How do you spend your Christmas Eve? Maybe finishing up some last-minute wrapping or preparing for the next day's big meal. Maybe enjoying time with family or watching the snow fall outside. I'm sure some of you go to a candlelit service at church and meditate on all that Christ's coming to earth means for us.
When I lived in Cote d'Ivoire, most people in my city went on with life as usual on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. No Christmas trees or stockings hung by the fire place (never mind that they don't have fire places). No wrapped gifts or falling snow. I was encouraged to find that though the world went on around them, many of the Christians in Cote d'Ivoire celebrated Christ's birth, even without all the typical things that we Americans associate with Christmas. Many of them spent Christmas Eve at an all night prayer and praise time at their churches. All night they thanked God for sending His Son and praised Him.
I pray that Beng Christians will spend this Christmas in praise and thanksgiving for Jesus. And I pray that other Beng who are not Christians would take notice of their joyful celebration and wonder what it's all about, that many Beng Christians would have the opportunity to share with others the joy they have in Christ. Won't you pray with me?
Merry Christmas!
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
November prayer requests
Election Day... I didn't used to think much of it. I mean, I thought a lot about who the candidates were and what they represented, but I didn't think much of the fact that we have an Election Day. Of course we do. Each year. In November. And I didn't ever doubt that it was done fairly. Those who vote, vote, and then we trust that those responsible for the tabulation will do so honestly.
Then I lived in Cote d'Ivoire for two years. There, election days get postponed or canceled quite often. You can't necessarily trust that things will be done fairly.
I think most people in Cote d'Ivoire have a sense of right and wrong and would rather have the right than the wrong. But, at least in my limited experience, I sensed a powerlessness among the people. I remember one time a friend of mine went on a trip to another part of the country. The minibus she was traveling on got stopped along the way by a government official. He asked everyone for their identification cards. My friend presented hers (which was valid and was indeed the document that she needed), and he gave her some mumbo jumbo about having the wrong ID and said she'd have to pay a fine. My friend paid it on the spot, knowing that she would be detained if she didn't. I was so angry when she told me. How can they do that?! It's not fair! I asked her if it made her mad, but she didn't even seem bothered by it. It's just the way things are, she told me.
I realized that often times the people of Cote d'Ivoire are so used to injustice that they don't think twice about it. Injustice is a way of life. But it still makes me mad.
The Bible speaks of a better way. "For I, the Lord, love justice..." (Isaiah 61:8). As people of God, we are to be lovers of justice too. We can start by praying for justice in places where it is lacking. Let's pray this month for Cote d'Ivoire, for peace and justice. Pray that the Lord would raise up leaders there who would act justly and love mercy.
And it's worth mentioning that there are many injustices even in our own country. May we seek justice in our own country, as well as across the ocean.
Then I lived in Cote d'Ivoire for two years. There, election days get postponed or canceled quite often. You can't necessarily trust that things will be done fairly.
I think most people in Cote d'Ivoire have a sense of right and wrong and would rather have the right than the wrong. But, at least in my limited experience, I sensed a powerlessness among the people. I remember one time a friend of mine went on a trip to another part of the country. The minibus she was traveling on got stopped along the way by a government official. He asked everyone for their identification cards. My friend presented hers (which was valid and was indeed the document that she needed), and he gave her some mumbo jumbo about having the wrong ID and said she'd have to pay a fine. My friend paid it on the spot, knowing that she would be detained if she didn't. I was so angry when she told me. How can they do that?! It's not fair! I asked her if it made her mad, but she didn't even seem bothered by it. It's just the way things are, she told me.
I realized that often times the people of Cote d'Ivoire are so used to injustice that they don't think twice about it. Injustice is a way of life. But it still makes me mad.
The Bible speaks of a better way. "For I, the Lord, love justice..." (Isaiah 61:8). As people of God, we are to be lovers of justice too. We can start by praying for justice in places where it is lacking. Let's pray this month for Cote d'Ivoire, for peace and justice. Pray that the Lord would raise up leaders there who would act justly and love mercy.
And it's worth mentioning that there are many injustices even in our own country. May we seek justice in our own country, as well as across the ocean.
Thursday, October 2, 2008
October prayer requests
Who do you go to when you need advice? Your best friend? Your spouse? Your parents? A pastor or teacher?
I'm sure many of us have a go-to person when we need a timely word or two of wisdom. Many of the Beng people have a go-to person as well, and often that person is a medium or spiritist.
The medium or spiritist is the person in their village who is viewed as having insight into the desires of the god(s) or spirits. A villager comes to him with his problem, and the medium or spiritist, based on his knowledge and experience, recommends a course of action for that person. It may be that a sacrifice of some sort is required to appease whatever god or spirit is angry, or it may be that a special amulet is needed for future protection or good luck.
As Americans, this may seem absurd to us. What a crazy thing to do! But for the Beng, it's all they know to do. It's what their friends and family do and what Beng people have always done.
Leviticus 19:31 warns, "Do not turn to mediums or seek out spiritists, for you will be defiled by them. I am the Lord your God."
Pray that the Lord would send someone to tell the Beng who do not know Him about Jesus and that they would no longer seek out mediums and spiritists for advice, but that they would look to God for wisdom and counsel.
I'm sure many of us have a go-to person when we need a timely word or two of wisdom. Many of the Beng people have a go-to person as well, and often that person is a medium or spiritist.
The medium or spiritist is the person in their village who is viewed as having insight into the desires of the god(s) or spirits. A villager comes to him with his problem, and the medium or spiritist, based on his knowledge and experience, recommends a course of action for that person. It may be that a sacrifice of some sort is required to appease whatever god or spirit is angry, or it may be that a special amulet is needed for future protection or good luck.
As Americans, this may seem absurd to us. What a crazy thing to do! But for the Beng, it's all they know to do. It's what their friends and family do and what Beng people have always done.
Leviticus 19:31 warns, "Do not turn to mediums or seek out spiritists, for you will be defiled by them. I am the Lord your God."
Pray that the Lord would send someone to tell the Beng who do not know Him about Jesus and that they would no longer seek out mediums and spiritists for advice, but that they would look to God for wisdom and counsel.
Thursday, September 11, 2008
September prayer requests
September 1 marks the start of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. Muslims spend this month fasting (during daylight hours), praying, and reading the Koran (their holy book).
The 27th night of Ramadan is believed to be the night that Muhammad received messages from God that would later become the Koran. It is today celebrated as the "Night of Power," the one night of the year when God is most accessible to devout worshipers. Muslims often have supernatural "encounters" with God on this night in the form of visions, dreams, visitations, and healings.
A little more than half of the Beng population considers themselves Muslims and will be fasting, praying, reading, and seeking this month of Ramadan. Even those who are not Muslim will be affected by Ramadan because they will have friends and/or family who are keeping the fast.
It seems like this month is a great time to really be praying that God would reveal Himself to the Beng people. Let's pray together for them this month, especially on the 27th, the "Night of Power".
- Pray that God would reveal Himself to Beng Muslims through the Holy Spirit with dreams and visions, demonstrating His love and truth.
- Pray that their minds and hearts would be open to hearing and responding to the gospel message.
- Pray for Beng Christians to have opportunities to share about Jesus with Muslim friends, family, and neighbors this month.
Finally, a couple updates for you...
Sadly, the Ivorian soccer team was knocked out in the quarterfinals of Olympic play:( The only two teams that beat them, though, went on to become the gold and silver medalists.
The 27th night of Ramadan is believed to be the night that Muhammad received messages from God that would later become the Koran. It is today celebrated as the "Night of Power," the one night of the year when God is most accessible to devout worshipers. Muslims often have supernatural "encounters" with God on this night in the form of visions, dreams, visitations, and healings.
A little more than half of the Beng population considers themselves Muslims and will be fasting, praying, reading, and seeking this month of Ramadan. Even those who are not Muslim will be affected by Ramadan because they will have friends and/or family who are keeping the fast.
It seems like this month is a great time to really be praying that God would reveal Himself to the Beng people. Let's pray together for them this month, especially on the 27th, the "Night of Power".
- Pray that God would reveal Himself to Beng Muslims through the Holy Spirit with dreams and visions, demonstrating His love and truth.
- Pray that their minds and hearts would be open to hearing and responding to the gospel message.
- Pray for Beng Christians to have opportunities to share about Jesus with Muslim friends, family, and neighbors this month.
Finally, a couple updates for you...
Sadly, the Ivorian soccer team was knocked out in the quarterfinals of Olympic play:( The only two teams that beat them, though, went on to become the gold and silver medalists.
Thursday, July 3, 2008
About the Beng
Country:
Language Spoken: Beng
Population: 17,000
# of Beng villages: 20
Religions: traditional religions/animism- 50%, Muslim- 47%, Catholic- 2%
% evangelicals: 1%
# of mosques: 12
# of churches (speaking of groups of believers, not of buildings): 2
Estimate of how many have heard the Gospel: 22%
Literacy rate: <5%
Scripture available: portions only (Genesis, Exodus, 1 Gospel)
Beng prayer requests for July, 2008
I usually try to take time each Fourth of July to thank God for the privileges I have as an American citizen. Though our country is far from perfect, we do enjoy many freedoms and benefits that people in other countries only dream of.
This truth was made even more real to me when I lived in Cote d'Ivoire. For example, here in the U.S., you can usually take for granted that a police officer is working for the public good. If you get pulled over and given a ticket, it is probably because you were breaking a law that was put into place to keep people safe. In Cote d'Ivoire, it is not uncommon for police officers to stop people who were not breaking a law and then demand a bribe so that the person may be let go. There was a stop sign down the street from my house that was infamous as a police trap. People would stop at the sign, only to have a policeman jump out from behind the bushes, blow his whistle, and accuse them of not stopping. If only the driver would give them some money, the matter could be settled then and there. If the driver debated, his license was taken away, and he had to go to the police station to defend himself. Time and time again this happened.
Another example involves the leadership in Cote d'Ivoire. Unfair elections have plagued the nation's recent past. In the U.S., though many would say that the election process is not ideal, we have the general sense that the checks and balances of the system would prevent a leader from rigging elections or unrightfully usurping control. Not always the case in Cote d'Ivoire.
So this 4th of July as we thank God for the freedoms and liberties we enjoy as Americans, let's take a minute to pray for the nation of Cote d'Ivoire as well:
- Pray for unity, politically and socially, among the people groups of Cote d'Ivoire.
- Pray for wisdom for the leaders of Cote d'Ivoire. Pray that they would put the best interest of the people above their own interests.
- Pray that the people of Cote d'Ivoire (including the Beng people) would learn to trust God in these uncertain political times.
This truth was made even more real to me when I lived in Cote d'Ivoire. For example, here in the U.S., you can usually take for granted that a police officer is working for the public good. If you get pulled over and given a ticket, it is probably because you were breaking a law that was put into place to keep people safe. In Cote d'Ivoire, it is not uncommon for police officers to stop people who were not breaking a law and then demand a bribe so that the person may be let go. There was a stop sign down the street from my house that was infamous as a police trap. People would stop at the sign, only to have a policeman jump out from behind the bushes, blow his whistle, and accuse them of not stopping. If only the driver would give them some money, the matter could be settled then and there. If the driver debated, his license was taken away, and he had to go to the police station to defend himself. Time and time again this happened.
Another example involves the leadership in Cote d'Ivoire. Unfair elections have plagued the nation's recent past. In the U.S., though many would say that the election process is not ideal, we have the general sense that the checks and balances of the system would prevent a leader from rigging elections or unrightfully usurping control. Not always the case in Cote d'Ivoire.
So this 4th of July as we thank God for the freedoms and liberties we enjoy as Americans, let's take a minute to pray for the nation of Cote d'Ivoire as well:
- Pray for unity, politically and socially, among the people groups of Cote d'Ivoire.
- Pray for wisdom for the leaders of Cote d'Ivoire. Pray that they would put the best interest of the people above their own interests.
- Pray that the people of Cote d'Ivoire (including the Beng people) would learn to trust God in these uncertain political times.
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