The Lord confides in those who fear him; he makes his covenant known to them. – Psalm 25:14

What does it mean to you when someone confides in you, takes you into their confidence? Does that action not bespeak a close friendship? Scripture tells us that God confides in us...He speaks to us...He makes His ways known to us...when we fear Him! What a privilege and a treasure!

This man does not know God. He is a strong Muslim MNK man. He is kind, friendly, and hospitable and takes care of his family, his friends and anyone else under his authority. But God has not made His covenant known to this man...because he does not fear God.

This old man epitomizes the head of an MNK family. He has two wives, each wife has had 6-8 children, and he now has numerous grandchildren. As he ages, he is beginning to think about his own mortality, and it is frightening to him. Please pray for this man specifically; we will call him The Man in the Purple Robe.

These are the names of our fictitious MNK family:

Bakary, the head of the family (early 50s)

Fatou, Bakary’s first wife (early 40s) and her children (Adama, Hawa, Kadi, Sali, Mariyama, Fatou, Ibrima)

Binta, Bakary’s second wife (mid 30s) and her children (Lamin, Modou, Tida, Alieu, Isatou)

Kadi, Bakary’s third wife (early 20s) and her children (Ebou, Nyima, Alhaji)

Lamin, Bakary’s elderly father (mid 70s)

Sali, Lamin’s only surviving wife, birthmother of Bakary

Toubob, what MNKs call white westerners

Much prayer and joyful energy goes into the production of this monthly prayer guide. As we stated in the May Update, to afford us opportunity for reflection, May, June and July will be “recycled” updates published previously. Please continue to pray faithfully, especially if the request seems familiar. The radio broadcasts are now teaching directly from the New Testament about who Jesus is...pray for those listening to have ears to hear.

As always, if there is something I can do for you to assist you as you pray for the salvation of the MNK and for those of us who work among them, it is my privilege to do so. My goal is to answer every email I receive within 72 hours; please hold me accountable to that goal!

Your sister on the MNK field

MNK Update June 2005

Wed, Jun 1: But an angel said unto them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. –Luke 2:10-11 Last week and this, MNKs are hearing about Jesus and His miraculous birth. Tonight’s lesson #64 focuses on the circumstances of Jesus’ birth. The MNK have many questions but the one most vocalized is, “Can God have a son?” The Qu’ran teaches that God did NOT have a son. Pray for MNKs as they hear these words and struggle against the lie they have heard all their lives.

Thu, Jun 2: My mouth is filled with your praise, declaring your splendor all day long. – Psalm 71:8 Binta’s daughter, Tida, goes to the government school in town. One of her teachers is from Nigeria; Tida recognizes that this woman is different. While she may dress like the other teachers and speak the same languages, she does not act like the other women at the school. She seems happy all the time. She is rarely upset and never beats the children for disobedience. Pray for West African Christians who live and work among MNK to display the true Joy of the Lord.

Fri, Jun 3: Come here and listen to the words of the Lord your God. This is how you will know that the living God is among you. – Joshua 3:9-10 How? How will I know that the Living God is here? Which words should I listen to and accept as truth? Lamin can’t get these words out of his head. He heard them on the radio yesterday, but doesn’t understand them. The Living God? Among us? Islam teaches that God is omnipresent, yet distant. Pray that Lamin will have an experience like the Ethiopian eunuch with a faithful servant, like Philip (Acts 8:26).

Sat, Jun 4: For no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ. – 2 Corinthians 1:20 This is the point where many Muslims fall. They either don’t know or won’t acknowledge that every one of the promises made by God in Scripture has been fulfilled! Every one of them! Not a single one has He forgotten. Bakary saw this Scripture on a poster in the market. Now he wonders how he can know the promises God has made and how they have been answered. Pray that MNK and expatriate believers will be ready and available to point men like Bakary to the Truth found in Scripture.

Sun, Jun 5: Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path. – Psalm 119:105 Bakary’s wives have begun attending literacy classes taught in a nearby village. Every month a new poster is hung in the classroom, and at the end of the month, each participant is given a copy of it. In a 12-month period, these posters will progress from the sovereignty of God through salvation. Pray that these posters will be read often and that God’s Word will begin to light the path of those who read them.

Mon, Jun 6: What must we do to do the works God requires? – John 6:28 Lamin has asked the Toubob to answer this question. It is one that every religion in the world tries to answer. Lamin believes he must focus on his accomplishments, for this is what he believes pleases God; personal faith isn’t even part of the discussion. Followers of Jesus teach that works are inadequate to satisfy God. Pray for MNK men to clearly hear the answer and learn that God looks at our motives, not our works.

Tue, Jun 7: Listen, my son, to your father’s instruction and do not forsake your mother’s teaching. – Proverbs 1:8 Kadi’s youngest son has just gone out to the bush for the circumcision rite. While Kadi doesn’t know exactly what the boys are taught, she knows what she was taught as a young girl, and can only imagine what the men say about women. Yet she heard the Toubob say that David’s son, the great King Solomon, admonished children to listen to and heed both parents. But that isn’t the MNK way. Pray that as the Word of God is heard among the MNK, they will find their hearts confused; pray they will find Truth.

Wed, Jun 8: Jesus Christ appeared so that he might take away our sins. And in him is no sin. – 1 John 3:5 Tonight’s radio broadcast, #65 is entitled Jesus, The Holy Son. Bakary cannot understand this. Not just a prophet? Not just a really important prophet? But the Holy Son? What makes Jesus Holy? The answer resounds loud and clear in this lesson. Jesus’ Holy nature is because no sin is found in Him, and that He is, in fact, God. Pray for MNKs as their ears hear and their hearts attempt to process these truths.

Thu, Jun 9: Let your eyes look straight ahead, fix your gaze directly before you. – Proverbs 4:25 Tida’s teacher said this to one of the boys in her class yesterday while they were taking a test. Tida thought it must be a proverb from the teacher’s homeland. The teacher explained that indeed it was a proverb, but it came not from her homeland, but from God’s Word. Tida marveled at this woman’s memory; how did she learn that? Pray that all believers among the MNK will be faithful to share from God’s Word regularly! Pray that we, as God’s children, will KNOW His Word.

Fri, Jun 10: Every good and perfect gift is from above. – James 1:17 One of Binta’s best friends, Fanta, is at the hospital with her only son. He is 10 years old and very ill. He suffers like this every year. Fanta says it is God’s will. The women believe this is man’s lot in life: to suffer, to have pain – the more pain, the greater the reward at death. Yet Binta has been listening to the radio and has heard that God is good. If God is good, why would he send evil to a family? Confusion reigns in her mind. Pray that Binta and other MNK women will know that God is Sovereign, Good, Faithful and Just; in Him is found no evil.

Sat, Jun 11: For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him. – 2 Chronicles 16:9 Bakary’s childhood friend, Bouba, called himself a Christian for many years. But now it seems he has distanced himself from that group. Bakary hopes he is repenting, returning to Islam. Bouba is confused, suffering, and having a crisis of faith. Unfortunately he believes he is completely alone. Pray for many like Bouba who become discouraged; pray they will be able to hold to the truths they know to be true; pray for their faith to increase; pray that Bouba will somehow be encouraged.

Sun, Jun 12: If anyone says, “I love God,” yet hates his brother, he is a liar. – 1 John 4:20 The boys witnessed a terrible fight yesterday between two men in a field; one accused the other of stealing his peanuts. When the physical fight was over, the boys thought that was the end of it, but they heard insults and threats and warnings and hate going back and forth for a long time. Later that night, Bakary explained that there would be bad blood between these two men now for years. Both called the name of God. Both declared they were in the right and God would repay the evil. Pray that the truth from 1 John will permeate human society, not just among the MNK. Love and hate cannot inhabit the same space.

Mon, Jun 13: Do what is right and good in the Lord’s sight. – Deuteronomy 6:18 Today Tida’s teacher once again amazed her class with a proverb. At least that’s what they thought it was until she explained that it is a teaching of God. Though confused, the children were afraid to ask her any questions in class. It’s never a problem to discuss Islam in school, but you open yourself to ridicule and persecution if you ask about Christianity. Tida saw her best friend talking with the teacher in hushed tones after class. How can you know what is right in God’s sight? Pray that the schools will be filled with teachers whose loving presence will be like a magnet for children to the Truth.

Tue, Jun 14: Test everything. Hold on to the good. – 1 Thessalonians 5:21 MNKs are not taught independent thought. They are not taught problem solving techniques. From childhood, a westerner is taught to figure out why something isn’t working and how to make it work. But in this society, fixing something might make you look better than someone else. What was good enough for the ancestors is good enough now. Pray that the MNK will re-examine their religious beliefs and seek the truth; pray for this communal society to understand their individual role before God.

Wed, Jun 15: John said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” – John 1:29 Tonight’s radio broadcast is entitled Jesus, The Lamb of God (lesson #66). Through the teachings of Islam, the MNK follow many of the prophets recorded in Scripture. They know each one promised, “The Messiah is coming.” John the Baptist, however, said, “The Messiah is here!” Pray for MNK men and women as they realize no prophet said anything of greater import than John when he declared, Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.

Thu, Jun 16: Do not follow other gods. – Deuteronomy 6:14 The children are getting ready for their nightly Islamic teachings around the bonfire. It is here they are taught how to say the rote Islamic prayers. It is here the elders tell them the stories of the prophets, as taught by Islam. It is here they are taught that Christians worship three gods (God, Jesus, Mary), not just one. It is here they learn that Islam is the only true religion. Pray for MNK children to learn that while the tenants of Islam may have had their origins in the worship of the One True God, over the years it has become perverted by man.

Fri, Jun 17: I will proclaim the name of the Lord. – Deuteronomy 32:3 Standing in the mosque, shoulder to shoulder with his Muslim brothers, Lamin believes he is proclaiming the name of the Lord. He is reciting what he learned in childhood, but now, in his old age, he wonders. He believes there is a God, but his mind will not allow him to conceptualize a personal relationship with him. Pray that as Muslims worldwide stand together, that of one voice, they will truly proclaim the name of the Lord and come to know Him.

Sat, Jun 18: If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer. – Matthew 21:22 During Ramadan, even the women do a lot of praying. Yet these words spoken by Jesus are very confusing to Fatou, Binta and Kadi. Even Mohammed didn’t make that claim. As they walk home from their literacy class, they begin discussing what they know of Jesus, the magical things he did as an infant, etc. How could Jesus say that? Is there a different magical charm they should buy? Pray that MNK women will believe in the One True God, and that their belief will result in an unwavering faith.

Sun, Jun 19: Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know. – Jeremiah 33:3 Every night during Ramadan, entire villages and neighborhoods gather together for special prayers; in other words, they go to “church” every night! Men sit inside the mosque, while women and children gather outside. But none know the God who chooses to interact with mankind! Pray for MNK men, women and children to seek after the God who created the heavens and the earth in a plan too wondrous to fully comprehend.

Mon, Jun 20: And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. – Acts 2:21 Kadi heard this verse in her literacy class. She calls on the name of Alla every day; yet, Islam does not teach assurance of anything, except that God may or may not accept her. She wonders who this applies to…is it really everyone? What an amazing religion this must be if it assures salvation. Why would you continue to serve God if your place in paradise was guaranteed? Pray that Kadi and other MNKs will know that our joy of service comes from love and faith in a Just and Living God, not in fear of His wrath.

Tue, Jun 21: Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. – Deuteronomy 6:5 As Lamin begins washing his feet, his hands, his head, his eyes, his ears, and his mouth before the evening prayer time, he remembers what the Toubob told him about loving God. Respect? Yes. Fear? Yes. Obey? Yes. Proclaim? Yes. But love? Of the 99 names for God in Islam, love is not one of them. Pray for MNK men and women as they attempt to purify their bodies in order to draw close to God; pray they will rather allow God to purify their hearts.

Wed, Jun 22: Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners!” – Mark 2:17 Tonight’s radio broadcast, #67, is entitled Jesus, The Great Healer. MNK men and women spend a lot of money during their lifetimes seeking healing, either through the power of amulets, or spells, or medicine. What will be heard in this lesson tonight is that not only does Jesus have the power to heal physical ailments, but He is able to heal the sinful heart as well. Pray for MNKs to desire the healing power of Jesus in their lives.

Thu, Jun 23: Jesus said, “The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.” – John 6:29 The men sit scratching their heads. They are terribly confused; this was not the answer they were expecting. How can God’s work be to believe? Through their confusion, Bakary and the others are missing the point. Satisfying God comes from whom we believe in, not what we do. To accomplish God’s work, we are to believe in Him and the One whom He sent. Pray that believing will become more important in the MNK thought process than doing.

Fri, Jun 24: Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God. – Matthew 4:4 As Fatou walked home from town last night, she passed some people working in their field who had their radio on. She stopped to listen to the news, and heard these words spoken at the end of the news. Though exhausted and desirous of reaching home, she was so struck by what she heard that she walked very slowly, thinking it over and over. How can you hear words from God? Pray for Fatou and other MNK women to hold to the truths they are hearing on the radio.

Sat, Jun 25: O Jerusalem, wash the evil from your heart and be saved. How long will you harbor wicked thoughts? – Jeremiah 4:14 As Jeremiah wept over Jerusalem, so those of us who work among the MNK weep. God longs to fellowship with the MNK, just as He longs to commune with every human being. Pray that each of us will wash the evil from our hearts and turn to God in true repentance and fellowship.

Sun, Jun 26: Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people. – Matthew 4:23 Jesus was a good man. According to the Qu’ran, he is a great prophet who did miraculous things. He is sinless. But he is not the son of God. Pray that as the teachings of Jesus are announced over the radio the MNK will believe; pray that MNKs will come to believe the WHOLE Bible.

Mon, Jun 27: Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of God. – Matthew 5:3 How can anyone who is poor, in spirit or otherwise, be blessed by God? It is obvious that God is NOT blessing that person or he wouldn’t be poor. And how can any man inhabit or inherit the kingdom of God? Sali thinks on these things as she lays down for her afternoon rest. Pray for God’s Spirit to reveal Himself to her as she sleeps!

Tue, Jun 28: Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. – Matthew 5:4 Fatou was awakened in the middle of the night by wailing from the next compound over. A young mother died; her only apparent symptom was a high fever. Determining an exact cause of death in West Africa is nearly impossible. The woman was not physically strong, having given birth only two months ago. How can mourning bring blessings? The MNK accept physical death, though sad, as natural and God’s will. Pray that God will instill in every MNK man, woman and child a desire to spend eternity in His Holy Presence.

Wed, Jun 29: Jesus said, “Seek first God’s kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” – Matthew 6:33 Tonight’s radio broadcast (#68) is entitled Jesus, The Great Teacher. Neither Bakary, nor Lamin, nor Kadi, nor Fatou, nor Sali have ever refused to listen to the teachings of Jesus. MNKs love the authority they hear in Jesus’ teachings; it is naturally inviting, encouraging, and challenging. Yet, according to Islam, though Jesus was indeed a good teacher, He was not “The Great Teacher.” Pray for the Holy Spirit to open the hearts and minds of MNKs as they listen to these teachings tonight.

Thu, Jun 30: Blessed are the meek for they will inherit the earth. – Matthew 5:5 Meek! What does that mean, meek? Does that mean weak? Binta’s son, Ibrima, just finished helping with the circumcision rites of the younger boys. He spent many hours talking about how to be a MNK man, how to be strong, how never to be considered weak. And now he hears that those who are meek will inherit the earth. How can you inherit what doesn’t belong to your father? Oh, those non-Muslims have some very confused ideas. Pray for Ibrima to be able to listen to the teachings from Scripture with a mind not controlled by human thinking.