Durban

Most African congregations are comprised of women and children.  The men are happy for the women to go to church; but may not go themselves.  We praise the Lord for the many men who are attending Compensation BC and for their eagerness to grow spiritually.  Recently, they asked Barry to start teaching an adult Bible study while the children are having Sunday school.  Please pray for Barry as he starts to prepare for the adult study which will begin in January.  Pray that the Holy Spirit will guide him in his studies and preparation.

Please pray for two university students, F and A, who have received Jesus DVDs and New Testaments.  Pray that during their break from studies, they will look at the DVDs and read the New Testaments.  Pray that S and W would be able to reconnect with them when they return from stateside, and would be able to encourage them to consider Jesus. 

Hundreds of adults and children live in abandoned buildings or shelters in inner city Durban.  Pray that the message of hope and the love of Jesus will be shared with them.  Pray that they will know the love of God in a very real way.  Pray that the Church will reach out to these precious souls during December.

Due to conflicts between DRC and Zimbabwean immigrants at the Compound in Compensation, many of the families will be displaced in lieu of farm workers moving into the housing.  Please pray for L and her family who are faced with the task of moving out of their room. Pray that they would find suitable accommodation, and that it would be in the area so that she and the children could continue to walk to church.  Pray for this single mother of five to be able to find full-time work so that she can adequately provide for her family.

Christmas is currently a public holiday in South Africa.  However, that may not be the case for much longer.  Recent complaints and requests have been made to the government commission that say the Christian holiday is biased and unfair to other religions that do not have public holidays in South Africa.  Pray for the Christian community in South Africa as they face this issue.

Pastors L, A and S are all hoping to see new church plants in the coming year.  Pray for wisdom for each of these men.  Pray for S and W to have wisdom to know how they can assist and encourage their efforts. Pray for the Lord to open more doors of opportunity for evangelism training as S and W return from the States.