November 2003
But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure;
then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy
and good fruit, impartial and sincere (James 3:17, NIV).
Please pray for Muslim people as they observe
Ramadan (Oct. 27-Nov. 25)
1 URBAN POOR OF SANTO DOMINGO,
I DOMINICAN REPUBLIC. The Mercy team
writes: "Our national leaders in the barrios often suffer in
many ways to serve among the people. One leader lives
among the people in a small tin and wood house in El
Barco. The conditions of the barrio are horrible. Open
sewage, rats everywhere, often a lack of clean water, elec¬
tricity off for up to 12 hours a day, sickness and illness.
These are the conditions of the people, and our leaders are
living among them as incarnational witnesses for Christ.
Pray for their strength, and pray that God will sustain them
economically, physically, emotionally and spiritually."
My fruit is better than fine gold; what I yield surpasses
choice silver (Proverbs 8:19, NIV).
2 CHONGQING, CHINA (chong-CHING).
Persecution is an ongoing reality for many of Chong¬
qing's Christians. If the Communist Party discovers one of
its members is a Christian, the party worries that the mem¬
ber will have a greater loyalty to God than the party. They
have the ability to make Christians' lives very difficult, by
not allowing their children to enter college and affecting
their families' job opportunities. Please pray that the
Christian party members will grow in Christ and boldly
proclaim Him in spite of the persecution they face.
Today is: "Baptist Women's World Day of Prayer"
3 UNENGAGED PEOPLES OF WEST AFRICA.
With a population estimated at more than 3.5 million, the
Yerwa Kanuri people are one of the major ethnic groups in
Nigeria and one of the most unreached people groups in West
Africa. According to tradition, the Kanuri are believed to have
come from Yemen. The honor and dignity of Islam are pro¬
tected by the Kanuri with all jealousy. There are very few
Christians living among the Kanuri, with 99.9 percent fol¬
lowing the teachings of Muhammad. Pray that God will call
out Christians to live and work among the Yerwa Kanuri
and share the love of God with them in a way that they can
understand.
4 ARMENIAN PEOPLE OF ARMENIA (ar-
MEEN-yuhn). The Lord has blessed the efforts of
Team Armenia in a northern mountain village in Armenia.
For nearly a year now, locals have been meeting together in
homes for Bible study, prayer and worship. Recently, sev¬
eral of the new believers have followed the Lord in bap¬
tism. Persecution and interpersonal problems plague this
small village and, specifically, plague the lives of these new
followers of Christ. Please pray that they will stand firm in
their faith and commitment to the Lord. Pray that they will
be shining examples of Jesus Christ, spreading His aroma
throughout the village.
50RIENTALES OF NORTHEASTERN
VENEZUELA (oarr-ee-en-TAHL-es). "Plop!
Plop! One mango and then another dropped off the tall
trees to land with a plop at the periphery of the circle of
folding metal chairs, but not one of the small congregation
even glanced over at the squished fruit. They were intently
listening to the sermon on 'Who But Jesus Christ?' and
their attention did not stray to the chickens, roosters,
pigeons, rabbits or children scratching about in the dust
and gravel of the back yard where they meet."
TeamOriente asks that you join in prayer for D and others
leading this new work in a hardscrabble barrio (slum),
aptly named "The Effort." Please pray specifically for those
who are discipling new believers in 18 homes.
6 DEAF OF NIGER (nee-ZHAIR). The Deaf team
asks: "Pray for the possibility of survey work for the
Deaf in West Africa. There is a need for someone to come
to do some research work (finding the Deaf in West Africa,
and the number of Christians, and missionaries among the
Deaf) all over our region. Pray that the Lord will send the
right people to come and do this type of job in the near
future. And pray that the results of this work will be more
personnel coming to start indigenous Deaf churches in all
of the West Africa Region!"
7 PUNJABI OF INDIA (pun-JAH-bee). A
Punjabi youth, from a Jat Sikh background (the largest
sub-group among Punjabis in India), is the only believer in
his family. His parents are devout Sikhs. He has been
threatened, disinherited, beaten and emotionally black¬
mailed by his family to try to convince him to leave his
faith in Jesus Christ. His father even put a lot of money on
the table and said, "Take this, go to some other country if
you want, but come back to Sikhism." S remained strong in
his faith and explained to his father that his faith has noth¬
ing to do with money. Please pray for S as he stands strong
in his faith. Pray that his parents will see the great changes
in his life and also be drawn to Christ.
DEAF OF COLOMBIA. Thank you so much for
lifting up the new Deaf church. They are doing well,
