August, 2012 Prayer Requests

About half of the Beng follow traditional religious beliefs, largely animistic. About half follow a major world religion (though they often mix in animistic beliefs as well). This world religion is in the midst of its holy month, in which adherents spend the day fasting. It would be hard enough to go without food and water all day, but take into account the fact that most Beng spend all day working in the fields, carrying water, and/ or preparing food, and this month becomes an especially grueling one. Pray that, in the midst of the physical weakness they experience during this time, they would be aware of their spiritual weakness as well, seeking God in new and fresh ways. Pray that God would speak to them. Pray also that Beng Christians would be used by God to show love and grace to their friends and family members during this time. Pray that they would have wisdom to know when to share the truth with words and when to share through deeds. Pray that they would stand strong in the face of persecution (such as alienation from friends and family) they may face this month.

July, 2012

Recently I read an interview with a pastor from a country in the Middle East. His church's vision is that "... the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the LORD as the waters cover the sea" (Isaiah 11:9). Recognizing that there are many areas of their country that the church can't preach at this time, they are praying that God will declare Himself to the people of their country, including those of other religions. Even though their church can't physically visit people in an effort to reach them, this pastor says, "Jesus, He can reach and visit people in their dreams." When I read this, I immediately thought of the Beng people. Even though there are no outside missionaries in their midst at this time seeking to reach them with the Gospel, Jesus can still reach them. Jesus can and does visit people in their dreams, revealing Himself to them. God's power is not limited by human constraints such as politics or geography. He is at work among the Beng, even as I write this. That thought is so exciting to me. If we never get to visit the Beng in person, we will get to hear about God's glory revealed among them when we get to heaven. So, let's pray this month like this Middle Eastern pastor, that "...the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the LORD as the waters cover the sea" and pray specifically that He would reveal Himself to the Beng people and visit them in their dreams.

June, 2012 Prayer Requests

So, what's for dinner tonight? A daily predicament for the average American family. Will it be tacos or pizza? Or hamburgers? But we just had hamburgers on Monday... For most of us, the question of what's for dinner is a matter of choosing something from the bounty that lies in our fridges and pantries. In West Africa, dinner can often be a question of, "Is there anything left for dinner?" And if there is something there, "Is it enough to last us until the next harvest?" Many places in West Africa are experiencing shortages of food this year. Weather conditions and political and social conditions in many West African nations have all contributed to this. Though I don't have any information specific to the Beng people, I would think that there are at least some who are struggling to provide food for their families. Pray with me this month that God would provide the Beng with the food they need. Pray that the Beng would look to the one true God for both physical and spiritual nourishment.

May, 2012 prayer requests

Children are great, aren't they? Such boundless energy, limitless curiosity, and inspiring optimism. When I was in Africa, it was often the children who were the first to come and greet me, flashing their sweet smiles. One of my favorite memories from when I was there was when my friends Amy and Katie were visiting me. We took a trip to Bengland and happened to be there on Palm Sunday. There was a small church in the village of Ouassadougou where we were staying, and they celebrated by parading around the village singing and clapping. The most memorable part was the joy and excitement the children displayed that day. It was contagious. I am asking this month that we pray for Beng children. Pray that their curiosity would lead them to a knowledge of the one true God. Pray that their energy would would be used to live out a life of faith. Pray that their optimism would inspire them to lead their people to follow Jesus.

April, 2012 Requests

Holy Week, this week preceding Easter, is such a special time of year for believers in Christ. I pray that, for you, this would be a time of reflection on Christ's death and sacrifice for us, followed by a time of rejoicing in Christ's resurrection and the new life He gives us.

Pray the same thing for Beng believers, that they would reflect on Christ's death and rejoice in His resurrection. Pray that their faith would be renewed and refreshed through this and that this would result in a passion for reaching other Beng people who don't have a relationship with Jesus.

March, 2012 Prayer Requests

I recently read an article by a missionary serving in West Africa with the Christian and Missionary Alliance (CMA), sharing about how missions in Cote d'Ivoire is coming full-circle. The CMA has been in that country, sharing the Good News of Jesus, since 1930. In 2005, seventy-five years later, the first Ivorian Alliance Missionary was sent out. Today, there are 40 Ivorian couples serving as Alliance missionaries in West Africa. As many foreign missionaries have pulled out of Cote d'Ivoire in the last decade, the Ivorians themselves are now stepping into the role of missionary.

Reading this article really excited me. How wonderful it would be to see more and more Ivorian Christians see themselves as missionaries to their neighbors, their nation, and nations around them. Pray that Beng Christians, who are concentrated in a few of the Beng villages, would be called as missionaries to the other fifteen or so Beng villages that do not have a Christian presence. Pray that they would have the faith and courage to step out of their comfort zones to proclaim the Good News of Christ.

February, 2012

Last month we prayed for village chiefs. This month I thought we could pray for the teachers in Beng schools.

Teachers in Cote d'Ivoire are sent by the government to schools all over the country. They are often sent to places other than their native villages and provinces. This means that they are usually of a different people group than the students they are teaching. Sometimes Christian teachers are sent to M*slim or animist villages, giving them the opportunity to expose people there to beliefs and ideas they may never be exposed to otherwise.

Pray that God would send Christian teachers to Beng schools and that they would have opportunities to introduce Beng children and adults to Christ.

Pray that many Beng children would be able to attend school so that they can learn to read and eventually read the passages of Scripture that have been translated into the Beng language.