Family Member's Surgery

Please pray Gail's mother on your prayer list this week.  Gail works in Cape Town.  Tuesday morning her mom will be having an operation on her shoulder to repair it from the fall she took earlier this year.  The doctors know she has a tear in the tendon around the rotator cup but may find a fracture as well.  She is a very active 71 year old and to have her shoulder to be immobile for weeks is going to be hard for her.  Pray for the doctors as they operate.  Pray for patience during the healing process.

From Cape Town

Here is an update on Gail's dad.  He is still having pain, so the doctor wants to try him on another kind of nitroglycerin until Monday to ease the angina pain. Since the doctor started him on lasix (anti-water pill), he has lost about 10 pounds of water on his lungs and around his heart.  He will continue to take that.  He has had to stop the blood thinners for 4 days before the catheter so is having to eat only certain foods that will help him during this time.  He will go to the hospital at 6:30am Monday for the cath.  He won't be able to roll over for 6 hours after the procedure so he won't be home until our night time, if all goes well.
Thank you for praying for him these past two weeks.  Please continue to pray for him, the doctors, and his wife.

CMET Worker's Father

I (Gail) spoke with my father tonight.  He sounded more positive about this waiting game.  He said he has been able to get a lot of fluid off his heart with the water pills and that has helped some.  He still would like prayers because the catheter is only scheduled for next Friday and 1) it is still a week away and 2) he wants prayer for his doctor while he does it and for his body as it is going through it.
Thank you so much for your prayers at this time.  My family, his siblings, seem to be the most concerned.  Please keep them in your prayers, as well.

BU Assembly

Baptist Union pastors around South Africa will be meeting together from the 28^th to the 30^th.  Pray for them to hear a fresh word from the Lord.  Pray for this to be a time of renewal and refreshment as they gather together for the conference.

Durban, South Africa

James will be house-sitting for fellow workers until the family returns from the U.S. in early October.  Pray for James as he lives in the house and takes care of the family dogs.  Please pray for the family to receive the medical clearance that is required so that they may return to South Africa.

Pray for M, one of the students in S’s ESL (English as a Second Language) classes.  Although M has moved to Johannesburg, S was able to share Truth with her during one a recent visit to Durban.  M is also in touch with fellow workers in Johannesburg who are ministering to her.  Pray that the Lord would continue His work in her life and that she would come to faith in Christ.

Durban, South Africa

September 16^th through 22nd:

Join Linda in thanking the Lord for R’s continued desire to study God’s Word.  As the study of “Seeking Him” progressed, it was evident that it may have been too advanced at this time.  So, the ladies have started a study of the women of the Bible instead.  Please pray that both ladies would see God afresh through the lives of these biblical examples.

While in Johannesburg this week, Barry will also be driving another 3 hours to a rural area in order to deliver and install window screens for fellow workers.  Houses built in these areas are never “uniform”.  All the windows in the house are different measurements, with even the measurement of top of the window being different from the bottom of the same window.  Pray that the screens will be the correct sizes and that installation over the existing security bars will go without problems.

Cape Town Refugees

Continue to pray for refugees who choose to live in poverty in South Africa instead of in war in their home countries.  Many have never lived in a place where the military is not fighting against a group within their country.  To live in a country where there is relative peace allows them to experience a bit of the Promised Land.  There are hardships, though, being away from their home country.  Most refugees come to South Africa not knowing how to speak English.  Some have work credentials that cannot be transferred for use here; thus, they are without jobs.  Refugees in South Africa are constantly aware that xenophobia (hatred of people from other countries for fear they will take the few jobs that are available) is almost always on the minds of South Africans.  What can God offer them?  Through your contributions, workers are able to teach them English so they can talk in their adopted country and so they can apply for jobs.  With English they can go to the doctor and be understood.  Also, in these English classes,  Gail uses the Good News to teach them a language and of the Gospel.  Eventually they read it for themselves in the Bibles given to them.  Please pray for these people who are also near to the Father’s heart that they would hear and understand the Word, that they would learn English and find employment, and that they and their families would survive in a new country.

Youth in Cape Town

In May of 2011, we shared with you about the astounding number of South Africans that are in their 20's and younger making up over 60% of the population, and we asked you to join us in praying for God to move in the hearts of national partners to reach the Xhosa youth with us in the most logical place to find them, the schools. Since that time God has opened up a total of 7 schools and continues to open more schools for students to hear about Jesus Christ through the platform of teaching life skills, after school clubs and holiday youth camps. We have seen God place His passion for reaching this younger generation within the hearts of Xhosa Pastors K, L, and B, and just recently a young Xhosa woman, T. Please pray for these partners that God would continue to fuel their desire to faithfully engage with and share about the hope in their lives from knowing Jesus Christ. Ask God to make a way for teachers, like Mama I, to attend a Life Skills training where they can learn more about Jesus Christ and share about Him with their students. Join us in praising God for His good plan in reaching the Xhosa youth and pray that we,along with our Xhosa partners might be faithful to continue follow HIs lead. Thank you.

Three-year-old AIDS Orphan at Medical Crossroads

In Durban, little Seth is 3 years old, and was brought to Tabitha Ministries’ orphanage as an infant after his mother, mentally deranged in the last stages of AIDS, buried him alive.  An alert neighbor dug him up and caregivers at Tabitha have raised him. Because he is HIV-positive, he has battled with illness after illness, and recently was hospitalized with meningitis.  He has taken the first round of Anti-Retroviral (ARVs) and they have not been effective in stopping the virus’ effect on Seth’s little body. Doctors are hesitant to give him the second round of ARVs as they are much stronger than the first and are concerned that he won’t be able to handle the drugs.  If they decide not to give him the second ARVs, they will take him off all medications and he will most likely die within a month.  PRAY that he would be strong enough to take the meds and they will work to bring him back to health.

Cape Town

Prayer walk through the townships of Cape Town.

Prayer Walk - Cape Town

November 2011

Cape Town Metro Evangelism Team

Many people are scared of speaking or singing in public. Giving a speech or leading a song can be a daunting task, especially for a 12 year old being asked to share with over 200 of his or her peers! Every Tuesday, Sarah and Michal work with 15 middle school students from Linge School, who are learning a story from the Bible, discovering the truths to live by from it, and then preparing to share the Bible story or help lead praise songs in a student worship service later in the week. It is difficult for these 15 young believers to prepare and not be nervous, afraid or soft-spoken when sharing or singing. Please pray for these students to have the courage to share the Bible stories they are learning and to boldly sing praise songs to God with their friends and peers. Pray for wisdom and clarity for Sarah and Michal as they encourage these boys and girls to grow strong in their faith.

Answered Prayer:

Praise God!  Within this past year alone God has done amazing things to bring Himself glory through the Xhosa schools ministry. He has opened the door to weekly being in 4 primary schools and 1 secondary school. In the Life Orientation classes, the Bible is being taught and students’ spiritually hungry questions are being answered. Close relationships have formed from the boys and girls clubs at 2 of these schools, leading to many opportunities to share Christ with students and their families.  Local Baptist churches and even a new church plant have embraced these youth and their families resulting in whole families making decisions to follow Christ. Thank you, your continued prayer support is making a difference. Please continue to pray throughout this month, as a film about Jesus life, death and resurrection will be shown to approximately 500 students and teachers within the schools.

Durban Urban Evangelism Team

Time apart from the normal routines of life to listen to God speak are all too rare in the lives of most people. More than twenty people from around the Durban area will join Roger and Meg for a weekend of quiet and focused attention to God once again this month. Individuals that spend this time away from regular life continually share testimonies of hearing God give them new hope, direction and strength for life. Join us in asking the Father that this season away will provide more individuals more opportunity to hear what He has to say to them.

Johannesburg Evangelism Team

Many students from all over Africa come to the Baptist Theological College (BTC) in Joburg with hopes to become pastors and worship leaders.  Many already have full time jobs. Please pray for them as learn to balance work with study.  Pray that the students at BTC will also spend time developing their personal relationships with God while they prepare for ministry.

Port Elizabeth Evangelism Team

Continue to pray for the Halls, their family in the States and their ministry in Port Elizabeth.  Pray for the Jensens as they serve in a support role.

South African Urban Muslims

Unhappily married.  Pray for Muslim women who struggle in difficult marriages.  Many do not feel loved because they are in a polygamous marriage or because their husbands have families from previous marriages.  The workers here see this as a stronghold of the enemy.  Almost every woman that workers here have relationships with are either in a struggling marriage or have been divorced.  Pray that these women will come to know the deep, deep love of Jesus, who will never leave them or forsake them.

Soweto Evangelism Team

At the recent Horizon Baptist Church’s mid-year general meeting they voted to sponsor Faith Baptist, in Soweto, as the church applies to the Baptist Union as a fellowship.  Please pray that these two churches will have a dynamic growing relationship.  Pray that more from Horizon will desire to help spread the gospel in Soweto and help disciple/mentor the Faith Baptist believers. 

Tswane Evangelism Team

Please pray for the Vicks, their family in the States and their ministry in Pretoria.

Windhoek Evangelism Team

Namibia, like most sub-Saharan African countries, has an extremely high incidence of persons with HIV/AIDS. Many of those infected include innocent children who have been infected from birth.  Most of these children live in poverty and have been abandoned by their families as a result of their HIV status. Needles to say these children experience very little joy and happiness in their lives.

Career missionary Lisa, partnering with New Song Family Church (NSFC) in Windhoek, are hoping to bring some joy and happiness into the lives of these children as they celebrate the birth of Christ with them this month. They will be hosting a Christmas party for the children at the HIV/AIDS clinic in the township just outside the city. They will also be distributing BGR’s Kits 4 Kids, providing school supplies for the children as they will begin their new year of school just after the holidays.  Pray with us that these precious children might feel loved and cared for by those participating in the event. Pray also that as the Gospel is presented that many of the children might find the hope they are so desperately seeking in Jesus Christ. And lastly, join us in praying that nationals from NSFC will catch the vision to reach out in love to those in need here in their own country.

Support Ministries

Please pray for all their work in Africa.  We praise God for all they are doing among the African peoples.  Please pray for refreshing daily as they meet the demands of taking care of all our workers around Africa!  We appreciate them so much!

“We give thanks to God always for all of you, constantly mentioning you in our prayers, remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.”

1 Thessalonians 1:2-3

October 2011

Urban Teams’ Prayer Update for October 2011

Cape Town Metropolitan Evangelism Team

A sentence to prison for 7 years is what God used in Abongile’s life to bring his heart to conviction for his sins and an understanding of Jesus’ gift of salvation. For Eviwe, Sibabalwe, and Lihle, Abongile sharing his story is what God chose to use to bring these 3 boys into a relationship with Jesus Christ. Pray for more young men like Abongile to share their story of God’s saving power to others. Pray for God to continue to transform the lives of Xhosa boys and young men for Christ.

Johannesburg Evangelism Team

It has been reported that there are over 300 languages spoken in Joburg.  Several pockets of unreached peoples have been found living in the city of Joburg.  It is our desire to find more!  Please pray that we will be able to “map” the city in order to find more people groups and make a plan to reach them with the Gospel.

Port Elizabeth Evangelism Team

Continue to pray for the Halls, their family in the States and their ministry in Port Elizabeth.  Pray for the Jensens as they serve in a support role.

South African Urban UPGs

Language Teacher Wanted.  At lunch with a Moroccan Muslim friend, a co-worker and I were introduced to this Moroccan women’s South Asian friend.  We had been searching for a language teacher for several months after we lost our previous teacher.  Come to find out, this South Asian woman was unemployed and looking for work.  God opened the door for her to be our new language teacher.  She is open to hearing about the gospel.  Pray the Lord will honor her openness by revealing Himself to her and drawing her to salvation.  

Answered Prayer:

A group of Muslim ladies attend an Islamic studies class at a mosque.  A worker was able to share the "Creation to the Cross" story with about 10 ladies at the mosque.  They listened intently and asked questions.  Praise Him! The worker is continuing to invest in these ladies and was able to give the head teacher the entire Bible.  Now that the teacher has the Scripture in her hands, pray that the Holy Spirit will continue to do His work and move in her heart.

Soweto Evangelism Team

At the recent Horizon Baptist Church’s mid-year general meeting they voted to sponsor Faith Baptist, in Soweto, as the church applies to the Baptist Union as a fellowship.  Please pray that these two churches will have a dynamic growing relationship.  Pray that more from Horizon will desire to help spread the gospel in Soweto and help disciple/mentor the Faith Baptist believers. 

Tswane Evangelism Team

Please pray for the Vicks, their family in the States and their ministry in Pretoria.

Windhoek Evangelism Team

Career m, Dana B writes: “Sometimes in our lives we find ourselves being a part of something that causes us to think, ‘I was created for this!’ I have the weekly privilege of experiencing just that in a township outside of Windhoek.  A seventy-two year old Nama lady lives there and loves the children in that area through a weekday feeding program which she has conducted over the past nine years.  She is called Ouma (Grandma) Christina.  Monday through Friday the children begin lining up at her gate at noon and over  the next two hours about three hundred school-aged children pass through her home and eat a small portion of whatever Christina has to offer for that day.  She depends solely on the Lord’s prompting people to share their food and money to enable her to provide what is needed to feed His children each day. Every Monday afternoon, I lead a Bible study there for the seventy or more children who choose to remain after eating.  Ouma Christina and the children’s needs are great, but as I teach the Bible stories of how God performed the ‘impossible’ for the Israelites, I, along with Christina and the children, are discovering that God is still busy doing the ‘impossible’ today.  Please pray for Ouma Christina’s fragile health, for the food provisions to be plentiful, and for the children to discover and accept our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, who wants to do the ‘impossible’ in each of their lives.”

Answered Prayer:

In June the Windhoek Urban Team asked you to pray with us for the Namibian women who had agreed to participate in the Breaking Free Bible study. We were asking that lives would be transformed as these precious ladies spent time studying God’s Word together, learning to apply Biblical truths to their lives. The Bible study has just come to a close and God has answered our prayers! About 15 women persevered through the eleven weeks of study and what a blessing it was to see how their lives were changed as they began to apply the principles they learned in the study. Pray with us now, that these women would take the truths they learned and share them with others in their respective churches and communities.

The Support Center

Please pray for all our support center staff as they minister in different areas around the center.  We praise God for all they are doing among the peoples in Joburg.

Please pray that God will and refresh them daily as they meet the demands of taking care of all our workers around Africa!  We appreciate them so much!

Member Care Staff:

Pray for health and endurance for Jane L as she works double with Denise on STAS.  Continue to pray for all the ministries spreading the Good News that our team takes part in outside the Support Center.