Current Prayer Requests

An Amazing Sight

Engaging churches need to take the gospel to those who have never heard. Ask the Lord to increase the laborers in West Africa. People are eager to hear if only someone will come and share. One engaging church said this, “It was just an experience that nearly brought tears to our eyes to hear their hunger for the Word of God. We left them one of the recorded Scriptures. They began listening to it immediately and devouring the truth of the Word of God as quickly as they could. It was an amazing sight.” Don’t miss the excitement and this incredible adventure with God! But more importantly, don’t be the cause of others here in West Africa missing Him as a result of your missing His call. Thank you so much for praying.

Unengaged of West Africa

An Increasing Flock

God continues to add to the number being saved among the Yalunka (pronounced jah-LOON-kah) of Mali through the obedience of an engaging church from Texas. The Texas team stopped in village FG to ask directions, and a man ran out to meet them. In his hand was a petition with 26 names written on it. “These people want to learn about Jesus,” he said. It was the son of the chief of a nearby village, P (who was not a believer at the time), who had been carrying the gospel to many of the nearby villages (including village FG) using “The Proclaimer” and other recorded materials that were left behind on previous trips. The entire village gathered to hear the message. The chief said, “We know we are in darkness and need someone to teach us. Can you send someone who will stay and teach us?” Two months later, the team returned. From deep in the bush, using a satellite phone, they sent amazing live reports back to their home church: “The entire village (35 people) wants to follow Jesus and be baptized. While in village FG, a man from village F came. He presented us with a list of 90 people who are hungry to hear the gospel and wanting us to come over and teach them.’” For now, P has been given the task of continuing to share what he has learned. Pray for him to remain true to the Word as he shares.

Yalunka of Mali

Spreading the Message

Thank you for praying for the Yalunka (pronounced jah-LOON-kah) of Mali. In February, the Texas team from an engaging church returned and was able to cross the river that had prevented them from reaching village Y. When they arrived, they found their man of peace, P, who had been eagerly waiting for their return. P and his brother, J, and P2 invited the team to walk to the market. They quickly agreed, not realizing that it meant a two-hour walk in the heat of the day. As they walked, they told the stories of Jesus and it was then that P2, P and J confessed their faith in Christ. At one point, they had to cross a creek that was thigh deep. It was there that one of the new believers said, “Why can’t we be baptized now? There’s water right here.” The team was stunned. Give thanks that three new Yalunka believers were born and a church plant started. Two months later, the team returned to find that about a dozen other people had confessed their faith in Christ and they, too, were taken to the river to be baptized. The team went to the market wondering how they could make an impact there. Again, they were amazed to find several men and women sharing stories they had heard. The message was spreading African to African, even when none had previously professed to walk the “Jesus Road”! Who are you sharing stories with? Is God equipping you and your church to become an engaging church?

Yalunka of Mali

Available for Adoption

Please be in prayer for the GLG area. Many small people groups are located there and the Engagement Team of Nigeria is hoping that an “Engaging Church” will adopt this whole area. So far, no church has committed to undertake this task. As churches seek the Lord and He calls them to work among the unreached of Nigeria, pray that hearts will be open to this area and the many Islamic people living here. These people groups are in desperate need of hearing the Gospel.

Unengaged of Nigeria

Another Adoption!

Praise the Lord that the D people have been adopted! The Engagement Team of Nigeria reports, “A team from a church in the USA came to visit and were openly received by the D people. The team members had a wonderful trip and found a few D Christians when previously we thought there were none. Pray for this congregation in the USA as they begin formulating a plan to reach their adopted people group with the Good News of Jesus Christ.”

Unengaged of Nigeria

Grateful for More Workers

The Engagement Team of Nigeria writes, “Our team now has three new members. Mike and Mary are new personnel, and Angel will be transferring from a different team. We are so fortunate to have them come and join us in the work. As you pray for their transition into a new situation, ask God to fill them with all wisdom and understanding so that they will be fruitful. Pray for their minds to be open and receptive as they receive training.”

Unengaged of Nigeria

Struggling to Understand

A. claims to want to follow Jesus, but she seems confused about who He is. “Christians believe that God has a Son. God is One. He cannot have a Son,” said A.’s skeptical friend. “No,” A. responded, “she says that Jesus is not God’s Son.” “Did I just hear her right?” thought the missionary, unsure of her language skills in Wolof, but not wanting to start a heated discussion with the skeptic. Privately, the missionary asked A. to clarify, and was dismayed to find that she had heard correctly. “Let’s go back over this,” the missionary suggested, and so they reviewed who Jesus the Son (not son) is. Uncertain about this “new” understanding, A. went back to who Isa (Jesus) is in the Quran. “After all,” she responded, “You know your Holy Book, but not the Quran, which is from God, too, don’t you think?” Please pray that the Holy Spirit will tell A. exactly who Jesus is. Pray that A. will not be intimidated by the attacks of the many skeptics around her. Pray that she will understand, too, that following Jesus is not a matter of exchanging one set of religious rules (the Five Pillars of Islam) for another (confession to a holy man, taking communion, good works to pay for the bad things we do). Pray that the missionary will be clear in her communication and not cause confusion for A., but will be a vessel of the Holy Spirit in all of their discussions.

Wolof of Senegal

Needing a Divine Appointment

Missionaries made a return visit to Papa G’s home a week after the first visit. It was not a good time to visit, as the family was about to leave with relatives to go to a family celebration. Papa G did say that he had watched all of the “More Than Dreams” DVD and would like to discuss it with the missionaries. The next time the missionaries tried to arrange a visit, Papa G was leaving to go out of the country on business for a week. He said that they could come and visit when he returned. Missionaries stopped by his house after that and he was sleeping. Please pray that God will orchestrate a meeting between Papa G and the missionaries. Pray that he will read the Bible that the missionaries left with him on one of their visits and that the truth of Jesus Christ will penetrate his heart.

Wolof of Senegal

Continuing Her Search for God

Missionaries and volunteers met A. while doing door-to-door gospel distribution at the end of May. She was very open and wanted the missionaries to come back for another visit. On their second visit, the missionaries learned that A. had attended a Catholic school as a young girl, even though her family is Muslim. When she was 13 years old, she told her mother that she wanted to become a Christian. Her mother promptly removed her from the school and insisted that she remain a Muslim. Now in her early thirties with young children of her own, she is searching for God. She tries to do all that the Quran teaches but longs to know God in a much deeper way. Missionaries have shared from the Bible and their own personal testimonies of how God is at work in their lives. A. says she wants to know God in the same way the missionaries do. A.’s husband, S., is willing to visit and discuss God politely, but he is not seeking God like A. is. When S. asked why the missionaries chose to visit their home, A. jumped in and said that she believes God sent them to their home for her. The missionaries have been back several times, leaving a Bible and visiting. Pray that God will open A.’s eyes to the Good News of salvation through Jesus Christ. Pray that S. will have an open heart to hear the stories from the Bible and that Truth will be revealed to him.

 

Wolof of Senegal

A Cultual Challenge

Every other weekend--imagine that you are a wife and that is how often you get to see your husband. And you know that when he is not with you, he is with another woman who is also his wife. M and C are two such women. They both married young and had children, and then lost their husbands. Later, they were taken as second wives. B is a young woman who did not lose her husband, but his family pressured him to take a second wife after they had been married a little more than a year. For centuries, Sereer men have had multiple wives, oftentimes meaning emotional and financial insecurity for each wife and her children. But the culture does not allow for a woman to be unmarried. She is ostracized, considered an oddity, maybe even accused of immoral behavior if she remains unmarried (even the widows mentioned earlier). Please pray for Sereer women, asking that they will see themselves as special in God’s sight, beloved and chosen by Him. Pray that they will have the opportunity to hear about and respond to God’s love for them.

 

Sereer Sine of Senegal

"Curious" About the Christian Faith

As she prepares for language evaluations, one of the subjects that missionary Kimberley F. has to master is to articulate the difference between her faith and the two major faiths found in Senegal. Kimberley was talking through this with O.S., a student about to graduate from secondary school who has been helping her to prepare. He is an intelligent young man who has been awarded a scholarship to a university in France. In the course of the conversation, Kimberley asked him, “O.S., what do you believe will happen when you stand before God?” He replied, “I hope that God will have pity on me. The good works I did during my lifetime must outweigh my sins; then maybe I could have a chance to enter heaven.” Voicing a prayer in her heart to God, Kimberley said, “O.S., I can tell you with all confidence that when I die, I will be in God’s presence and He will welcome me into heaven.” She continued, “I know that God is holy and I am sinful, so because of this, I cannot enter His presence on my own. It is only because I have accepted God’s gracious gift in sending His Son to die in my place that He has written my name in His book.” O.S. says that he is “curious” about this faith and wants to know more. Please pray for him as he reads the Bible on his own, claiming John 8:32 as you pray.

 

Sereer Sine of Senegal

A Wet Answer to Prayer!

The answer to your prayers in May for rain came in torrents in late June, with the occasional thunder and lightning. The children of a couple on the Sereer-Sine Team woke up giggling, joining the shrieks of laughter coming from Senegalese children outside. They all jumped and splashed together in puddles, in the first big rain in their community since last October. Sereer farmers have been preparing their fields and will now begin the real work of farming their millet crop for this year. Thank you so much for your prayers. Continue to pray that the rain will be just the right amount to produce an abundant millet crop, feeding Sereer families until the next season.

 

Sereer Sine of Senegal

Maturing Believers on the "Jesus Road"

The Lebou Team asks, "Please continue to pray that our believers would grow in the Lord, be bold in sharing their faith, and seek out what God is calling each of them to do in ministry. Pray for perseverance. Pray that they will sense the Lord prompting them to serve others."

http://www.fabulousfishtales.blogspot.com/

Lebou of Senegal

Saying "Good-bye"

Pray for our college students as they will soon be bringing their ministries to a close. Pray for them as they say good-bye to host families. Pray for the host families. Pray that thse families would have dreams and visions about what these students said, and that they would read the Bibles that the students gave to them. Pray that they would come to know Christ as their personal savior. http://www.fabulousfishtales.blogspot.com/

Lebou of Senegal

Getting to Know the Great Physician

Pray for the people who were treated at our medical clinics last month. Pray that each person that was prayed for, after hearing a testimony from a believer, would see that Jesus is the way, the truth and the life; that God is the Great Physician. Pray that they would question why these people came to serve them. Pray that they would come to know Christ through this outpouring of love from this church in the USA. http://www.fabulousfishtales.blogspot.com/

Lebou of Senegal

Getting to Know the Great Physician

Pray for the people who were treated at our medical clinics last month. Pray that each person that was prayed for, after hearing a testimony from a believer, would see that Jesus is the way, the truth and the life; that God is the Great Physician. Pray that they would question why these people came to serve them. Pray that they would come to know Christ through this outpouring of love from this church in the USA. http://www.fabulousfishtales.blogspot.com/

Lebou of Senegal

The Reality of Persecution

Mrs. A has been grateful for your prayers during the last year. Her Kanuri husband at one point issued her an ultimatum: return to their Muslim faith or move out and be divorced. As the date for the divorce approached and Mrs. A stood her ground in Christ, her husband seemed to soften. Now, however, he is again demanding that she leave his house and be divorced, since his Muslim friends will no longer visit in his home as long as he keeps a Christian wife. So goes the persecution for both of them. Pray fervently that Mrs. A’s husband and teenage son will both come to Christ and join her in following Jesus, despite the persecution.

Manga Kanuri of West Africa

Attentive Weavers

J and his fellow Muslim mat weavers now spend their time weaving and listening to the Hausa New Testament on tape. Continue to pray that God will call out Hausa-speaking Christians to begin traveling soon to this village, sandwiched inside the Kanuri kingdom, and help these seekers to understand and follow this Jesus of the New Testament of whom they are hearing. Pray that God’s Holy Spirit will even now plant the seeds of His Word deep in their hearts and that each seed will grow and bear fruit for eternal life and for the work of God’s kingdom.

 

Manga Kanuri of West Africa

Showing Interest in the Word

MB, wife of MM, has been listening to Kanuri New Testament recordings for several weeks now and following along in the Kanuri New Testament given to her by the missionaries with whom her husband works. Earlier in the week, MM also took home a Hausa booklet that answers many of the questions Muslims have about Christ and Christianity. Although his wife speaks her Kanuri heart language fluently, she can read and understand the written Hausa language much better. Recently she asked the missionaries if she could swap her Kanuri New Testament for a Hausa one that would enable her to read and understand better the references given in the Hausa booklet. Of course, they gladly gave her a Hausa New Testament as well. Continue to pray that both MB and her husband MM will find the One who is the Truth and together embrace Him with their whole hearts.

Manga Kanuri of West Africa

A Mighty Work of God

The Fulbe Team of Nigeria reports: “Praise God for the great work He is doing among our people”. In 1997, there were only five outreach groups and less than 50 believers, with only a handful of baptized believers. Today, those outreach groups number in the hundreds and there are thousands of believers, many of whom have been baptized. Continue to pray that these fellowships will expand even more during the remainder of this year. Pray for their evangelistic efforts, their growth in discipleship, and the training of new leaders among them. Also pray for the Holy Spirit’s guidance as the believers grow in their faith in the midst of persecution and hardship.

Fulbe, Fulani of Nigeria

The Challenge of Discipleship

A Fulbe Team member writes: “Our believers started five new outreach groups with 22 new believers during the month of May. Now our challenge is discipleship. Ask the Lord to provide everything we will need to disciple all of these groups, including those that are located in distant and remote areas. Pray for the Holy Spirit’s leadership as the Fulbe believers carry out the discipleship. Pray that the new believers will grow in their faith and share what they are learning with other Fulbe they know.”

Fulbe, Fulani of Nigeria

Bible Stories and Daily Life

Pray for the Zerma believers in and around the Ouallam area. In June they participated in a chronological Bible storying conference that better equipped them to share stories from the Old and New Testaments. The participants were encouraged, and in turn, uplifted each other. Ask God to give them a burning desire each day to share the Biblical knowledge that they have with those around them that are lost. Ask God to give them wisdom as they relate each story to practical daily life in the village. http://www.zermateam.org/

Zerma of Niger

A Time of Transition

Pray for Shad and Melissa Black as they prepare to return to the United States. This month they will be packing up their house and saying good-bye to their friends in Niger, which will be difficult. Ask God to give them an extra measure of grace as they go through this transition. They are planning to be stateside for six months and then transfer to a new position in a different West African country. http://www.zermateam.org//

Zerma of Niger

Looking Forward to an Annual Event

Pray for the annual meeting for all personnel in West Africa that will be taking place this month. Pray for a unified spirit and spiritual renewal among all who are present. Ask God to give all the participants safe travel and good health during the conference. Pray that God will speak individually and corporately to this group of His servants. http://www.zermateam.org/

 

Zerma of Niger

Preparing for a New "Assignment"

A couple serving on the Susu Team is preparing for their stateside assignment. They will be leaving in early August. Pray for them as their time approaches, asking that they will sense God’s guidance in how they should best spend their time. Pray for peace for them as they wrap up this term of service, and intercede for those who will fill in the gaps of ministry in their absence.

 

Susu of Guinea

Thankful for God's Provision

K, one of the “Radicals” (short-term Brazilian missionaries), recently experienced a very bad asthma attack, and it was extremely difficult for her teammates to locate a generator in the village for her to plug in her nebulizer. Since then, through a special gift, a small generator has been purchased for them to use as needed. Pray that they will continue to see God’s hand of provision in their lives, and that He will guard their health. They are an hour’s drive off the road, and taxis are not always available. Pray that God will continue to meet their every need, and ask that they will be strong witnesses for Him in all circumstances.

Susu of Guinea

In Need of Comfort

A Susu Team member writes: “In May, I shared a praise about a young woman, the sister of a believer in the village, who was diagnosed with breast cancer but seemed to be greatly improved. We recently learned that her mother took her to visit a ‘marabout,’ sort of a Muslim practitioner of traditional medicine, and that while she was there, she passed away. Her brother was unaware that she had gone there, and was devastated to learn what happened. Pray for him to stand firm in his faith. Pray for comfort for him and his family. Ask God to use this as a way of drawing this family to Himself. Also, another believer, a relative of this brother who lost his sister, is mourning the death of his 3-year-old son. This man has not been very strong in his faith lately. Pray that God will be a very real presence in his life as he deals with his grief. Pray that through this, God will draw him back to Himself.”

Susu of Guinea

Willing to Help

A new village chief, Mr. K, has said that he would like to work with Jerry and Carol Robertson in hearing Bible stories and helping to get the language written down correctly. Please pray that God will call many people to listen to the stories, believe, and become discipled, and that the Lord will plant his church there. Pray that the six believers there be strengthened and encouraged in this work and be able to help lead in it.

Senufo, Nafana of Cote d'Ivoire

The Challenge of Interruptions

Mr. A is the chief of a village in Ghana, just over the border from Cote d’Ivoire. Jerry Robertson and fellow believers O and K have been telling the stories in this village, but often the people call and cancel the lessons because of long funeral celebrations and other activities. Pray that many people who have never heard before will be convicted to listen to the Bible stories and will come to know the Lord and serve him, including Mr. A.

 

Senufo, Nafana of Ghana

Wanting to Hear Stories

The Nafana Team reports, "You have prayed that the people of Kanguele would respond to us, and they did. They asked us to come and tell the Bible stories. We have started a group with one family there. One of the two or three chiefs there has also said they would like to hear the stories, but they are only available to listen on certain days. Please pray for God to call many to seek him and listen to the stories, and that we will find the best time for many to be able to hear. Pray that many will be reached with the Gospel and that the kingdom work will expand in this area."

Senufo, Nafana of Cote d'Ivoire

Making Progress

Mike and Heather McAfee write, “Continue to pray for us in our language learning. We are telling Bible Stories now in French and can give our testimony, but deciphering what a stranger says to us is still very difficult as are other unfamiliar tasks. We are working on honing in those skills. Our work here in this large city will require a high level of competency in French.”

Mossi of Cote d'Ivoire

Expert Advice

Mike and Heather McAfee write, "Please pray for us as we begin to survey our city with the help of an experienced missionary so that we can see how to better reach city dwellers. We will be looking at the different people groups that live in Abidjan and developing effective strategies to reach them with the love of Christ."

Mossi of Cote d'Ivoire

Discipleship

The Mossi Team is thanking God for a small group of believers that Mike McAfee has been discipling. These believers are very eager and willing to learn and are inviting friends to the group. They have even been faithful to share the stories they have learned from week to week with others. Mike has taught them what the Bible says about church, sharing their faith, baptism and other things. He is now starting to story through the Bible so that they can get a better view of God’s loving plan from mankind from the beginning.

Mossi of Cote d'Ivoire

The "Wordless Ball"

Almost all Ghanaian young men love to play soccer and are often found around a soccer field. A student pastor has been spending a lot of time with young Muslim men playing soccer, using a ball called the “wordless ball” which is a very simple but effective evangelism tool. Some soccer games take place on the campus of the School of Theology in Ministry. At halftime and after the game, this young student pastor witnesses to young men who have followed Islam all their lives. Pray that God will affirm His truths as they are shared by this student pastor. Ask the Lord to draw these young Muslim men to Himself.

Multiple People Groups of Ghana

Ministering to the Masses

Pray for IMB missionaries as they seek effective ways to reach the people in West Africa’s large urban centers. Many people from rural areas in West Africa flock to the cities in order to find jobs. Often there are thousands of people who are from the same country, but from northern areas. The Tampulma, Dagomba, Frafra, Kusaasi, Fulani, Kasina, Konkomba, Bimoba, Busanga and Mamprusi are some of the northern people groups who are in Ghana’s urban centers. Pray that these people will seek and find Jesus instead of earthly treasures.

Multiple People Groups of Ghana

Another New Believer!

Praise the Father for a new Western Niger Fulani believer in Dutuel, a town about an hour and a half from the capital city of Niamey. Pray for this believer to be strong in his faith. There are a few other believers around him but very few. Pray for courage in the face of persecution and trials. Pray for his faith to grow as he puts his complete trust in the Savior. http://prayforniger.blogspot.com

Western Fulani of Niger

A Useful Ministry Tool

One very useful tool in ministry among the Western Niger Fulani has been radio broadcasts. Fulani are able to hear the audio version of the “JESUS” film, testimonies of Christian Fulani, Christian songs in Fulfulde as well as sermons from a Western Niger Fulani pastor. These broadcasts go where there is no other Christian witness. Recently there have been technical difficulties with the station that transmits these programs. Pray for needed repairs to be made to the tower for the station. Pray for the continued witness of the programs and for the ears and hearts of the Fulani that will hear them. http://prayforniger.blogspot.com

Western Fulani of Niger

An Island Adventure

Nick and Cheryl Clinton will arrive in July to work among the Western Niger Fulani. They will begin their adventure among a group of Fulani located on an island in the Niger River in the city of Niamey. Pray for Nick and Cheryl as they adjust to the language and culture of the Fulani as well as the harsh conditions of a very poor country. Pray for the Fulani living around them that they would be drawn to the Savior as a result of relationships that are made with the Clintons. http://prayforniger.blogspot.com

Western Fulani of Niger

Ready to Hear the Gospel

Pastor J is not Senufo Supyire himself, but clearly has a desire to see the Supyire reached with the gospel of Christ. He shared that he believes now is the time for salvation among the Supyire. He believes that the Supyire people are open and ready to hear the gospel. This is an exciting and challenging task. New missionaries will soon be moving into a Supyire village and need to spend much of their time in concentrated language learning, but also want to be wise in their immediate role of evangelism and discipleship. There are some Scripture portions recorded in Supyire, and the West Africa OneStory Team plans to finish recording Bible stories in Supyire in the next couple of months. Pray that all involved in sharing the gospel with these precious people whom God loves will have wisdom and will be faithful in telling the Good News so that all Supyire people may accept Christ’s free gift of salvation!

Senufo, Supyire of Mali

A Great Need for Discipleship

During a recent visit with the pastor of one of the larger churches in the Senufo Supyire region, newly arrived missionaries learned that there are several small groups of believers scattered throughout the area villages. These believers have not yet been discipled and do not have a fellowship of believers with whom to worship. The pastor, J, shared that he has been meeting with a few of the groups, but is unable to visit them all. Please pray for wisdom and guidance for J, members of his church, and the missionaries as they seek to ensure that these Supyire believers are discipled and begin to meet together for worship and fellowship.

Senufo, Supyire of Mali

Adjusting to Change

Your missionaries on the Tuareg Team are going through many transitions. Pray for them during these transitions. Pray also for more missionaries to join the Tuareg Team. Ask for those whom God is leading in this direction to be obedient to Him despite the hardships of working with these remote and transient people. amaniman738@yahoo.com

 

Tuareg of Niger

Spreading the Word as They Go

Due to high unemployment rates, many Tuareg move to neighboring countries to find work. Goods and people often follow traditional trade routes. News also travels along these routes. Pray that the gospel will spread through this avenue. amaniman738@yahoo.com

Tuareg of Niger

A Desire to Reach Their Own People

Continue to pray for Tuareg believers. They have a heart for reaching their own people. Pray for them to have the wisdom and resources needed to reach others. Pray for them to have boldness. amaniman738@yahoo.com

 

Tuareg of Niger

Sharing the Joy of Salvation

“Then he said, ‘The God of our fathers has appointed you to know His will, to see the Righteous One, and to hear the sound of His voice’” (Acts 22:14, HCSB). Monica from the OneStory Senufo Supyire Team shares: “As we lead a chronological Bible storying group within our family and our village, we are praying that God will call out and bring people to hear and understand His Word. Join us in praying that the Lord will continue to place in their hearts a desire to know Him. As our African brother’s heart radiates with the joy of his salvation, pray that he will proclaim the Lord’s praises to everyone around him. Pray that the other villagers will see that light and desire its radiance in their own lives. Pray that more of our brother’s family members will come to have a personal relationship with the Lord.”

Senufo, Supyire of Mali

Choosing a Different Road

The OneStory Senufo Supyire Team writes: “After a 20-minute walk in 100-plus degree temperatures to a small pool of brown water that the cows drink from, our village brother stood in front of his Muslim family. Since he had told his father that he had chosen a different road, his father did not come to witness his baptism. But the knowledge of where this other road leads and the joy that it brings led our brother to take this new road, the ‘Jesus Road,’ which he knows will lead to eternal life with God. After singing praises until reaching the creek, a testimony was given about how Jesus has the power to change lives. Our brother then boldly told the story of Philip and the African man. After finishing the story, he said, ‘I believe that Jesus is God’s Son. Now I am this African man. I will be baptized, like him.’ Standing knee deep in the small pool of brown water, our village brother was then immersed in the water. Praise God! We sang a song: ‘Jesus Came to Save Lives.’ Join us in thanking Jesus for saving the life of our African brother.”

Senufo, Supyire of Mali

Preparing for the Future

The OneStory Kita Malinke (Maninka) Team asks: “Please pray for S, our story crafter’s son who has gone to Spain. Ask the Lord to grant S safety and provisions for his everyday needs. This young man is a believer and is trying hard to earn money so he can return to Mali and get married.”

Maninka of Mali

From 2 to 34!

Amanda gives this update from the OneStory Kita Malinke (Maninka) Team: “Our work is going very well. Give thanks that we have recorded 34 stories! This is a huge answered prayer considering the fact that we only had two stories recorded in January. God has blessed our work despite many, many obstacles along the way. Thank you for praying!”

 

Maninka of Mali

Seeking Approval

OneStory Senufo Supyire Team member Kyrstal reports: “We recently submitted our entire story set to our consultant. Pray that our consultant will have the time needed to do a complete review of our set and approve our work. Also pray that we will be able to spend less time on our computers and more time with the Senufo people.”

 

Senufo, Supyire of Mali

Coming Back to Serve

Pray for Reaiah and Kacy on the OneStory Malinke (Maninka) Team who have been in the United States for the past two months and are now back in Mali for another two years. Intercede for them as they renew relationships and build new ones. Pray that as they share God’s Word with the Malinke people, the stories will spread until all have heard.

Maninka of Mali

Determined to Remain Faithful

“MY was one of our first contacts to commit his life to Christ,” writes the Hausa Team. “Though he lost his job and was beaten by people in the community where he continues to live, he continued to assure us that he was not going back to Islam. After many months of frustration and broken commitments in trying to encourage him in his spiritual growth, we have begun to see MY take the initiative to meet and be discipled. Pray for him as he struggles to find work to provide for his young family. Having only had Arabic school as a child, he has not learned to read well, so discipling is basically through oral communications. Pray that he and other Muslim-background believers will grow spiritually. Pray that secret believers like MY will be exposed to other believers for fellowship and that they will begin to share with their families. Pray that they will become strong in their faith and be willing to take a stand.”

Hausa of West Africa

Committed to Reaching the Hausa

“Praise God for answered prayer! Salama Baptist Church responded positively to their pastor’s proposal by adopting the Hausa people group and agreeing to partner with the Hausa Team in reaching those in the urban areas of our city. Pray for wisdom and clear direction in providing effective training, helping with strategy, and giving encouragement as we work together.”

Hausa of West Africa

Experiencing Opposition

Last month the Hausa Team asked you to pray about two investigative Bible studies that had begun or were about to begin. Give thanks to God that the second one has been started without opposition. Continue to pray for each of the four men who have committed to meet together weekly to investigate what the Bible has to say. The week after the first group of nine men met for their first study, the landlord of the shopkeeper happened to be in the shop when an IMB missionary stopped by and was very hostile. He informed the shopkeeper that he wanted him to vacate the premises and then went to the police. The shopkeeper was able to plead his case and has been able to stay in the shop; however, for now, the Bible study has been put on hold. Pray for tensions to ease, and petition for protection for the shopkeeper. The team leader was encouraged when H, the shopkeeper, called and arranged to meet him at a neutral place. Pray that fear will not prevent the nine from seeking the truth. Pray also that things will calm down and that the men will be willing to continue the study even if it means changing the meeting place.

 

Hausa of West Africa

Interested in the Word

The Hausa Team writes: “One of our missionaries recently shared stories from the Gospel of John with several different groups of interested men. They all asked for their own personal copies of the Gospel of John. The Word of the Lord is going out to the Hausa. Please pray that the Lord will pierce their hearts with the truth of His Gospel.”

Hausa of West Africa

Sick and Grieving Families

Hausa Team members report: “We have been surrounded by so many illnesses and deaths over the past few weeks here. The rainy season is upon us, and there are many illnesses coming upon the missionaries as well as the local people. Please pray that we will have opportunities to be faithful witnesses as we pray for the sick and for the grieving families. Ask the Lord to give us the words to share of His love.”

Hausa of West Africa

Learning About the Ultimate Sacrifice

A member of the Hausa Team shares: “Recently, when I was sharing the story of Jesus facing temptation in the desert, I talked about how we often face similar temptations. I talked about how in the Old Testament people had to kill a sheep as a sacrifice for sins. My Hausa friends laughed and said there would not be any sheep alive if we had to kill a sheep every time we sinned. The Lord is truly working in their hearts to help them to see their need to accept the Ultimate Sacrifice. Please pray that they will be willing to accept the Truth.”

 

Hausa of West Africa

Searching for a Better Life

In the last 20 years or so, more and more Beng teens have opted to leave village life behind (along with its poverty, sickness, and hopelessness) and head to the city in search of more lucrative work and the promise of a better life. Pray for these Beng young people. Pray that, in the city, they would have the opportunity to hear about Jesus and would give their hearts to Him. Pray that they would then have the courage and passion to share their faith with friends and family in their home villages.

Unengaged of Cote d'Ivoire

Second Wave of "Hands On" in Sight

There are 18 new Hands On missionaries scheduled to arrive in West Africa on August 7. Please pray for each of them as they make their preparations and for field supervisors as they prepare as well. Ask the Lord to begin even now to open the hearts of the people in the various locations where these new missionaries will minister during the fall semester. http://www.hands-on-africa.com/

 

Multiple People Groups of West Africa

First Wave of "Hands On"

The Hands On West Africa coordinators report, “At the end of May, all of the HandsOn missionaries finished their term of service and returned to the United States. We had a wonderful time of debriefing and celebrating all the different ways the Lord used them during their term. Over and over again they expressed, “It was hard, but it was definitely worth it.” Please pray for the relationships that they started in West Africa, and pray that those doors will remain open for the field missionaries to continue with the new work. Also pray that as the Hands On missionaries return to the United States, they will have a smooth transition and many opportunities to share about the work of the Lord in West Africa.” http://www.hands-on-africa.com/

Multiple People Groups of West Africa

Divine Appointments

The Lord gave a missionary a divine appointment in Northern Ghana. This missionary shared the “Creation to the Cross” story with a young Muslim man, and later gave this youth a Bible. When the missionary met him again a few days later, the young man had already read John’s Gospel and several other books in the Bible. The following week the young man found a believer in the area where he lived, and from that appointment he found Jesus. Pray for this Muslim background believer and others like him who are new in the faith. Ask the Lord to send someone to disciple them so that they will be strong in Him and bring others to a saving faith in Jesus.

 

Multiple People Groups of Ghana

Summer Outreach

Earlier this summer many students from seminaries and pastors’ schools across West Africa finished their exams and headed home. Some are now involved in special outreach projects of evangelism, discipleship and church planting during their long break before next semester’s work begins. Pray for these students as they go, asking God to provide for each spiritual, physical and emotional need as they serve Him and share His Word. Ask the Lord to go before them and prepare hearts to receive His message of salvation.

Multiple People Groups of West Africa

Sharpening Skills

Please pray for the annual general meeting that will take place in July. This event brings together all IMB missionaries working in West Africa for a time of encouragement, fellowship, prayer and training to sharpen and increase their skills. Please pray for these missionaries and their families as they travel to and from the meeting. Also pray for the team of volunteers that is coming to lead the children and youth while the adults have their meetings. Ask the Holy Spirit to guide the volunteers in their preparations. Also pray that the Holy Spirit will guide the speaker who will lead the adults in Bible study. Pray that all these missionaries will be lifted up and encouraged in their work and personal lives through this strategic event.

Missionaries of West Africa

Sports Camp for Songhai Children

A volunteer team from Tennessee provided a sports camp for the children of Dargol in June. Each day there were soccer drills aimed at improving the children's skill. This was followed by a Bible study and then a rousing game of soccer. The kids enjoyed all parts of the camp and the crowd grew each day. Give thanks that so many children heard and understood the love of Jesus. Thank the Lord for the way in which He worked among the young team members from the United States. It was a joy to see their faith mature. Ask God to bring many to His Kingdom as a result of this sports camp.

Songhai of Niger

On The Move

Steve Robertson, team leader of the West Africa Facilitation Team, writes, “Jesus commands us to go, and we are experiencing a lot of movement on the Financial Facilitation team. At various times between June 2008 and January 2010, the four financial facilitators for West Africa will be in the USA for stateside assignment. We praise God that Dan and Allison Foreman have responded to an International Service Corps job request to come to Dakar, Senegal to assist us. Pray for them as they begin French language study and then move into their ministry responsibilities. Pray for our Financial Facilitation team as we juggle duties and work together during this transitional time.”
 

Missionaries of West Africa

A Critical Time

The summer months are a critical time for rain in West Africa. Rains are needed if the crops are to succeed and the grasslands flourish for the herds. Lives and livelihoods depend on these rains. Missionaries in West Africa are reporting that the food supply from last year’s harvest is depleted in many areas, yet the new harvest won’t take place for several more months. Pray that the nutritional needs of the local people will be met and that they will have the physical strength needed to spend long days in the fields cultivating crops such as corn, millet, peanuts and cotton. Ask the Lord of the Harvest to send both physical rain and Living Water to this dry and thirsty land.
 

Multiple People Groups of West Africa

Accepting the Challenge

Hundreds of West Africa's smaller unreached people groups will never have full-time missionaries working among them. In the past two years, more than thirty churches in the USA and around the world have accepted the challenge of taking the Gospel to some of these people groups in West Africa that may otherwise never hear. During the West Africa Summit in April 2008, additional churches made a commitment to engage a specific unreached people group. Please intercede for these “Engaging Churches” as they plan vision trips for on-site visits and take the first steps in engaging their adopted people group. Other churches are still seeking God’s guidance as they explore ministry opportunities in West Africa. Pray that these churches will recognize and follow God’s direction. Ask the Lord to call out more churches to labor in areas of West Africa that are still untouched by the Gospel.
 

Multiple People Groups of West Africa

Planters and Sowers

“Each has the role the Lord has given. . .So then neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth” (1 Corinthians 3:5b, 7, HCSB). A missionary in West Africa recently confided, “One afternoon I was really struggling with not seeing lives changed or a church started in the area where I lived. . . . Most people here have no idea who Jesus is, so I guess that makes me a planter. Time was coming to an end and there was nothing I could check off a list. If someone handed me a card to record the number of decisions, I wouldn't have much to write down. People who water get to see the growth take place, and I was a little jealous. Within minutes of this mental battle that was quietly taking place, I read some verses in the third chapter of 1 Corinthians. I then realized that I am so blessed to have been a part of introducing people to Jesus for the first time, and getting to know Him more all the while.” Please intercede for missionaries in West Africa who labor faithfully and diligently in difficult areas, but are not yet seeing results. Ask the Lord to give these servants strength, perseverance, and faith to believe that the spiritual harvest will come in His perfect time.
 

Multiple People Groups of West Africa

Offering Help for Physical and Spiritual Health

Pray for a team coming from Kentucky this month to offer medical clinics in a small village along the river valley. Pray that the five team members will have a safe trip and many opportunities to share verbally of the great love they will be demonstrating.

Fulbe Futa Toro of Senegal

Powerful Messages

In one area, the Righteous Way broadcasts were able to go to a digital format. This will help alleviate some of the problems with quality and overheating of the older audio cassette equipment. With this improvement, the series started once again at the Creation. Pray a new group of listeners will be drawn to these powerful messages. In another town, there are unresolved issues that have temporarily halted the broadcast. Whatever the reason, pray these issues can be worked out for the glory of the Father and those who have expressed so much interest in the broadcast will make their wishes known to the management. Pray for the one believer who works at the station that his job will remain secure. Pray for his testimony and his integrity before the people

Fulbe Futa Toro of Senegal

Facing the Unknown with Faith

H is praying about her move to the West African village where her husband works. Her husband knows she is a believer, but she does not think the others in the house do (the other wives, the mother-in-law, sisters and brothers and cousins, etc.). H is praying that there will be peace in the household and that she will be at peace with them all. She is also asking the Lord to provide opportunities for her to meet other believers who are in that town. H has the name of one of these believers; join her in praying that she will be able to contact this person. Pray specifically for H’s daughter, R, who is about 10 years of age. She has expressed belief in Jesus, but her grandmother is pressuring her to follow Islamic traditions, which the girl does not want to do. This child has been threatened with punishment if she does not comply with the grandmother’s wishes. Ask the Lord to give H wisdom to know how to help her daughter learn how to handle this pressure. Pray that R will be allowed to move with H when she goes to her husband’s home. It would be very difficult for R to have to stay behind. http://btw.imb.org/

Fulbe Futa Toro of Senegal

Welcoming a New Teacher

The Futa Toro Team writes: “Pray for K, a volunteer who will be teaching Don and Jana’s children for the next two months. Pray that they will bond quickly and have a good rapport in and out of the classroom. Pray for Don and Jana as they use this time in more intensive language study. Rejoice with us that the Father has answered our prayers and is sending K to help with the schooling.”

 

Fulbe Futa Toro of Senegal

English as a Bridge

Pray for two volunteers, C and C, who will be spending their summer in the river valley teaching English. They are both educators in Colorado and want to give their summer vacation time in ministry here, using English as a bridge to share the gospel. C and C came last year on a “vision trip,” and God has given them a desire to return. Pray that many doors will be open to them. Pray that the Great Physician will protect them with good health while they are here. Ask that hearts of the Futa Toro Fulani will be open and that the Spirit will move in extraordinary ways as these volunteers share their lives and testimonies.

Fulbe Futa Toro of Senegal

The Ultimate Choice

B is an elder in a Jola village who is willing to hear “The Way of Righteousness” tapes. He was never interested in hearing about Jesus until Lee Kauffman started sharing Bible stories on tape with him. B’s health is starting to fail, so pray that he will continue to have the opportunity to listen to more of “The Way of Righteousness” tapes and will accept Jesus as his Savior. http://btw.imb.org/

Jola-Fonyi of Senegal

Pray for Open Door in "Village D"

Pray for God to open the door for the Jola team to share the story of Jesus in the "Village D."  Pray that N and her household will continue in their decision to host the meetings. Pray that those who hear the story will believe and accept Jesus. http://www.jola-fonyi.org/

 

Jola-Fonyi of Senegal

An Important Thursday Appointment

Pray for P and his family and friends that are listening to and discussing “The Way of Righteousness” cassette tapes with Burt Schmitz on Thursday afternoons. Pray that they will be drawn to following Jesus, “The Way of Righteousness.” http://www.jola-fonyi.org/

Jola-Fonyi of Senegal

Still Clinging to Tradition

Continue to pray that N will listen to the story of Jesus and desire a personal relationship with Him. Pray that she will become tired of the rituals that are part of her religion, and seek the hope that can only be found through Jesus. Pray that her husband, M, will be faithful in living out the Gospel before her.  http://www.jola-fonyi.org/

Jola-Fonyi of Senegal

Moving from a Heritage to an Inheritance

To be Jahanka is to be Muslim. For hundreds of years, the Jahanka of West Africa have believed and lived out this saying. Many of them are respected Muslim leaders who are proud of their heritage. Pray that they will respond to the gospel and experience the fullness of an inheritance in Christ. http://www.jahanka.org/

Jahanka of Senegal

First to Hear

Imagine being one of the first people in your village to hear the full story of Christ’s death, burial and resurrection. This will become a reality for a group of Jahanka women in village S this month. Pray that these women will recognize that what they hear is God’s truth and that they will have the courage to begin following the “Jesus Road.” http://www.jahanka.org/

 

Jahanka of Senegal

Learning to Trust

Among the Jahanka in West Africa, people are worried. During the last two years, their area has not received enough rain; consequently, their crops have been poor and many have suffered from hunger. This year the rainy season is starting late. One woman told an IMB missionary, “We must start planting as soon as the rains begin.” The missionary reminded her that Jesus said not to worry, but to pray. Please pray that the Jahanka will have a good rainy season and a good harvest. Pray also that they will begin to realize how much God cares for them and come to know the One who said, “Do not worry....” http://www.jahanka.org/

 

Jahanka of Senegal

Seeing a Challenge as an Opportunity

SD, a Mandinka pastor in West Africa, recently gave a challenge for more focus on evangelizing and ministering to youth. The reality is that when youth accept Christ, they may be kicked out of their homes. The pastor said that he and his wife are expecting three more children to come and stay with them because they are in a bad situation or their family has disowned them. He sees this as an opportunity to rear children in a Christian home. Pray that Mandinka believers would be willing to reach out to seekers and believers who are under persecution. http://btw.imb.org/

Mandinka of Senegal

A Thirsty People

This is the end of the dry season for 2008. Humidity is rising, but for several months, many wells have been dry. Women walk long distances in search of suitable drinking water. Jesus told the Samaritan woman about living water. She asked where a person could get this living water. The Mandinka people are thirsty, but many don’t know what they are thirsty for. Pray for the Mandinka people to have an encounter with the Living Water. http://www.mandinkapeople.com/

Mandinka of Senegal

Summer Break

“O God, from my youth you have taught me, and I still proclaim your wondrous deeds” (Psalm 71:17, ESV). During the summer vacation, many Mandinka children will have the opportunity to travel to visit relatives. Some may even go to the capital city or to another West African country. Please pray that the children who have an opportunity to travel will come in contact with a believer. Pray that Mandinka youth will be open to the Truth. http://www.mandinkapeople.com/

Mandinka of Senegal

All Night Meetings

During the spring and early summer, many Mandinka villages are busy planning for a one- to two-day event that includes an all-night reading of the Quran. It is a fun time for most people in the village because there are many visitors, lots of food, and traveling vendors who bring many items for sale. Often a highly respected religious person comes to pray and teach. Many of the people will give this person money as if they are giving a sacrifice to God. Taking time away from work to go to these events is also seen as part of the sacrifice. Please pray for the Mandinka people to realize that these sacrifices are in vain and that they will receive salvation through Christ alone. http://www.mandinkapeople.com/

Mandinka of Senegal

Struggling to Speak

In July 2007, you were asked to pray for three men who professed that they were following the “Jesus Way.” One of these men had suffered a stroke, and he has been unable to speak for two years, although he has been able to communicate nonverbally. Last month, Susu Team member Paulo decided to try a little speech therapy with him, and he was able to say slowly approximately 10 words, including his name, Jesus, and God the Father. He and those around him were greatly encouraged by what he was able to accomplish. Pray that God will continue to work in him and that his speech will be restored to him. Ask God to call out someone trained in speech therapy who can help him in this process. Pray that someday soon, he will be able to share a verbal witness of what God has done in his life.

 

Susu of Guinea

Remember the Children

Beng children grow up quickly. They are given chores and family responsibilities from a very young age. Though some go to school, others must stay home because their families can’t afford it or because they are needed to help farm the family land. Pray for these Beng children. Pray that God will meet them where they are and reveal Himself to them, and that they will come to know Him in a real and personal way.

Unengaged of Cote d'Ivoire

Help for Non-Readers

“We covet your prayers for Becky Couts and fellow missionary Barbara Singerman as they work to prepare a literacy book for the Weme churches,” writes the Weme Team. “It is vitally important that the Weme believers learn to read the Bible, so that they might grow in their faith and be truly grounded in the Word of God, protected from the false and deceptive doctrines and philosophies so prevalent in our world today. In a population where the adult literacy rate is less than 30 percent, very few of our Weme churches have adults who can read and write. We hope to place a literacy primer in their hands that will quickly help them to learn to read and also introduce them to the Bible.”

Weme of Benin

The Pressure is On!

Please pray for the OneStory Senufo Syenara Team, as scheduling has changed and their project deadline has been moved up to August. Pray for their story-crafter and the limited time with him as these OneStory team members try to complete 21 stories before the middle of August.

 

Senufo, Syenara of Mali

OneStory: An Adventure of a Lifetime

Missionary Judy Miller, the West Africa OneStory Team leader, writes: “Currently there are 12 job requests for OneStory West Africa. Join me in asking the Lord of the harvest to send workers to help us in West Africa! Millions will go to sleep tonight without ever having the opportunity of hearing the truth of God’s love. More still don’t have access to the gospel in a form that they can understand. OneStory is dedicated to bring the ‘meat’ of the gospel in a story form to those who best learn in an oral tradition that is familiar to them. Ask the Lord to send us His servants who will be able to accept a difficult assignment and complete it with joy. Pray that obedient Christians in the United States will stand and answer the call that will be an adventure of a lifetime: OneStory West Africa.”

 

Multiple People Groups of West Africa

Scattering Gospel Seeds

In Niger, the months of June, July, August and part of September make up the rainy season. This is the season when Western Niger Fulani will prepare their fields, scatter millet seeds, and pray to Allah for a good harvest. As the Western Niger Fulani scatter seeds, pray for the seeds of the gospel to be sown in their hearts. Pray for them to hear a Christian radio program in their language. Pray for them to come in contact with a Fulani believer. Pray for them to see the “JESUS” film, which has been shown on national television stations. Pray for them to have dreams and visions. As the seeds of the gospel are scattered, pray for an abundant harvest of Fulani who call on the name of Jesus as Savior. http://prayforniger.blogspot.com

Western Fulani of Niger

Meet ing the Neighbors

The Mossi Team of Cote d’Ivoire asks, “Pray for us as we begin to evaluate the extent of evangelism in our city and make plans for how to reach the lost. Pray that we will clearly see how and where to begin to undertake this great task.” mhmcafee95@yahoo.com

Mossi of Cote d'Ivoire

Speak Slowly, Please!

Mike and Heather McAfee report, “We are continuing to learn more French. Thank you so much for your prayers on our behalf. We are still use chronological Bible storying with a few groups of patient people. Pray that we will continue to improve in our language skills.” mhmcafee95@yahoo.com

 

Mossi of Cote d'Ivoire

Death Opens a Door

The Mossi Team writes, “Death has taken a young Mossi woman in our neighborhood with whom we had been sharing chronological Bible stories. We believe that 'A' accepted the Lord prior to her death, but her entire family is Muslim. Because the Lord allowed us to minister to 'A' in her last days, there may be an opening for us to begin to share Bible stories with her family that is grateful for our support and encouragement during her illness. Ask the Lord to touch the hearts of these family members so that they will seek after Jesus as 'A' did. Pray also that her two-year-old daughter will be raised in the admonition of the Lord as her mother would have wanted.” mhmcafee95@yahoo.com

 

Mossi of Cote d'Ivoire

Putting Training into Practice

The Fulbe Team reports: “R, a volunteer from Alabama, recently came to Nigeria for two weeks and helped teach during a three-day Fulani leadership conference (the Fulbe are a subgroup of the Fulani). On the last day, the participants committed to pray daily for five people whom they want to see come to Christ and to actively share a witness with five different people during the next month. We also had the blessing of baptizing two new believers. Please continue to intercede for the Fulani believers as they seek to be actively praying for and witnessing to their own people in five different villages during the coming weeks. Pray for the Holy Spirit’s guidance in all their efforts. Ask God to break down walls and open doors as these Fulani Christians begin ministering in new villages. Our team now has an open door to return to several villages where we and R shared the ‘Creation to Christ’ presentation. R spent several days prayerwalking the streets of the city, sharing ‘Creation to Christ’ with those he met and giving Fulani cassettes to interested seekers. Pray for follow-up opportunities to share the gospel with these individuals. Also during this time, our Fulani team and two Nigerians, Y and D, helped teach the ‘Creation to Christ’ presentation in the two Hausa Baptist churches. Pray for boldness and the leadership of the Holy Spirit for these two Hausa churches as they share ‘Creation to Christ’ with the Fulani people and other Muslim people groups.”

Fulbe, Fulani of Nigeria

Ready to Witness

Ask God to call out and prepare those whom He desires to join the volunteer prayerwalk teams who are to come on June 28 through July 19. Ask God to provide the needed translators and to allow these team members many opportunities to share clearly their personal testimonies and the “Creation to Christ” story. Pray that God will choose the villages and set an open door for them to minister there. Pray that through them, our Lord will sow seeds, reap a harvest, and glorify Himself as He inspires and answers their prayers for the Kanuri people.

 

Manga Kanuri of Nigeria

A Dry and Thirsty Land

Many Jahanka live in areas that have not had a good rainy season for the last two years. They are suffering because their crops have not produced well and there is not enough water during the dry season. Pray that the rainy season this year will be a good one. Pray also that the people will have spiritual hunger and thirst and respond to the Good News. http://www.jahanka.org/

Jahanka of Senegal

Beginning a New Journey

Mike and Mary Lovett ask, “Please pray for us as we begin our journey with the Engagement Team of Nigeria. We are both excited about what God has in store for us. One of our major desires and prayers is to learn the Hausa language. We have both been out of school for quite some time, but we want so much to be able to communicate with the local people. As you intercede for us, pray that during our missionary orientation, we will keep our eyes on Jesus and remember that we can do nothing by ourselves. Pray that as we stay focused on the Lord, we will be able to adapt quickly to our new environment."

Multiple People Groups of Nigeria

Rookies on the Way

The Foreman family writes, “Please pray for us as we prepare to leave for Dakar, Senegal on July 11. Pray for a smooth transition and for wisdom as we begin to learn French, Wolof, and adjust to West African culture. One specific concern is that our young daughter has been sick several times during the last few months. Please pray that she will receive the official medical clearance necessary in order for our family to depart on schedule."

Wolof of Senegal

Beginnings in Bamako?

In May, you prayed for the start of new work in the city of Bamako. During that month, several of the Bambara team members began making intentional visits to the homes of people they knew. A few of these people have said that they would like to begin studying the Bible, but no Bible study groups have yet formed. Please continue to pray for the start of a church planting movement in Bamako. Pray that Bambara team members will have discernment to recognize where God is already at work among the Bambara. http://www.gobambara.org/

Bambara of Mali

Hungry and Hopeless

Last year some areas in Mali received sufficient rain to produce enough crops for their inhabitants to eat. However, other areas did not get enough rain, and now the food supply is extremely low. The people in these areas will not have more food until the harvest of this year’s crop arrives later in the fall. Ask the Lord to guide Bambara Team members and volunteers in knowing how best to respond to this growing need. Pray that God will be merciful to the Bambara people this year and shower them with the right amount of rain to grow the crops they need. Pray that God will be glorified in ways that will draw the Bambara to the hope they can have in Him. http://www.gobambara.org/

 

Bambara of Mali

Back to "Village K"

It has been three months since a team from a church in Arkansas made a trip to their adopted village, village K. The next team will be ministering among the Bambara in village K July 7-17. Last year you prayed for the salvation of the elderly village chief. This month ask the Lord to give this chief the courage to follow what he has already said is the Truth. Pray that the believers in this village will be challenged to share their faith with non-believers in their own village as well as in surrounding villages. July is planting season. Pray that those who hear the teachings from the team will have the energy to stay awake after a long day in the fields. http://www.gobambara.org/

Bambara of Mali

Essential Support Behind-the-Scenes

The West Africa Financial Facilitation Team members often work behind-the-scenes as they deal with many essential financial details. They ensure that funds are available when needed, help missionaries in accounting for the funds that they use, and encourage mutual accountability among missionaries, teams, and leadership. The Financial Facilitation Team is in the process of developing a new orientation package that will help train missionary personnel in maintaining and handling ministry funds as well as personal funds on the field. Pray that this training tool will be completed quickly and provide practical solutions to many of the financial issues that missionaries encounter. Ask the Lord to give wisdom to this team of five financial facilitators as they provide support and guidance in helping missionaries use monetary funds strategically and efficiently.

Missionaries of West Africa

Coming and Going

Steve Robertson, team leader of the West Africa Financial Facilitator Team writes, “Jesus commands us to go, and we are experiencing a lot of movement on the Financial Facilitation team. At various times between June 2008 and January 2010, the four financial facilitators for West Africa will be in the United States for stateside assignment. We praise God that Dan and Allison Foreman have responded to an International Service Corps request to come to Dakar, Senegal to assist us during this time. Pray for the Foremans as they begin French language study and move into their ministry responsibilities. Please intercede for our Financial Facilitation team as we juggle duties and work together as a team during this transitional time.”

Missionaries of Senegal

Heating Up!

The hot season has arrived in many parts of West Africa. In several areas, daily temperatures climb to 110-120 degrees! One missionary reported that the thick soles of his son’s sturdy leather sandals fell off because the glue had melted. Since the sand was scorching hot, the father had to carry his son approximately three blocks to their house. Missionaries from another area write: “As the temperatures continue to get hotter and hotter here, the people get less sleep at night. Out in the villages they do not have the conveniences of fans, much less an air conditioner. They pull their beds outside at night in hopes of a light breeze that will comfort them enough to help them sleep. Because of the lack of sleep at night, the people are tired during the day. Knowing this, it is an awesome encouragement to see some of the local people coming out to study God’s Word during times when most other people are taking naps to make up for their lack of sleep at night.” During the next few weeks, please faithfully petition the Lord to give strength and endurance to people living in West Africa during the annual hot season. Pray that missionaries and local believers will be able to carry out their strategic ministries among unreached people in their area.

Multiple People Groups of West Africa

Volunteers in the Harvest Field

A missionary in West Africa recently shared, “How excited I was to greet the chief and have him ask about the recent volunteer teams that had visited. Each team that comes to the village makes an impact and plants a few more seeds.” This summer, many mission teams will travel from the United States to minister in West Africa. Pray that each team member will be faithful and obedient to accept every witnessing opportunity that God provides. Ask the Lord to prepare the hearts of the West Africans to receive the gospel message.

Multiple People Groups of West Africa

Bringing Families to Christ

“So they said, ‘Believe on the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved--you and your household.’ Then they spoke the message of the Lord to him along with everyone in his house” (Acts 16:31-32, HCSB). “Family” has many different connotations, depending on where you live. In a typical African greeting, you ask someone about their family, but this could include third and fourth cousins, co-wives, nephews living with you as sons, or grandchildren living with you as children. Families in West Africa also make decisions together. Important matters are talked over. Then the men of the family make the final decision, and the entire family is to follow that decision. This month as you intercede for the millions of West Africans who are not following the “Jesus Way,” pray specifically that men will have an opportunity to hear the gospel. Pray that men, especially heads of households, will make a decision to lead their families to know Jesus. Ask God to give those who accept Christ the courage, strength and faith they need to follow Him, even when the extended family persecutes and disowns them. Pray for entire families to come to know Jesus, like the families of the Philippian jailer and Cornelius.

Multiple People Groups of West Africa

"Sweet" Teaching

Thank you for faithfully praying for chronological Bible storying groups throughout West Africa. This method continues to be highly effective in presenting God’s Word in a way that is easily understood by West Africans. Recently several women who participate in a chronological Bible storying group assured the missionaries that they value each opportunity they have to hear God’s Word in their village. “This is a good teaching! It is sweet to our ears,” they affirmed. Ask God to give wisdom to group leaders as they prepare for each Bible storying session and choose stories that address key issues in the local culture. Since each Bible storying group can have different needs, each group leader must be sensitive to the guidance of the Holy Spirit. As you intercede for these group leaders, petition the Father to give them discernment, wisdom to walk through open doors, and courage to speak God’s truth in love. Please pray that God’s Word will penetrate the hearts of West Africans who hear His message in this oral form.

Multiple People Groups of West Africa

Reaching the Women

Pray for a women’s volunteer team that will be ministering to the women in the village June 26 -July 9. They will be sharing God’s Word through stories and testimonies. A small bag with a picture of a Bible story will be given to each woman who is able to retell the story that is illustrated on the bag. Pray for protection, boldness, health and safety for the team and openness for the women in the village.

Samogho, Western Duun of Mali

Extreme Village Evangelism

During late May, June and July, the Wala Team will host “Extreme Village Evangelism Teams.” These young men will go into Wala villages, seeking “persons of peace” (Luke 10:6) with whom they may stay and share the gospel. Please pray for these young men as they prepare to follow Jesus to the Wala people. Pray for the persons of peace whom God is already preparing. Ask God to send dreams and visions, and to prepare the hearts of the Wala people to hear the Good News.

Wala of Burkina Faso

The Impact of Volunteer Ministries

Thank you for praying for the volunteer teams that have come to minister to the Fulakunda. Because of your prayers, many villages and neighborhoods have been prayed for and God’s Word has been shared with them. One volunteer team was able to see God at work in the lives of four women who accepted Christ while the team was ministering among them. Pray for these new believers to grow in Christ and to remain firm in their faith. Intercede for the volunteer teams that will be coming in April, June and July to work among women and children. Pray that as the volunteers go into villages, God will provide “divine appointments” to share His Word and open the hearts of the villagers to accept the truth presented to them. Ask God to provide many opportunities for the missionaries to follow up and involve the local believers in this ministry.

Fulakunda of Senegal