September 2003

Dear Devoted Partners,

Your word, O Lord, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens. Your faithfulness continues through all generations; you established the earth, and it endures. Your laws endure to this day, for all things serve you. – Psalm 119:89-91

Alla la kitaaboo bee kiita ka bo ning Alla la. I wish you could hear the beautiful music that accompanies these words! The meaning of this is All of God’s Word was sent from God! God’s Word comes from no other source. It is a truth that holds special meaning to MNKs, as they are hungry for consistency and truth in God. It is exciting to be able to share Scripture with men and women as foundational to finding Truth.

This month we are looking at how utilities affect the lives of the MNK. This was an idea that originated long before the recent east coast black out; now, however, it holds even more significance. Utilities come and go in the MNK world; the crisis and confusion caused by a couple days without electricity in the US and Canada was perplexing to them. Recently, following a tremendous thunder and lightening storm, we were without water for two days and telephone for four. Not just our home, or our neighborhood, but our entire community…normal life in this part of the world. Utilities impact the MNK and their society, and not all of the impact is necessarily beneficial. It was impossible to choose Scripture with direct application to each day; we chose instead to simply praise God through the Psalms! Praise Him with us!

Continue to pray for those new colleagues who are studying language and culture; they are living in an environment where the hearing of MNK is not common; pray they will find MNK speakers with whom to chat and from whom to learn. Continue also to pray for our colleagues on stateside assignment in the US. Please continue to pray for our son and daughter-in-law; latest word is that he will continue in Iraq until February 2004.

Thank you for praying for the new MNK believer; he has been to worship with us a couple times and we are encouraged. Also PRAISE God with us that another man has come saying he wants to be a believer…that he already is! We are thrilled at God’s faithfulness; please pray as this man grows…it is not an easy road to be a believer in this society, especially when you cannot read God’s Word for yourself! He is meeting with us regularly for discipleship, and we are delighted!

If you have questions or comments, please let me know; my job is to communicate the needs of the MNK so that you can pray more effectively. And if you no longer wish to receive this Update, or wish to access it directly on our web site, please let me know and I will remove your name from the mailing list. Your support of our ministries is significant and important to us; thank you.

Your sister on the MNK field,

Mon, Sep 1: For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. – Romans 15:4 As Scripture is shared among the MNK in a variety of formats…written in Roman script…written in Arabic script… audio tapes…on the radio…visually, the goal is always to declare that Scripture never changes, and that the author of Scripture, God Himself, never changes. Pray that the MNK will come to accept the Word of God as completely true and the revelation of God as perfect.

Tue, Sep 2: The heavens declare the glory of God. – Psalm 19:1a According to those who work in the field of community development, three utilities are vital to the growth and advancement of a population: water, electricity and telephone. Interestingly, experts in this field see communication as the most important commodity for a community, if only one can be chosen. As Binta walks back from the well carrying 50 pounds of water on her head, she eyes the telephone booth being installed; she wonders if she will ever use a telephone. Pray for those who work in the area of community development among the MNK to be sensitive to the felt needs of the community, as well as the obvious ones; pray that spiritual needs will not go unattended.

Wed, Sep 3: …the skies proclaim the work of his hands. – Psalm 19:1b Maintaining relationships requires a lot of time and effort. After dinner, evenings are spent chatting with neighbors and friends. If it is not raining, sitting outside is optimal as it is cooler and more open to the rest of the community. About a year ago, Bakary bought a television; it receives only one station and it operates off a car battery. Now evenings are spent watching programs that are imported from the west, replete with less-than-wholesome values. Pray for MNK society as it struggles to enter the 21^st century.

Thu, Sep 4: The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it. – Psalm 24:1a Village life appears uncomplicated: no running water…no electricity…no telephones. Water is drawn from an open well and brought to the home; cooking is done over a wood fire or a gas bottle; kerosene lamps provide adequate light at night; phone calls are never missed because there is no telephone! In reality, village life is extremely tedious and labor intensive. Pray for MNK women who are portioned the greatest burden of work in a village.

Fri, Sep 5: Show me your ways, O Lord, teach me your paths. – Psalm 25:4 The small hole in the ground is where Sali has been drawing water for her family since she was a little girl. Now an aid agency has come and wants to dig the village a new well, one with a concrete wall and a cover to “make the water cleaner.” Sali can’t understand…the water looks clean to her and they’ve been drinking it for as long as she can remember. The place where they want to put the new well is, well, taboo. Pray that development workers will be sensitive in dealing with villagers; a bulldozer may accomplish a job, but much can be destroyed in the process.

Sat, Sep 6: Ascribe to the Lord, O mighty ones, ascribe to the Lord glory and strength. – Psalm 29:1 Kadi, Bakary’s wife, told him this morning that their supply of rice would last only through lunch today; after that, they would have no more food. Bakary needs to go buy rice. When Kadi communicated this information to Bakary, he was already on his bicycle going to town to have his television battery charged; friends from another village are coming over tonight to watch the big soccer match on TV. If he buys rice, he will not have enough to pay for the battery charging; if he charges the battery, his family will go hungry tonight. Pray for MNK men as they are faced daily with decisions like this one: the world tells them the TV is important; reality tells them their families need food; pray they will seek the wisdom of the One, True God.

Sun, Sep 7: I will praise you, O Lord, with all my heart. – Psalm 9:1 Rainy season. It rains EVERY day! Nothing dries…everything mildews…everything develops a peculiar “rainy season smell.” The young new missionary mother was lamenting this to her neighbor one day…the diapers won’t dry…my husband’s clothes won’t dry…our towels are always wet. The neighbor couldn’t really understand the woman’s comments. Of course nothing dries…it’s rainy season! Pray for missionaries who are accustomed to modern conveniences like washers and dryers as they adapt to life without utilities and appliances!

Mon, Sep 8: Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name. – Psalm 29:2a In rural, agrarian MNK society, work stops when the sun sets. In towns, though, the advent of electricity allows work to continue after dusk. Woodworkers continue to make cabinets and shelves; tailors continue to sew clothes; welders continue to make metal doors and windows. To the developed world, this is a sign of progress, enabling work productivity to increase; unfortunately, poverty, and the market to sell these goods, remains the same. Pray for the MNK to distinguish between what is good for them and their society, and what is not, in every facet of their lives… worldly and spiritual.

Tue, Sep 9: …worship the Lord in the splendor of his holiness. – Psalm 29:2b The only time boys draw water from a well is to water their animals. In MNK society, boys (between the ages of 8 and 13) are responsible for the donkeys. These animals are attached to carts which the boys drive all over town all day looking for fares: someone with a bag of rice or a bag of cement…tired women from the rice field…whatever. Quite a show ensues when evening comes and the boys are charged with watering those animals. Water truly is the life of a community. Pray that as the Gospel is presented, MNK will see that true life is found only in the Son.

Wed, Sep 10: Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; let your glory be over all the earth. – Psalm 57:5 The electricity was off for two days last week. One of Binta’s friends from town bought frozen chicken thighs at the small grocery store this morning; she was excited about the treat she would offer Binta when she came to town. Binta attributed the different taste of the meat to the fact that it was frozen at the store. She made no connection between the electricity being off, the meat she ate, and the fact that she is now sick. Pray for the MNK as they learn about the consequences of relying on electricity…improperly stored meat is the cause of many cases of food poisoning.

Thu, Sep 11: The voice of the Lord is over the waters; the God of glory thunders, the Lord thunders over the mighty waters. – Psalm 29:3 A huge thunder and lightening storm struck the main power line in town. The electrical surge shorted the town water pump, as well as knocking out all telephone communication. Two days later water was restored, but it took four days before the telephone began working again. Loss of telephone doesn’t affect the average MNK the way it does the missionary who is reliant upon it for e-mail and telephone communication. Reports weren’t submitted; responses weren’t made; letters weren’t sent. Pray for missionaries who live among the MNK to rejoice in the place God has chosen for them to serve, in spite of apparent inconveniences.

Fri, Sep 12: The voice of the Lord is powerful; the voice of the Lord is majestic. – Psalm 29:4 The radio remains the most effective means of communication within MNK society. The daily public announcements include an “obituary column”, with the name, place and date of death, and family members of the dead person. People listen closely to these announcements. It is imperative that the schedule for airing announcements not be interrupted. People are waiting to hear! It is the same with the Bible radio broadcasts. When the tower is hit by lightening, or the electricity goes off, or the tape player is broken, or the disc jockey forgets, God’s Word does not go out over the airwaves. Pray that the radio broadcasts will be aired regularly and without interruption.

Sat, Sep 13: Paul said, “I make myself a slave to everyone to win as many as possible. To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews.” – 1 Corinthians 9:19-20 Transportation among the MNK remains basic. Walking is the norm. Many men have a bicycles or a moped. Donkey carts are the foremost way to transport loads of cement, rock or sand for work around the home. Small taxis are available at very high prices. For traveling long distances, large vans that seat 40 persons are obtainable. Most missionaries have a small pick-up truck at their disposal. When approaching a village with the Gospel, do you walk? Take a donkey cart? Hire a taxi? Pray for missionaries are they labor to blend what is expedient and what is culturally appropriate in terms of presenting the Gospel.

Sun, Sep 14: For the word of the Lord is right and true; he is faithful in all he does. – Psalm 33:4 The concept of prepaid utilities is growing in the developing world. While someone may have the funds to install a telephone, or water, or electricity, but the concept of paying for it month after month escapes their mindset. There are cultural constraints that work against them as well; they cannot refuse a neighbor who wants to use the phone to call a relative in Europe or use water from the tap to water the newly formed cement bricks. So pre-paid cards are available for the telephone, electricity and water! MNKs believe they are prepaying their debts to God as well. Keeping fast, giving alms, all these will cause God to be more inclined to mercy when they die. Pray for the MNK to grasp that the only pre-payment God accepts is the completed work of Jesus Christ on the cross.

Mon, Sep 15: The Lord loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of his unfailing love. – Psalm 33:5 Two months after the new well was finished, the hand pump broke! Now what?! The man who is able to repair the pump refuses to come until he actually sees his payment. The village doesn’t have the money this time of year. Negotiations have been going on for over a week now; the women have been taking water from the old, open wells; the water was quite dirty initially, but now, with use, it is cleaner. Several of the babies have gotten sick, as have the older adults. Why is this happening? Is it because the genies don’t like the new well? Pray for MNK to be freed from their fear of the spirit world; pray that God’s Holy Spirit will envelop and protect them from Satan’s lies.

Tue, Sep 16: O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! – Psalm 8:1 Gasoline has run out in town; so has diesel fuel. The generators are silent; the taxis aren’t moving. But people continue to go about their daily lives…women are going to the market to buy fish and vegetables for today’s cooking…men are walking around visiting…stall vendors are selling even though the basically open market is a little dark. The bank isn’t operating, but the post office is. Neither the phone company nor the electric company can accept payments because their computers are down, but the water company can...all their receipts and records are hand-written. Pray for evangelistic efforts that are comprehensive, clear, and non-utility dependent.

Wed, Sep 17: The plans of the Lord stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations. – Psalm 33:11 Universally women are responsible for washing clothes. MNK women either rub the clothes between their wrists, or beat them against the rocks at the river. Rivers are important to life among the MNK. Ferries traverse the river; river water may be used for religious ablutions by travelers; sometimes the river is used as a dump; MNK eat the fish from the river. Development issues aside, survival is what is basic to the MNK. Pray that not only will the MNK survive in this difficult climate, but that they will thrive as they discover God’s love and care for them.

Thu, Sep 18: Clap your hands, all you nations; shout to God with cries of joy. – Psalm 47:1 Potable drinking water is the most necessary, and at the same time the most dangerous, health aspect for missionaries. There are those missionaries who boil every drop of water they drink, an expensive, tedious and dangerous task. Some only filter their water; others only chlorinate their water. Still others filter and chlorinate their drinking water. Regardless of the methodology, the provision of drinking water is a time consuming, daily task. MNK women have a hard time understanding their fixation on water; they have always been taught, if someone gives you water, accept it gladly and drink it! Pray for MNK women to gladly accept the Water of Life as found in Jesus Christ.

Fri, Sep 19: May your unfailing love rest upon us, O Lord, even as we put our hope in you. – Psalm 33:22 The main generator in town has broken. No one seems to know what is wrong with it, and they have no idea how long it will take to repair it. The missionaries who run the medical clinic are now in a quandary. They have a small, back-up generator, but it only supplies a portion of their electrical needs. Do they close the clinic? Do they send all the patients home? What will happen to the cold storage medications? Pray for those who work in these difficult circumstances; pray that they will praise and glorify God even when things seem impossible.

Sat, Sep 20: How awesome is the Lord Most High, the great King over all the earth! – Psalm 47:2 The electricity is off again! How many times can it go off in one week? Kadi is very frustrated. All the little bags of frozen drinks she prepared yesterday to sell at the market today have all returned to their original liquid state. How will she get the money she needs now for her daughter’s school fees? Pray for those MNK who do depend on utilities for their livelihoods; pray they will learn to depend solely on God.

Sun, Sep 21: Great is the Lord, and most worthy of praise! – Psalm 48:1a How very exciting! Electricity was put into Bakary’s friend’s house last week. Now he has lights and fans and television all the time! Bakary is oblivious of the cost of this luxury…his friend is unaware of the 20.5% tax that will be assessed monthly. This tax is intended to cover the cost of street lights, people who don’t pay their bills, etc. Pray for the civil authorities that govern MNK land; pray for a blending of reality and the ideal.

Mon, Sep 22: I will praise you, O Lord, among the nations; I will sing of you among the peoples. – Psalm 57:9 Bakary’s brother lives in Italy. He works at a copper pipe factory and lives with three other MNK men from this area. All of the men have wives, children, parents and siblings who remain in the village; these have gone to Europe to earn money for the extended family; they return to the village only once every three to four years. Bakary’s father is very ill and he needs to get a message to his brother. Fortunately, there is a telephone in the next village; unfortunately, it is three miles away. Pray for MNK believers who are given the responsibility of taking care of extended family members; pray that they will extend that responsibility into the spiritual development of their family.

Tue, Sep 23: For great is your love, reaching to the heavens; your faithfulness reaches to the skies. – Psalm 57:10 Women and little girls are the ones who supply all the water needs for a family. At first, women bring their young daughters with them to the well, teaching them how to draw water, but as the girls grow up, they come to the well alone. They draw water out of an open will with an old tire inner-tube bucket and a rope. Binta sent her daughter to the well; her younger brother followed. Being young, her attention wandered. She didn’t see her little brother leaning over the edge of the well. Pray for safety for MNK children as they grow up in a fairly dangerous environment…open wells, fires, snakes, etc; pray they will be able to hear the message of salvation.

Wed, Sep 24: Sing to the Lord, you saints of his; praise his holy name. For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime. – Psalm 30:4-5a The missionary brought the Jesus film to the village. Rather than just being able to show a film, it becomes a spectacle! Without electricity in the village, a small, loud, gasoline-powered generator must be used. It is taken behind a house so that it does not drown out the sound of the film. One of the older boys is assigned the task of ensuring no one trips over the extension cord. The cloth screen is tacked to the side of one the houses. Because of the newness of television, this film is seen as a nice story, but certainly not truth. Pray for the MNK to be able to distinguish between truth and fiction when it comes to spiritual matters.

Thu, Sep 25: From heaven the Lord looks down and sees all mankind. – Psalm 34:13 In many towns where the MNK live, the power goes off every day for several hours. Some shopkeepers have opted for an alternative source of refrigeration: a kerosene refrigerator or freezer. This sounds good on the surface, but non-electric appliances require considerable tender loving care! If the kerosene is not clean, the fire burns inefficiently. If the flame is not adjusted correctly, it eats up the wick and does not cool. The greatest difficulty with non-electric appliances is that they do not cool as well as electric, even when working optimally. Pray for MNK shopkeepers as yet another layer of frustration is added to an already overloaded life; pray that they will find rest in Christ, and Christ alone.

Fri, Sep 26: …from his dwelling place he watches all who live on the earth. – Psalm 34:14 In a village with no running water and no electricity, it is amazing that people are able to be clean and pressed! After lunch in the afternoons, women have a variety of chores they do while “resting”. They will braid one another’s hair; they will shell peanuts or peas; they will crochet; they will do their ironing. Charcoal irons are still the norm among MNK women. They save hot coals from lunch and sit on the floor with their good outfits, and those of their husbands. Pray for MNK women as they “rest”; pray that this will be found to be a good time to visit and share the Gospel with this exceedingly busy segment of the MNK population.

Sat, Sep 27: Your love, O Lord, reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies. – Psalm 36:5 A woman had an emergency caesarean birth this morning at the hospital. Afterwards she needed a blood transfusion. There were several people standing by ready and willing to donate, but there was no electricity to type and cross-match the donors. She bled to death before they got the generator started. Some 200 cases of polio were reported last year in children who had been vaccinated. The cause? The vaccine cold storage chain was broken; the children were vaccinated with compromised vaccines. Pray for those responsible for utilities to see that the provision of electricity and water is more than just watching television and taking a shower; pray for health workers to be diligent, aggressive and cautious in regards to the health of those they serve.

Sun, Sep 28: For with you is the fountain of life; in your light we see light. – Psalm 36:9 In larger towns, wells have been allowed to deteriorate in favor of the town piped water supply. Daily women wait for their turn to fill their buckets at communal standpipes. They still carry the 50 pounds of water on their heads; the water is assumed to be cleaner than a well since it arrives at the distribution point in a pipe. But water seeps out of broken pipes all over town; and where water seeps out, germs seep in. Pray for MNK women as they provide all the water needs for their family; pray they will heed the public health cautions taught regarding their drinking water.

Mon, Sep 29: We wait in hope for the Lord; he is our help and our shield. – Psalm 33:20 For years, this missionary family has lived in the bush. The only modern conveniences they have had are a kerosene freezer, an LP gas refrigerator, and a few solar panels for fans at night. (There is no need for lights at night; they only attract bugs!) Now, however, the wife has developed a skin irritation that heat and humidity exacerbate. She finds relief only in cool and dry conditions. Do they buy a generator and run it all night so she can sleep under a small air conditioner? Do they leave the village and live in a more temperate climate? What about their people? What about sharing the Gospel? Pray for missionaries who are regularly faced with situations like this; pray for wisdom, grace and peace to do what God ordains.

Tue, Sep 30: Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people he chose for his inheritance. – Psalm 34:12 It is exciting and challenging to be part of sharing the Gospel with a people who do not know Christ. God is moving His plan and His purposes forward. Two MNK men have accepted Christ; another man has initiated a Bible study; a man’s wife and his children are hearing the Word of God on a regular basis. Pray for those MNK who hear and accept God’s reconciliation for mankind to be stirred to share this insight into the character of God with their families, friends and neighbors!