August 2008

....... and they shall sing of the ways of the LORD, for great is the glory of the LORD (Psalm 138:5, ESV).

Dear Prayer Partners,

Thank you for praying for the Mandinka and our family. Our family arrived in the states safely, and we are enjoying catching up with family and friends. We are also getting to know new friends. We are blessed to be staying at the mission house of Catawba Heights Baptist Church in North Carolina.

As you are praying for the Mandinka this month please keep in mind that next month is their fasting month, Ramadan. This is a great time ask God to send dreams and visions. This is a time when many who take their religion seriously make a great effort in their strength to “make themselves holy.” Many at least have their focus on spiritual matters. Let us pray that the Mandinka will be willing to let go of traditions and seek the one who is greater than all traditions.

Let’s also continue to remember the Mandinka believers who live isolated from other believers. Those who attended the gathering at the beginning of this year were greatly encouraged. Please pray for these to seek ways to have fellowship and edify one another.

August is one of the main months of the rainy season. Please pray that the rains will be good this year. Many women are getting fields ready to transplant their rice. This is physically demanding work. The men also have cash crops such as corn and peanuts. Please pray that this year’s crop will be abundant. Pray for their health as cuts and sores do not heal well during the rainy season.

Thank you for continuing to pray for Kimberly. She is working both in the Sedhiou and Kolda areas. Please pray for her because the work can seem overwhelming. Pray for travel mercies as she goes back and forth between these towns. Please pray that Kimberly will be an encouragement to AN, and that they will have many opportunities to spend time in the Word.

Our family feels so blessed to have you lift needs on our behalf as well as the Mandinka. We are reaching one of those milestones that we would appreciate your prayers. Later this month we will head up the east coast to take Alex to Maine Maritime Academy. (It is a four year college, and not a military academy.) Please pray for him as he begins this journey of higher education. Also our sons, Daniel and Patrick, will begin public school near the end of this month. It has been a long time since Daniel was in a classroom, and Patrick has not been in a formal school setting. They are looking forward to a great school year. Please lift them up as they make these transitions.

Your sister in Christ,

Scripture verses:

Aug. 01-02: But he said, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it! (Luke 11:28, ESV)”

Aug. 03-09: "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied (Matthew 5:6).”

Aug. 10-16: Then I called on the name of the LORD: "O LORD, I pray, deliver my soul! (Psalm 116:4, ESV)"

Aug. 17-23: The LORD has bared his holy arm before the eyes of all the nations, and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God (Isaiah 52:10, ESV).

Aug. 24-30: Give me understanding, that I may keep your law and observe it with my whole heart (Psalm 119:34, ESV).

Aug. 31: For he says, "In a favorable time I listened to you, and in a day of salvation I have helped you." Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation (2 Corinthians 6:2, ESV).

Sunday	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday
August Prayer Gram Pray for/that:					1 MK, a baptized believer, to grow in his relationship to Christ.	2 DD, a seeker, will spend time reading scripture to seek Truth.
3 MCl & husband both believers to be a light to their families and preserve.	4 YM, the chief of MK, and his sons to have dreams and visions of Christ.	5 BbC, nurse from MK to reflect on what he saw in the volunteer teams this year.	6 The Sila Tilindingo to be heard by many in and around Sedhiou without distractions.	7 Good health and endurance for the men & women working in their fields.	8 Women in MK to hunger and thirst for the Word of God.	9 Religious leader, D, at MK to become dissatisfied with the teachings of Is.
10 SD and his family as they are a witnessing presence in their community.	11 VDJ, from the village S, to be drawn to read and study God’s Word.	12 Young men in the village S to turn away from Is.	13 Many MNK will open their hearts to the scripture that is shared through the Sila Tilindingo.	14 The food supply will be sufficient during this time of difficult physical work.	15 The Holy Spirit will draw FC’s wife, NS, to seek a relationship with Christ.	16 Travel safety for children who are visiting friends and relatives while school is out.
17 KG, MNK pastor in Guinea Bissau, and his flock to be strong in their faith.	18 NC and FF, two of our hosts in BN to reflect on the Bible stories that showed the attributes of God.	19 All of the women in the BN group will understand that they are precious to God.	20 The radio station workers will listen closely to God’s Word shared through Sila Tilindingo.	21 Religious leader, C, in BN to have dreams that reveal Christ as Lord.	22 BN village chief, YK, will believe that forgiveness comes only through the blood of Jesus.	23 The love of Christ shown through volunteers will break down barriers in BN.
24 AN, and her daughters, as they share their faith with their neighbors.	25 The new village chief in BF, will be a person of peace.	26 The Holy Spirit will cause YD, an elder in BF to remember lessons about Jesus.	27 Many MNK youth will listen and be changed by what they hear through the Sila Tilindingo.	28 The people of BF will desire to understand why so many volunteers have come to help them.	29 The Holy Spirit will soften the hearts of IF & AK towards the Gospel.	30 A good rainy season with an abundant harvest
31A church planting movement among the MNK.	www.mandinkapeople.com pray4mnk@pobox.com