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January 2008 MNK Update 01 Jan 2008 |
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January 1, 2008
JDear Prayer Partners,
Greetings from Sedhiou, thank you for praying for the Christmas Eve celebration. We had approximately 250 people from young to old. They listened to a reading of the Christmas story from Matthew and Luke mostly done by DD (Dec. 1 prayer request) whom you often pray for. One of his older brothers as well as the village chief (Dec. 10) from his home village who you also pray for were among the guests. In the middle of the scripture reading a local celebrity came, but after his brief visit we were able to complete the reading. We praise God for this opportunity to share with our neighbors. We had a candle lighting and then refreshments were served. The refreshment time was a “little” chaotic, but we survived! One young woman requested a copy of the reading that she heard. Please pray that she will read the scripture that she was given. We pray that each one who attended will recall the words that they heard and seek to know Him more.
SD has arrived to help us shore up plans for the gathering. He shared that he has found another place to move his family. It is in the same town. He has also been assured by local authorities that he cannot be forced to leave as long as he has paid his rent. Thank you for lifting this situation in prayer. Please continue to pray for this precious family.
We are praising God for going before us in our storying groups. This week as Richard and DD were sharing with a new group in the village, MF, the religious teacher made the statement that Jesus is the beginning and the end, and that those who follow Him go directly to heaven. Kimberly and I have had two mature women in one of our groups to answer that Jesus is the Son of God. However, if the women feel pressed to answer an uncomfortable question they fall back on the belief that they “have not studied and therefore can’t reason about issues”. We know that God is at work, we pray that He is ready to move among the MNK. Please pray for the MNKs to talk about the scripture that they hear.
It is time for the gathering. We are so excited about meeting our brothers and sisters in Christ. We have been praying for this for some time now. Thank you for you faithfulness to pray for this work and for the workers. One of our families has had enormous amount of sickness. Just recently their three year old son was sick with a high fever and swelling. Praise the Lord, he is much better now.
· Please continue to pray for protection for the MNK believers and the workers. · Please lift up travel and logistical issues. · Pray for unity among the workers and believers · Pray for the worship times to glorify God · Pray for the meeting times to be edifying
We have received several encouraging reports of churches surpassing their goals for the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering. We appreciate our SBC family’s putting faith into action by supporting missions prayerfully and financially. You have a significant role on our team, and we thank you for your willingness to do what it takes to share the Gospel with the Mandinka people.
May you have a blessed New Year!
In Christ’s love, Fran
Scripture Verses:
Jan. 01- 05: And the Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the LORD (Isaiah 11:2, ESV). Jan. 06-12: And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child (Luke 2:17, ESV). Jan. 13-19: And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth (John 1:14, ESV). Jan. 20-26: but the LORD takes pleasure in those who fear him, in those who hope in his steadfast love (Psalm 147:11, ESV). Jan. 27-31: For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek (Romans 1:16, ESV).
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