Current Prayer Requests

Leaving the Nest

Missionaries serving among the Fulbe/Futa Jalon people of Guinea ask: “Please pray for our 15-year-old daughter as she goes off to boarding school for the first time on August 11. She will be joining her older brother, who was there for the spring semester. They will be leaving their youngest brother back in Guinea, which will surely be a lonelier place for him without either sibling around. Please pray that our family will see God’s bigger picture.”

Fulbe Fouta of Guinea

Widespread Seed Sowing

Missionaries serving among the Wolof write: “During three days of passing out DVDs, CDs and cassettes and one week of basketball camp, the volunteers from Florida and Massachusetts, members of the local Baptist church (almost exclusively Africans who have come to Senegal from other countries) and missionaries in Dakar, Senegal, brought God’s Word to more than 300 families. The enemy was working overtime, as many families refused prayer for themselves or their families! We praise God for showing us that He is at work in these neighborhoods where volunteers have shared for four years. The seed has been planted and is ready to grow, so of course we will see opposition! Please pray that those responsible for follow up will have discernment to see where God is already at work, that they will be sensitive to the opportunities that come their way because of this work, and that they will be diligent and faithful in following up with each person who desires to know more about God’s Truth. Pray that God will begin softening hearts even now to receive His Word.”

Wolof of Senegal

A Love/Hate Relationship

In Senegal, missionaries have a love-hate relationship with the rain. They love it because they know it is life for the people who live here, providing water for crops, bathing, drinking and every necessary part of life. They hate it because it means that many of the men will be working long hours in the fields, thus leaving little time for anything else. In one village, the men have said that because of the rainy season, they no longer have time to listen to Bible stories. The missionaries who are sharing with these men know that this is just an excuse, but must accept it. Please pray that these men will realize that God’s Word is the Bread of Life, just as important to them as tending to their fields. Ask God’s Spirit to speak to them so that they will thirst for the water that never runs dry. Pray that the missionaries will not get discouraged and will be willing to start again when the rainy season ends.

Wolof of Senegal

Going on an Expedition

Recently D, a Togolese missionary of another evangelical denomination, moved to the town where Travis, an IMB missionary, lives in Senegal. It has been a joy for Travis’ family to have another believer with whom to fellowship, and as they have gotten to know each other, the missionaries have decided to partner together in information-gathering: discovering where churches are located, where other Great Commission Christians have had work among the people, etc. This will help missionaries from the two denominations, and any others joining in the work of evangelization, to be able to draw up a strategy to see that every Sereer-Sine village has an opportunity to hear and respond to the gospel message. Please pray that God will guide their travels throughout the region so that the information they gather will be accurate. Much of the travel will be on unpaved roads in remote, hard-to-reach areas, especially at this time, as the rainy season began last month. Pray that God will keep Travis and D safe and healthy as they travel. Praise the Lord of the harvest, who leads His people of other nations and denominations to join in the work of bringing many to a saving knowledge of Himself!

Sereer Sine of Senegal

Coming to "Discover" the Sereer-Sine

“How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher? How will they preach unless they are sent? Just as it is written, ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news of good things!’” (Romans 10:13-15, NAS). Currently there is one IMB couple serving among the Sereer-Sine people--a monumental task, considering that the people group numbers more than 1 million. During the month of August, two pastors will be coming on a discovery trip to Sereer-Sine country: one from a church in Illinois, and one from Texas. Please pray that the Lord will open the eyes of these pastors to the lostness of the people and will give them a vision for how they can partner with the couple serving among them. Pray also for their home churches after these pastors return, asking that they will “catch the vision” and love for the people and will join in bringing the Good News to the Sereer-Sine.

Sereer Sine of Senegal

An Explosion of Growth

Where the Jahanka people of West Africa live, it looks like there are very few living plants--at least during the dry season. Within a few days of the first rains that herald the start of the rainy season, there is an explosion of green. Grass begins sprouting in places that had looked like fields of dust just a short time before. Pray for the Jahanka people, asking that they will respond to Christ just as the grass here responds to the rain. http://www.jahanka.org/

 

Jahanka of Senegal

Wanting to Learn More

“If you can’t come back, send someone else to teach us more.” These were the words heard by IMB personnel in the Jahanka village of “Bates” as they were preparing to leave for several months of stateside assignment. These Jahanka Team members had been leading two Bible story outreach groups there. Pray that the Bible stories will take root in the hearts of the people of “Bates” and that they will follow the “Good Teacher.” http://www.jahanka.org/

 

Jahanka of Senegal

Fruit from their Labors

The Lebou Team gives thanks for the lives that were touched during their summer program for college students. Many lived in homes among the Lebou. The students were to live out their faith each and every day, praying and reading the Bible with their host families. Please lift up each host family and their friends who witnessed God in the hearts of these young people. May they come to know Jesus as their Savior and be faithful to share that joy with others.

Lebou of Senegal

The Dangers of Rainy Season

As the Lebou Team begins to see the first rains, they are reminded that now is the time to pray for the health of the people. Many will contract malaria in the coming months. Intercede for opportunities for team members to pray with the Lebou, especially prayers for healing of their bodies. This is a manner in which God so often shows His power. Ask for protection for each village, especially lifting up believers to claim power from above as they lay their hands upon those around them, praying in the name of Jesus. Many will die. Please intercede that before death comes, they will hear the name of Jesus proclaimed and accept Him as their personal Savior.

Lebou of Senegal

Growing and Maturing

The Lebou Team covets your intercession for new believers as they continue to mature in their faith. May they be challenged to grow and be bold in sharing with those around them.

Lebou of Senegal

Hidden Concerns

A Fulakunda Team member shares: “Fulakunda women talk freely and like to share whatever they are told. However, I have realized that these women have things going on in their hearts, minds and souls that they will not talk about in a group. They laugh and tease, but deep down they want consolation, encouragement and prayer. As I recently walked home with a Fulakunda woman, she shared her heart with me. Pain weaved through her confession as she told of dealing with her husband, who had not communicated with her in two years and then suddenly announced that he was considering rejoining her and becoming the male figure for the family. She has not been able to bear children for him. She asked me to pray. Days have passed since then, and she asked if I have been praying for her. Her heart contains more pain then she lets on. Pray for this Fulakunda woman and many others just like her. Intercede for them to understand that they can be rescued from the condemning weight of sin they cannot erase. Pray that they will come to know Jesus personally and have a relationship with Him. Lift up missionaries who minister to these women, asking for wisdom and boldness as we share the gospel message with them.”

 

Fulakunda of Senegal

Contemplating the True Cost of Discipleship

“I have been talking to a Fulakunda friend for quite some time and have adequately presented the gospel to him at least twice,” writes a member of the Fulakunda Team. The other day he asked me a very difficult question: ‘When someone believes in what you say and decides to follow Jesus, their families will still be Muslim and won’t like that. You’re going to start some problems. What do you plan to do about that?’ Pray that the Fulakunda who hear the gospel will be able to understand the true meaning of being a disciple of Christ and the courage and commitment it will demand. Intercede that they will not let earthly issues get in the way of their eternal decision. Pray that when persecution comes, new Fulakunda believers will remain firm and be bold witnesses for Christ.”

Fulakunda of Senegal

New Outreach Groups

Join the Kano Katsina Fulbe Team in praising God for the doors He is opening for new outreach groups. Through the visit by the South Carolina volunteer team in June, two villages are now open to starting chronological Bible storying groups. Both of these villages are strongly Islamic. Ask the Lord to break down all barriers so that these villagers can hear and accept the truth. Pray that as the Holy Spirit speaks the truth to the hearts of those who attend, many will accept the way of salvation. jkgombe@aol.com

 

Kano Katsina Fulbe of Nigeria

Exciting New Ministry Opportunities

The Kano Katsina Fulbe Team writes: “We thank God for the volunteer team from South Carolina that came for a vision/prayerwalking trip. God has opened several doors of opportunity for ministry as a result of that visit. One is a medical ministry in an area of 17 villages. The chief over those villages and the health workers (all Muslim) at the local clinic offered to let us use their clinic if we could bring a team to help meet the physical needs of the people. We told them that if we did come and do that, we would also like to share about the way of Jesus. Their response was, ‘That is OK with us.’ That is exciting! The home church of the volunteer team has been praying for this area for a year and a half, so we believe that God is beginning to open the doors. Pray that God will bring together the right people for the medical team. As the team forms, ask God to work out the details for plans and preparation.” jkgombe@aol.com

 

Kano Katsina Fulbe of Nigeria

Unaware of God's Love

The Kano Katsina Fulbe (pronounced CA-no CAT-see-nah FUL-bay) of Nigeria are part of the greater ethnic group commonly referred to as the Fulani of West Africa, the world’s largest migratory society. Traditionally nomadic cattle herders, many of the Fulbe are now settled or semi-settled. Those who are semi-settled live in one place during the season for planting and harvesting, and move with their cows to another region of the country during the dry season. Fulbe life is full of traditions, social expectations and religious practices. Their lives are strongly influenced by these factors. The Fulbe follow a world religion, which is central to their identity. They consistently practice most of the tenets of that faith, but also have some spiritist beliefs. The Fulbe hope that Allah hears their prayers, but do not know that God loves them and has sent His Son to provide the way of salvation for them. It is estimated that there are between 6-10 million Kano Katsina Fulbe in Nigeria. Fewer than half have heard the gospel, and less than 1 percent are Christians. jkgombe@aol.com

Kano Katsina Fulbe of Nigeria

The Pillar

“You are the pillar that holds my life, Master Jesus!” A Kanuri Team member writes: “Today the song caught my attention! This week a Kanuri Christian struggled for a way to explain to a Kanuri seeker what it means for Jesus to be the ‘cornerstone.’ My missionary husband explained that the cornerstone is the first stone laid for the foundation of a house and that all other stones must be lined up on this stone for the building to be properly built. Here in Africa, though, the Kanuri make mud houses so there is no understanding of a cornerstone. Continuing, my husband explained to him that in Greek, the word is not ‘cornerstone’ at all, but really ‘capstone.’ The capstone was at the very peak of the archway in a Roman house and held that archway together. Remove that capstone, and the doorway would simply collapse. The Kanuri Christian’s eyes lighted as he said ‘Oh, you mean like a pillar.’ Most Kanuri rooms are very small, with the roof being supported only by the four walls. When they try to build a larger room, however, they must support the mud roof with a pillar in the middle of the room. If not, the roof will collapse from its own weight or later in the weight of a storm. Pray that the Kanuri will, indeed, make Jesus the ‘pillar’ of their lives and that with Him, they will be able to withstand the storms of persecution and struggles that may come.”

Manga Kanuri of Nigeria

Using a New Evangelism Tool

Pray that God will use the newly designed Bracelet Story/Key Chain Story to help find and evangelize Muslim seekers and to disciple those who pray to receive Jesus. Although very much like the evangelism methods known as the Power Beads and Wordless Book, the Scriptures and dialog used in the Bracelet/Key Chain stories are chosen to speak directly to the Muslim heart and can be used for both evangelism and discipleship. Pray that this method can be translated and used effectively in many languages throughout the Muslim world. Ask God to place in the hearts of Muslim men and women the desire to hear the stories, and pray that He will grant them the faith to believe the truth and receive Jesus Christ. Pray that God will raise up thousands of Christians who will be eager to learn and use this method to share Christ with Muslims.

 

Multiple People Groups of West Africa

Inspiring Local Churches to Reach Out to Muslims

You prayed diligently last January that the first Southern Baptist volunteer team to the Kanuri would be used by God to open doors for future teams. He has answered your prayers in a marvelous way, as the second volunteer team arrived to work in June and July. They came to encourage local churches to accept God’s commission to take the gospel to their Muslim neighbors. Pray that the inspiration generated by God through this team will not fade, and that these local Christians will be filled and empowered by God’s Spirit to reach out boldly, wisely and with God’s incredible love to the Kanuri, Hausa and Fulani peoples in their midst. Pray that these local pastors and their church members will take advantage of the training opportunities in Muslim Evangelism being offered to them by the missionaries this fall.

Multiple People Groups of Nigeria

The Sacrifice of Volunteers

Pray for the volunteers who will work alongside the Zerma Team in August. Ask God to lead them to people who are ready to accept Christ. May He give them good health and a heart for ministry among the Zerma people. Continue to intercede for them when they return to the United States after their time of ministry. Give thanks to God for the many volunteers who have sacrificed greatly to travel to Niger and minister to the Zerma. Many have spent months raising the necessary funds, giving up vacation time, and missing out on special family events in order to share the Good News of Jesus Christ with the Zerma. May God richly bless them and their efforts. http://www.zermateam.org/

Zerma of Niger

More "Hands On" Missionaries on the Way

The Zerma Team covets your prayers for the four “Hands On” missionaries who will arrive in August. They will pair up and live in two villages. Ask the Lord to give them understanding of the Zerma language as they begin initial language learning. Intercede that they will be able to communicate God’s truths clearly. May He give them wisdom and insight into the Zerma culture and protect their health, as village life is very harsh. Pray for “persons of peace” who will open doors to developing new relationships. Ask God to give them a love for the Zerma people and the ability to set appropriate boundaries in order to protect their personal space and time for Bible study and prayer. http://www.zermateam.org/

 

Zerma of Niger

Preparing for the Harvest

Last month, the Wassulu Team received news that Pastor F and his co-laborer, MD, had visited village S, which is a relatively “new village” to the team’s work. They were given the opportunity to teach the Bible during their first visit, and the next volunteer team in October hopes to share personally and through showing an evangelistic film to a larger group of villagers. Begin praying today for the hearts of the people in village S, asking that they will have a hunger for Christ and the salvation that only He can bring. Pray that the “people of influence” in village S will allow the fall team to have open access to the village and to speak freely during their time there. wassulu@bellsouth.net

Wassulu of Mali

Trials and Tribulations

You praised God with the Wassulu Team when four men of village D gave their lives to Christ in April. These men have been facing persecution from other villagers over the last few months. Though the persecution has not been physical, it has brought difficulties into the lives of these men. Pray with the Wassulu Team today for these men, asking that they will hold fast to Christ as they face these trials and tribulations because of their faith. Ask that the Lord’s hand upon these men will be obvious to others in village D as they stand firm for Jesus. wassulu@bellsouth.net

Wassulu of Mali

Offering Relief from Nagging Pain

The Fulbe/Futa Jalon Team writes: “A dental team is coming out on August 15 to do a clinic. This is the first one that we are doing in our village as a way to show the love of Christ in a tangible way. The nagging pain of a tooth gone bad is something we see a lot of here in the bush, where there are no dentists. This team is coming to help us meet a much greater need that has been nagging at the people. Sin, like a bad tooth, has been causing a nagging pain in the lives of the Fulbe for centuries. What they don’t know is that they need the very specialized attention that only Jesus can provide. Please pray for us as we work together to present the gospel. Pray that the Fulbe will agree that they need to have their sin removed. Ask that we will have God’s wisdom in knowing how to manage the crowds, being fair in choosing who really needs to be seen. Pray that the love of Christ will be revealed through meeting human needs. Please pray also for good health for the team and for safety as they travel.”

Fulbe Fouta of Guinea

Ears to Hear

“‘I have come to play!’ Those were the words of a newly married 15-year-old when she came to greet our daughter recently,” writes a Fulbe/Futa Jalon Team member. “As they began to talk, the young Fulbe woman said that she didn’t like people because they lie, kill and steal. The ensuing conversation revolved around her belief that her good works would outweigh her bad works and that one day she would enter heaven because of her good works. What she heard next was a clear presentation of the gospel. She left quickly after that, but what she heard was no child’s play! Pray for her to ponder these things in her heart and to open the door and let Jesus come in. Pray for others who are hearing the gospel these days, asking that they will have ‘ears to hear’! Pray for young Fulbe women who are given in marriage at a very young age to understand how they can build godly households of faith.”

 

Fulbe Fouta of Guinea

Sowing Seeds

Give thanks to the Lord for the seed that was planted by the Extreme Evangelism teams last month. Praise the Lord for the work He is doing among the Wala people. Pray for the “men of peace” and for the others who heard the truth from God’s Word. Pray for the follow up that will begin this month in each of these Wala villages. Ask God to show mercy on those villages that refused to hear the truth and turned the messengers away. Pray that God will break through the darkness and draw the Wala people to Himself. teresa@lyons-den.net

 

Wala of Burkina Faso

"Extreme Evangelism" Opens Doors

“Extreme Evangelism teams spent June and July going from village to village,” writes the Wala Team. “After being refused in ‘Batesville,’ Zac, an MK, and G, a national co-laborer, traveled to ‘Nashville,’ where the chief called all the elders together. G told them they had come to become their friends and tell them of a hope for eternal life they had found through Jesus Christ in the Quran. The most educated man there (who later became the ‘man of peace’) said, ‘We already know everything the Quran says about Jesus Christ. We don’t need to hear what you have to say. Now if you were talking about Muhammad, then you could stay for a year and there would be no problem, but since you have come to talk about Jesus Christ, you must leave tomorrow.’ The next day as they sat and talked around a tea pot, the man of peace began to tell the story of Moses and the Red Sea. God used that story to throw open wide a door that Zac and G were sure was closed! They shared some of the gospel! They could hardly believe what God had done. Praise His holy name. Because of what He has done, the people of ‘Nashville’ have now heard the gospel and are ready for us to return and speak with them again. Hallelujah!” teresa@lyons-den.net

Wala of Burkina Faso

Finding "Pockets" of People

Pastor S, a seminary student, is still finding pockets of Northern Peoples in and around the Kumasi/Sunyani area of central Ghana. Pray that the Spirit will continue to lead him to people who need to hear the gospel. Also thank the Lord for those who have come to know Him through the ministry of Pastor S and his fellow students.

Multiple People Groups of Ghana

Striving to Earn a Living

Mamprusi women sit all day and sell goods in a small market in the large city of Accra. It looks like a typical village market, but nearby are the sounds of traffic and city life. Most of these women are far away from their homes in northern Ghana, and some have their babies with them while others are still single. They all have one purpose for being in the city: to earn money. Pray that they will learn the all-sufficiency of the Lord Jesus.

Mamprusi of Ghana

Sharing Stories

Please be in special intercession for the chiefs in four villages who will be listening as Nafana Team members begin new storying groups. Ask the Father to go before them, preparing hearts and calling many people to Himself. May He show His glory to the Nafana people so that they will believe and commit their lives to Jesus. Also, please lift up believers who are helping to tell the stories and for the missionaries working with them.

 

Senufo, Nafana of Cote d'Ivoire

Rebuilding After a Civil War

The country of Cote d’Ivoire is in a rebuilding process following several years of civil war. Pray for unity, both politically and socially, among the people groups of Cote d’Ivoire. Intercede for wisdom for the leaders of Cote d’Ivoire, asking that they will put the best interest of the people above their own interests. prayforthebeng@hotmail.com

Unengaged of Cote d'Ivoire

Preparing for more Volunteers

The Weme Team will once again welcome a volunteer mission team from Bob Cout’s home church in Tennessee. They write: “We are delighted that the pastor and 15 church members, including two of Bob’s sisters and their husbands, will be here in the Oueme Valley on August 15-24. In 11 different villages where we have Baptist churches among the Weme people, some of the volunteers will be leading one-day Vacation Bible Schools while others will be prayerwalking and witnessing. Please pray for safety as we travel to and from the villages on dangerously eroded dirt roads. Intercede for access to enough fuel for our vehicles. Ask that Oro fetish ceremonies during this month will not hinder our holding Vacation Bible Schools or prayerwalking in villages. Pray that the volunteers will be filled with a passion to share Christ. May children and families see Jesus in our words and actions, understand His love for them, and accept Him as Savior and Lord!” http://weme.couts.net/

Weme of Benin

A Successful Week of "Operation Andrew"

Praise God with Weme Team members for what He did during the week of “Operation Andrew,” June 21-30. Thank you for your prayers! Approximately 80 volunteer evangelists from five different countries (Togo, Ghana, Nigeria, Benin and the United States) joined Baptist church members in a concentrated witnessing campaign, visiting unsaved people during the day and holding evangelical services at night simultaneously in each of 15 churches in the city of Porto-Novo and 11 churches in the Oueme Valley. On Sunday afternoon, June 30, at the closing victory rally, there was great rejoicing when 5,103 decisions were registered as the total number of those who had prayed to accept Christ during the week! Please intercede for these new believers, asking that the churches will be zealous in growing them in their newfound faith and gathering them into the fold. http://weme.couts.net/

Weme of Benin

Sharing the Gospel in "Town A"

Thank you for praying for the work in town A. The International World Changers and other volunteers have shared with many people there. Pray for those who have been exposed to the Word to make decisions to follow the Truth. Pray for those who have made decisions to be strong.

Tuareg of Niger

Hearing the Truth

Through cassettes, videos, English classes and testimonies, many Tuareg are hearing the truths of the gospel. Peer pressure, persecution and loss of social standing cause many to be resistant to the truths they are hearing. Pray for the Holy Spirit to work mightily in the hearts of these resistant people.

Tuareg of Niger

Proclaiming the Gospel Message

The gospel message is being sounded among the Songhai. During the first six months of 2008, the message has been proclaimed more than 10,000 times. Volunteer teams, radio broadcasts, cassette-tape distribution, chronological Bible storying, one-on-one encounters, and Bible studies have all contributed to a massive sowing of the seed. Pray that many seeds will find root in the hearts of the Songhai, resulting in a great harvest! http://seekingthesonghai.net/
 

Songhai of West Africa

Praise From the Mouth of a Child

“Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it” (Proverbs 22:6, ESV). RN, the 6-year-old daughter of a Mandinka believer, skipped through the village, singing praise songs in Mandinka. “Rejoice in Jesus always!” she sang loud and clear for the whole village to hear. This young girl is learning from her mother the responsibility that all believers have to share the message of Jesus with their friends and neighbors. Pray that Mandinka believers will realize the importance of raising their children in the truth of God’s Word. Ask the Lord to give them courage and boldness to teach their children that Jesus is Lord, despite the persecution they may face from their neighbors. http://mandinkapeople.com/

Mandinka of Senegal

Coming in Peace

Last month, volunteers visited village DS, a very significant Mandinka village in which Satan has many strongholds. The people in this village were grateful that the team came all the way from the United States just to pray for them. After the visit, the team translator, Pastor D, told the team about KD, the witchdoctor who was the host in the village. Tradition has it that if KD has meat in his compound, it is a sign that his visitors have come in peace. KD had been in a car wreck recently and had not been able to leave his compound to do any hunting, but the day before the team was to arrive in his village, he decided to go to the bush. He wanted to know if the visitors were coming in peace. That day, he ended up killing one deer. The following day, his son killed two more. So by the time the volunteers arrived, there was meat from three deer in his compound, and the witchdoctor was certain that the visitors from the United States had come in peace. At the end of the day, he invited Pastor D and the missionaries to come back to this village to share the message with more people. Praise God for how He paved the way for the gospel to come to this dark place! Please pray for more opportunities for Pastor D and the missionaries take the peace of Christ to this village. http://mandinkapeople.com/

Mandinka of Senegal

Hungry for the Word

“As the rainy season continues,” writes the Hausa Team, “the Lord is continuing to open new paths for us among the Hausa people. We are seeing so many interested individuals who are hungry to hear and to read His Word. Please pray that the Lord will use these opportunities to bring them to a personal relationship with Him.”

Hausa of Cote d'Ivoire

A Change of Heart

Hausa Team members report: “As we have continued to share with S, O, A and S, we are seeing the Lord move in their hearts. Please pray that this will be their time and they will be able to trust in Jesus.”

Hausa of Cote d'Ivoire

A Hard-to-Reach People Group

The West Africa Engagement Team writes: “A church in North Carolina is praying about whether it would be God’s plan for them to engage the Limba people. This is a small people group located in Guinea and, as of yet, they have little or no access to the gospel. Please pray with this church (and us) about how to bring Jesus to a small group of people in a setting where everyone knows what you are doing and with whom you are doing it. Pray that we will be quick to allow God to be our ‘team leader’ for reaching the hard-to-reach people of Guinea.” jerry.grift@gmail.com

Unengaged of Guinea

Exploring Effective Ministry Methods

In October 2007, a team of four from a Baptist church in Florida traveled to Douala to explore the possibilities of engaging a large unreached people group in that city. During their time in Douala, they found that the people group lived in several areas of the city and that they were a very closed group. After much prayer, this church is still committed to sharing the gospel with this people group. Pray for the team of two who will be returning in November to further consider ministry methods that will be effective in reaching this people group for Christ. Pray for them to see with God’s eyes the needs of the people group and to determine creative ways to minister among them.

Unengaged of Cameroon

Putting Principles into Practice

In the spring of 2008, missionary Larry Davis trained approximately 120 students and their wives in a variety of evangelism methods at the Baptist Pastors’ School in Gombi, Nigeria. The principal of the school has set a goal that each student will start a new church during the three years they are studying at the school. In September, Larry will return to the school to teach a refresher course. Pray that he will find the students busy at the task of reaching out to the unevangelized people groups located near the school. Intercede for Larry to be able to encourage the students and the staff in their ministry!

Baptist Convention of Nigeria

A Strategic Gathering

The Ghana Baptist Convention will hold its annual meeting in August. Ask the Lord to bring all the delegates safely to the meeting and back home again. Ask Him to allow them sweet fellowship together, and pray for wisdom as they make decisions that will affect the direction of the convention in the coming months and years. Pray for stamina for those leading the meetings in times of worship and prayer, and in business sessions as well.

 

Baptist Convention of Ghana

Discipling New Believers

In June and July, God blessed the efforts of both volunteers from the United States and IMB personnel in outreach ministries using oral methods. Many people came to know the Lord as Savior. Pray that these who are young in the Lord will be discipled by local pastors and church members. Ask God to help others consistently teach His Word in a way that is understood by oral learners, so that they might grow deep roots in their new faith.

 

Baptist Convention of West Africa

Beginning "Round Two"

OneStory Kita Malinke (Maninka) Team member Connie shares: “Join our team in thanking God for helping us to complete 35 stories crafted in their first-round draft form! This is a huge leap forward that can only be credited to God Himself. At the beginning of February 2008, we were extremely discouraged because we only had prepared two stories. We are learning that we often need more time than originally planned to accomplish our tasks. Ask the Lord to give us the wisdom and discernment we need to maintain excellent quality in our work and sufficient time to complete our projects. Pray that nothing will interfere with our work (our story-crafter, who is a farmer, will be in the fields a lot during the coming months). Our goal is to finish our story set before our term of service ends in early November.”

Maninka of Mali

Adopted!

Give thanks to God for a group from Mississippi that has decided to “adopt” the Kita Malinke! Teams from this group will return to Mali on a regular basis to work with the Kita Malinke (Maninka) people. This exciting development has enabled the OneStory Kita Malinke Team to have a specific plan for how the set of Bible stories they are preparing can and will be used.

Maninka of Mali

Facing Hardships

The OneStory Senufo Supyire Team writes: “Thank you for your prayers for A. and our village family. Since his baptism, A. has expressed to us how his life has changed. His former friendships have disintegrated, he is constantly mistreated and abused by different people in his village, and he feels isolated. After two weeks of meeting with our chronological Bible storying group, we went out of town but left A. in charge. He was nervous, but ready. When we returned, A. told us that although he made many efforts, not a single person came to hear the story that night. Join us in praying that A. will find strength and boldness in our Lord and that he will continue to grow in his faith, not wavering under persecution. Ask the Lord to give A. a burden for the lives of his own family as well as others in his people group.”

 

Senufo, Supyire of Mali

Committed to Sharing the Story

OneStory Senufo Supyire Team members Krystal and Monica report: “We have 31 stories submitted to our translation consultant for approval! We are currently finishing the details for stage-one approval on most of these. Stage one (for individual stories) focuses on the details of wording for both the Supyire and the English translation to ensure that the truth of Scripture is communicated clearly. Stage two is for the story set as a whole, and can only come after each individual story is approved. After the entire set is approved, we can start the final ‘radio style’ recording process. At this stage in our project, we are spending more time behind the computer than ever before. Our goal and desire is that the Senufo Supyire people will receive a Supyire story set that they will be able to use for evangelism and discipleship for years to come! Please pray that our communication will be effective with our translation consultant. Pray that we will have long-lasting battery life on our computers, and that the detailed work of editing and re-working stories will be productive as we dig deeper in the Word and the Supyire language and culture. Join us in praying that God will be glorified during this time and that more of the Supyire people will hear and come to know the truth.”

Senufo, Syenara of Mali

A Looming Deadline

OneStory Senufo Syenara Team member Amy shares: “Our story-crafter will be leaving in the middle of August to go to another country to begin work with a group of Great Commission Christian translators. This will really reduce our timeframe with him! Instead of trying to complete our whole story set before October, we now are pushed to finish by the middle of August. We are in the process of working with our consultant on the stories. Please pray that God will transcend all time restraints and enable us to complete this task by the middle of August.”

Senufo, Syenara of Mali

Getting Ready for More "Hands On" Workers

The “Hands On” coordinators ask you to pray for them and for the field supervisors as they are in the midst of making preparations for the upcoming semester. “Ask the Lord to guide each of our steps, and pray that the preparations will be for His glory.” http://www.hands-on-africa.com/

Multiple People Groups of West Africa

Eager to Minister

Earlier this summer, a missionary couple in Nigeria attended a graduation ceremony at a small Baptist Pastors School in Jos, Nigeria. They share, "The ceremony itself was uneventful. After visiting, greeting and eating, we walked out to the parking field. There were twenty or more pick-up trucks and vans packed 'Beverly Hillbilly style' with belongings. We learned that during the ceremony, members of the church where these graduates will serve went to their houses and packed up everything. These pastors are so anxious to begin their work that after the ceremony, each new pastor leaves immediately to go to his new house. It was amazing!" Thank God for new pastors who will be serving in various locations throughout West Africa. Ask the Lord to continue to fill them with His Holy Spirit and give them a continual passion for evangelism and ministry among the unreached people groups of West Africa.
 

Multiple People Groups of West Africa

Rain on the Way!

Thank you for praying for rain in the West Africa region. One missionary reports, “The rains are beginning and there is a tinge of grass here and there. At last, the shepherds can stay closer to home and offer grazing to their flocks. As I watch the shepherds work so hard to bring their flocks to green pastures, I am reminded of how desperately the Good Shepherd wants to lead them and satisfy their longings. As the rains fall and the hard ground softens, pray that there will be a mighty softening of the hearts as well. The Father is providing opportunities for them to hear. Pray they will pay attention and come to Him, so that they will have eternal life.”
 

Multiple People Groups of West Africa

Wanting to Learn More

This summer several missionaries have returned to the USA for their “stateside assignment” (formerly known as “furlough”). In many cases, there is not another missionary to carry on their ministries. In one West African village, a group of Muslim women had been studying God’s Word for a year with a missionary. During their last meeting, this missionary challenged them to walk the “Jesus Road.” The group of women responded “What you have said is true. The ‘Jesus Road‘ is the better road. However, if we follow Him, it will be very difficult for us. There is much we must think about and consider.” As they concluded, their spokesman said, “Now you are leaving. And we understand that sometimes things happen that prevent people from coming back. If that does happen, please send someone else so that we can learn more about the ‘Jesus Road.’ ” Ask God to provide the means for West Africans in outreach groups to continue to learn about Jesus, even during the absence of missionaries. Imagine how many more West Africans have this same spiritual hunger, yet have no one to teach them. Ask the Lord to send more workers into the spiritual harvest of West Africa.
 

Mossi of West Africa

Seeking the Light

Many mission volunteers are serving in West Africa this summer. One missionary team writes: “As the volunteers walk the streets, children call out their names, run out to shake their hands, and touch them as they go by. People call out greetings and wonder why these would come so far--not acting like typical tourists, but dressing respectfully in traditional clothing and learning a few words of their greetings. The local people are already seeing the volunteers’ light. Youth gather to them like moths to a candle flame, seeking the light. Maybe it’s to practice their English skills, maybe it’s a rare chance to talk to an American, or perhaps it’s because something deep inside is drawing them to the light.” Thank the Father for volunteers who are willing to share their light with a dark world. Ask the Lord to continue to work in the lives of West Africans who have received the seeds of Truth from volunteers in recent weeks.

Multiple People Groups of West Africa

Home Again, Home Again

Please pray for missionaries Shad and Michelle Spannagel as they return to their station after being away for a time of stateside assignment and language study. Lift up their family as they resume ministry among the Western Niger Fulani. Intercede for relationships with the Fulani that will lead to sharing about “the prophet Jesus,” who is truly more than just a prophet. http://prayforniger.blogspot.com

Western Fulani of Niger

Rainy Season: A Blessing and a Curse

According to the World Health Organization, more than 1 million people die of malaria each year, most of them in Africa. During the months of June, July and August, the Western Niger Fulani receive much-needed rain for their millet crops, but these rains also bring mosquitoes that carry malaria. Ask the Lord to protect them from this deadly disease during this rainy season. http://prayforniger.blogspot.com

 

Western Fulani of Niger

The Whole Story

Just as you cannot understand a book’s message by reading words here and there, it is essential that the story of Christ be told in its entirety so that the message will be understood and hearts changed as a result. Give thanks to God for the collaborative effort among several agencies to complete the recording of a Maninka introduction to the “JESUS” film that was designed especially for those of a major world religion. This introduction helps bring together the Old Testament and its fulfillment in the New Testament in a way that clarifies the story of Christ for those who have never heard it. Please pray for those workers who are in the process of making the final recording to be successful in their efforts, and pray for those Maninka people who were involved in the project to be powerfully touched by the Spirit through this project. http://www.gowestafrica.org/peoplegroups/maninka/

Maninka of Guinea

Farmers Needed

A certain village suffered greatly due to a lack of food among those who lived there. A farmer who lived in the village was prepared, because he had brought new seed from his father’s village many miles away. There was even plenty of available land surrounding the village. However, the farmer was only one man. He could not sow enough seed by himself to eventually feed all the villagers. Though the villagers were hungry, they did not understand the importance of what the farmer was trying to do. The farmer had even sent word to his father’s village that he needed help. Yet, because his father’s village had already begun harvesting a good crop, they did not grasp the urgency of the farmer’s request. They planned on sending a few farmers, but not until they finished their own work. This parable illustrates the challenge that faces missionaries among the Maninka people in one area. Village upon village fills the landscape of this region, yet presently there is only one IMB couple trying to plant seeds in a vast area. Thank God for four new villages that were recently visited by a volunteer team from Tennessee who was able to present copies of Genesis and Luke in the local language to the village elders in addition to helping missionaries share the story of Christ. Pray for wisdom as they plan on how to proceed in working with these villages and following up on these visits, and pray for more “farmers” to come and share the task. http://www.gowestafrica.org/peoplegroups/maninka/

Maninka of West Africa

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

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

Pray for Rain

The Jola-Fonyi Team shares that August is normally the wettest month of the rainy season. In the past several years, the rainy season has been coming later and finishing earlier, so less moisture is received each year. Last year, there was little rice due to a lack of water in the rice fields. Team members ask you to intercede for a good rainy season with record amounts of moisture. Pray that the Jola-Fonyi people will know that this moisture is a gift from God and that they will praise and thank Him for His goodness. May they want to know more about Jesus and accept Him as their Savior. http://www.jola-fonyi.org

Jola-Fonyi of Senegal

Limited Interest

B is the imam (Muslim religious teacher) in a Jola-Fonyi village. He invites missionaries and prayerwalkers to pray in the name of Jesus in his home for his family, and he also invites them to pray at any time in the mosque. Last year, he asked a Jola-Fonyi Team member to give him a daily Scripture calendar to put in the mosque, where it stayed all of 2007. He has heard several Bible stories and says they are good, but he does not seem interested in knowing more about Jesus. Ask the Father to reveal Himself to B. May he desire to know Jesus as his Savior. http://www.jola-fonyi.org

 

Jola-Fonyi of Senegal

It's a Small World, Isn't It?

Last month Bambara Team members Susan and Diane began meeting weekly with the wives of two men who are living in New York City. Chris and his wife, former missionaries in Mali, are diligently working with the husbands in New York City to bring them to a saving knowledge of Christ. On the other side of the ocean, Susan and Diane are sharing stories about women in the Bible, praying that these women will also give their lives to Christ. The women’s Bible study varies in number each week. Pray that the women will be faithful in attending. Ask the Father to reveal Himself to each of these individuals hearing His Word--in Mali and in the United States! http://www.gobambara.org/

Bambara of Mali

Help for the Hungry

Last month you prayed for Bambara Team members to have the wisdom to know how to help the many Bambara families who do not have enough food to carry them through until the harvest in September. A grain distribution was held on July 10-15 for two “counties” in which new churches have begun. As grain was given to satisfy the physical hunger, stories from God’s Word were shared to satisfy the spiritual hunger. Ask the Father to continue to work in the hearts of those who heard His Good News during the grain distribution. Pray that new churches will develop in villages where there is no Christian presence as the Bambara of those villages give their lives to Christ. http://www.gobambara.org/

Bambara of Mali

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

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

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

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

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

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" Missionaries on the Way

Seventeen new “Hands On” missionaries are scheduled to arrive in West Africa on August 7. Please pray that the Lord will go before each of them in their field locations and that He will already be at work in Senegal, Niger and Burkina Faso where the different teams will be serving during the fall semester. http://www.hands-on-africa.com/

 

Multiple People Groups of West Africa

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Meeting 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

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

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

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

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.