“From the lips of children and infants You have ordained praise because of Your enemies, to silence the foe and the avenger.” — Psalm 8:2
Our Saturday Kids’ Church program is going really great! God has given us tremendous grace in providing children every week. Every Saturday, there are different children that come, as well as those we see every week. We are averaging about 15-20 kids each program, and learning more each time.
Last week, my friend Tsai had planned to preach, but her 2 year old, Kabowd, started to get sick on our way to the church. She was unable to preach or translate midway through the program. But my friend Naphtali, who is 6 years old and Pastor Mohammad’s son, was able to preach a message, help me with translation and lead us in prayer at the end for Kabowd and another girl who wanted prayer!
I am excited to see children praying for each other, preaching and learning more about having Jesus as their best friend. God is truly amazing, I can’t wait to see what else He does with these incredible little ones…
- Pray for new children to continue to come and hear the Gospel of Jesus, and for old ones to continue to grow in the knowledge of God. The Kingdom of God belongs to them!
- Pray for wisdom, creativity and love for me and for Tsai as we prepare every week. Our hearts are to raise up children who know who they are in Christ and can change their families and city with the Gospel!
“…God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.” — 1 Timothy 2:3
I love this verse which Samuel taught from a few weeks ago. Our God is full of love for every person and His desire is for ALL to be saved. That means that when we are praying for someone’s salvation, of course it is the will of God!
I have made some beautiful friends in Harar who still need this life changing message of Jesus in their lives. Here is a list of some of them whom I am daily praying for; please join me in lifting their names to heaven, that God will reveal His love to them and bring them to salvation in Christ!
- Sara and Mesfit – married Muslim couple, Sara is a student in college studying to become a computer technician
- Desam – Sara’s friend, student, Muslim
- Dusit – Sara’s friend, also a student, Muslim
- Arafat – Dusit’s sister, Muslim single mom who speaks fluent English!
- Zara – Oromo lady who sells vegetables on the street in my neighborhood with her 2 year old; single mom
- Makdalawit and family – young lady described by some to be “crazy,” recently gave her life to Christ!; her family is not saved.
Pray that Jesus transforms these men and women! His love changes everything.
“I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know Him better.” — Ephesians 1:17
- Pray also for the disciples in Harar Church of Joy. We have some incredible members who weekly are taking the Gospel of salvation and healing into local neighborhoods and villages.
- Pray that God raises up strong leaders in the church and equips them in this time of transition (In January, Pastors Ashagre and Mohammad will be officially instated as the church’s leadership).
- Pray especially for more women to be raised up in the truth of God. We have some solid women members, but much of our church is men. Pray that God will transform women who will love the people of Harar with power and truth and become effective leaders!
- Pray for me also, for continued strength to love and preach. Pray that I grow in the gift of discernment and am provided the grace necessary to fulfill God’s plan here in Harar. The religious atmosphere is sometimes very heavy. But the Word of God, praying in the Holy Spirit and spending time with my fellow missionaries are transforming joys. Keep me in your prayers as we war against these dark powers – for the name of Jesus is above EVERY name and we are victorious in Him!
Thank you so much for your prayers. Very much love to all of you and Happy Thanksgiving!
