“You feel comfortable talking about your convictions and this makes it a good subject for our English conversation classes”. This is the way one of our friends starts her English classes for the locals. This week, she again had the opportunity to talk about our Holy Book, answering questions from students. The questions dealt with the misconceptions the locals have about the Bible. Praise God for faithful Christians who, by their style of living and by their words at work and outside of work, do witness about God.

Prayer

Our Father never promised us trouble free lives. He did, however, promise to be with us always. Do lift up a man who is going through extreme struggles at this time. Ask that he will be aware of the Father’s presence. Ask that he will be at peace. Ask that he will have freedom from his trials.

As students finish exams and begin their summer holidays, many will go to the movie store and buy DVDs. They will watch movies from the West. Ask that they will be drawn to movies that honor God, movies that show His concern for them, and that have a message which shares the Good News.

As many tentmakers are travelling away from their countries of service this summer, pray that those they disciple and encourage will continue steadfast in faith, and find satisfying spiritual input and grace.

The teachers at a language school have a lot of exposure to believing students. Pray they notice the differences in these students and question them about why their actions are not like other people from their countries. Also pray for the students to be good testimonies to their teachers.

A worker here has had a string of good spiritual conversations with local Muslims as he makes his regular rounds at coffee shops seeking “men of peace”, Please pray for these conversations to lead to much more.

Testimony

“Dan” was invited to dinner by “Abdullah”, along with several of his local friends. One of those friends warned Dan ahead of time, that some of them wanted to use the occasion to talk to him about his faith and Islam, and that he didn’t agree with their plan. As it turned out, Dan took the opportunity to tell the men about the necessity of Jesus’ payment for our salvation. He shared how keeping account of the number of our sins missed the point. We need to be given a new nature, and that is only possible when One from the outside changes us.

The next day, Abdullah called Dan, hoping that the interaction had not been troublesome to him. As a matter of fact, Abdullah continued, he had been given a new view of Jesus, and actually wanted to learn more! Pray that God will bring Abdullah into a personal relationship with the One about whom he wants to know more.

Praise God for the healing of “Ahmed” who was diagnosed with croup. This opened the door for us to go to “Mohammed and Fatima’s” home to pray for him.

Prayer

Let us lift up all the nationals who have heard the Story of the Son, but have not received it. Many have heard, the seeds have been spread, but the seeds have not taken root. Pray that further contact would be made with these nationals, and that the words of the Father would pierce their hearts and take root.

Car accidents are so common in this part of the world. Pray for those who are facing long roads of recovery, or a life without a limb, or paralysis. Pray too for families who need to help & encourage those going through this.

A very poor woman has been given a sewing machine and several bags of material to help her develop a business to support her family. Ask that she will see these provisions as gifts from God. Ask that her business will thrive and that her family needs will be met. Ask that her Faith will grow in the process.

Devastating fires seem to be common recently. Pray for those who have lost loved ones in fires, and for those recovering. Pray that believing staff at hospitals may have opportunities to share the Good News with these people.

During the summer holidays, many young men become restless, looking for something to fill their time. They are” ripe” for recruitment from groups who want to create havoc in the land. Ask that the young men will not be drawn into these groups. Ask that they will hear about Someone who loves them and has a plan for their lives, a plan which will bring peace and salvation.

Testimony

A fan in the corner, the television on a football channel (not the World Cup though, that is too expensive) and ‘Abu R’ and myself in a corner surrounded by another 15 men. ‘Abu R’ explains that he wants to read the Bible himself and not just depend on his teachers who tell him that the Bible is corrupted. The rest of the group are doing their own things but it is clear that they are cautiously following our discussion. We exchange telephone numbers so that I can arrange a Bible for him, and then I leave. ‘Abu R’ will have probably had to defend his opinions before the group who would discourage the slightest interest for any other religion. Pray for ‘Abu R’, that he will research the Bible himself and that God will speak to him through it.

There was an outcry of praise when we heard that God had made provisions for a visa for one of the local brothers. There had been great struggle in prayer over the last months for this visa. It is clear for us that God intervened. Pray for this small family as they move to study and live in a country where the church is widely available. God has proved that He answers prayer. We pray now with more confidence for the wife’s conversion to the Christian faith. Pray that the brother will be accepted in a local community of believers where he can grow in knowledge and be discipled into mature faith and Christian leadership.

Prayer

People from all over the world are in South Africa watching the World Cup football tournaments. Probably many from the AP are also attending the games, cheering for their favourite teams. Ask that they will meet people who love the Saviour and will strike up conversations with them. Ask that they will hear the Gospel and accept it, taking what they have heard back to their families at home.

While sipping on our Starbucks coffee’s the other day, B. listened to the concept of dying and starting a new live with Christ. As soon as he heard we were in the same job field, he poured out his heart. The divorce of his parents, the negative comments of his father towards him, his lack of friends, his failure to succeed in his studies…. Very unusual for an Arab to open up like that. He mentioned that he had read the Bible, also very unusual in a country where the Bible is a forbidden book. Will you pray for B., that God will do an unusual thing in his life and keep bombarding him with the news that Christ is his only hope to change his life?

We had a wonderful time reconnecting with “Jason & Nancy” and the group. We’ve made plans for a joint vacation in September. We are looking forward towards this time with them. It will be intense, but we also know we will have much opportunity to talk about our Best Friend and to live-out His love and grace. Pray that holidays will be given to all so that we can travel as a group.

Many students are graduating from university. As there are few jobs available, it can be a discouraging time for those who are job hunting. Ask that many will find work. Ask that they will realize that God cares about their future and loves them.

Pray for the hostages who have now been held for over a year. Pray for news of them to be confirmed and that they might be released. Pray for the two rescued girls who are adjusting to their home culture.

Testimony

A young lady who never felt an interest to get to know foreigners, saw a western girl buying some food. She felt something inside her urge her to talk to this girl. She thought, “Maybe I can introduce her to what I believe”. She gained courage and introduced herself. The two quickly became friends and she invited the visitor to her home. Many meals were shared together, many conversations about beliefs occurred and the young lady asked for a Book. While reading it, she believed the Good News. Thank the Lord that she listened to that “inner voice” telling her to meet the other girl. Ask that she will grow in faith and that her family will also believe.

It was a joy to be part of the Global Day of Prayer in our city. There were over 25 congregations who participated. In this gathering, we saw people from many tribes and nations praying and worshipping together. The joy for us is in knowing that one day, we will see people bowing before His throne from every tribe, tongue and nation.

Prayer

A writer for the local newspaper, wrote an article about the tribes of this country. He described the tension between those loyal to their tribes versus those loyal to the government of the nation. One man stated, “We from the tribes are not traitors. We just have more devotion to our tribe than to the land we live on.” Pray for the people as they work through these differences. Ask the Father to show them his love for all those who are part of the human race, the tribe that began with Adam.

Ask God to network people together who are believing in Christ, and also to those who are seeking. Pray for God-ordained meetings between people who can have fellowship together. Pray for those who are secretly and quietly believing in Christ to come into fellowship with others like them.

This city is known as one of the centres of Islamic religion. The inhabitants are known for their extreme ideas about Islam and how Muslims should live.
(A) One person from that area made the comment that locals are either a part of those who have those extreme ideas or they are so “fed up” with these views that they choose the opposite life style. Will you pray for the latter group, that they discover Jesus and the God that He reveals? Will you pray for this city, that God will work mightily among the religious leaders in this city?

Pray for ‘Val’ as she travels to a neighboring country to minister to the Chinese congregation there.

While driving through the countryside, it was evident that there has been much rain recently. The fields are green and the plants look healthy. Water is a wonderful blessing! Pray that the Good News will also “rain down” on this country. Ask that ways to spread the News to many will be successful. Ask that TV and radio programs will not be blocked and that people will hear the messages from them.

Testimony

‘Ahmed’, a local Muslim, came to his professor, and the professor enjoyed the opportunity to share the gospel with him. Ahmed said that he had gone to a church before, looking for truth, but it seemed odd to him. The professor suggested that there are good churches and not-so-good churches. Ahmed asked sincerely for some websites where he could hear worthy teaching. Pray that the Word of God presented will lead him to salvation.

We’ve lived in our home for 6 years and this is the first time we’ve seen our cactus bloom. We’ve also witnessed glimpses of ‘flowers’ blooming in the lives of our friends here, being slowly but surely transformed by the love and grace of our Lord Jesus! Now may the desert blossom more with the flowers of His love and truth!

Prayer

Recently, several young women became involved in a heated discussion about Christianity and Islam. Though they parted as friends, it was evident that they did not agree with each other. Only the Holy Spirit can turn hearts to Himself. Ask that those who do not believe will listen to His urgings. Ask that they will have dreams about the One who died for their sins.

Pearls are a great part of our history. Men dove for pearls in the Persian Gulf, risking their lives to collect the pearls, which could be sold to meet their needs. Ask that the people will hear about the “Pearl of Great Price” and the One who gave His life for them.

Road traffic accidents are very common here. Arabs seem to drive their cars as they used to drive their camels…… This leads to a shocking number of deaths in traffic. Pray for N. who drove his bus into a wall while dialling a number on his mobile phone, 30 people needed to be hospitalized. Pray that this will bring N to his knees, asking forgiveness from Jesus.

This country is very wealthy. With oil and natural gas revenues, the people of this land have plenty. What about their spiritual needs? Ask that they will hear about the Savior who gives salvation and inner peace, which no riches can give.

‘Hassan’, a Muslim, shared with a tentmaker how he had been living in sin in another country, until his father found out about it and brought him back home to the Gulf. He confessed that he still struggles, though less than before, and wished he could find a Bible in Arabic. When the tentmaker presented him with a New Testament some days later, he exclaimed with excitement, “Yes!” Pray for the power of God’s Word to lead him to salvation.

Testimony

Today I visited one of my friends. ‘Susan’ and I have had a friendship for several years. Years ago, she also had a friendship with Christians, and it did open her heart. Although she has a Bible, and has read in it, she still does not understand the message fully. I discover so much fear to even try to understand.

Some people have cut their relationship with Susan, because she is my friend…..she imagines what would happen if she would start to believe in Jesus.

But there are so many difficulties in her life. Today she poured out her heart to me…..Oh, may she call on the Lord in her need. Please pray for her to embrace a Saviour who can meet her deepest needs with His love.

Praise the Lord for believers who have an interest in this area of the world, and are working towards coming here to be salt & light to the people.

Prayer

In city X, there are no Arab speaking workers now. It is a city with a few million inhabitants. Pray that God would send Arab speakers to this city who can follow-up on contacts that Media (internet, Radio, etc.) has made. Pray that God would call and equip native Arabs to reach out in this country. Pray that the one family present will be encouraged.

MBBs were in attendance at a recent seminar in our country. The title of the seminar was, “Why Four Gospels?”, a question that confuses muslims and gives them opportunity to ridicule. Pray that these men will grow strong in their faith, and be bold and equipped to make a worthy defence before their majority muslim culture.

A cyclone has hit our country, killing 15 people. Pray for the families of those killed, and pray that the believers may have opportunities to bring a better hope to these families.

With love and best intentions E, started a relationship with R who had been corresponding through Christian websites. It has become clear that R’s motives are not clean. She tried (and was successful in some ways) to lure the good hearted E into a trap in which she could misuse the relationship for her own benefits. Pray for (emotional) healing for E and pray for R, too, that she will be overwhelmed with a fear of God, preventing her from putting her threats in practice.

There is a news article about children who have died or were maimed by the effects of war. Exploding land mines in fields have caused suffering to many. Pray for the children in this land who are recovering from such hardships. Pray that peace will come and stay in the area where there has been war. Pray that God’s people will be able to minister in His name to these who are hurt.

Testimony

One day, whilst I was waiting for the elevator in our apartment building, I met 2 local ladies who greeted me and, after a short talk, one of them gave me her number and asked me to visit her sometime.

When I visited T, she said that it was so good that I didn’t work and spent time with my children. She then asked me to tell me about what I believe, because she wanted to hear from a Christian and not from their books or sheikhs. I started with creation and was about to talk about the fall, when her friends came in and this particular conversation stopped. I am quite sure that she will come back to it on a future visit. I did have some opportunities with those ladies to share about Christian marriage.

Pray for T, that I will be able to share the whole gospel to her and that she will be open to receive it.

After two years, a local believer, for whom we’ve prayed, is now done with two court cases which were trumped up against him. In the first case, he has to pay about $3,800 dollars. In the second case, he is completely acquitted! Please pray that no appeals will go against him, and also pray for the provision to pay for the expensive lawyer’s fees.

Prayer

Pray for the many Gulf nationals who spend summer vacation in the West - pray especially for those who may encounter Christians at the various summer outreaches in London, Europe and elsewhere. Pray that they will have more freedom to read the Word that they may be given, or to pursue seeking the person of Jesus. Pray that many will come to faith in Christ and be networked back to people in their home countries.

“The Rider” has been exposed to Christ for years, through relationships with devoted Christians. During the last 6 months, he has taken weekly Bible lessons and is committed to continue with these studies. When he was recently asked, in response to watching the Jesus film, if he wants to commit his life to Christ, his answer was neutral. Will you pray for “the Rider”, that God will meet him and reveal Himself to him?

Pray for new team members, Kris & Jane as they continue their language study. Pray that they will quickly grasp the nuances of the language that they are studying - the grammatical rules that govern this language (including and especially the “exceptions to the rule”).

Thank the Lord for all the rain that the capital city and surrounding areas have experienced this month. Gardens are flourishing and the green in this normally dry area, is refreshing. The rain will help the farmers. Unfortunately, there has also been flooding, causing damage in some houses and the death of 7 people. Pray that God would comfort the families who have lost loved ones.

Pray that God would network believers to each other, especially remembering those who have secretly believed in Him and who would benefit from finally getting fellowship and friendship, as well as teaching, from other believers.

Testimony

Abu did not finish high school. He had a poorly paid security job for some time, but now spends his evenings in a park trying to make some money. He bought two electric powered child cars that a parent can rent for 15 minutes for 2 dollars. For the hour in which I shared the stone bench with him, he had no customers. Like Abu, there are many locals who struggle to pay their bills. Pray that Abu and others like him will receive the Good News.

Praise God for P&K as they continue to connect with their special friends. Praise God for the opportunity P had to share in the car on his way to a hockey tournament.

Prayer

Many workers leave for summer vacation. Please pray with us that those they leave behind will be nurtured by God and that He would continue the good work that He has started in them.

Please ask the Lord to help a young lady who is suffering from depression. She is searching for more in her life and is asking questions about Jesus. Ask that the woman helping her will have wisdom, as she introduces her to the Gospel.

Please pray for more Arabic speaking workers to come to the western region of our country. We need them to reach out and follow up, especially to ladies who don’t speak much English.

Those who serve the Lord in hard places face discouragement, illness and difficult times. Ask that the Lord will give strength to the expat and national believers, and that they will put their trust in Him each daily. Ask that their needs will be met and that they will be filled with the joy of the Lord.

What are the main items that attract Arabs to Christ? As someone who did research on this has stated: They want answers on how to deal with their wife and how to relate to their children. But how can Christian families live as examples of these in view of Arabs? Pray for opportunities and desires among Christian families to live out Biblical husband-wife, father/mother-child relationships in parks & shopping malls, and during hospitality in homes.

Testimony

We are excited to be part of a new church plant for expatriates. This new church is meeting in the ballroom of a local hotel. One family that came to our very 1st worship service was from the majority faith of our country. A church member met them and explained what we were doing. Before they left, this same sister gave them a bulletin and invited them to return. Pray for many opportunities for majority faith believers to come and see what a Christian church really is about, and to talk to expat Christians.

Praise

Praise that two young German girls (sisters) of the six hostages being held for nearly a year have been released and will be with extended family soon. Continue to pray for the other four that are missing.

Prayer

Pray for a secret believer. He has announced himself as a believer to someone out of the country. He has the telephone number of a worker in that same city but does not contact him. Pray for this believer, that God will bring the worker and believer together so that there may be mutual encouragement and growth in faith.

As the summer months come, electrical outages can be very uncomfortable for those who depend on air conditioners and fans. Ask that the electricity will be consistent, especially in the hot areas of the country.

Praise God for the evening we spent with “Fred” and “Beth”, a local and his expat wife. Pray that they will continue to build their marriage according to God’s ways, as we continue a marriage study with them.

“Bismillah” - in the name of God, is uttered in every activity of life for the Muslim. Before the hairdresser cuts hair, as the exam begins, before a meal is eaten and in hundreds of other scenarios, these words are quoted. Are people calling on God to help them or are they quoting this as good luck…magic? Do they understand that God, through Christ wants to help them? Ask that the people of the AP will call on God’s name because they have a personal relationship with Him, because they want to serve Him and because they love Him.

Praise God for the baby shower we were able to host for Lauren (a believer). This provided an opportunity for us to share about God’s miracles in her life. Pray that many of Lauren’s friends, co-workers and family (who are from the majority faith) will ask her significant questions.

Testimony

“Sami” was one of the first Gulf nationals I met, when coming here years ago. He was so helpful. “Sami” explained Arabic to me, and more than once, accompanied me to bargain for needed items. On one occasion, he allowed our family to stay in his rental apartment for a month at no cost. Before I was married, he travelled with me and some others to Egypt for a vacation.

I have shared the Gospel with him in some detail. His initial response was: “I like what you’re saying,” but because of other nationals sitting around us, added, “Can I come to your apartment to talk more about this later?” He did so, and had some meaningful questions to ask, but in the end held on to Islam, and even more so, to his carefree lifestyle.

Now, many years later, his nephew is my student. The nephew is struggling to get through the course, and amidst a discussion about his attendance and grades, revealed: “This past week, my uncle Sami was shot 9 times and killed. It’s not known who did it or why.” As far as I know, Sami never responded in belief to the Saviour’s message. His apparent doom grieves me, not only for him, but it also grieves me for all those around us, who have not yet believed or even heard the message.

Please pray for us who have been entrusted with the Gospel to make Christ known.

Praise God for the open doors into local’s lives that team members have experienced over this past month.

Prayer

Pray for training sessions in the area for Arab Christians who will go to various countries around the globe for summer outreaches to the Gulf Arabs travelling there.

Please continue to pray for the provision of a believing husband - it’s the same request as before … small sentence, big request!

It is a real challenge to get a visa for this country. Tourist visit visa’s are limited, and to obtain a business visa, some difficult-to-meet requirements need to be fulfilled. Do pray that the king and his government will make obtaining visa’s easy so that more people will come and minister in this country.

“Margaret”, a tentmaker in our country, is answering some Arab friends’ spiritual questions by email. Please pray that God will aid her use of Arabic to use expressions which will reach into the hearts of the friends for Christ.

Pray for a believing single girl who was recently given short notice by her employer to move across the country to work at a different outlet location. The company has treated all their employees very poorly - withholding pay, denying days off, cutting salaries without cause, etc. However, the employee has little recourse. Pray for wisdom for the ‘tentmaker’ families that are helping her with this situation. Pray for justice and fairness.

Testimony

“I put on my newest dress and spend hours before the mirror making myself as attractive as I can. I will have only a couple of minutes to make an impression on him. I don’t know him except that his name is Ahmed. He has asked my father to see me and if he likes me, he will propose for marriage. Each time this happens, I go through all the emotions of excitement and hope, despair and depression; if I am rejected, it is likely to be because I am smaller than most men want their wife to be. They want tall kids and therefore prefer a tall wife. Oh… I hope this time I will be chosen. The agony to face my ridiculing brothers and neighbours if I will be rejected again. Oh God, I promise to become a devote Muslim if you just let Ahmed accept me.”

Ahmed will be led to the guest room to see the girl in the presence of her mother and exchange a couple of words. Then he will let the father know in the following days if he wants to pursue a marriage. Ahmed will probably be looking at about 5 girls suggested by his sisters and mother before making a choice.

The girls have almost no influence on making the young men propose marriage to them and tend to accept anybody proposing to them, afraid that no others will come to propose. Pray for the rejected girls of this country. They will struggle with accepting and loving themselves. Some develop ways to cope with the rejection by isolating themselves, wrong eating habits, permanent anger or pursuing forbidden internet/telephone relationships.

Pray God will change this culture and pray that the rejected girls will come to discover there is a Christ who loves them.