22 Thursday – Pray for Phil and Kimberly as they work on using the Ajami script (using Arabic script to write Zerma words) to reach more Zerma people with the Good News. 23 Friday – Pray for the Christian Business Women’s Network that Cindy and Renate have started. Ask God to unite hearts toward a common purpose of being a witness in the work place. 24 Saturday – Pray that the city of Niamey begins to hunger for God’s presence here. 25 Sunday – Pray for Kimberly as she returns to visit at “L” town this month. Ministry there has become increasingly challenging and people’s hearts have hardened against God. Pray that God would give Kimberly the right words to say and the wisdom to know whether to continue ministry in this area or focus more of her energy in new areas that are more responsive to the Good News. 26 Monday – Pray for Rachel and her best friend Maggie, a Missionary’s child with a sister mission. Maggie was medically evacuated to Paris 12 March due to extreme allergies that have just surfaced. She has had 5 attacks with each one getting more severe and the last one it took 2 hours to begin breathing normally. Pray for adequate medical answers and for Rachel as she communicates with and comforts her friend. 27 Tuesday – With road construction on the Niamey/Ouallam road, it is now mostly detours beside the new road the workers are preparing to pave. Pray that they will be able to have it passable for the rains that begin in the next few months. Pray that the AIDS class that Teresa has hopefully by now taught the road workers will be remembered (thanks to the traditional King’s insight). 28 Wednesday – New believer Hamadou was very excited as he relayed the news that his son wanted to “enter” (follow Christ). His sons’ name in English translates to Job. Pray these 2 new believers will quickly grasp, hold on and grow in their new faith in Christ. 29 Thursday – Statistically, April is the hottest month of the year where most Zerma live. Pray for them as they live and work in the extreme weather. Hand preparation of planting fields as well as normal work life can be harsh. Also pray for missionaries as they teach, lead and work in over 100 degree temperatures. 30 Friday - Pray for Rachel, Christin and Karis as they deal with the reality of one of their African friends dying. Thank you for joining with us,
|
