PRAYER LIFE
Burkina Faso
Kevin and Toby had a good
trip to Sirasso and Temetemeso,
where they received
the encouraging news that
three more men have
accepted Christ. In Temetemeso,
the pastor’s house/church was being built not
only by the church believers but also by other members of the
village. Much of that cooperation was because the village chief
has been encouraging people in his village to talk with the believers
and become part of the church. Ironically, he himself will not
accept Christ, saying that he is too old to make such a change.
Please pray that the chief will surrender his life to Christ and find
salvation and freedom.
Next to Temetemeso is the village of Katana. The believers in Katana wanted to get started on a pastor’s house, which would be used as their church until a pastor came. However, the believers in Katana are not the heads of their households, which means they didn’t have the freedom to build the church using the donkey carts owned by their families. Kevin helped out by sending a donkey cart to Katana, and the believers planned on just using it by hand, since they didn’t have a donkey.
This caused quite the ruckus! The village became upset at the believers, because they had heard that the “whole village” of Temetemeso was turning out to help build the church. They demanded to know why the Katana believers hadn’t asked for help. “How could we?” the believers responded. “You’ve been persecuting us, ridiculing us and mocking us for following Christ. We were afraid to ask for any help in building our church!” The villagers were ashamed at this and said that if the people of Temetemeso could help to build a church, then the Katana villagers could help as well. The last we heard, they were gathering all of their donkey carts and working together on the building. Pray that many lives would be touched as a result of this work of God on the hearts of these people. Praise Him for the testimony of Temetemeso—the Holy Spirit is at work, and we stand amazed to see all that He accomplishes!
—Kevin and Bonnie Oberg
France
Marcia is coordinating Bible studies using The Stranger on the Road to Emmaus. Both groups are greatly enjoying the series. For new and young Christians, it is building a good biblical foundation, and for those who have been Christians for a long time, it is a good refresher course. Please pray for Marcia as she leads these two groups.
Our MOPS group continues in ministering to young mothers. We have a waiting list of mothers wanting to attend. Praise God for a French lady in the church who has volunteered to coordinate the ministry for next year. Continue to pray for extra workers to assist her.
—Andrew and Marcia Berry
Guinea
Amadou Bobo was a young man who was quite sick, having been weakened by AIDS. Doris had befriended him in her work with malnourished children at the large hospital in town, sharing the JESUS film with him and his mother, talking with them and caring for Amadou during his stay there. After Amadou had been taken home, Doris visited the family. His uncle is the head imam of the neighborhood mosque, and the family lives right next door to the building. But Amadou and his mother were friendly to us, though he was growing quite weak.
His mom called recently to tell us Amadou had died. We know he heard at least some of the gospel, but we don’t know what was in his heart. His mother wants to visit. Pray that Doris will have wisdom and words to share that will point her to Christ. And please pray that the Spirit will help Doris manifest God’s love and truth as she works each week at the hospital.
Another young man, Bob, has come to the church on and off for the past year, thanks to his mom, who is a believer. He’s a quiet, attentive young man in his late teens. He’s had a chance to see the church at worship as well as in the “off hours” through his mother and her friends. He told us that he wants to be baptized, and George has met with him to talk more fully about baptism and what it means to follow Jesus. One sister has also shown interest but has pulled back. Please pray that Bob and his sisters together would follow Christ.
—George and Doris Nuss
Japan
Masayo first started attending Kawaguchi Alliance Church three years ago. She has had zeal to see her family find God, and she wanted to find a church where she could bring her husband. Her husband and two children were baptized two Christmases ago.
Recently, her father-in-law has been in and out of the hospital. Because he is such a difficult patient, hospitals have refused to admit him; so Masayo has decided to care for him. She is thankful for this chance to show God’s love and grace by serving her husband’s family.
She invited us to her mother’s home to have a memorial service for her deceased father and grandparents, seeing it as an opportunity to expose her family to the gospel. Her mother is a Buddhist but was willing to let Masayo invite us rather than have a Buddhist service. With a Buddhist altar at the side of the room, we sat on the floor while Don talked about heaven and meeting God. Masayo’s mother sensed a real peace. Please pray for Masayo as she cares for her husband, who has physical and emotional needs, and also pray that he would experience healing. We thank God for Masayo.
—Don and Hazel Schaeffer
Mali
A few months ago, before the Friday prayers in a mosque near
the Koutiala Hospital for Women and Children, the imam
(Muslim teacher) told the people to stop taking their women
to our hospital because we would force them to become Christians.
Those present openly disagreed with him, saying that
they have found we give good and loving care at the hospital.
After expressing their disagreement, they left. Many seeds are
being planted through our ministry at the hospital. Pray that
these seeds will grow and bear fruit.
As an update, I recently went to visit Adam, the young woman who was ill with typhoid and a perforated bowel in January and February (see April 2008 issue, p.5). She had three surgeries during her hospital stay but has been home for nearly four months. She told me to thank everyone who prayed for her during her illness and said that she and her husband are seriously considering following the “Jesus way.”
People here tell me that the name of the hospital is spreading around Mali. May Jesus’ Name also be spread throughout Mali. Thank you for the ways you partner with the ministry here through your prayers, your gifts and your encouragement.
—Jessica Schaeffer
Alliance Life
The Christian and Missionary Alliance
8595 Explorer Drive
Colorado Springs, CO 80920
Phone: 719-265-2171
Fax: 719-599-8234
E-mail: alife@cmalliance.org