Here is the latest news from Radio Nuru:
“‘It will happen that in the very place where it was said to them, ‘You are not my people,’ they will be called ‘sons of the living God.’”-Romans 9:26
Mwani men gather around playing a game
We have used the above verse as the opener for this update, asking you to remember back ten years ago, when national believers from other existing tribes in Mozambique told our team of missionaries in Pangane that they didn’t know why we were attempting to bring the Gospel to the most stubborn, resistant group of people (the Mwani); they failed to see the possibilities then and continue to lack vision now, but now it seems that their murmuring may be in the process of being quieted. The sadness is that when the Mwani fields begin to be harvested, the fruit may not be able to be joyfully brought in to the local church, but may have to be stored to the side in scepticism and prejudice. Muchante, Abdul, their wives and we all agree that God is being honored through Radio NURU and that His Word is bringing change, hope, light, and truth to the homes of many people. Yesterday morning, a young Mwani man named Musa got on his knees in Muchante’s home to accept Christ as his Savior, and another neighbor named Assane joined the prayer time. He says he “isn’t far behind in line to do the same.” Today a small home with a grass roof was purchased in a neighboring village called Xinavane so that Muchante and Abdul can have a meeting place for new believers and seekers who need prayer and encouragement. Pray that Muchante and Abdul, ‘good seeds’ according to Jesus’ parable, will multiply sixty, seventy fold and more! There are many stories of how God is showing folks His power and love. We are constantly being encouraged through our weekly survey/interview trips to outlying villages.” Continue reading ‘Mwani Update 2, 2010 - “His Word is bringing change, hope, light and truth”’
“Do not bring us the Gospel as a potted plant. Bring us the seed of the Gospel and plant it in our soil.” - Mr Murthi (Indian evangelist)
Bara men with guns
We’ve mentioned before that the time seems ripe for the Bara. Doors that were closed for generations are beginning to open. People are hungry for change and open spiritually. We’ve asked you to pray for more workers to go out. Please also pray that these workers would have a desire to teach the Bible and not simply impose their set of doctrines and practices that sometimes cloud the Good News.
Sadly, the current methods of evangelism here often focus only on conversion in order for numbers to be added to a church, instead of making disciples. Nominal Christianity is rampant in the urban areas where so many don’t have even a basic understanding of their faith. This often leads to syncretism with their traditional animistic beliefs. Pray that this would not spread to the unreached areas as well but that a real, living, and radical faith would take root. Continue reading ‘Bara Update 2, 2010 - Spiritual Hunger and Opening Doors’
Dear pray-ers,
Mwani girl in Mocimboa-da-Praia
We are hearing so much exciting news from workers among the Mwani at this time. Thank you for your faithful prayers; 30 years of hard work, planting, praying and interceding is beginning to see its fruit. For this update we have encouraging reports from Radio Nuru and also from the team working in Mocimboa-da-Praia.
Radio Nuru News:
The Spirit of God is at work in the hearts of our listeners! (see comments below) If I want to be “moved” in my spirit, I need only to go into the studio when Muchante is on the air during his special 15 minute segment of “Questions and Answers for Brother Muchante.” When I help him field the text messages and phone calls and listen to his on-air responses to people, I just want to jump and dance around the studio or cry tears of joy…that is… right after all the hairs on my arms settle back down after standing up on end!
Aside from these times, the other moments that give me feelings of utter joy and fulfilment are when we are able to create new “studies” on Biblical truth, appropriate for Muslim seekers, using passages of God’s Word in Kimwani and then mix them with relevant, practical advice and music, seeing it all come together in an irresistible way! It is most gratifying, and I love the fact that people’s souls are “delighting on the richest of fare as they listen and eat what is good!” Truly, God’s Words are delicious, and THAT is what people are discovering now! Continue reading ‘Mwani Update 1, 2010 - “To be good, what must I do?”’
Cattle Farming
Desperate times call for desperate measures…
Crime is on the rise all over Madagascar, especially as criminals take advantage of the unstable political situation in the country. Here in the Bara area, violent crimes have increased exponentially since last year. Hopelessness, boredom, unemployment, rapidly changing cultural values, financial desperation, political instability, the West’s glamorization of violence and crime in the media, as well as a culture that often prizes cunning behavior and even stealing, all contribute in creating an ideal environment for lawlessness here. Many people live in fear of the thieves and gangs that prowl both day and night. Rumors and local gossip only fuel these fears. It seems that no one is immune.
The Bara have long been a proud and independent people. Many have remained isolated from other groups due to their confidence in their relative wealth—some owning hundreds of cattle. They have set themselves apart as successful, and this has only reinforced their attachment to the ways of their ancestors and to the spirit world they so carefully try to live in harmony with. But things are beginning to change. More and more of the Bara in the countryside have lost their fortunes to cattle thieves. Several years of drought in the South have further humbled many Bara as they can no longer survive through their traditional methods of farming and animal husbandry but must seek food and a way to make a living in nearby towns. Continue reading ‘Bara Update 1, 2010 - Some Faithful Servants Among the Bara’
If you are specifically interested in praying for the countries of Southern Africa, please follow the links below to various pages, news stories and articles concerning countries including Madagascar, Zimbabwe, Angola and South Africa, which can be used to stay informed and pray intelligently for these places.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/from_our_own_correspondent/7915000.stm
http://www.reuters.com/article/africaCrisis/idUSLD804064
http://www.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idUSTRE51G4NS20090217
http://www.africanews.com/site/page/botswana
http://www.africanews.com/site/page/south_africa
