Exloring Life Eternal

Arise Shine Morocco
Prayer Bulletin #74 (12/06)

asm@ariseshinemorocco.org <> www.ariseshinemorocco.org

NORTHEASTERN REGION:
Praise the Lord for two believers from the same family that have just been baptized. Please pray for their growth and testimony.

Please pray that the visit of a well-known ministry ship will have a big impact on this area in the next few weeks!

Thank the Lord for the completion of the Romans translation and for the many CD's and booklets produced. Pray it will prove to be a useful tool in the lives of believers and seekers in this region.


CENTRAL REGION:
Pray a family recently returned from a time away as they pick up the reigns of a new business. Pray the Lord will prosper the business so it can provide an income and a basis for residency for growing numbers.


WESTERN COASTAL REGION:
Please pray for an educational project in need of qualified teachers, administrators and support staff for the coming school year. Contact ASM for more information if you think you may be able to help with this need.

Pray for a large building project in need of funding for the next phase of construction and a company in need of the Lord's wisdom in caring for its people.


SOUTHCENTRAL REGION:
Thank God for a new Christian who is now reading the New Testament through for the second time. Pray that he will continue to read and will grow in his personal relationship with God, not just in head-knowledge. Pray his brother, who has rejected Islam and all belief, would be willing to consider Jesus.

Please pray for a brother who needs wisdom and courage regarding a new business project he is considering undertaking.


Lighthouse Church:
Pray that Christmas will be a joyous occasion that will strengthen the will of all to continue on the path of Jesus. Pray for many new converts.

Pray for a youth in the church who has taken on the responsibility for leading worship.

Pray for a believing family living near this city. Pray God will enable church members to visit them at least twice per month to encourage and disciple them.

Pray all will go well and without a problem for a sister expecting a baby in December.

Ask the Lord to minister healing to a sister who is ill.


SOUTHWESTERN REGION:
Pray for worker families experiencing health problems possibly due to environmental issues. Some people have developed breathing difficulties, asthma, and allergies since arriving. Pray for God's healing and protective hand, as well as wisdom and guidance to know what to do.

Please uphold families transitioning in business and work. One father needs to find a new job to provide for his family. Pray for God's provision and guidance. Pray for local believing families where the fathers are absent due to distant employment.

Intercede for a planned project that has encountered "red tape". Pray God will give those involved divine help to push it through for early 2007.


FAR SOUTH:
Pray for a family with a small child who may require some minor surgery. Pray for the child, for wisdom for the parents, and for God's provision in the situation.

Pray for a local brother who God has led to share with several others. Pray they will have ears to hear and hearts to receive the Good News.

Praise the Lord for continued growth and maturity in a local family and for frequent opportunities to shine the light.

"They left their 'gods' there. David gave a command and they were burned with fire. ... when you hear the sound of movement in the tops of the mulberry trees, then go out to battle, for God has gone before you to strike the army of pagans." - 1 Chronicles 14:12, 15 (IPV)

PRAISE:
Praise the Lord for several tentmaker meetings held during the Eid break where workers across the AP were encouraged, challenged and cared for by several servants of the Lord from outside the region.

PETITION:
Lift up the couple who were called into the police station recently. No formal charge has been given but they have been told they have to leave the country. Pray for God’s peace and clear leading.

Pray for a university student who had a conversation with her Christian teacher before leaving for a spiritual visit to Saudi Arabia. Pray for more opportunities for spiritual conversations.

Many Muslim Background Believers find Ramadan a very difficult time. Pray that they would be encouraged by God’s grace shown to them during the month that just passed. Pray that they would be driven to seek out other MBBs to strengthen the bonds of Christian fellowship and leave behind the shackles of loneliness and isolation.

Continue to pray for “Sincere”, the MBB woman in our main city. She and her husband have worked to stabilize their marriage. Pray that the visit of a family member would not disrupt the calm in their home. Pray for reconciliation between the visitor and “Sincere”.

Pray for the 200+ delegates attending the AP* Consultation this week. Pray that God’s purposes and divine appointments and networking would be accomplished. Many workers and organizations seeking to move the Gospel forward in the AP will be gathered together at this important consultation.


TESTIMONY:
We praise God for the growth in “Samantha's” life, for her hunger for the Word of God, for her persistence and perseverance in her faith. Last month we mentioned that she has been experiencing spiritual attack. This comes in the form of demonic voices and pictures telling her terrible things at times when she is trying to pray and worship. We have been praying with her about these things, as well as trying to deal with things from the past that may have left doors open to the enemy. For example, some Muslims pray at the tombs of saints and use charms and other kinds of "magic" when making requests, asking for protection, or trying to ward off curses. These are some things that Samantha has felt led to renounce and pray against as she seeks freedom from the enemy's attacks. After praying with some of the tentmaker women last week, “Samantha” experienced a significant reprieve from these attacks, but they have started again. Please pray for complete release for her from these experiences.

* AP = Arabian Peninsula
+ MBB = Muslim Backround Believer
<>< <>< <>< <>< <><
Praying Thru the Arabian Peninsula
www.pray-ap.info
USA #: 800-376-5876 (Eastern Time)
Encouraging & equipping believers & churches everywhere to pray with a heart filled with the "Seed-of-Laughter" for heirs of the woman who met the that "God-Sees-and-Hears-Me" so that biblical church planting movements will spread throughout the Arabian Peninsula and beyond for the Lord's glory.

====
To learn how you can support this & other work in the Middle East, visit:
http://www.srginc.org

Or write MertH.:
ptap@srginc.org

Or:
PTAP
c/o Strategic Resource Group
P.O. Box 1809
Easton, MD 21601
USA

"I give my sheep eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them out of my hand." John 10:28

TESTIMONY:
It was along ride out of the Gulf City where the tentmaker was living, to the home of Anisa, an Arab Muslim housewife. Not that she minded the drive or the time it would take, after all she was here to meet locals and reach them for Christ.

Anisa welcomed the two women with traditional, elaborate Arab
hospitality. As the first round of aromatic gahwa (coffee flavored with cardamom and saffron) was served, she began also to instruct them in the virtues of Islam, using the typical arguments and “persuasive words of man’s wisdom” which the locals learn from their Muslim leaders. After quite some time Anisa finally seemed to relax, having gotten these important things off her chest and into the foreigners’ ears. Allah favors the Muslim who leads infidels to Islam, and Anisa’a guests had been so polite and interested in what she had to say. Now an opportunity for the visitors to speak was open and they used it to share the Gospel, using the same friendly, conversational tone as she used when talking about a recipe or some other ordinary topic. When she came to the voluntary laying down of Christ’s own life as our Substitute, Anise’s eyes filled up with tears. She began to rub her temples and face, visibly affected by the Gospel’s “power of God unto salvation”. Trying to resume her Islamic arguments, which apparently hadn’t been as effective as she had hoped, she brought up the name of God. The temtmaker asked, “Oh, do you know His Name, too?” (Ninety-nine descriptive titles for God are given in the Qur’an, but His Name, given in Exodus 3:14, is not found there.) Anisa said, “Yes, His Name is ‘the Lord’.” The missionary replied, “Yes, that’s His title-- but do you know His Name?” Not sure where this
was leading, the Muslim hostess replied, “No.”

“Well,” the missionary continued, “the Name of God is Ahyah allathi Ahyah.” (I AM THAT I AM)

Anisa went silent. Motionless, her eyes were riveted on the Christian visitor’s face. Not knowing if Anisa was thinking about it or if she hadn’t understood, the Christian repeated the Name.

Still riveted, and without moving her gaze, Anisa began to murmur softly, “ismih...ismih...” (“His Name...His Name...”). God’s Spirit was confirming the Word she was hearing and the Christians sat still, in awe of His power to break through years of Islamic indoctrination so effortlessly. Anisa began to rub her face again, more earnestly, and took a deep breath, trying to resume the Islamic argument. Unable to gather her thoughts to do so, she weakly offered, “Oh, just read the Qur’an and see how good it is. Science, math and everything prove the Qur’an is
true...”. Suddenly a verse popped into the missionary’s mind, and she knew the Lord meant it for Anisa. She said, “Dear Anisa, it is written in the Holy Bible that ‘it is not with persuasive words of man’s wisdom that we speak to you, but in the power of the Holy Spirit.’ I can see that God is working in your heart...” Anisa leaned forward &
searched deeper into the missionary’s eyes, as if looking for some reason to doubt. But the guest kept steadily looking right back at her with quiet confidence & kindness. Struck by the verse from God’s word and apparently overwhelmed by what she was experiencing, the Muslim woman slumped back in the couch. Instead of denying or protesting, she confessed,
“quwwaat allah....quwwat allah...” (“the power of God....the power of God...”). It seemed as if God had given that verse to help Anisa realize and believe what she was experiencing. It certainly had that effect. At the end of the visit, she took both women by the wrists and urged them, “Don’t cut me off. You must visit me again!”

In Jesus’ day the people said of Him, “He speaks as one having authority and not as the scribes!” Jesus is still speaking, through His Word & His Body, with authority. Not as the scribes, or in this case, the Muslim leaders.


PETITION:
Please pray for F a local man who is earnestly seeking the truth and is being wooed to Christ... BUT ... his western wife of 5 years has just converted to Islam. Satan has upped his antics but we know that Jesus is the victor. Please pray that as his wife has submitted to the pressure of the family that the conversion is not of the heart and that together. Pray that F & D will be set free in Christ.

Elections were recently held in our country. Thank God that they were peaceful and pray for those elected that they will truly serve the people. Pray for the president, that he will come in contact with those who follow the Savior and will be influenced by them.

Please pray for the expatriate church here. They have gone through a major crisis and there is a lot of hurt amongst all involved. Pray for God's healing touch on all involved. Pray for reconciliation and God's help as people seek to sort out their differences. Pray for all to be willing to humble themselves.

Samantha continues to grow by leaps and bounds in her faith. We have been so encouraged by a gift and enthusiasm for teaching that seems to be emerging. However, as she has been stepping out in this gift, spiritual attack has followed. She has beautifully weathered several very difficult tests so far. Truly nothing can snatch her out of Jesus’ hand! (John
10:28) Please pray for her that her faith would be increasingly strengthened through each trial, and that God would protect her from the evil one.

PRAISE & THANKSGIVING:
Thanks for praying for Salman and his family. Things with his house are moving along, and he has a more restful work schedule during Ramadan. He keeps hoping for an overseas job, however, to “solve” all his problems. Pray he’ll find strength and contentment in Christ every day.

<+>< + ><+>
Please THANK the Lord for the second release in a month of the sender of these from the hospital today and pray for a recovery of maximum health & functioning for the Lord's work, as well as provision for his family. (Phlp. 2:25ff)

* AP = Arabian Peninsula
+ MBB = Muslim Backround Believer
<>< <>< <>< <>< <><
Praying Thru the Arabian Peninsula
www.pray-ap.info
USA #: 800-376-5876 (Eastern Time)
Encouraging & equipping believers & churches everywhere to pray with a heart filled with the "Seed-of-Laughter" for heirs of the woman who met the that "God-Sees-and-Hears-Me" so that biblical church planting movements will spread throughout the Arabian Peninsula and beyond for the
Lord's glory.

====
To learn how you can support this & other work in the Middle East, visit: http://www.srginc.org

Or write MertH.: ptap@srginc.org

Or: PTAP
c/o Strategic Resource Group
P.O. Box 1809
Easton, MD 21601
USA

"The Spirit told Philip, 'Go to that chariot and stay near it.'" - Acts 8:29

PRAISE:
We are thankful that our Muslim Background Believing friend was able to contact us this past week – previously she had been cut-off from all communication with us. She had gone home at the request of her family. They want to force her to marry a man they have arranged, but she is now a Christian and doesn’t want to marry a Muslim man. We are thankful she is in communication and that she has been able to connect with a key church leader in her country.


PETITION:
Please pray for our Muslim Background believing friends during this month of Ramadan. It is a time where they face a lot of pressure from family and oppression from the evil one. Pray especially for “Samantha” as she has been under a lot of spiritual attack. Please pray for her protection.

Please pray for a local believer who is falling away from his faith. Worries of daily life are creeping in, and there seems to be very little joy for him.

Please pray for wisdom for the workers here when dealing with so many family problems of new believers. They need our Father's wisdom to know how to handle, advise and when to stay out of the situation.

Pray for K & A, 2 Qatari’s who are disillusioned with Islam and do not know how or where to find the truth. Pray for the tentmaker who is their work colleague, that during this month he will be able to speak into their lives dropping seeds that will grow under the watering of the Holy Spirit.

During Ramadan, many of our neighbors read the Qu’ran more faithfully and strive to be more religious. Pray that the Lord will speak to them through passages about Jesus in the Qu’ran, that He will speak to them through visions and dreams, through radio programs and contact with our tentmaking team.

TESTIMONY: A Chance Encounter
We had a missionary friend who left the field when his son entered college. I purchased his car. The car was rather distinctive in color, easily recognizable.

Because of this, one day, a local Muslim man flagged me down on the road. Not knowing what he might want, I stopped. He recognized the car, but not me. We got to talking, and soon our conversation turned to spiritual things that he and our colleague had previously discussed. He had questions from what he had read in the Bible he had received.

I have spent quite a bit of time with this man, and he has become acquainted with native Arabic speaking believers who are instructing him in his language. We still talk, weekly, and he is growing, but has yet to take the final step. Pray for Ahmed that he may come to know Jesus as his Lord and Savior.


* AP = Arabian Peninsula
+ MBB = Muslim Backround Believer
<>< <>< <>< <>< <><
Praying Thru the Arabian Peninsula
www.pray-ap.info
USA #: 800-376-5876 (Eastern Time)
Encouraging & equipping believers & churches everywhere to pray with a heart filled with the "Seed-of-Laughter" for hears of the woman who knew "God-Sees-and-Hears" so that biblical church planting movements will spread throughout the Arabian Peninsula and beyond for the Lord's glory.

====
To learn how you can support this & other work in the Middle East, visit: http://www.srginc.org

Or write MertH.: ptap@srginc.org

Or: PTAP
c/o Strategic Resource Group
P.O. Box 1809
Easton, MD 21601
USA

EVENT - 30 DAYS MUSLIM PRAYER FOCUS
from: WorldChristian.com (http://www.worldchristian.com)

From September 24 to October 23, 2006, join the largest ongoing international call to Christians to learn about and respectfully pray for the Muslim world. Millions of Christians worldwide participate annually in this strategic prayer focus.

Each year a new, informative prayer guide booklet is produced and translated into dozens of languages. These booklets are for use primarily (but not exclusively) during Islam's important annual month of fasting and religious observance. This year Ramadan will start on September 24.

Order your copy of the 52-page North American edition http://www.30daysprayer.com
by e-mail: <orders@worldchristian.com>
Or contact WorldChristian.com, P.O. Box 9208, Colorado Springs, CO 80932, USA, Tel.: 719.380.0936.

Other nations & language editions are listed here:
http://www.30daysprayer.com/muslim/add%5Fmusl.html

Abbreviated e-mail edition sent daily during Ramadan:
Subscribe by writing to Ron Kernahan <infos@30-days.net> or
http://www.30-days.net/aboutus/email.htm

LINKING LITERACY AND ORAL COMMUNICATION

Nearly 4 billion people cannot read. But what about the millions who are learning to read but continue to read too poorly to understand? There is a very simple way to help turn poor, struggling readers into good readers. It is the Talking Bible in that reader's own language. The advent of the talking Bible now offers a wonderful new way to help poor readers become good readers. A poor reader with a talking Bible can open the printed Bible and follow the text while listening to the narration of that text in audio. The new solid state, digital Talking Bible will make it easy to select the exact passage in the printed text. Talking Bibles International says it will have its revolutionary, new solid-state, digital Talking Bible available by summer's end. An exciting new era is dawning. For more information visit:
http://www.talkingbibles.org

A few weeks ago several believers took the unique step of meeting together to pray for their homeland. For some of them it was the first time they had met with another believer from their own country. Each found it a blessing as they worked together in prayer and accepted their responsibility to lift their country before the Father. Let us join with them in seeking to see the Lord glorified in the land and rejoice at this new step to maturity in their lives.

Studies have shown ...

- Your mother really was right:
a. Chicken soup really is good for colds & respiratory illnesses.
b. Wash your hands before you eat & after you use the restroom.
c. Wash dirty hands to prevent the spread of illness.
d. A balanced diet with lots of fruit & veggies is healthy for you.
e. Enjoy the many gifts God has given you each day.

- Parents must protect your children's ears:
a. Don't buy buy loud toys & don't give them to someone else
b. Maximum of 80 decibals on any toy.
c. If it is too loud for you, muffle the speakers.
d. Remove batteries or never install them.
e. Get some peace & quiet? Rest your ears, rest your heart.

- There are ways for office workers to enjoy good joint health:
a. Shift your body position ever 15-30 minutes.
b. Work under minimal physical strain.
c. Every hour, do a 5 minute stretch. (A great time for prayer!)

- For eye health for computer workers:
a. Look awy from the screen.
b. Blink!! (Don't gaze.) ... Blink!
c. If you wear glasses, get new lenses.
d. Every hour, take 5 minutes to stretch & to thank the Lord.

BOTTOM LINE:
At home or at work, young or old,
remain in the presence of God at all times.

<><
Derived from _Today's Pentecostal Evangel_, July 16.

Arise Shine Morocco
Prayer Bulletin #69 (07/06)
asm@ariseshinemorocco.org <>< <> ><> www.ariseshinemorocco.org

An excerpt from workers:
“There are times when we wonder what God is doing here in Morocco as it takes such a long time to see real fruit. But we know that God loves Morocco and his desire is that Moroccans be healed, whole and receive salvation. This is what we pray for continually.”

“Recently two local believers went to a natural spring which is renowned for its healing properties. Many people go there looking for healing from sickness and disability. As they walked and prayed, one of them saw a vision of Jesus standing in the middle of the crowds of people. Jesus spoke to this young believer inviting him to start praying for these sick people because Jesus wanted to heal them.”

“Emboldened by the vision, he started going to people offering to lay hands on them and pray. Soon people were coming to him begging him to pray for them. They stayed for a few hours praying for many people before they felt they needed to leave to avoid attracting the attention of the police.”

“A few weeks later, the un-saved mother of this believer asked him to take her to an occult practitioner as she was desperate to be healed of a skin disease. The son started to weep for his mother and as his tears fell on her hands, she was completely healed.”

"We are so encouraged to hear such stories. Encouraged by the boldness of this believer and encouraged to pray with more faith to see miracles become a part of the life and ministry of the local church here just as happened in New Testament times. After all, Jesus said we would do even greater things than He did!” Pray!!


CENTRAL REGION:
Pray for wisdom and direction for a family that has been away for an extended time as they move to a new city and begin to make contacts for their project. Thank the Lord for the opportunity one team had to receive training here locally. Pray for them as they move to a new city.

Praise God that long awaited equipment needed to launch a business has finally arrived and cleared customs! Pray for open doors into the community through the business and for God's leading and direction.

An isolated believer felt blessed by a recent visit from a worker couple. Pray for their relationship as it develops and for opportunities for him to meet other national believers. Ask the Lord to give isolated believers a desire to meet and to worship with other believers, a desire that overcomes fear and pride. Pray for wisdom for workers as to how they can help this to happen.

Pray the Lord will give believers a desire to sing His praises in their own languages and musical styles. Pray they will create their own ethnic worship music.

Pray for some believers for whom the Lord is answering prayer in miraculous ways. Pray both they and workers will continue to trust God for big things. God is good!


WESTERN COASTAL REGION:
Pray for workers preparing to move to Morocco in August and September and for those preparing to receive them. Pray they will find the right housing, their orientation will be effective, and that all the details come together.

Workers ask for prayer as they lead various summer teams around Morocco. Pray for team unity, boldness and courage to share, perseverance in prayer and worship. They also ask prayer for opportunities to lay hands on people and see them healed. Pray God's miraculous power will be manifest.

Various members of a worker family have been experiencing respiratory and skin allergies. Pray for healing and protection from spiritual attacks on health. Another worker couple asks prayer for the timely processing of their child’s passport.

Pray that workers will allow God to change them to be ever more holy, healed and whole so that He can use them for His highest glory. Pray for adequate financial provision.

Pray that a young man who is close to coming to faith will encounter Jesus and be brave enough to take the step into God's Kingdom.


SOUTHCENTRAL REGION:
Pray for a man who has expressed a desire to become a Christian. He has read the gospel of Matthew and now has a New Testament. Pray God will draw him as he reads and that he will enter into a growing personal relationship with Christ.


Lighthouse Church:
Pray for good things to come from time spent together as a group away from their city this summer. Pray the Lord will provide church members with opportunities to witness. Pray a seminar planned with other local churches will be an opportunity to learn from Jesus. And pray for clarity of vision for believing friends of the church.

Pray for jobs for those who need them and for good working conditions for those who have jobs. Pray for believing spouses for those seeking spouses. Pray that a sister who has finally married a believer will find peace and stability in her marriage. Pray another sister will return to fellowship.


SUMMER THINGS:
Summertime means travel for many workers and believers. Pray for journey mercies and for productive and restorative time away from normal activities for all. Many are tired from the challenges they face and need recharging.

Summer is also a time when believers meet in various places for Bible camps and regional fellowship. Pray for blessing and unity to flow in and through these special times together.

Pray for the ports distribution and summer teams. Pray materials will get to the people the Lord is drawing to himself and for divine appointments for those He is drawing. Pray for a bountiful summer harvest.


Moroccans in Europe:
Pray for the various outreaches to North Africans happening this summer in Europe. Pray Christians will explain their faith in a manner that Muslims can understand. Pray Muslims will have dreams and visions of Jesus so that they will be prepared to hear the good news and receive Christ.

PEOPLE GROUP PRAYER BUTTON
PrayerGuard.net working with the Joshua Project has come up with a cool way to mobilize prayer for the 6,900 Unreached People Groups listed under the Ethne to Ethne prayer movement. The UPG Prayer Button displays a different people group every hour, and when clicked, takes you to a 3 Minute on-line prayer session for that group. The goal is to pray through all 6,900 people groups over the next 10 months, as part of the Ethne prayer focus. By pasting a few lines of code into your website, you can mobilize prayer for thousands of Unreached People Groups.

To learn more:
http://prayerguard.net/upg

International Inkwell – May-June 2006
Mert & Sheila Hershberger
c/o 812 Ann Street, Ypsilanti, MI 48197-2486, USA
www.pray-ap.info – 734-752-3049 – mertaka@everybody.org

Dear Family & Friends, Supporters & Partners,

“Jesus loves you!” Those are the most divisive words in all of
history! I found that out recently. As I told a man who had wrapped
his identity in that of a secret society, “Jesus love you,” he
threatened to call the police on that pleasant Monday morning. The sun was shining. No tornado warnings or earthquakes occurred in town all day. I had no weapons and had a smile on my face. He was physically much more muscled than myself. He had shaved his head bald and had a thick neck, that stiffened when I urged him to turn to Jesus & away from his sin. We were chatting on the steps of a public library, yet he threatened me with “disappearing” if I ever talked to him again. Praise the Lord!! He has counted me worthy to face such violent
threats.

Immediately after that, at a bus stop, the Lord opened the door for me
to chat with a Muslim guy who was very sad & confused. Although he did not confess Jesus as Lord, he left with proof that Jesus loves him. I would like to say that he is healed, but he was not ready for that & preferred to be compensated for missing a bus. Please pray that God would open hearts & heal the many, many, many here who are diseased & dispirited, downcast & divided.

Again today, I talked with a guy on a bus who was a bit downcast. He did not seem interested in Jesus & His ability to save, but merely wished to condemn the wretched sin which is so common & even encouraged locally. Indeed, one state senator is considering voting for open immorality in the country. May the nation turn from its sin!!

Ever read the book: Love Languages? I was given it. Of the little I
skimmed, the main point I got was: love. Why 5 languages? Why not
more?? God speaks to us through the creation, through history, through the Holy Scriptures, through one another, through dreams & visions, through natural disasters & even war. All, to call us to peace with Himself & with one another. However, He has now made it clear through His own Son, Jesus Christ, just how much He loves us!! So, let us obey Him & be glad when we suffer. If you are poor: be happy that GOD takes care of you & not some whimsical employer like General Motors which is trying to pawn gas-guzzling cars off on people under the pretense of cheap gas even while they suffer economically & people are laid off. Ford is in about the same boat: voting to continue endorsing homosexual rebellion, even when their stock is going down & people are boycotting them for their stand with –wickedness. Meanwhile, car-makers in lands where the Good News is spreading are profiting as they use their God-given brains to make better cars. Hmm … could there be a reason? While lust sells. Jesus saves. Don’t trust your rust-bucket. Invest in the chariots & horsemen of the Lord.

In the midst of wars & rumors of wars, I believe we as Christians should pray, stay alert, be holy & enjoy the love the Lord Jesus so that we can see the Lord work around us. Though we have no working car, I am 100% thankful for the 2 bikes which the Lord brought us. I’ve decided to identify with the “poor of the land” as a little-stable boy. Despite the pressures & poverty & pains of life, my heart overflows with joy. I want to be with the Lord Jesus, but know He has some fun work here for our little family.
By grace,
Mert & Sheila H.

<+>< + ><+>
FAMILY NEWS & VIEWS:
As far as we know, all of Sheila’s close family is safe. Some of you may know that a major earthquake hit Java, the densely populated Indonesian island on which her family lives. However, it was not right next to her kin. They all were at least 6 hours’ drive from the earthquake. Do pray for Indonesia, though: 5,500+ have died. 120,000+ homeless. Central Java (Yogyakarta) is near the epicenter. Since the earthquake, Mt.Merapi has increased its eruptive activity. Many Christians are there & not as many unreached people groups. If you wish to give help, there are the famous charitable organizations as well as church-networks.
* News of various initial relief efforts by Christian groups:
http://tinyurl.com/qpvsw
* News from the New York imes: http://tinyurl.com/mqlub
* The U.S. Marines are getting into the act:
http://tinyurl.com/qtk7s
* Even the Saudi’s are trying to help others:
http://tinyurl.com/rzgd4

My mom’s extended family is organizing a once-in-a-generation mass-reunion in New York State in a camp near Bath, New York, north of Corning. Since I am on leave & have some free-time, Sheila & I agreed it would be the best time for me to take a trip South. So, if you are in Arkansas or between Bath, NY & El Dorado, AR send an email & I –may- be able to stop by for a brief visit. Time of Travel: June 30-July 12, Lord willing. Meanwhile, I have been busy cleaning out the office & straightening up & tossing out stuff that has collected over the months.

Sheila is working part-time @ the K-Mart which is right next to the
apartment complex where we live. She enjoys it most of the time. Here K-Mart is better than Wal-Mart, partly because of the proximity to HQ in Michigan. Perhaps the Lord will also grant me a promotion out of being exit clerk, maybe not.

The Lord has really been good to us! Although we have no car & some saints are absolutely convinced that we must have one, we are so thankful for the bikes someone gave. Often as I bike to the office or to bible-studies, etc, I think of how the Lord’s servants in rural, under-developed parts of Africa & Asia often request bikes so that they can reach the flock of God more efficiently. What a joy it has been to identify with these dear brothers in the Lord who tirelessly labor to extend the kingdom to the least reached parts of the world!! While the rest of the world in the USA mourns the high gas prices, we enjoy God’s provision and get some decent exercise while we ride! The Lord brought them. He keeps them. He strengthens us. You who have to pay $3+ for gas, do you realize that for the price of 4 gallons, you could get 2-3 complete Bibles to Christians in the persecuted portions of the church?? BTW: Our bikes are both hybrids. Yep: they use pedal power OR we can use gravity when going down hill. Seriously! Along with the bikes came some gifts of food & other utensils … what a blessing!

Finally, June 8, 2006, we will celebrate our 3rd year wedding anniversary. Would you pray with us that the Lord will help us make it through 57 more years? I figure there need to be more 60th wedding anniversaries, don’t you? (No kids yet … )

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LOCAL / REGIONAL MINISTRY & NEWS:
The Lord continues to bless the outreach among the “marginal people.” Please do pray though for 2 men that have chosen to return to old addictions & prefer them to the Mercy of God. Also, for wisdom in the ongoing Bible Study, that the Lord would help purify the time of worship & prepare the guys for an even greater work. On the busses, the Lord continues to open doors for witness as well. Today (06/02/2006) another person heard the Good News & took a New Testament. Please pray for more of this to happen!!

The fellow got on the bus & we chatted about various thing, school, what he’s studying. He asked what I was learning, so the conversation went on a long tangent in the right direction. We talked about Ephesians 2 (the blood of Christ reconciles us to God, the body of Christ on the cross reconciles to one another) which is summed up in Colossians 1:19-20. He said he believed in God & that you don’t have to read the Bible or go to church to believe. I conceded that he was correct. (Romans 1 says as much.) But again, I indicated how the Word of God helps us understand all of life better. My grandmother did poorly in history –until- she read through the Bible & realized that God works in history. He not only took a little tract, but the New Testament I had handy! PTL!!

The ministry of PACT is preparing for an outreach in the fall in a nearby park: giving out backpacks & evangelizing a wide range of people. Also, IMPACT is holding steady with 1 day of prayer per week. I’ve been assigned part of that time each week. Pray for the Lord to increase the hunger for His work & His word!! We are seeing the Lord open doors through this & the Body is being built.

Over Father’s Day Weekend (06/15-18/2006), I will be heading to a nearby city for a conference on reaching Muslims for Christ, Lord willing. Please pray that the Lord Jesus will move many to become laborers & that at the International Arab Festival which will also be taking place will become an open door for many lost Arabs & perishing Muslims to turn to the True & Living God. I’ll be representing Praying through the Arabian Peninsula, and making PTAP & other prayer materials available at the conference. The conference is sponsored by ministries based in the Dearborn area & the goal is to see more laborers raised up to reach out locally & abroad. Two particular
needs I know of:
1. Long-term family to live in the Yemeni district in Dearborn who is already fluent in the language.
2. A growing team of ministries to work in the Ann Arbor-Ypsilanti area to reach out to the growing Muslim population. Saudi’s are increasing in number & need to meet the Lord!

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NEWS FROM THE ARABIAN PENINSULA & AREAS IMPACTED BY IT:
PTAP: Pray especially for unity among believers & restoration of
straying sheep. Also, the emergence of believers & groups of believers is increasing a need for peace-making within the body of Christ & for strengthening of the churches facing persecution. Praise the Lord for the advance of the Gospel & the increase in the number of local believers & gatherings.

FIRST, Pray for national leaders. For those in the USA, urge folks
this week to pray. It is a declared responsibility (see 1 Timothy
2:1-4). Regardless of our worldly political opinions, George W Bush,
Tony Blair, etc, & on down the list. Folks in leadership / authority
need prayer for wisdom so that we can indeed live in peace!

SUDAN: Pray for Ethiopian and Nigerian believers ministering in Southern Sudan. http://mnnonline.org/article/8569
*Sudan = presidential republic; President Omar Hassan Ahmad al-Bashir

SAUDI ARABIA: Naseem Bibi, a Christian woman charged with desecrating a poster of Khana Kaba, the Muslim holy place in Saudi Arabia, was released from jail on bail Sunday, April 22, after posting surety bonds of 50,000 rupees (US$832). She and her family have taken refuge in Lahore for fear of attacks from Muslim extremists. Pray for her & others who face the severe oppression.
http://www.crosswalk.com/news/religiontoday/1394369.html
*Saudi Arabia = absolute monarchy, King and Prime Minister Abdullah

RESOURCES: BOOKS, MOVIES, MUSIC, LINKS, ETC.
[Disclaimer: listing these sites & resources in no way implies an
endorsement of all their content nor of the political opinions of the
persons in offices, nor of the celebration of certain days. This is
merely sent to remind us to pray & share info helpful for us & other
saints we pray with.]

THE FRED FACTOR: How Passion in Your Work and Life Can Turn the
Ordinary into the Extraordinary - By Mark Sanborn. Waterbrook Press,
2002, 115 pp.
Motivational speaker Mark Sanborn was so impressed with the
extraordinary service of his postal carrier that he began using him as
an example in his lectures and eventually included him as the showpiece for this little motivational book on excellence. “You can make a difference.” “Nobody can prevent you from choosing to be exceptional.” “Faithfully doing your best, independent of the support, acknowledgment, or reward of others, is a key determinant in a fulfilling career.” “Jesus said simply, ‘The greatest among you will be your servant” (Matthew 23:11).” (106) The most important thing is love. “Love is the commitment to treat a person with dignity and kindness regardless of how you feel about him or her.” (109) “Fred the Postman loves people. He loves his customers. He loves his coworkers. And it shows.” “What makes any life extraordinary is living it with love.” (110)
- For more Book Notes: www.davidmays.org

MOVIE: “Mongolian Ping Pong”
Directed, written, produced by Chinese in China. Released by: First
Run Features & the Asian Society. Length: 102 minutes. Not Rated.
Imaginasian Theater, 239 East 59th Street, NYC, NY, USA. Bilike and
other Mongolians star (mostly as themselves).
About a 7-year old boy who lives in Inner Mongolia who have few toys.
The film focuses on the discovery & fun the kids have with a ping pong
ball that floated down the river: It is the first ball he’s ever seen. Is it from ‘spirits’? What is its taste? It is slow-paced. There is a “PG-13-worthy epithet” & some discipline with a switch. “The story’s overarching gentleness & the seriousness with which it presents a child’s sense of the world make a nice change of pace from the noise & cynicism of so many American films aimed at underage audiences. Indeed, in its point of view and anthropological detail it recalls nothing so much as one of Laura Ingalls Wilder’s authobiographical books, ‘Little Yurt on the Steppe,’ if you will. Like the recently released ‘Mountain Patrol: Kekexili,’ a Chinese film shot in Mongolia, MPP strategically blurs the line between fiction & documentary.” Simple schenes of riding on the prairie & the simple way of traditional Mongolian life. The film “is short on exegesis and long on incident … a single family snapshot speaks volumes.” [From a film review by Manohla Dargis in the New York Times, Friday, April 21, 2006.]
MERT’S COMMENTS: If you do take kids / college folks / adults to see this, a few words on the nature & danger of idolatry from the OT (i.e. Judges) would be helpful as well as reading from Operation World and encouraging them to pray for the Mongolian peoples of China. Perhaps it would help them to see that “adventure” in the least reach part of the world is not like “Survivor.” Pray also for ways to reach Asians who may want to watch the film.

ACADEMIC CRITIQUE OF A MOVIE: Another debunking of deception in
DaVinci.
www.accessatlanta.com/movies/content/shared/movies/stories/2006/05/davinci_bible.html
TECHNICAL CRITIQUE OF A FICTIONAL MOVIE: For techies & others who
like to learn a little. some that like to pick apart fiction (such as
movies). So here is a technical debunking of a funky movie:
http://entertainment.howstuffworks.com/davinci-code.htm

BOOK: The purpose of this online resource is to use death and qiyamat (signs in nature, a common combo in Islamic writings) to lead to the cross and saving faith in Christ. The survey of the Bible & God's purposes is located at two places on the web. As Chapters in a Bible Study with Questions, but you will have to enroll in the site to get it. Free to enroll @ at http://al-kitab.org, instant, and requires little information (a name, country, and email address). A ministry of George King.
http://al-kitab.org/members/ddd/ddd.html
As one long document with no chapter breaks:
http://injil.org/Kalimatullah/deathsday.html

IRAN: In response to the current crisis surrounding Iran, over 120 Iranian church leaders have pledged to 40 days of prayer and fasting for the salvation of their country, starting on May 25, and issued a call to the global Church to join in. (Daily emails that have been sent thus far are available online.)
More information: www.prayforiran.org

THE LADAKHI: The Ladakhi in northern Pakistan / India were brought to my attention in the early 1990’s while in college @ the University of Arkansas. They were first reached by the Moravians & are now the church among them is being encouraged & built up. Would you join me in praying for them as the weakest among them are being reached?
http://www.prayerguard.net/index.php?page_id=11&target=Ladakhi%20of%20Pakistan&pronoun=6&role=24


INTERNATIONAL INTERCESSION: Do you want to pray for various nations &
leaders around the world but need help in knowing how? As in, Who are
you praying for? What are these peoples & places like? When should I
be focusing on what country?
A list of the leaders of recognized nations:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_national_leaders
Leaders of various U.S. states & agencies:
http://www3.capwiz.com/afanet/dbq/officials/
National holidays:
http://www.accuweather.com/adcbin/desk_travel/holiday?nav=travel
Links to more extensive information on holidays:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holiday
Basic country profiles to learn about lots of different countries &
cultures you may meet:
http://www.cp-pc.ca/english/
CIA data in mapped out format with summaries of data on various
countries:
http://www.worldmapper.org
All nations viewed at from a Christian perspective:
http://worldchristiandatabase.org/wcd/
All nations & peoples viewed from a missions perspective:
http://www.joshuaproject.org

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REASONS TO PRAISE OUR GOD & FATHER
1. GOD IS LOVE!!
Indonesian: Allah adalah kasih!
Russian: Bog yest lyubov!
Bambara (MALI): Alla be i fe!
Fulani (WAfrica): Alla ina yidde yimbe be!

2. Our Father has been managing the weather nicely, so that it takes little effort to water a yard!
3. Sheila & I saw an alligator snapper that preyed on raccoons near our apartment, but not us!
4. The wrinkles around the smiles of really old people!
5. More species are being found: 8 in a huge cave in Israel recently!
6. The Holy Spirit cleanses your mind!
7. Your have friends. If you need prayer, call us 1-800-376-5876
8. The power of the enemy must submit to Jesus!

NEEDS FOR PRAYER:
1. Direction for ministry/work … after mid-July. Until then, focus on some writing projects.
2. Wise use of time for Sheila & I as we do the assigned work, & peace
amid the world’s conflict.
3. More people looking to Jesus & a mature unity among believers. More laborers!!
4. Protection from satan & his schemes.
5. Continued health. (Sleep, proper food, etc.)
6. Need to sell the car.

ANSWERS TO PRAYER:
1. More people Praying Through the Arabian Peninsula. (PTL!!)
2. The office & car are still getting progressively cleaner … little bit at a time …
3. The Lord brought us 2 bikes, with helmets, etc. Great gas-savers.
4. Most of the files on the old drive are recovered!! (PTL!!)
5. Sheila has a part time job & is leading her co-workers. Yeah!
6. Some friends who are seeking out God’s grace.

Weekly Prayer Points- May 28- June 3, 2006

Somalia - We ask that you, LORD, would protect and defend Somali Christian refugees in Kenya who continue to face attacks and harassment from Muslim refugees.

Jordan – Pray that the leaders of the Christian communities will respond to their enemies with forgiveness and love.

Eritrea - We pray for the 1700 Christians in prison. LORD, help them to know your presence with is them. We pray that they would have the freedom to worship you.

Syria - Pray for the government as it considers its response to continuing external pressure concerning armed groups in Lebanon and the Palestinian areas.

West Bank & Gaza Strip – Pray for an end to a spate of violent attacks on Christian churches, schools, and other ministries.

Mauritania - Pray for good use of the opportunities afforded to Christian aid workers in the country.

Sudan - LORD God, we pray for Reverend Elia Kumundan who was charged with kidnapping following the disappearance of a young woman who recently converted to Christianity. We ask, LORD, that following the reappearance of this woman, these false charges would be repealed and that both she and Reverend Kumundan would be protected from further harm.

Kuwait – Pray that work on the construction of two additional churches for the many expatriate Christians will not raise tensions.

These & Other prayer requests:
http://www.prayersquared.org/WeeklyPrayerPoints/wpp052806.swf

<><
WINDOW INTERNATIONAL NETWORK
P.O. Box 49127
Colorado Springs, CO 80949-9127
email: win@win1040.com
phone: (719) 522-1040
web: http://www.win1040.com

"Wake up, O sleeper, & rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you!" - Ephesians 5:14

PRAISE:
Praise that the plans for the new church facility (mentioned in March PTAP) was recently approved by the authorities. This is so much a work of God! Pray for God to provide wisdom in the planning, selecting architects etc and also provide the finances needed.


PETITION:
Please continue to pray for the tentmaker family who are hoping to move here. Pray for one of the jobs he has applied for to come forth with a job offer / contract so that this family can come and serve God here in this country. Our team really needs them.

Pray that the power system of Wahhabi leaders would crumble and that the people of Saudi Arabia would not feel controlled by these leaders. Pray that God would break down the stronghold of pride that binds Saudis to Islam.

Please pray for a Ladies' Fellowship outreach in our country, where Muslim seekers and MBBs are invited to observe (or participate with) a group of Christian women who gather to pray, read the Bible, worship & fellowship. Ask the Lord to continue to send the women of His choosing, and to use it for His glory.

Pray for the MBB’s that are being cared for by several Christian families. The MBBs are being cared for by a team of Arab and Western workers. It has been a great exercise to draw us together in a common God ordained task.

Ask God to work in the teams in our country. There has been some difficult people relationships these past few weeks. Pray that we would seek out the Lord before we engage in heated debate and that we would actively seek reconciliation and restoration. (Pray John 17.)


TESTIMONY:
Salman is an Arab Muslim who began following Jesus along with his wife, just before she died of cancer about 16 months ago. Being with his mom in the hospital these past few days reopened the shallow wounds of his wife's death. he has not grieved properly for either. He is a young single dad with tremendous responsibility and no time to stop and grieve. Pray that God would touch Salman's heart deeply this week with comfort and peace. Pray too for his boys, aged 13 and 9, that God would heal their hurting hearts as well.

One of our workers learned tonight that local tradition mandates returning to the burial site on the third day after the death to make prayers for the deceased. Salman said he hated this tradition, because he said it just reopens the hurt. Could this be because there is no hope of resurrection for most Muslims who are buried in that cemetery! Pray for wisdom as several men and women in the country are involved in his life.

<>< <>< <>< <>< <><
Praying Thru the Arabian Peninsula
www.pray-ap.info
USA #: 800-376-5876 (Eastern Time)
Encouraging & equipping believers & churches everywhere to pray through the heart of the Muslim world so that church planting movements will spread throughout the Arabian Peninsula and beyond for the Lord's glory.

====
To learn how you can support this & other work in the Middle East, visit:
http://www.srginc.org

Or write:
ptap@srginc.org

Or:
PTAP
c/o Strategic Resource Group
P.O. Box 1809
Easton, MD 21601
USA

Also, May 4 was Rhode Island Day & the National Day of Prayer.
A rather appropriate coinciding of days:

Rhode Island was founded by Roger Williams, a forebear of Grandma Doris Hibbard, as the first American colony without an established church, ie. genuine freedom of religion. However, he also was part of the first congregation of baptists in America & was baptized
on this continent after being convinced that babies didn't gain anything from being soaked, but that Jesus does deserve a clear conscience.

The National Day of Prayer is the first Thursday in May annually. It is a day for praying for the salvation of the nation. Sort of a civil religion thing ... yet also an occassion for testifying to the grace of God in Christ, & to pray particularly for the salvation of fellow countrymen.

http://www.ariseshinemorocco.org/

NORTHEASTERN REGION:
Pray for an important meeting between national believers and expatriates concerning production of worship music in Berber. Pray for unity and for productive working relationships to emerge.

Pray for wisdom for decisions relating to medical outreach and for success in working together as God's team in the area. Praise the Lord for a child’s successful surgery ! Pray for the health of believers here.


NORTHCENTRAL REGION:
Please pray for a family that recently watched the Jesus Film with workers. Pray the enemy will not snatch away the Gospel seed planted and that God's Word will accomplish all that He intends in their lives, bringing them salvation.

Pray for breakthroughs in efforts to establish a new business that will allow workers to obtain long-term residency.


NORTHWESTERN COASTAL REGION:
Praise the Lord, He is healing a breach in the local body and bringing some of the estranged believers back into the fold. Praise Him also for growing relationships of trust between certain older believers and newer believers.

Pray believers will be bold in their witness to family members. Ask for a great move of the Holy Spirit along family lines that are so crucial here, where family ties are very strong.

Pray for a couple seeking to start a new church plant and church planting team in a key city. Pray God will bring the right persons to labor alongside them.

Pray God will demonstrate His favor by healing two house church members with serious chronic health problems.


WESTERN COASTAL REGION:
Please continue to pray for a daughter of believers who has been in the hospital for months with a serious illness. She continues to need much prayer, as does her family.

Please pray that God’s favor would be upon His laborers and that He will bless the work of their hands as they launch a new project long in the planning. There is much to do and workers need strength, wisdom, and help.

Continue to pray for the salvation of Muslim members of a group of young men who gather regularly for discussion of topics in the Koran and Bible. Pray the Moroccan Christians in the group will grow strong, wise, and bold in their faith.

Pray for an expatriate church that needs more leaders to teach and lead groups in the church because so many immigrants, guest workers, and foreign students are being saved every week.


CENTRAL REGION:
Praise the Lord for progress and encouraging developments in translation projects and the God’s Story production. Pray for the development of a spiritual vocabulary list in Tamazight that is now in progress. Pray for a timely and quality completion of these projects.

A key development project that has been going on for years and employs a number of nationals is experiencing financial problems. Pray for the Lord’s provision and wisdom for the future.

Continue praying for a new ministry to some of the most vulnerable people in Moroccan society. They need to find and obtain a large facility to house the work and they require wisdom as to how best to register their work with the government.

Pray national believers will catch a vision for developing Berber worship music. There are several with an interest. Pray for wisdom for workers to know how to help move things along.

Keep praying for the new teams, some are settling in at new locations, others moving to new places in the fall. Pray for wisdom for what each should be doing and what role they should play in their new setting. Pray for those trying to make some progress on language before moving.

Ask the Holy Spirit to work mightily among the people groups of the region, turning hearts to Him and opening eyes, giving a hunger and thirst to know Him. Ask Him to give each worker and Moroccan believer more of His Spirit, power, love, humility and wisdom to be faithful to what He has called each to do.


SOUTHCENTRAL REGION:
Please pray for seeker 'James' and for wisdom for believer 'Adam' as he tries to help James move closer to Christ.

As summer temperatures rise, pray workers will sleep well so they can be rested and at their best during the days. Sometimes the stress of their jobs can keep them from sleep. Pray a female worker would make some new women friends, ones that want to learn more about Jesus.

Pray for a longstanding ministry that requires breakthrough in an authorizations logjam in order to continue a work that facilitates much outreach in the region. Ask the Lord to raise up workers to share the workload. Pray for wisdom and strength for those now overseeing the work.


SOUTHWESTERN REGION:
Pray for a newly married man, baptized many years ago, who strayed from fellowship but has now made contact with his former mentor. His mentor is helping him and his new bride consider their marriage from a biblical perspective. Pray for renewal for him and salvation for her.


FAR SOUTH:
Pray for favor with local authorities for a young ministry that is already bearing eternal fruit. Pray for perseverance in the face of bureaucratic delay and frustration.


Summer Outreaches in European Ports:
Pray that the coordinated distribution of materials to and evangelism of North Africans passing through European ports on their way to and from their home countries will bear much fruit this summer. Pray the Lord will provide all for the volunteers, especially those that speak Arabic.


Prayer requests from Europe:
Pray for workers in cities where they are working alone. They sometimes feel overwhelmed and may need the fellowship of other missionaries. Pray for encouragement and strength.

Pray a family who wants to work in Spain will find a sponsoring organization to help with their residency. A church in Spain wants to start a work among Moroccans. Pray God will give them good contacts and wisdom to know which strategy to use.


A Moroccan Milestone:
This year Morocco celebrates 50 years of freedom from French control. For more information about this milestone, and about the present and future of Morocco from a Moroccan perspective, go to: http://www.rdh50.ma/eng/Note_synthese_anglais.pdf

While some friends have access to certain countries, others must be content in getting close by. Please be in prayer for a group of friends prayer-walking and sharing with the nationals from one country in a neighboring country this week. Ask that the Lord will open their eyes to see opportunities for witness and that their prayers will be effective in pushing the doors open for access for all to the lands we love. As always, pray as well for their protection in travel and sharing.

Yes, my brother in the Lord,

Blessed is the one who reads and does as he has read. It is the commandment of the Lord to all of us, His children. Only those who search the scripture get eternal life. Thank GOD for the testimonies. As He as always does. I promise to continue in prayers thanks and goodbye.

- F.I. - From Nigeria.

=====

Dear brother F.I.,

What a joy to have the Word of our Father!

Actually, it is those who have faith in Jesus Christ (Who the Holy Scriptures were written to reveal) that have eternal life.

May the Lord keep on blessing you & all those you minister to!

Peace in Christ Jesus,
Mert Hershberger

Somalia is number 7 on Persecution List)

Prayer is needed for Christian Believers in Somalia as anti-Christian violence spreads throughout the mainly Islamic, impoverished African nation.

Most Somalis, more than 99.5 percent, are Muslims who regard Christianity as a foreign religion of their historic enemies in Ethiopia and Italians and the British, who colonized the nation.

There is a generally held view that all Somalis are Muslim, so any Somali Christian is viewed as an apostate who is worthy of death. In the initial chaos following the collapse of the dictatorship of Siad
Barre in 1991, Somali Christians were hunted down, pastors were murdered and the Christian Church in Somalia was driven deeply underground.

According to Open Doors International, Somalia is ranked seventh on the 2006 World Watch List of nations where persecution against Christians is most intense. Over the years, several Somali Christians have ed to Kenya, where they hoped to be free to practice their faith. Instead they have continued to suffer severe harassment, both from Somali Muslim refugees and from Kenya’s own Somali population. Under Kenyan law, refugees are denied employment, yet they receive minimal assistance from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).

Once Somali refugees are identied as Christians, they are frequently attacked on the streets or in their homes, and in the most severe instances their children are abducted and forcibly circumcised and reconverted to Islam.

Abdi Aziz and his wife, Rukia, are Somali Christians who have suffered great persecution on account of their faith in Christ and ed with their children to Kenya. On January 20, 2006, a group of Muslims followed Aziz to his home in the predominantly Muslim suburb of Eastleigh in Nairobi after he had visited the ofces of the UNHCR.

They ransacked his house, stole all of his ofcial documents and kidnapped two of his children, a boy named Sharmarke and a girl called Nadar. The family  led complaints with the appropriate Kenyan authorities, but nothing has been seen or heard of the children since. Then on March 17, 2006, the family was again attacked in their home and another of their children, Bashir, was abducted. The couple again reported the incident to the appropriate authorities, but they are not con dent that any real assistance will be forthcoming.

Following the most recent abduction, Aziz told Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW): “Almost every time, we are in a dangerous situation, but our prayers keep us strong for we believe in Jesus, our Savior and Lord.” Aziz’s case is not unique. Unfortunately, Somali Christians seeking refuge in Kenya rarely nd it.

During a recent visit to the area, CSW received harrowing testimonies from refugees, many of whom reported having been stoned, beaten, attacked with knives, insulted in the streets and harassed in their homes on a regular basis. Muslim relatives often instigate assaults. Halima, a widow, reported that three of her eight children had been abducted by relatives and returned to Somalia, where they were forcibly circumcised and compelled to study in Madrassas, or Islamic schools.

Hassan, a teenager, described how two of his cousins assaulted him with knives on the streets of Eastleigh on February 12, 2006. He has to sleep in a different place every night, but Hassan added: “I believe that my Lord will protect me.”

Several Islamist groups have spearheaded the campaign against Christianity. However, according to local sources, the most dangerous are Al-Itihad and Al-Islah. Both groups were behind the creation of Shariah courts in the capital city, Mogadishu, and are believed to have links with Al-Qaeda. CSW encouraged Christians worldwide to write polite letters to the Kenyan ambassador, bringing to his attention the plight of Somali Christians refugees in Kenya, and outlining the abuses they encounter and the child abductions.

Citizens of the United Kingdom can address their letters to:
His Excellency Joseph Muchemi
High Commissioner to the United Kingdom
The Kenya High Commission
45 Portland Place
London W1B 1AS

“Remind the Kenyan ambassador of Kenya’s obligations under international law towards refugees within its borders and request that he kindly uses his of ce to highlight these issues with the appropriate authorities in order to ensure that cases of abduction, assault and harassment are thoroughly investigated, the perpetrators are punished, and Somali Christians receive adequate protection as a matter of urgency,” CSW said. “However, in your letter please do not mention individual Somali Christians by name.”

Pray for:
* Abdi Aziz and his wife, Rukia. They have suffered great persecution since eeing to Kenya, three of their children have been kidnapped and smuggled back to Somalia. Ask God to comfort, strengthen and deliver them from further attacks and abductions. Pray that their abducted children would know God’s protection, peace and ncouragement and that they would soon be reunited with their parents and siblings.

* Kenyan authorities to move decisively to ensure the swift return of these and other abducted children and pray that they would also take rm action against those who harass or attack Somali Christian refugees.

* Somali Christians who are viewed as apostates by some militant Muslims. These Believers are targeted for persecution and many times put to death. Pray that God would supernaturally protect and sustain them as they face extreme persecution. Pray also for protection and a place of safety for Somali Christians and for Hassan in particular, who is in imminent danger.

* Christians who are still in Somalia, who have been driven underground because of extreme opposition towards them. Ask God to give them great courage and wisdom. Pray also for their protection and deliverance, and for the brave Christians who are still willing to risk their lives by openly declaring their faith.

* The Somali government to allow freedom for other religions besides Islam. The LORD to save militant Muslims who are targeting Christians. Ask God to soften their hearts to the Gospel.

Sourced: Barnabas Fund, Christian Solidarity Worldwide, Open Doors International

WINDOW KIDS: Somalia
PRAYER ALERT: SOMALIA

As a small child, Ilhan was smuggled out of Somalia as at the height of war between the clans. Her father and two sisters were killed, but she left behind her mother and brother when she was taken out of the country. Ilhan was one of the fortunate who found a good home in Sweden. Still, she misses her mother and brother, and someday hopes to return to Somalia.

Somali parents pay smugglers up to $10,000 to take their children abroad. Faced with desperate choices, many parents who see no future in their country allow their children to be abandoned by “agents” at airports and rail-road stations in Europe and North America.

These separated children, some as young as three years are given a false identity and history. Some are cared for by relatives, but others become crime victims. Many Somali parents feel this is a better choice than staying in Somalia, perhaps being killed in the civil wars, starving, or dying from lack of health care.

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The website which the above info was cut&pasted has a printable prayer sheet for you to share with family & friends. It includes info on a cookbook for kids to pray for the 10/40 Window.
http://www.prayersquared.org/WINEmailNews/WINEmailNewsMay2006.swf

I commend to you:
WINDOW INTERNATIONAL NETWORK
PO Box 49127
Colorado Springs, CO 80949-9127
email: win@win1040.com
web: http://www.win1040.com

VIDEO CD - 2005 GLOBAL DAY OF PRAYER DOCUMENTARY
from: Marc van der Woude <info@joelnews.org>, Joel News (http://www.joelnews.org)

Last year the Global Day of Prayer (GDOP) united 200 million
people in 150 nations in what has been labeled ‘the biggest prayer
gathering ever.’ From Fiji in the east to Hawaii in the west,
the whole world was covered with non-stop prayer and worship.
In thousands of stadiums, church buildings, squares, desert tents,
living rooms, and even prisons, believers poured out their hearts
to God.

The touching documentaries of this Global Day of Prayer and the
years of prayer that preceded it, have now been captured on one
CD. People who saw the _Transformations_ video series (from The
Sentinel Group) (http://www.sentinelgroup.org/vsg2001.asp), which
showed how united prayer transforms nations, will certainly appreciate
this high-quality video CD compiled by the South African GDOP
team. This is a great tool to encourage churches and prayer groups
and to mobilize Christians to pray.

This English-language CD can be played on any PC or notebook
computer. Besides the video material, the CD also contains manuals,
articles, and promotional materials for the upcoming Global Day
of Prayer on June 4, 2006, and the 10 days of prayer and fasting
that will precede this event. Make a free-will offering and
request your copy from Joel Ministries (http://www.joelnews.org/promo/gdopcd.htm#order)
or send an e-mail <info@joelnews.org>.

RESOURCES FOR GLOBAL PRAYER

“Look at the nations and watch – and be utterly amazed. For I
am going to do something in your days that you would not believe,
even if you were told.” Habakkuk 1:5

The next Global Day of Prayer is Pentecost Sunday, June 4, 2006.
http://www.globaldayofprayer.com
Are you ready? Millions of Christians are expected to pray for the ten days preceding Pentecost as well. An useful guide has been published by Waymakers:
http://www.waymakers.org

Other resources and details are also available at GDOP USA:
http://www.gdopusa.com

This day of prayer coincides with the launch of an even more
extensive prayer campaign, an unprecedented year-long prayer
focus on the world’s least-reached peoples:

Ethne' - http://www.ethne.net
[See below!]

Global Prayer Digest - http://www.global-prayer-digest.org

Joshua Project - http://www.joshuaproject.net

... and others are teaming up to provide information to fuel this effort, which will last from June 2006 through May 2007. We expect united prayer will open doors and fuel effective outreach efforts throughout the earth!

Each month will be dedicated to prayer for one of 12 regions:

June 2006: South Pacific
July 2006: Southeast Asia
August 2006: Northeast Asia
September 2006: South Asia
October 2006: Central Asia
November 2006: Middle East and North Africa
December 2006: East and South Africa
January 2007: West and Central Africa
February 2007: Eastern Europe and Eurasia
March 2007: Western Europe
April 2007: Central and South America
May 2007: North America and the Caribbean

A map is available here:
http://www.joshuaproject.net/ethne globalregion.php

Ethne' has produced a DVD with video testimonies and videos highlighting each world region and its prayer needs. They are currently finalizing global distribution channels. “Other
resources will be available through the Ethne site and are being uploaded now as quickly as possible. You are given permission to duplicate and distribute as much as possible,” write the Ethne staff.

Write to request further information:
prayer (at) ethne (dot) net