April 30, 2013

40/40 Moving Day - Today everyone will leave Lusaka on a big bus and travel 5 hours east to Petauke. Pray for good health. Pray for safety as we travel. Pray for quick adjustment to living in tents in the bush. Pray for good attitudes among everyone.
More on the 40/40 'Experiential' Orientation for new workers among Sub-Saharan African Peoples shared on April 18th and 23rd.

April 29, 2013

“The bustling… marketplace stopped. People left what they were doing… gathered around… to listen. Only the power of God could have moved them there.” Missionary’s explanation of what happened as he shared the love of God from the Hausa Bible in an African market filled with followers of Islam.

April 28, 2013

Pray for training in Zombo today through the 30th for Alur and Lugbara women led by a missionary and Ugandan trainer. Volunteers from Florida will assist and record stories to be used on the megavoice solar powered audio devices. Pray that these devices will be an encouragement to the trainers.

April 27, 2103

“Looking for a new way to show God’s love...  Baptist Global Response (BGR), a key IMB partner in human needs ministry… are looking for individuals and small groups to purchase items and pack buckets” of hospice care items.  BRG's goal for 2013 is 10,000 buckets.  Can you help? More information at ‘Love buckets’ give comfort to dying Africans - http://www.commissionstories.com/africa/stories/view/love-buckets-give-comfort-to-dying-africans

April 26, 2013

Worker's note to supporters after the Burkina Faso Baptist women’s conference:  “THANK YOU FOR PRAYING... I challenged the ladies… to prayerfully consider their personal mission and how they use the gifts that God has given them… I’ve already had requests… to come and teach it again; from others to teach it themselves…  I don’t think anything is more humbling, yet more rewarding and valuable to me as a missionary than to hear that someone was so inspired by God’s Word that she would want to repeat what she’s learned.”

April 25, 2013

From the Lugbara Team: 20 Alur women were trained last week to share their testimony. One lady, realizing she did not have a salvation testimony, surrendered her life to Christ! Pray for these women, many who are illiterate, as they share their testimonies and teach others the Bible stories they learned.

April 24, 2013

Unique witnessing tool – An ultrasound unit!  The staff at Kigoma Baptist Hospital in Tanzania, thanks to the gifts of Southern Baptists with a heart for people in need, use their new ultrasound unit to improve their care for patients and to share God’s love and pray for them.  More on how to pray for people in need and the workers who serve them at http://www.imb.org/main/news/details.asp?StoryID=11650&LanguageID=1709

April 23, 2013

What is a missionary? This is the question 40/40* participants will ask people in the streets, markets, etc..  of Lusaka, Zambia today. Pray for participants as they process the information they learn each day. Lunch will be out with their helpers today. Pray that no one gets sick!

*The April 18th nudge shares more about the 40/40 Orientation Program for new staff.

April 22, 2013

Kefilwe’s thin body was covered by blankets. Her face was gaunt, yet her grip was strong as she reached for something or someone. Taking her hand, missionaries shared Words of Life. Pray for the woman’s physical needs. Pray also that she heard and understood the Words of Life.

April 21, 2013

From young missionary in West Africa:  “In the village, children gather around me; in the city, it seems men like to talk to me. Pray that I will make the most of these opportunities and have the language skills to tell stories from the Word to those who are interested in talking to me.”

April 20, 2013

What happens when Kenyan university students make a mission trip with American students? Some, who are new Believers, share their faith for the 1st time, as hundreds hear the Good News, including 200 of another faith, and at least 16 listeners become new sisters and brothers in Christ!

April 19, 2013

“Is God moving you to respond in some way to the stories you’re viewing…” on this blog and other sites sharing what God is doing among Sub-Saharan African Peoples! Lots of ways to PRAY, GIVE and GO are shared at HOW TO RESPOND TO THE STORIES YOU’VE SEEN at http://www.commissionstories.com/africa/stories/view/how-to-respond-to-the-stories-youve-seen.

April 18, 2013

40/40 begins today! Pray for the 21 adults and 10 children (plus many helpers) travelling to Zambia from all over Africa for this ‘experiential’ orientation program. Pray for teachable hearts and minds for these new workers among Sub-Saharan African Peoples.

April 17, 2013

“The LORD gives strength to his people; the LORD blesses his people with peace” (Psalm 29:11). Praising God today that He wants all “who live on the earth… every nation, tribe, language and people” (Rev 14:6) to be HIS PEOPLE claiming His strength and peace during unsettled times.
Praying especially today for those affected by the blasts at the Boston Marathon.

April 16, 2013

From new missionaries in Ghana: Each Tuesday afternoon, we visit a feeding centre for 20 impoverished children. We provide a meal of rice and dry fish, share a Bible story, and play games with the kids. We go to minister but they always end up ministering to us!

April 15, 2013

From missionaries celebrating 6 months in Africa today: Pray for diligence in putting in the hours needed to learn Mamprulli, the language of our people. Pray for boldness and wisdom as we navigate the culture and humility to laugh at ourselves when we make a mistake.

April 14, 2013

As the Hindu New Year is celebrated around our world, pray that Christian friends and acquaintances of Hindus in Africa will boldly share of the fresh beginning and newness of life offered by their Saviour.

This HINDU NEW YEAR post at prayforgujarat* offers more nudges to action:

The Hindu New Year, called by many names around India, is celebrated during April 11-16 this year, on the first day of the month called Chaitra. This time is full of celebrations all centered on newness, prosperity, and fresh beginnings. Pray for the Hindus of South Asia to welcome the newness of life that Jesus Christ offers us through His death and resurrection long ago. “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them…” (2 Corinthians 5:17-19)

* http://prayforgujarat.wordpress.com/2013/04/12/hindu-new-year/

April 13, 2013

Pray for adjustment for Missionary Kids living in a new country where everything looks different, sounds different, smells different, feels different and even tastes different! Pray for patience and wisdom for their parents, who may be experiencing their own culture shock!

April 12, 2013

From a short-term volunteer who has returned to Africa for 2+ years: Pray that I will quickly understand my job.  Pray for guidance and boldness as I build relationships with those in need of the Gospel. Pray for less squealed tires as I learn to drive a manual in a city with hills!

April 11, 2013

“It was on the day the accident happened when I accepted Christ.” The opening words shared by  AfricanStories in a story you will not want to miss – the story of how “Gospel seeds planted by a student missionary killed in a motorcycle crash continue to bear fruit in Mozambique.”
"A life cut short continues to impact Mozambique" and other A LEGACY BEGINS stories and video are found at 

http://www.commissionstories.com/africa/stories/view/a-life-cut-short-continues-to-impact-mozambique

April 10, 2013

New missionaries’ reaction to insecurity and evacuation from their first African home: “We still don’t have a place to call home or a new job... but we feel very ‘at home’ on this continent and with Africans.  We are so… excited to see what God has in store for us in the future here.” 

Prayer request from this couple, whose heart desire is to work among Sub-Saharan African Unengaged Unreached Peoples: "Pray that we sleep well during this time of transition." Pray also that they will clearly see God's choice for a new assignment.

April 9, 2013

‘Light Wins’* is the first ‘SNAPSHOT ON MISSIONS’** – A new resource for your missions’ toolbox offering "a short illustration for a sermon or small group …. from life on the field.” This first SNAPSHOT will sound familiar to those who read the March 30th NUDGE.
  * http://www.commissionstories.com/africa/snapshots/view/light-overcomes-darkness-in-west-africa
** http://www.commissionstories.com/africa/snapshots 

April 8, 2013

Thousands of Jolas are hearing Bible Stories twice a week in their heart language as “The Way of Righteousness” radio programs are aired in Bignona, Sindian, and Koubanau. Pray that God would reveal to them that this is truth and that many will believe in Jesus as their Savior.

April 7, 2013

From worker recording 100 Old and New Testament stories to be heard on solar audio players by  the Toposa of South Sudan, a people with no Bible in their language:  I love how my helpers “Toposafy” the stories… whenever anyone encounters someone in the story, they use the typical Toposa greeting phrases. If someone is surprised, they make the noise that the Toposa make. I love how God’s Word is relevant in all cultures and all languages!

April 6, 2013

In the Zambezi Cluster many people worship idols, many go to the witchdoctor whenever they have any kind of problem, and many use charms on a regular basis. Pray for the People Groups in Zambia, Malawi, and Mozambique to lay down these idols and trust in Christ once and for all.

April 5, 2013

Hearing the Good News preached, a teacher of another faith wondered, “Have I chosen the wrong path?” After dreaming of destroying all his teaching materials three times, he gave his life to Christ. Pray for opportunities for this new Believer to teach others of the path of life.

April 4, 2013

From the Basotho Team (Lesotho): While visiting a partnering church, we shared our prayer for someone to help with an eye condition which leads to blindness in children among our People.  One man cried, “I am the doctor you have prayed for.”  The sight of 20 children with veral conjunctivitis was saved when the pediatric ophthalmologist came as a volunteer.

April 3, 2013

“It is now time for peace." A Kenyan, who once lost everything in election chaos, reacting to last Saturday’s court validation of Kenya’s 4th president. Praise God that total chaos did not reoccur during this election. Continue praying for other African countries lacking peace

Daily nudges to prayer for ‘conflict, peace and security’ in Africa are found at  http://allafrica.com/conflict/.  Today's top story: Central Africa Republic Rebels Unveil New Government at  http://allafrica.com/view/group/main/main/id/00023723.html?aa_source=slider-cat-2-12

April 2, 2013

Medevac plans shared Monday (April 1st) by Grady's Mom: There is probably still more unknown than known... The flight crew is originating from South Africa with an all South African crew. They have an appointment at 8:00 a.m. at the US Consulate toget their emergency visas. Then they will go and get the airplane ready... We should leave from the hospital sometime after noon if all goes well... All in all it should be a 24 hour flight counting all of the stops. MAYBE I will be in Houston by Wednesday morning (CST)! What a thought! "Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert." Isaiah 43:19

Tuesday update: Well, this is Africa, right? I got a call this morning and the flight has been delayed until tomorrow morning at 6am... arriving in Houston EARLY on Thursday morning (between 1-2 a.m.) instead of Wednesday at 9am.... Thankfully, the crew have their visas, the flight doctors have cleared Grady for travel and all seems to be in place...

AND FINALLY an Update shared early Wednesday morning: "I'm leaving, on a jet plane. Don't know when I'll be back again...." I am thankful... God has been so gentle and I know He's going to see us through not only this flight, but the next chapter of our lives as well. Tutaonana Badai, Afrika. Twakupenda sana! "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation." 2 Cor 5:17-18

April 1, 2013

Culture shock, homesickness, language struggles, impatience for their crate filled with personal items – what new missionaries in Africa experience, plus a bit of humour! When their three year old learned she would soon be a big sister, she announced: Our baby is in our crate!