“Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs. Know that the Lord is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture. Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise; give thanks to him, and praise his name.” Psalms 100:2-4

Friday, April 1, 2011 –We are thankful for Stacey, our nine month volunteer, and for all the lives she touched among the Zerma. Her love of the children and her nursing skills opened many doors for the Gospel. Kimberly is continuing to be welcomed by women that received medical care from Stacey.

Saturday, April 2, 2011 – Praise God as Don and Teresa arrived safely in Arkansas to begin their time in the U.S. before retirement. Pray they are able to share faithfully what, where and with who God leads.

Sunday, April 3, 2011 – Pray for encouragement through God’s word and from other colleagues on the field. Hot season has arrived and many discouragements seek to derail us from our ministry such as health problems, conjunctivitis, boils, colds, car troubles, etc. Pray that we would persevere and give God the glory in the way we handle difficulties that come our way.

Monday, April 4, 2011 – Pray for the village of Z, where Phil has started a new outreach group. Pray that they would continue to be receptive to hearing God’s word. We praise God that Don and Teresa were well received here when they gave an AIDS/Health presentation several months ago, and that it further opened a door to return with the Gospel.

Tuesday, April 5, 2011 – We’re excited and praise God that our numbers at the Bible study led by Phil near the village of S. continue to increase. Pray for these seekers that they would continue to come to the study, and that God would give them understanding of His word. We praise God that two women prayed to receive Christ a couple weeks ago—pray for their spiritual growth and for courage as they face opposition from unbelievers.

Wednesday, April 6, 2011 – As the dry season stretches out and the temperatures remain high, pray for strength and perseverance for us here in Niger. Pray that we would be healthy and get adequate rest. Pray for our children that they would be diligent in their studies and school work.

Thursday, April 7, 2011 – Thanks for your prayers for the village of C, north of Niamey. Many have stopped coming so pray that God would compel them to return. Pray that God would give Phil spiritual wisdom and discernment as he shares from God’s word from week to week.

Friday, April 8, 2011 – Many of you know that our team has undergone many changes last month. The Bolls have left Niger for their last stateside assignment before retirement and will not be returning. The Sustars are moving into a new position leading a team focused on urban evangelism. They will still work with the Zerma part of the time but will be on a different team and have a different focus. Stacey Frank, our nine-month volunteer, finished her assignment and returned to the U.S. We are hopeful that she and her husband will return but in the meantime Phil and Kimberly will have much to do in carrying on Zerma ministry. Pray that we would get partnering churches and volunteers to help us in ministering to the Zerma People.

Saturday, April 9, 2011 – Albass is still in town after several weeks visiting in his home town. Praise the Lord his health seems to be good and he still comes to Bible study and plays the drum during singing. Pray for his well being and that one day he will follow through with baptism.

Sunday, April 10, 2011 – Pray today for Zerma people around the world who live outside their native homeland. Pray they come to know Christ by possibly being in contact with Christians that would lead to faith and salvation.

Monday, April 11, 2011 – Ben and Cindy’s wedding anniversary. We praise God for 14 years of marriage. Ask God to continue to strengthen our marriage and restore complete health to Cindy who has battled various illnesses since August.

Tuesday, April 12, 2011 – Pray for Phil as he has accepted a new leadership role on the field, which involves increased responsibilities and working with team leaders for two additional teams. Pray that he would use his time wisely and that God would give him the skills and discernment to lead effectively.

Wednesday, April 13, 2011 – Pray that the many books recently given intended for school teachers and students reach the hands God intends them to be in. Pray for changed lives as these books are read and studied.

Thursday, April 14, 2011 – The Bolls will miss meeting with several outreach points where they have visited, helped and taught for many years. Pray these points of contact with believers and nonbelievers alike will be encouraged and for other believers to begin to share the Gospel with those living in these areas.

Friday, April 15, 2011 – Praise God a new Bible study has been started in a village where the health and AIDS prevention study was held. Pray that many people will profit from these studies and that they will continue to grow in knowledge of Christ to a clear understanding and acceptance of His saving grace.

Saturday, April 16, 2011 – Continue to pray for Yacouba’s friends and family. Yacouba was a baptized believer who recently went home to His creator. Pray other Christians in his village will gain strength from his faithfulness and even others come to know God through Yacouba’s life and witness.

Sunday, April 17, 2011 – You may remember Ramatou who is the only baptized Zerma believer in her Bible study group. Pray especially over the next several months during her pregnancy that God would greatly encourage her through her faithfulness to Him.

Monday, April 18, 2011 – Ask the Lord to continue to give a young pastor courage and vision to lead this young church in Goudel, to multiply in this city the way that God already has planned. Ask the Lord to increase his understanding of what is needed to engage this city as communities or as unique groupings of people from multiple communities.

Tuesday, April 19, 2011 – Pray for teachers to come and teach at Sahel Academy for the 2011-2012 school year. Ask God to send Godly teachers who have a desire to invest in the lives of students. Those interested can contact Amber Marshall at serve@sahelacademy.com or find information at www.sahelacademy.com. Most of the Southern Baptist children attend this school.

Wednesday, April 20, 2011 – Two year old Aissa has been seriously sick. Pray for her and her Christian mother Salamatou who is in early pregnancy. Aissa has been hospitalized in Ouallam and then sent to Niamey. Pray that Salamatou would remain faithful under difficult circumstances surrounded by many who do not know Christ

Thursday, April 21, 2011 – For several months you have prayed for Haildou who has serious back trouble. You can praise God he is up and walking with a cane. Pray he continues to improve and that he would come to know God and accept salvation through Faith in Christ.

Friday, April 22, 2011 – Pray for safe travel and a productive time of ministry for Ben’s parents, his brother and his two children as they arrive in Niamey today. They will be here until May 2. We praise God for their willingness to come and minister to the people of Niamey.

Saturday, April 23, 2011 – Please pray for the “G” neighborhood in Niamey where Kimberly has a Saturday afternoon kids’ club. There have been between 20 and 30 children coming every week. Pray that they would be attentive and remember the stories week to week. Praise God for a few of the moms who come to help and hear the stories too.

Sunday, April 24, 2011 – As Easter is celebrated around the world, pray that we would have many opportunities to share with Muslims what we know and believe about Christ. Muslims deny that Jesus actually died on the cross and that he rose from the dead—pray that God would place within their hearts a desire to know the truth about this.

Monday, April 25, 2011 – Young men in groups called FADA’s in the city continue gathering daily to share life together. Ask the Lord to give Ben clear understanding in connecting with young men from 3 of these groups because they are asking questions about what faith in Jesus includes for them.

Tuesday, April 26, 2011 – Thank God for 7 men who are gathering with Ben in K-town to look at what the scriptures say about work, integrity, and the purpose of business. Ask the Lord to help us in practical ways apply what we are learning.

Wednesday, April 27, 2011 – Taken from Jeremiah 29:7 pray this for our city of Niamey – “Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the LORD for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper.” Agree with us together that God is moving us to see this capital city become one where His name is revered and those who come here see that hope can be found here in Him.

Thursday, April 28, 2011 – We praise God for opening the door for Ben and Cindy to move into a new role of Urban Strategy for the city of Niamey. We will form a new team; along with Emily whose focus is university students in the city.

Friday, April 29, 2011 – Ask God to give us a clear picture for our new team as we work to develop a set of core values and develop specific strategies and a budget to go along with those strategies.

Saturday, April 30, 2011 – Pray for Ami and her family. As many of you will remember her 3 year old daughter died in February of last year. Her two sons have been in and out of the hospital. Ask God to give Ami peace of mind and desire to stay home and care for her child.

Thank you for joining us in lifting up these praises and prayer request before our Heavenly Father.

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