People Are Moving Now More Than Ever in History. SIM Has Always Had Ministries with Nomadic
January
On the Move
People are moving now more than ever in history. SIM has always had ministries with nomadic communities, but is now expanding to include ministry with migrant workers and those changing continents. This truly is “from everywhere, to everywhere.” One common plea you will pray over is the need for more workers and resources for this ministry. Jesus said, “Ask the Lord of the Harvest to send workers into His harvest field.” (Matthew 9:38) Let us pray for more laborers in this field and for communities and peoples to hear the good news of Jesus wherever they are. We celebrate the new places God is allowing SIM to serve (see new areas highlighted), and expect our God to do great things so mobile people can find their true home in Jesus, by prayer.
Welcome! – This year we welcome new countries and regions of ministry in SIM and celebrate their addition to our prayer network. As you pray with us, please note these six additional or updated areas, highlighted in gray.
JAN 01 SUNDAY
SIM Director Team & Board – Pray as SIM seeks God’s guidance on ministry to migrants across Europe. Pray for wisdom in partnerships, for open doors to serve, and for more to join in ministry to refugees and other displaced populations.
JAN 02 MONDAY
International Services – We thank God for resources to improve our International Personnel System (IPS). Please pray for implementation and training for personnel coordinators to go smoothly.
JAN 03 TUESDAY
Worldwide Ministries – More than ever people are fleeing from their homes, moving, migrating or immigrating to places they never dreamed of seeing. Pray wherever they go they will find people to point them to their true and secure home with Jesus.
THE AMERICAS
JAN 04 WEDNESDAY
Ministry Focus – A Bhutanese/Nepali refugee, “Sa,” became friends with Sue through our church’s English Conversation Club. Last week Sa sent Sue answers to a lesson on the “Good News” of the gospel. Sue asked if she believed this good news herself, and briefly explained it to her. This lady probably had a family member interpret Sue’s message for her. Sa is definitely responding to the gospel, so pray the Spirit would continue to open her heart. —Terry and Sue Hammack, U.S.
JAN 05 THURSDAY
Bolivia – Migration to cities or other countries touches many families. Parents leave families behind in search of jobs, causing an array of broken relationships. Pray as new ministries and contacts develop to minister to these hurting families and individuals.
JAN 06 FRIDAY
Canada – Pray more Canadians will be moved to work with nomadic people groups who have yet to hear the gospel. Pray the Canadian church will increasingly support those already in ministry. Pray those God calls will answer and go.
JAN 07 SATURDAY
Chile – Associate Tim Brookman (Australia) is offering intensive ESL classes this summer in Santiago at ProVision, a Chilean sending agency and SIM partner, to Chileans preparing to serve cross-culturally. Pray these students will learn quickly and be equipped effectively for ministry.
Ecuador – Radio “Waves of Hope” plans to extend the coverage of their FM frequency to reach more people in rural areas. Pray for favor with authorities to grant their license renewal quickly. Pray spiritual protection for these broadcasters spreading the gospel.
JAN 08 SUNDAY
OCLA (Office Connection Latin America), Ecuador – A week of training for new missionaries ends tomorrow. Pray these new missionaries are well equipped with prayer supporters, financial support and spiritual strength. Pray also the Brazilian project welcoming Syrian refugees fleeing the war will introduce many to Jesus.
JAN 09 MONDAY
Paraguay – S and M are very interested in learning more about God! Pray the Floyds will find a time and place to study the Bible together. Pray S and M will be bold to share what they learn with others.
JAN 10 TUESDAY
Peru – Church leaders in resistant communities in Arequipa and Cotahuasi need prayer for wisdom, insight and encouragement to know how best to impact their communities with the gospel. Pray God will open many hearts to His truth.
JAN 11 WEDNESDAY
United States – Missionaries are involved in and raising support for ministries with migrant workers and nomadic peoples. Ask God to impress these communities upon the hearts of more believers. Pray for the resources, wisdom, and creativity needed to minister well in these contexts.
Uruguay – Andrew and Angie James are newly arrived in Uruguay! Pray God enables them and their three young children to adjust well to a new culture and new schools. Pray for God to quickly provide a reliable car for them.
EUROPE
JAN 12 THURSDAY
Ministry Focus – The worst migrant crisis in living memory has brought 1.2 million people to Europe. While important that we address physical needs, it’s also crucial that we meet spiritual needs. Many come from places where the gospel cannot be shared openly. SIM UK is researching with church leaders to learn how best to support their ministry to migrants. We, and other missions joining us, hope to equip churches with training, action teams, and long-term missionaries. —Josh Chard, SIM UK
JAN 13 FRIDAY
France – Nan became a believer studying in France. She is eager to make disciples within foreign student communities who will be missionaries in their home countries. Pray many come to Jesus and catch this mission vision for their own people.
JAN 14 SATURDAY
Switzerland – Give thanks for the new website to call new workers into the harvest. Pray many applicants will find the right places to serve, successfully complete training, and raise support. Ask the Lord for fruitful ministries for these future missionaries.
JAN 15 SUNDAY
United Kingdom – Praise God refugees and migrants across Europe are hearing the good news, responding and finding love, refuge and peace. Pray the Lord will raise up more people to work alongside the European Church in sharing the gospel and discipling new believers.
NORTH & WEST AFRICA
JAN 16 MONDAY
Ministry Focus – “When Fulani women carry calabashes at a ceremony,” the speaker narrated, “we all know what is inside. Milk is the Fulani’s preferred food, because it gives strength and life.” The covers were then removed, and a man reached inside. Instead of milk, he removed a copy of the New Testament in Wodaande, a Fulfulde dialect of Niger. Three Wodaabe men and missionary Jean Baumbach spent 20 years translating this. Join us in thanking God for His Word. —from Jon and Christine Banke, U.S.
JAN 17 TUESDAY
Benin – The Nikki Training Center teaches disadvantaged girls sewing and weaving. A new missionary is desperately needed following Anni’s retirement. Pray for someone willing to learn Bariba, teach Bible lessons, and care deeply for these girls’ spiritual and developmental needs.
JAN 18 WEDNESDAY
Burkina Faso – Mark is drilling 20 wells to bring people fresh, clean drinking water. Pray these wells will have a strong witness to the love of Jesus. Ask for many people to know Jesus as their Savior through this project.
JAN 19 THURSDAY
Côte d’Ivoire – The Djao family work with street kids. Pray for God’s wisdom and patience as they facilitate skills-learning, moving kids back into the educational system, and assisting them to reconnect with family. Pray the Lord’s provision of funds for these activities.
Ghana – Pray the Church in Ghana will seize existing opportunities to share the gospel with the seminomadic Fulani. Pray for the SIM initiative in the northern region seeking to reach Fulani communities with the good news of God.
JAN 20 FRIDAY
Guinea – Praise God for appointees to Guinea: a single and a family in French study, and another single raising support. Ask God to meet their needs and continue to prepare them for ministry sharing the good news of Jesus.
JAN 21 SATURDAY
Liberia – New missionaries face many challenges in leaving their home country to serve in cross-cultural settings. Many new missionaries will arrive soon, so pray God provides needed wisdom, relationships, and spiritual support necessary for their successful transition to service in Liberia.
JAN 22 SUNDAY
Mali – Praise God for the church in California that wants to adopt the Moor people group in Mali. Pray God will give wisdom, courage and compassion in exploring opportunities for a vision trip next year.
JAN 23 MONDAY
Niger – SIM Niger requests prayer for the treasurer’s office. The current treasurer needs someone to cover his home assignment beginning in June. Pray for a badly needed second treasurer to help manage the financial needs of this large field.
Nigeria – Though Nigeria has the largest number of Fulani in West Africa, currently SIM Nigeria only has Judy Strand working with this mostly unreached nomadic tribe. Please pray for more workers to reach the Fulani in Nigeria with the gospel.
JAN 24 TUESDAY
North Africa – Nomads inhabit the southern regions of the Sahara Desert. Two American couples are praying and thinking of strategies to bring the gospel south. Pray for them and ask for more workers to join them in this vision.
JAN 25 WEDNESDAY
Senegal – Four young adults in SIM’s new scholarship program have started their training to become healthcare workers this year! Pray for stamina and understanding throughout the three-year course, so they may be well equipped to serve the Lord through nursing.
JAN 26 THURSDAY
Togo – Noelie Barassounon (Benin) has introduced Moms In Prayer groups to churches, encouraging women to intercede for their children. Pray groups will multiply and these mothers will see the impact of God answering prayers for their children.
JAN 27 FRIDAY
West African Office, Côte d’Ivoire – Serious Nigerian economic difficulties are effecting support raising efforts of WAO missionaries from Nigeria. Please pray the Lord would intervene and provide the resources necessary to send a single person to Malawi and a family to serve in India.
EAST & SOUTHERN AFRICA
JAN 28 SATURDAY
Ministry Focus – Shortwave radio in Ethiopia, where listeners live remotely, is one of SIM’s best-kept secrets. One language broadcast reaches an estimated 4 million listeners. A migrant worker in the Middle East listens in the house he rents with seven friends. He says, “Every evening we listen to your programs, which are like church services. We encourage each other and pray together, trusting in God’s help.” Ask the Lord’s protection for him and others like him. —from Jonathan Oliver, Ethiopia
JAN 29 SUNDAY
Angola – A joint effort with SIM, churches, and ministry partners seeks to reach the nomadic MuCubal on the edge of the Namibe desert. Pray government permission will allow monthly flights to an oasis to bring these people needed medical services.
JAN 30 MONDAY
Botswana – The Muir family’s secondment agreement to Flying Mission has been cancelled prematurely. As they return to their home country early in 2017, pray for good reconnections with churches, family and friends, and the Lord’s leading for a new placement.
JAN 31 TUESDAY
East African Office, Ethiopia – Three missionary families in northern Kenya work with nomadic tribes who have been without the gospel. Pray their ministry will be fruitful and many will come to know Jesus, grow in faith, and spread the good news with many more in their communities.
Eritrea – Plans are in place to broadcast radio programs by satellite. Ask God to provide discernment and direction, needed finances, effective programming, and trained and called personnel to accomplish this work.
FEBRUARY
FEB 01 WEDNESDAY
Ethiopia – SIM Ethiopia is building a church planting team for one of the engaged peoples in the east. Pray the Lord would provide the right personnel to empower the team to effectively make disciples among this unreached nomadic people group.
FEB 02 THURSDAY
Kenya – Kenya is undergoing a strategic planning process. Pray for the Lord to guide the direction and details of the process and outcome. Pray the way will be clear regarding ministry alignment with SIM Kenya’s purpose, mission, and vision.
FEB 03 FRIDAY
Madagascar – Praise God Debora extended for a second three-month short-term assignment with the Rabeantoandro family in Mahatsara. Her help in various practical ways relieves Marlis and Jimmy for their teaching and outreach ministries in the Timothy Center.
FEB 04 SATURDAY
Malawi – Many Malawian men seek work in South Africa. Ask for faithfulness within marriages separated by such distances. Pray also for ongoing needs for more workers on the SIM team: a personnel coordinator, an administrator, church planters, outreach workers, and more.
FEB 05 SUNDAY
Mascarene Islands – SIM was registered in Mauritius several years ago but the type of registration doesn’t really serve the ministry today. Pray for wisdom and knowledge of the right people in exploring ways of changing the registration.
FEB 06 MONDAY
Mozambique – The Yao mostly are subsistence farmers. The Smith family teaches them Foundations for Farming—a way to increase their crops drastically along with teaching the Word. Pray these physically and spiritually poor people experience God’s blessing in both realms.
Namibia – New missionaries need visas issued. Current missionaries need their visas renewed. Pray these visas are granted quickly so mission work can go forward with clear focus and workers will not be distracted by administrative details.