Giving Thanks to the Lord

The joys of Thanksgiving morning, rest from the work, reminders of God’s goodness, and, in our case, a true pilgrim holiday with no electricity. In the middle of this timely inconvenience, messages from several of our leaders remind me that this world is not our home. We are just passing through.

We share these letters from our leaders with you and ask for prayer for them, their families and their ministries. Our leaders face struggles and challenges as a result of covid, religious persecution, injustice, and so much more. (All letters edited for security and understanding).

Myanmar Suffering Still

"Since we face many trials, challenging issues, like Covid 19, Country political situations, and circumstances. Pressing down by military coup everywhere in the Country till today. We face different hardships each day. Sometimes I feel an uncomfortable journey with fear and worry. What will happen? But God is always with us and comforting, encouraging [us] to go forward and we have been passing so many incidents here in Yangon. God is good He protects us and provides for our daily needs during such terrible situations that we live in. I would like to say thank you for your prayer support in many ways.

"Because of the Covid 19, many people lost/died. …starting small house church planting and sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ and salvation to the non-believers. So God blessed the ministry and multiplied 100 souls during these two years. But sadly, four new believers went to be with the Lord because of Covid. Continue to pray for us. No safety here in Myanmar because of the political crisis. Everyday fighting, arresting, killing etc.

"We are going to start an STS workshop outside Yangon City again. Even though there are many risks because of the bad situations caused by the military coup. Still we cannot stop proclaiming the Gospel and teaching the Word of God. We have to travel long distances for the training. We need your valuable prayer, so that all the needs can be supplied during the STS training. Moreover, without trouble we can do the training well."

Please pray for the people of Myanmar. Many feel helpless and unsure of what to do. Only the Lord Jesus can change man's heart.

India - Freedoms, If Hindu.

It's hard to believe, but ministry in India continues to get harder.  This newspaper article sent to us, shows that attacks against Christians have increased as anti-conversion laws are passed. These kinds of laws embolden Hindu militants as they don't face reprisals from the government. Please continue to pray for all the believers in India as they traverse these satanic laws and deal with attacks to accomplish the call of God in their country.

Our leader continues to encourage the body of Christ, checking on STS Oral Bible Schools and investing in the instructors who lead workshops that equip the believers to reach their neighbors.

Heb 13:6 “So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do to me.”

Niger, Jihadists, and Needed Prayer

“[We are] Establishing Oral Bible Schools in two regions. Opening one more mission field in another region.

“CHALLENGES

1. Being a xxx missionary among the villages being attacked daily by Fulani Islamists.
2. Traveling restrictions … due to the security reasons.
3. Stopping the use of the Motorcycles in the region of xxx.

“PRAYER REQUESTS

1. For wisdom of multiplication and protections to our new leaders.
2. For me to be more accepted as a xxx believer and a missionary in the region of xxx.
3. Pray for the 38 people who accepted the Lord in this month of November.
4. For the provision of a car inner rider for to do a full December out reach.”

Our leader sent this second letter a few days later.

"It's 4:36 AM, I'm still praying for God's guidance and wisdom

"In first hours of the day today, i rented a car, heading to our two mission fields and I was forced to come back to Niamey. The reason is the high tension in and the around [the area]. As the France Army were on the way to Niamey after being blocked in Kaya of Burkina Faso, they were also blocked in Tera this morning. The populations are against the presence of Foreign army forces in Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso, as they accused the France of being on the side of Terrorists who are killing people daily in these three countries while the France Army are here, and so many accusations.

"And at the other hand the terrorists are just killing people. As for last two nights, they came in one of the villages on the border of Niger and Burkina and the brought out all the people of the village, and the asked them to pray in Jimɗi( together). They did that to identified those who are not Muslims. If any refused to pray they would be shot right away. Three of our new converts lost their lives there.

" So now in xxx, the tension is very high, as there were shooting with the real bullets, (No one is sure it it's from the Gendarmerie National de Niger or France Army), as result many were wounded among the manifestants and three already died.

"Security is out of control as the populations are so intolerants toward any that have to with Western world, including Christian faith on the top of the list. While at the other hand Terrorists are just killing and torturing people.

"I am back home safe and will conduct the teachings in those areas through Phone. I humbly wanna ask you for the salvation of the people in west Africa now. For our security, and a strong faith to see Jesus and His work than the dangers. Thank y'all. Only prayers can heal"

Please pray with our leaders and the body of Christ in Niger as they seek to bring many into the Truth of Jesus Christ. Time is short.

1Pe 4:12-13 “Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.”

Burkina Faso Faces Terrorists while On the Edge of a Coup

"Our country is going through a crisis. Jihadists are killing our soldiers everyday, and our government is powerless before that. Yesterday, many more soldiers were killed, our people who were supposed to fight refuse to go again [to] fight the Bad guys. They are preparing right now a coup d'état. Politiciens are taking their familles out of the country. We really don't know what is going on.

"We need your prayers. My son came back from school today begging to leave the country because one of his class mate is leaving with his family because of the country situation."

Our leader faces a tough decision. Should she stay or flee with her children? Let's continue to pray that she would hear what direction the Lord gives her and the children.

UPDATE. "All our soldiers in one unit were killed by jihadists (more than 100) they were attacked and fought more than 4 hours without any help … soldiers refuse to go fight now, because they are not well equipped compare to the jihadists.

"The jihadists are almost all Fulanis. And they claim Burkina Faso Islam. The people under their control Say even in Churches and pastors houses, all [surrender] to jihadists or you die.  And the government remain silent ... It is a confused situation right now. There is no security on our roads right now. Thanks for your prayers.

"The situation in Burkina is a bit stable, but still have terrorists attacks everyday almost everywhere out of the cities, in rural areas and on the roads.

"We are praying for our government and our army to take good decisions to secure the country for us. Politicians are using our people to trouble the government and preparing a coup d'état. Many villages and areas are under jihadists control now in Burkina. They closed all the schools and churches has to move, they are killing those who are harvesting, so rural areas people are fleeing to main cities, and our soldiers Can not take back the control of these areas. The government has just changed our army chiefs in many area, to let them Come up with New strategies to overcome the jihadists and bring back peace and security.

"All my planning till December has been postponed. We need your prayers. I am preparing the God's Story recording workshop, looking for a safe place in Ouagadougou. Hoping to see more peace and security in the coming days."

Among this fighting, Burkina's Internet went down for 2 weeks due to the jihadists. We share all this with you and ask for prayer.

Ethiopia - State of Emergency Declared

Our East Africa Director, John, lives in Ethiopia. During a recent training, several people contracted  covid, including our Director.  He spent 3 weeks in the hospital. We thank the Lord that John has recovered, but still has lingering symptoms, including the need for oxygen. As of the end of November, our leader's oxygen level has not yet stabilized, due to a pulmonary embolism between the heart and lungs. John continues doing breathing exercise and chest therapy.  He shared the following.

“During the month of November the Tigray war escalated, located in the farthest northern region of Ethiopia. Rebels captured 3 cities 300 km from Addis. As a result, Ethiopia pronounced a state of emergency and asked people in Addis Ababa to arm and defend themselves in case the rebels attack.

“As of mid-November, the government troops recaptured the 3 cities from the rebels. However, there are internet shut downs periodically and the state of emergency will continue for 6 months. Take note, there has been a lot of misinformation in the international media about the Ethiopia war. The truth is, there is war in the north and is escalating. But it is being exaggerated when being reported.

“The leaders and the STS Oral Bible Schools are doing well in southern Ethiopia. The workshop we had in the north was an important breakthrough. We are praying that the conflict will end so that several ministries can continue the work in the North, which has been a hard area.”

Rom 5:3-5 “…we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation produces patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.”

Uganda Experiences Attacks in the Capital

Uganda experienced its own attack from the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF, hiding in the DRC and claimed as an affiliate by ISIS) in mid-November.  In spite of rising tensions in the region, STS workshops continue in the North.   We praise the Lord for all the instructors and the STS Oral Bible Schools that keep people in God's Word and knowing the Truth. Remember, “We wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” Eph 6:12. Let’s pray together!

Please listen to a 4 part series on Spiritual Warfare on Heart Pocket Podcast starting November 16, 2021.Thank you all for your prayers and support. Merry Christmas and have a blessed New Year.

Andrea & The whole staff of The God's Story Project (TGSP)& Simply The Story