Upload
anonymous-zb8mhg4e
View
222
Download
0
Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
8/11/2019 Connect Oct-Dec 2014
1/36
MAGAZINE &PRAYER DIARY
Africa Inland Missions OCTDEC 2014
Christ-centred churches among all African peoples
26
LITERACY WITH
WOMEN INSOUTH SUDAN
14MEET MY NEW
SAMBURUFRIEND, LENA
04
WHY BOTHER:WITH LANGUAGEAND SCRIPTUREENGAGEMENT?
8/11/2019 Connect Oct-Dec 2014
2/36
04WHY BOTHER:
WITH LANGUAGE
AND SCRIPTURE
ENGAGEMENT?
Looking at the role and
impact of scriptures
in heart languages in
reaching the unreached.
06 NEWS
A tribute to Christine
Molyneux plus news of
a placement for a new
missionary family.
08 OCTOBER 14
This weeks focus is on the
country of Kenya, looking
particularly at RVA.
10 OCT 5 OCT 11
The ministry focus for this
week is evangelism, in acreative access context.
12 OCTOBER 1218
Join us this week as we
focus on the unreached
Lesotho Shepherds.
14 OCTOBER 1925
This week we share the
challenges and joys of
mobilising people formission.
16 OCT 26 NOV 1
Church development
in Mozambique is our
ministry focus for this
week.
18 NOVEMBER 28
Our people focus for this
week is the Antakarana of
Madagascar.
20 NOVEMBER 915
We introduce you to our
new members and share
their story into mission.
22 NOVEMBER 1622
Following last quarters
magazine, our peoplefocus this week is the
Mbororo of CAR.
24 NOVEMBER 2329
The focus this week is
news from across the
country of Tanzania.
26 NOV 30 DEC 6
This weeks ministry focus
is womens ministries inSouth Sudan.
28 DECEMBER 713
Our people focus for this
week is the Datooga of
Tanzania.
30 DECEMBER 1420
We focus this week on
Childrens and Youth
Ministries at DwellingPlaces, Uganda.
32 DECEMBER 2131
For Christmas and
New Year we bring you
news of our short term
programme.
Looking for more prayer resources?
Visit our website:
www.aimint.org/eu/prayer
04 WHY BOTHER
WITH LANGUAGE?
What role and impact does language
and scripture engagement have in
helping to reach the unreached?
14 MEET MY
FRIEND LENA
Mobilised through the Canadian
office, Courtney introduces us to her
Samburu friend, Lena Lemus.
26 LITERACY
WITH WOMEN IN
SOUTH SUDAN
In South Sudan, an adult literacy
programme is helping many women,
who often feel marginalised and
lacking in confidence.
The hills in Torit district, South
Sudan, where the unreached Lopit
people live - www.aimint.org/eu/lopit
2
8/11/2019 Connect Oct-Dec 2014
3/36
I
n 2002 when AIM asked permission to place a Training in Ministry
Outreach (TIMO) team, in four Digo villages in Tanzania, other Tanzanian
Christians were incredulous. The Digo were known for their resistance
to the gospel and even Christians in other Tanzanian tribes around them
were nervous about trying to evangelise them. However, you prayed and the
Lord opened doors.
I was privileged to be part of that TIMO team and even more privileged, at the
start of this first issue of Connect, to introduce you to Elia Kangaja. Elia is an
evangelist, he is also a Digo. A young man who grew up in this Islamic tribe,
who grew up in an environment hostile to Christianity and yet, because of
your vital work in praying, giving, sending and caring, this young man has
met Jesus and is sharing the good news he knows with others.
Our hearts desire is to see more young men and women like Elia across all of
Africa. There is now a fledgling Christ-centred church amongst the Tanzanian
Digo, but we want to go further and help reach the remaining 950 plus
unreached people groups. This is AIMs vision and we are so thankful for your
partnership in sharing this vision too.
It is for this reason that we have changed the format of this magazine and
prayer diary. We hope that in Connect, we will be able to give you more
informative stories, prayer items and introduce you to the people God is using
and the lives he is changing.
In this edition you will be introduced to, amongst many others, Lena, a
Samburu woman from Northern Kenya (p14), Davitika, a woman desperate to
read the Bible from South Sudan (p27) and Gabriel, a boy from Tanzania (p24).
Our dream, and that of the mission partners working amongst these people,
is that one day they, or people in their community will also be like Elia, so
convinced of the gospel that they want to share it with others.
So, we hope you enjoy this new format, and that it gives you a deeper insight
both into Africa and into the lives of our mission partners. God is doing a
mighty work in Africa, and through your sending, your prayers and financial
support, you are playing a vital role in it. Thank you.
European Director
by Andrew Chard
INTRODUCINGELIA KANGAJA
3
8/11/2019 Connect Oct-Dec 2014
4/36
We asked Bruce Rossington,AIMs Scripture EngagementConsultant why literacy andlanguage is worth investingin and what benefit it hasin reaching the unreachedwith the good news of JesusChrist
MY LOVE OF LANGUAGESAND CULTURES
With the benefit of
hindsight, I can
trace my interest
in languages and cultures
back to my time in secondary
school. Some of my best
friends were from ethnic
minority backgrounds I used
to love going to Vikas houseafter school and sample his
mums Indian cooking. Summer
camping holidays in France
led eventually to a degree in
French, and my year abroad as
a teaching assistant in a French
lyce was my first extended
cross-cultural experience.
Although I qualified as
a lawyer and practiced that
profession for ten years, my
love of languages and cultures
did not diminish, and at the
heart of my call to mission was
a desire to make Gods Word
accessible to those whose
language and culture are a
barrier to faith in Christ. In
2006 this led Jan, my wife, and
I to Rwanda. After learning
language and culture on a two
year TIMO team, I spent three
years at a local Bible college,
training pastors how to let
Gods Word speak into post-genocide Rwanda.
SOWING THE SEEDS
THROUGH SCRIPTURE
During our time on TIMO, Jan
and I spent our month out
with a couple who had invested
their lives in translating the
New Testament with a North
Kenyan people group called
the Rendille. As Jan and Iwitnessed at first hand the
way in which the availability
of Scripture in their mother
tongue had sown the seeds of a
Christ-centred Rendille church,
we both had the sense that this
was something we should get
involved in at some point in
our lives.
The opportunity came
sooner than we anticipated
when our time in Rwanda
came to an end in 2011, the
Lord opened up an opportunity
for us to be seconded to
SIL-Cameroon, a Wycliffe
THE
ROSSINGTONS
The Rossingtons have
recently moved to Kijabe,
Kenya from Cameroon. Bruce
is training and supporting
Africans and expatriates who
are translating the Bible into
African languages for the first
time. Jan is teaching French
at Rift Valley Academy and
strengthening the schools
ability to meet the educational
needs of its British/Europeanstudents. Zoe, Martha and Joe
have just started at Rift Valley
Academy.
organisation that is helping
Cameroonians to translate
Scripture into the countrys 270
plus languages. During our two
and a half years in Cameroon, I
trained as a Bible Translation
Consultant, studying linguistics
and anthropology alongside
Biblical exegesis. By the end of
that time, I had helped three
language groups to translate
Marks Gospel their first
mother tongue Scripture.
by Bruce Rossington
WHY BOTHER:WITH LANGUAGE
AND SCRIPTUREENGAGEMENT?
4
8/11/2019 Connect Oct-Dec 2014
5/36
HELPING THE UNREACHED
ENGAGE WITH GODS WORD
After the completion of our
secondment in Cameroon, the Lord
provided a way for me to continue
my translation work with AIM
and to draw on my long-standing
interest in language and culture.
We are now based at Rift Valley
Academy in Kenya, where Jan
teaches French and heads up the
schools IGCSE programme. I am the
Scripture Engagement Consultant
for AIMs Eastern Region and will be
supporting AIM mission partners
in Kenya and Tanzania as they seek
to help unreached people groups
to engage with Gods Word in a life-
transforming way. I firmly believe
that as people engage with Gods
Word in their mother tongue the
language that speaks to both their
mind and their heart Gods Spirit
breaks down cultural barriers and
builds a bridge to faith in Christ.
For some people groups, the
best way forward will be helping
them to engage more meaningfully
with the Scripture that has alreadybeen translated and written down
in their language. For many
unreached people groups, however,
the challenge will be to translate
Scripture into their language for
the first time and make it accessible
to them in the form of oral stories
the medium that they have
traditionally used (and often still use)
to communicate the most deeplytreasured values of their cultures.
Engaging with other peoples
language and culture means that
I am always working outside my
comfort zone, but in order that they
can have the same access to Gods
Word that we do, it is well worth
bothering with!
KIND OF CRAZY THE
DIFFERENCE A BIBLE MAKES
Steve Tittertonfrom Cornerstone Church, Nottinghamis currently working amongst the Rendille people inKenya. He introduces Naryo
Let me introduce you to Naryo. When you meet her,
you cannot help but notice that she has had an
encounter with the living Lord Jesus. The love she
has found in Christ is reflected in her love for her people,
the Rendille. This love has made her kind of crazy: crazy
in the very best way. She goes to villages where no one
else is going, to share the gospel. She goes where many
of us would fear to tread, walking across burning miles of
forgotten desert lands,
or risking the perils ofthe night.
So what changed
Naryo from an illiterate
Rendille woman, with
a vague interest in God,
but no understanding
of Jesus Christ? How did
she become this lady
who will risk it all, so
that one more person
might hear about Jesus Christ? It was the book of Mark,
translated into Rendille. Some other Christians were also
crazy in the very best way: they gave their lives to the
arduous, dangerous work of translating the Bible, and so
Naryo had access to the book of Mark. Just one book of
the Bible, translated into her heart-language, was enough
to change Naryos life forever; she met Jesus in those
pages. You should see her copy of Marks gospel now,
it looks like an ancient parchment stored in the BritishLibrary. She has loved those pages, but more importantly,
she loves the Saviour, who can be found on every page.
How did shebecome this ladywho will risk itall, so that onemore personmight hear about
Jesus?
the challenge
will be to translateScripture into theirlanguage or thefirst time
Watch a short video of Steve and his experience teaching
in Korr, North East Kenya amongst the Rendille people:
www.aimint.org/eu/stevetitterton
5
8/11/2019 Connect Oct-Dec 2014
6/36
HOWS
LANGUAGE GOING?
Frazer Mayhew, working with theSamburu TIMO team, gives thisupdate on how language learning isgoing so far
So, how do you say Whats your name?
in Samburu?
Well, thats the thing, they dont reallyask that.
They dont ask, Whats your name?!
No. Oh
So began our first intrepid steps
into language learning. Instead of
asking Whats your name? you
are more likely to ask Which family are
you from? I know three different wordsin Samburu for desert. I know words
to describe animals that are white
with spots, black and white, patches of
two colours, many coloured, and four
different words for grey. I know the
names of all the clothing and bracelets
that the people wear. None of these
things would make the school syllabus
for learning a foreign language, but
here these things matter. Languagelearning is much more than learning
words; its learning a culture and a
way of life, its expressing an interest
in the people and valuing the things
they value. There are days when it is
exciting and days when it is frustrating.
But language opens doors; the people
appreciate our efforts and we hope one
day soon for the privilege of explaining
the good news of Jesus in the heartlanguage of the people we are growing
to love.
The Samburu, relatedto the Masaai, are
unreached people living
in North East Kenya
For more prayer information on the
Samburu, download a prayer sheet:
www.aimint.org/eu/samburu
6
8/11/2019 Connect Oct-Dec 2014
7/36
This testimony has beencompiled from thoughts
from Colin, her husband, herchildren and others who knewher well
DOING SOMETHING FOR HIM
Christine was born in a
small village in Cumbria
and attended a local
grammar school, where she met
friends who knew Jesus. Her
journey into mission began ata Billy Graham crusade in 1954
where, despite having already
made a private confession
of faith, she left her seat as a
witness to others. From the
beginning of her faith, Christine
felt God wanted her to do
something for him with her life.
So, she qualified as a nurse and
began working for Faith Mission.
It was here Colin met
Christine, sneaking her off
the Faith Mission premises,
with their austere rules about
dating, to get to know her better.
After three weeks Colin asked
her, Would you like to share
your life with me? Fortunately
Christine understood that to be a
proposal, and they were married
in October 1968. A month later
they set off on a great journey
to Central Congo, living in
sweltering humidity in a remote
village. They served there for
almost 4 years, during which
time their daughter Joy was born.
JOINING AIM
On home assignment in UK their
son, John Mark, was born in 1973.
During this time AIMs Dr. DickAnderson met the Molyneuxs
and invited them to join AIM in
Northern Kenya, should they be
unable to return to (turbulent)
Congo. They joined and worked
there for two years, before being
asked to help out at another
mission location, where they
joined forces with the national
Christians for five more years.
In 1979 the Bible Society of
Madagascar asked if AIM could
send missionaries to work
with them, and the Molyneuxs
responded. They moved in 1980
and worked there until 2005,
with a break in the nineties
whilst their children settled back
into UK culture. In Madagascar,Christine was involved in
caring for sick people and
orphans, teaching English, Bible
training and encouraging other
missionaries and volunteers.
Her son says; She was like an
English rose, blooming in the
Malagasy rice fields.
GREATLY LOVED
In 2005 they returned to the UK
but still remained involved with
AIM and projects in Africa. In
recent years Christines health
deteriorated. She suffered a
heart attack in 2008 and was
diagnosed with cancer in 2010.
At the beginning of this year,she became increasingly ill
and weak. Suffering from heart
failure and advancing cancer, she
was finally welcomed home on
July 10. A Thanksgiving Service
was held in Sutton Bonington on
July 25.
Hundreds of messages
have poured in during the past
months all testifying to the fact
that Christine was greatly loved
and deeply appreciated by people
of many countries and cultures.
P
lease join us
in praying for
the Hofmannfamily as they begin
preparations to go to
Madagascar in January
2015. They will be
joining a Focus Team
in Antananarivo, with
the vision of equipping
Malagasy cross-cultural
workers to bring the
gospel to unreached
people groups, initiallyin Madagascar and
eventually in Indonesia.
Please pray for the
family as they seek
to raise the required
support and in their
preparations to leave.
During November,
Jurgen will be taking
part in the Wycliffe
Bible Studying Course,here in the UK in
preparation for this
trip. Pray for Katya and
the children, Vanya,
Issa, Abbey & Dani
especially during this
time.
PRAY FOR THE
HOFMANNS
REMEMBERINGCHRISTINE
Hundreds omessages havepoured in duringthe past months all testiying to the
act that Christinewas greatlyloved
7
8/11/2019 Connect Oct-Dec 2014
8/36
Find out more online about AIMs boarding school,
Rift Valley Academy:
MEET THEROSSINGTON
CHILDREN
The Rossington family haverecently moved to Kenya,having spent over two years
in Cameroon. We asked Martha,Zoe andJoetheir thoughts onmoving and starting at RVA.
WHERE DO YOU LIVE?
ZOE: Im moving to Kijabe, Kenya, to
live at RVA.
MARTHA:Im going to live in Kenya,
at Kijabe, an hours drive from
Nairobi.
JOE: Im going to live at Rift Valley
Academy in Kenya.
WHAT WAS CAMEROON LIKE?
DO YOU THINK THAT RVA WILL
BE SIMILAR?
ZOE: I had a good school in
Cameroon and a lot of good friends.
On the whole, I liked living there.
I think, in terms of friends and
schooling, RVA will be quite similar.
MARTHA: Cameroon was quite busyand chaotic and humid. I dont think
RVA will be similar, because its in
the mountains and its quite a quiet
village.
JOE: I liked Cameroon because I had
friends. I think RVA will be different
to Cameroon, because there will be a
lot more kids at the school.
ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARDTO MOVING TO RVA?
ZOE: I am looking forward to moving
to RVA. I think it will be a great
school and Ill make lots of new
friends. But I think Ill miss my old
friends quite a lot.
A PRIVILEGE TO SERVE
Rift Valley Academy in central Kenya is AIMsboarding school. It exists to provide qualityeducation in a nurturing environment for thechildren of mission partners serving in Africa.Peter & Katy Wilsonteach at Titchie Swot, theprimary school at RVA. They say
Sending your kids off to boarding school will bea very alien concept to many of you. It was and
still is in some respects to us too, but we respect
the many who do. Kids from as young as 8 years old
can board at RVA and while not many of them do, these
kids are some of the most wonderful weve ever come
across. They come from locations where there are
no real educational options, countries where theyve
done and seen things not many adults ever would.
Their parents are seeking to bring the gospel to the
unreached all over Africa and without them, somesimply wouldnt hear. They are obeying the call to go
into all the nations and we count it a privilege to help
them as they do so, by loving their kids.
www.rva.org
COUNTRY
FOCUS:KENYA
October 1-4
8
8/11/2019 Connect Oct-Dec 2014
9/36
WEEKLYFOCUSPlease join us in prayingfor our mission partners inKenya, both those mentioned
below and those we do not
name, who work in areas of
the country where Christianity
is not welcomed. Pray for
protection and courage as
they reach the unreached.
MARTHA: Yes, I am looking
forward to moving to RVA. The
bit that wont be so good is that
my dad will travel more, so I
wont see as much of him. But
the good bit is that Ill get to be
with kids my own age, and its a
great school.JOE: Yes, Im looking forward to
moving to RVA. I think the good
bits will be nice food, and the
school is very good. But Ill miss
my friends.
DID YOU GO TO CHURCH?
WHAT WAS IT LIKE?
ZOE: Yes, I went to a
Cameroonian church. It was nice
because the service was only
one hour long, but it was all in
French, and I sometimes didnt
understand the sermon.
MARTHA: I did go to church in
Cameroon. It was quite a loud
church.
JOE: Yes, I did. But the slight
problem was that the sermon
was in French, not English, so Ididnt understand it.
WHAT DO YOU GET ASKED
MOST BY FRIENDS AND
FAMILY HERE IN THE UK?
ZOE: Do you live in a desert?
MARTHA: How was Cameroon?
JOE: Whats it like in Africa?
WHERE DO YOU WANT TOLIVE WHEN YOURE OLDER?
ZOE: Anywhere in Africa.
MARTHA: In England for a bit,
and then move to Africa
JOE: In Africa.
WHOS YOUR FAVOURITE
BIBLE CHARACTER?
ZOE: I like Elijah because he
had amazing faith and was very
brave.
1OCTOBER
WEDNESDAY
Please pray for Martin& Joy Koch and FrazerMayhew who areworking amongst theunreached Samburu inNorthern Kenya. Praytoo for Anna Kloningerworking with SundaySchool teachers. Praythe Sunday Schoolteachers go on to inspireyoung Kenyans to reachthose who have not yet
heard the gospel.
2OCTOBER
THURSDAY
Support services areessential in allowingmission partners to goand to stay on the field.Pray for Peter & Katy
Wilson and their family,teaching at Titchie Swot,the Rift Valley Academyprimary school. Praytoo for Mark & BarbaraPhippen. Mark works asa counsellor at TumainiCounselling Centre,whilst Barbara teachesEnglish.
3OCTOBER
FRIDAY
Please pray for ourmission partners
involved in TheologicalEducation. Edith Currieworks in Eldoret, at the
AIC Missionary College,now a satellite campusof Scott ChristianUniversity. Please prayfor her and for GeorgetteShort working at ScottChristian University inMachakos. Pray too forMargot Reich working atKapsabet Bible College.
4OCTOBER
SATURDAY
Please pray for ourmission partners
involved in healthcare.Pray for Pete & LibbyHalestrap and familyserving at KijabeHospital and for RenateHornung teaching smallgroups and individualsabout community healthin Lokichogio, Turkana.
See People & Places p18For more info on missionpartners working in Kenya
www.aimint.org/eu/peopleandplaces
MARTHA: My favourite
character in the Bible is Esther,
because she was very brave when
she went to the King without
being summoned, as it might
have cost her her life. She saved
the lives of many Jews.
JOE: My favourite Biblecharacter is Jesus.
9
8/11/2019 Connect Oct-Dec 2014
10/36
Kirstyworks as a nurse in aCreative Access Nation. Sheshares about her opportunitiesduring Ramadan to speak intopeoples lives
THE MOON HAS BEEN
SIGHTED
Its been an odd week in the
hospital this week, the moon
has been sighted and Ramadan
is over; the relief is clear. Ramadan
is an interesting time to be living
in a Muslim country but also a
challenging one. The increased
religious activity and enthusiasm
surrounding the month bring
many opportunities to share anddiscuss our faith, but its also
a time of heightened spiritual
oppression and I am more keenly
aware of the devils handiwork
in this religion. According to my
friends, this is the month that
really counts, and during it theystrive to do all they can to earn
Allahs favour through good works
(and make up for their behaviour
over the last eleven). The question
are you fasting? comes up in
almost every interaction; from
patient consultations to passersby
in the street. For many, they are
merely interested in whether we
are physically able, or wish to showoff that they are, but with some
this common question has been a
stepping stone to share what the
Word says about what is pleasing
to God, and about salvation based
not on good works but grace!
5OCTOBER
SUNDAY
Pray for those thathave truly sought toknow more of God overthe summer period ofRamadan; that as theyseek him, he will makehimself known.
6OCTOBER
MONDAY
Give thanks andcontinue to pray for themany conversationsour team has been ableto have throughoutthe period of Ramdan
and beyond- that theLord would continue
to challenge, and ourwords would not fall ondeaf ears.
7OCTOBER
TUESDAY
Please pray for the
ongoing translationwork happening here
that one day soon ourfriends would be ableto read the whole Biblein their own language.Pray for more local
helpers to come onboard.
8OCTOBER
WEDNESDAY
Very few island women
have chosen to follow
Jesus and most see
religion as mens
business; as long as they
fulfill their religious
responsibility no furtherthought is required.
Pray that God would stir
their minds and hearts
that they might begin
to ponder and question.
Pray that he would give
them a desire to search
out the truth.
The question areyou asting? comesup in almost everyinteraction
Oct 5 - Oct 11
Salat is
the obligatory
Muslim prayers,
performed five
times each day.
MINISTRY FOCUS:EVANGELISM
10
8/11/2019 Connect Oct-Dec 2014
11/36
8/11/2019 Connect Oct-Dec 2014
12/36
8/11/2019 Connect Oct-Dec 2014
13/36
WEEKLYFOCUS
Please pray for the menthat form this Trainingin Ministry Outreach
team to the Shepherds.
Pray that despite coming
from different countries,
backgrounds and culturesthey will be united in
their message of Christ.
Pray that they will work
well together and that in
their relationships they
will show Jesus to the
Shepherds.
THANKFUL
Many of you will know
about the struggles
this team has had to
raise their finance. We are so
thankful to God for the many
of you who generously helped
raise all that was needed. Chris
Klompascommented by saying,
words cant begin to describe
the joy and gratitude at beingon the receiving end of such
an amazing miracle! The peace
experienced has been priceless
for me, knowing that God is
behind this mission trip.
TIMO:SHARING
STORIES
TIMO is a two-year training
programme with a team
approach to learning andoutreach amongst unreached
people groups. Each team is
different but shares the same
12 core values, one of which is
to learn the local language and
culture. For the Shepherd team
that will mean learning Sesotho.
Lacking literacy, the Shepherds
have an oral culture of songs and
stories. The team hope to be ableto share stories of Jesus in this
way as a powerful witness.
Watch a film about the recent
survey trip to the shepherds:
www.aimint.org/eu/shepherds
12OCTOBER
SUNDAY
Pray for the teams first fewmonths with the shepherds.Pray they adapt well as theylearn to speak Sesotho,from shepherds who speakno English at all; learn to
survive at an altitude ofover 3000m with very basichuts to live in, cooking onan open fire and almost nocommunication with theoutside world.
13OCTOBER
MONDAY
Pray that the shepherds
enjoy hosting our team,caring for and teachingthem how to survive andlive. Pray they see the teamas friends and that they arehonest about their livesand beliefs paving the wayfor the gospel as the teamslanguage skills improve.
14OCTOBER
TUESDAYPray for the teamscurriculum reading andstudy for TIMO. That theywill be disciplined andcreative in how they keepup with their theologicalstudies in a very unacademicenvironment. Pray theirgrowing knowledge grows
their faith and effectivenessas much as their brains.
15OCTOBER
WEDNESDAY
Pray for the stock ownerswho employ the shepherdsthat they might see the lightof Christ in the team and, intime, the shepherds. Pray foropportunities to discuss thegospel when Sam & Leannameet with them occasionallyover the 2 years.
16OCTOBER
THURSDAY
Pray that God is softeningthe hearts of the shepherdsso that when they begin
to hear the 31 bible storiesthat the team will learn inSesotho, they will be movedby the Spirit to accept withjoy the good news of Jesus.
17OCTOBER | FRIDAY
Pray that Sam and
Leanna are granted greatwisdom in their disciplingand theological trainingof the team. Pray that theyremain focused on Jesus intheir own lives, in raisingtheir children and for theteam. That they remaincommitted to the Bible asfull and final authority in alltheir decisions.
18OCTOBER
SATURDAY
Pray that, as the teamslanguage skills improve,shepherds will receive thegospel like seed sown ongood soil. That they hearthe word, accept it, andproduce a cropsome
thirty, some sixty, some ahundred times what wassown. (Mark 4v20) Pray thatthe good news is shared farand wide by the shepherdsthemselves.
8/11/2019 Connect Oct-Dec 2014
14/36
MOBILISING MISSION
We asked the Canadianmobilising team whatthey are doing to helpsend people to reach theunreached.
COURTNEY FROM
CANADA
Last month Courtney,
a young lady from
Ontario, wrote home
from Kenyas northern
desert: Ive been learning
that God doesnt call us to
the safe places, but to the
ends of the earth. Jesus
isnt in this community
and so my mission is to
spend every day learning
the language, serving
chai, laughing and, most
importantly, sharing about
Jesus!
Thats exactly the
heart we want to see in
those who serve with AIMCanada.
MULTICULTURAL
CANADA
Since Canada has
the highest rate of
immigration in the
Western World, we have
a growing, multicultural
church. So as we
mobilise to reach Africas
unevangelized we must
engage New Canadiancongregations. We work
hard to attract young
people like Victor. Victors
favourite sport isnt ice
hockey or soccerits
dragon boat racing! His
parents are Chinese, but
since they first emigrated
to Guatemala, Victors first
language is Spanish! Hesnow serving with TIMO.
Canada is an officially
bilingual country. Not only
do many Canadians grow
up in French communities,
millions of us non-
francophones learn French
October 19-25
Read more stories from Courtney
working amonst the Samburu:
courtneybissell.blogspot.co.uk
MEET MY
FRIEND LENA
Mobilised through the Canadianoffice, Courtney introduces us toher Samburu friend, Lena Lemus.
Ifound a kindred spirit amongst
our Samburu neighbours; her
name is Lena Lemus. She is sucha spark of life with her giant grin,
expressive personality, hilarious
sound effects and billions of stories to
tell. Although Lena is only two years
older than me, she already has four
children and has been married for
several years (girls here get married
around 14). Every interaction with my
dear friend Lena makes me want to
learn the language so much more, soI can understand her stories and tell
her some of mine.
Canada hasthe highest rateo immigrationin the Western
World
14
8/11/2019 Connect Oct-Dec 2014
15/36
in school. Thats a huge
advantage as we seek to
evangelize the unreached in
French Africa.
AIM Canada has a
particular burden for
French-speaking countries
like Chad, DR Congo, CAR,
Mozambique, and North
Africa. In upcoming months,
Thomas & Abbie, Steve &
Margaret, Byron & Erica,Greg & Kristen, Nick, Paul
and Aaron leave our shores
to reach out in three of those
countries.
THE UNREACHED IN
CANADA
Hundreds of thousands
of unreached Africans
have made Canada home.
Toronto is the second
largest Somali city after
Mogadishu. Montreal has
a swelling population of
Moroccans and Algerians.
For the last ten years AIM
has come alongside African
immigrant families to build
friendships by providing
legal and practical family
help. In upcoming months,
gospel outreach to our North
African arrivals will besignificantly expanded.
Thank you for praying for
AIM Canada, as we partner
with you in reaching the lost.
19OCTOBER
SUNDAY
Sundays often see mepreaching in supportingand sending churches,or at those which areinterested in missionand AIM. The word ofGod is central to whatwe do, so pray that Ideclare it faithfully andthat Gods people will be
encouraged to act uponthe Great Commission.
20OCTOBER
MONDAY
Each autumn, togetherwith a number ofother mission agenciesand UCCF, we visitUniversity CUs to
share Gods vision forthe nations and thework we are doing totake the gospel to theunreached. Pray weinspire and encouragestudents to follow Godsplans as they exploremission.
21OCTOBER
TUESDAY
Our annual autumnconference takes alot of planning andorganising, especially aswe want to keep it fresh,relevant and beneficialfor all who attend.Currently, we are tyingup the final details forthis year and already
planning for 2015.Please remember me asI organise this event.
22OCTOBER
WEDNESDAY
How do I know if Godis calling me to be amissionary? Earlymeetings with enquirers
are so important as,together with them andtheir churches, we seekto hear Gods voice anddetermine the right wayahead. They also needto hear about AIM, whatwe do, how and whereand why.
23OCTOBER
THURSDAY
Pray for the interviewsof candidates. Aftertime spent with themand their churches, wereview their applicationand references andput together interviewquestions from thereceiving regions. Afterthis process, we can
then recommend themfor a final interview.
24OCTOBER
FRIDAY
Spending time withmission partners asthey share about life inoften dark and difficultplaces demands a bit
more than a spare hourand chat in a coffeeshop. Pray for wisdom,and a genuine love andconcern, as we discussthe more personalaspects of their livesin Africa.
25OCTOBER
SATURDAY
Mission partners aresent by the churchnot AIM. AIM helpschurches send andsupport. Pray for timespent with churchleaders, sharing withthem how we can worktogether to best carefor mission partners in
Africa.
LEFT:Jacob, Amy, Frazer,
Courtney and Josh preparing
to join the TIMO team in
Northern Kenya working with
the unreached Samburu.
WEEKLYFOCUS
The focus this week is for TimMatthews, AIM Europes AreaMobiliser for North England and
North Wales. He writes, My weeks
often have little routine depending on
what part of the country and which
meetings Im involved in: an early
start, then a couple of late nights and
maybe a day in the office. It adds to
the excitement, but pray that I maintain
a close walk with our Heavenly Father
and not neglect my family life.
15
8/11/2019 Connect Oct-Dec 2014
16/36
Tim & Beth Wood serve in achurch called Vision in theWord of God, focusing on
discipleship and teaching.Tim also teaches at SofalaBible Institute and Beth
works on translation projectsand Bible study material.
Here they give an overviewof their passion to help the
church focus on the lost
TRUSTING IN GOD ALONE
When we first came to
Mozambique in 1995
to teach at Sofala
Bible Institute, our mission
leader placed us in the churchthat had sent more students to
the Bible school than any other
denomination. Through the
years, we have been privileged
to be a part of a church that
has been willing to change in
order to grow toward maturity.
Most of the believers came
from Zionist backgrounds, abranch of Christianity that,
here in Mozambique, tends
to keep traditional practices
such as ancestor veneration
while confessing Christ as
Lord. Before wed even figured
out everything that was going
on, we listened to a graduate of
Sofala Bible Institute convince
the church leadership that
changes needed to be made
in the prayer ceremony for
new-borns so that the mothers
would trust in God and not in
prayer cords, special baths andother rituals.
HARDENED HEARTS
Later on, the group of churches
we worked with within the
denomination organised
seminars with the goal of
opening the eyes of Zionists
in the church to the heart
of the gospel. Tim had theopportunity to teach in a variety
of congregations. Sadly, in
the end the Zionists hardened
their positions (on polygamy
and ancestor veneration) and
rejected change. Since they
were in control of the national
leadership, the congregations
we worked with decided on
their own account to leave thedenomination two years ago.
A VISION FOR THE LOST
Vision in the Word of God
Church was the name they
selected. There has been a
renewed push for teaching,
Oct 26 - Nov 1
MINISTRYFOCUS: CHURCHDEVELOPMENT
evangelism, and church planting.
However, more growth toward
maturity is needed. Some
believers tend to focus almostexclusively on healing and
deliverance from evil spirits
instead of living and sharing
the gospel. Moreover, like
many Mozambican churches,
church planting is more about
establishing ones denomination
in a new location, regardless of
the number of other churches,
rather than finding a locationthat doesnt have a church. Our
desire is for a clearer vision of
church growth that focuses on
the lost both those outside the
church and those in churches
where salvation by faith alone is
not clearly proclaimed.
WHATS ZIONISM?
Zionism, also known as theamaZioni is a religiousmovement within Christianity.
There are between 15-18
million amaZioni throughout
Southern Africa. Zionism
blends traditional African
beliefs with Christianity,focusing on healing and
deliverance from evil spirits
instead of the good news of
Jesus Christ.
16
8/11/2019 Connect Oct-Dec 2014
17/36
26OCTOBER
SUNDAY
Sofala Bible Institutenow offers a BA inTheology. However,there arent enoughprofessors with Mastersto teach. Pray that God
would raise up moremissionary professorsto fill the gap.
27OCTOBER
MONDAY
Pray for peace in CentralMozambique, wherewe live. For over a year,the main opposition
party has been involvedin armed conflict withthe government. Manyhave died, others aredisplaced and tension isrising in the country.
28OCTOBER
TUESDAY
Presidential andparliamentary elections
have happened recently.Due to the conflict, oneof the main presidentialcandidates was in hidingthrough the campaign.Pray that the votecounting and outcomewould be free and fair.
29
OCTOBER
WEDNESDAYThroughoutMozambique, newmosques are beingconstructed, especiallyin the cities. InBeira, there are nowmosques in mostneighbourhoods. Prayfor Christians to be boldin witnessing to theirMuslim neighbours.
30OCTOBER
THURSDAY
Vision in the Word ofGod Church faces theprivilege and challengeof making a fresh start.Pray for wisdom that, as
the church is organisedand policies aredeveloped, taking thegospel to the unreachedwill be a priority.
31OCTOBER
FRIDAY
Our children, Jonathanand Sarah, now study atRVA in Kenya. Pray forgood communicationwhile we are apart. Prayfor Sarah to handle thepressures of schoolwell and for Jonathanto make wise decisionsconcerning universityafter he graduates inJuly 2015.
1NOVEMBER
SATURDAY
Pray for Mateus &Regina as they lead theyouth of Vision in theWord of God Church,in the local church andin the denomination.
Pray for Mateus ashe challenges andconfronts others andthat he and Regina willcontinue to live godlylives.
THE YOUTH OF
MOZAMBIQUE
Almost 50% of Mozambiques
population is under 14. These
young people need mature
leadership and examples of godly living
so they can
grow up
centred
on Christ
and with a
passion for
the gospel.
Mateus, and
his wife
Regina, lead
the youth
work in boththe local
Vision in the
Word of God
church and
across the denomination.Their greatest
concern is that these young people come
to accept the Word of God as sufficient,
not to be supplemented with elements
of African Traditional Religions. They
also recognise that many of these youngpeople will be future leaders. Mateus
says I love teaching the youth on their
role in the church and society; it is
important for them to be salt and light
as it says in Matthew 5:13-16. Our young
people today face many temptations
and difficulties, it is so important that
I, and the Church, give proper teaching
on these issues, especially things like
courtship so that our young people canavoid immorality and live pure and holy
lives.
See People & Places p12For more info on mission partners workingin church development.
www.aimint.org/eu/peopleandplaces
many o
these youngpeople will beuture leaders.
WEEKLYFOCUS
This year we arecelebrating 20years on the mission
field. Please join us
in giving thanks for
all who have faithfully
supported us during
this time. Please
continue pray for
us as a family as we
seek to follow where
the Lord leads us and
share more of him in
Mozambique.
8/11/2019 Connect Oct-Dec 2014
18/36
PEOPLE FOCUS:THE ANTAKARANA
Adam & Lora Willardplanto lead a TIMO teamamongst the unreachedAntakarana people. Theygave this update on how
preparations are goingand slowing
THE TEAMS HOMES
Here on Nosy Mitsio,
the last 10 months
have flown by!
The job of building team
members homes has been
both a new experience
and a tremendous task
for us. Theres very little
economy on Nosy Mitsio
because its separated
from the mainland, still
rural and undeveloped.
Most people survive off
of what they can grow or
catch for themselves and
they have little need to
buy things or look for jobsfor hire. So an endeavor
like ours has encountered
many challenges and some
misunderstandings along
the way. Finally, all of our
team members homes
were completed in May!
THE CULTURAL TRAP
Back in the US our
team were also facing
challenges: fundraising
has been difficult for a
few team members and
the original deadline for
leaving (July) was upon us.
We also began to realise
that our efforts at getting
our teams homes built,
while successful, hadnt
left us the time needed to
really focus on the people
around us, on learning
their lifestyles, and onlearning the nuances
of the local dialect. We
got caught in the typical
Western cultural trap of
focusing on work and
accomplishments to
the detriment of having
November 2-8
We got caughtin the typicalWesterncultural trapo ocusing onwork
Download a prayer sheet and watch a
film about the Antakarana online:
www.aimint.org/eu/antakarana
THE PEOPLE OF
THE ROCKS
The Antakarana are one of
Madagascars 18 tribal groups
and one of the least-reached
with the good news of Jesus. They
number about 300,000 and live
on the northern tip of Madagascar
and small surrounding islands. The
Antakarana speak the Antakaranadialect (about 70% similarity to
official Malagasy).
In the early 1800s another tribe
expanded their kingdom through
warring. The Antakarana fled and
survived for over a year in the
limestone caves of northwestern
Madagascar. Many Antakarana were
buried in those caves during that
time and the place became sacredto them, which is why theyre now
known as the people of the rocks.
18
8/11/2019 Connect Oct-Dec 2014
19/36
meaningful relationships
with many of the people
around us. We werent
modeling the type of
learners that we should
be and which our team
members will be.
SLOWING DOWN
So the decision was made
to delay the start date of
our team. Now theyll be
arriving to join us here in
Madagascar on 6 November.
In the meantime, our ownpace of life has slowed down
wonderfully and weve been
investing lots of quality time
meeting with people in their
homes and villages. People
are now beginning to see us
as fellow villagers and our
relationships are growing
quickly. Our team members
fundraising is progressingand they now have a little
more time to make a
smoother transition. Living
here will be very new and
different for our team, but
were all bringing something
new with us: Gods Kingdom
is ready to grow, even among
the Antakarana!
2NOVEMBER | SUNDAY
Please pray for us, that Godwould draw us closer to him inthe midst of such a dark place.Please pray that the Holy Spiritwould transform us daily inhis strength to be the handsand feet of Christ amongst the
Antakarana people.
3NOVEMBER | MONDAY
Please pray for therelationships were still buildingwith people before our teamarrives. Pray that God willgive us wisdom in growingand maintaining healthyrelationships in a culture we
dont fully understand (only hedoes!). Pray that through theserelationships, God will soften andopen hearts to the good news wewant to share with them.
4NOVEMBER | TUESDAY
Please pray for our teammembers. They will be arrivingfrom the US this week. Pray thatall their needed support is 100%
raised and that they are ready forthe challenges ahead.
5NOVEMBER | WEDNESDAY
Please pray for the fourvillages who will host ourteam members: Antanimivony,Andavakabiby, Antsakoa, andMarimbehely. Please pray thattheyre ready to receive our
team members well and to be apositive community for themwhen they begin the process ofadapting to a totally new life.
6NOVEMBER | THURSDAY
Please pray for the familiesof our team members, they havehad the stress of dates changingas they have been preparing fordifficult goodbyes. Pray that they
will know peace now the teamhas left the US.
7NOVEMBER | FRIDAY
There will be 7 youngchildren on our team. Pleasepray that the transition for theselittle ones will be smooth andthat the Holy Spirit will already
begin transforming them as they
walk alongside their parentsand our team in furthering hiskingdom.
8NOVEMBER | SATURDAY
Pray for the Antakaranatraditional leadership (the headking of the Antakarana and theking of Nosy Mitsio), that theyllbe receptive to our message andnot want to hinder its spread.
LEFT:The king of the
Antakarana making a sacrifice
to their ancestors.
ABOVE:The view back
over Nosy Mitsio, where the
TIMO team will live.
WEEKLYFOCUS
Since August 2013 theWillards from Oklahoma,USA have been working on
the island of Nosy Mitiso,
Madagascar, preparing the
ground for a TIMO team to
reach the Antakarana people
with the gospel. Please join
us in praying for the Willards
& the whole team, that theywould find ways to share
Jesus with the Antakarana
who describe themselves as
Muslim, and are also deeply
committed to ancestor
worship.
19
8/11/2019 Connect Oct-Dec 2014
20/36
9NOVEMBER
SUNDAY
We thank God for the
arrival of our daughter
Grace. We pray that byGods Spirit we would
grow together as a
family with Christ atour centre and that with
Gods empowering wewould bring up Graceto know her Heavenly
Father.
10NOVEMBER
MONDAY
We thank God for the
opportunities and
training he has given
us so far. We pray that
we would be open
and receptive to Gods
ongoing equipping at
this time for all he has
planned for us to do.
11
NOVEMBER
TUESDAYWe praise God that
his plans are so much
higher and greater
than our own human
thoughts and ideas. We
pray for wisdom now
as we assess different
options for our future
ministry and pray that
we would trust in his
sovereign plan in all
decision making.
12NOVEMBER
WEDNESDAY
We thank God for our
loving Christian family
at our church. Weask him to bless them
in and through their
support of us, especially
as we will be the first
people to be sent from
this relatively new and
growing congregation.
We also pray for Gods
guidance of our church
leaders with respect to
this.
13NOVEMBER
THURSDAY
As we continue to battle
with our sinful and
selfish selves we pray
that God would giveus more and more of
See People & Places p20For more info on missionpartners working inhealth care
www.aimint.org/eu/peopleandplaces
November 9-15
This week we introduce twonew members to AIM. Bill,Lizzy and their daughterGrace. These arent theirreal names and we haventincluded a photo becausetheir assignment still hasntbeen finalised and there
is the possibility that theywill serve in an area wheretraditional missionary workis not welcome. Whereverthey serve, they need yourprayers and support.
BILL, LIZZY & GRACE
Married in 2009, we
have recently been
blessed with our
first child, Grace, born on the
5th July 2014. We are from
Nottingham, England, where
we have lived since finishing
our studies at NottinghamUniversity; we are members
of a local independent
evangelical church where we
have had the opportunity to
serve God through discipleship
and childrens work.
NEW MEMBERS
Were passionateabout the trainingGod has givenus, and see ourmedical work as
both a means toshare Christ andas an adornmento his gospel
8/11/2019 Connect Oct-Dec 2014
21/36
8/11/2019 Connect Oct-Dec 2014
22/36
PEOPLE FOCUS:
THE MBORORO& THE ZANDE
November 16-22
A STEPPING STONE
The team are almost
ready to leave, to go
to the Democratic
Republic of Congo to learn
language and the culture of
the Zande, a stepping stone
to one day fulfilling a biggervision of working with the
Zande church to reach the
unreached Mbororo. To say
they are not going into an
easy context is somewhat
of an understatement. The
team will leave the wide
concrete roads of America
and instead drive down dirt
roads to houses that are still
not completely ready for
their stay. With no mobile
reception and therefore no
internet, theres will be a true
cultural immersion. The
church is ready to welcome
them though. We introduced
you to Jean Baptiste and
Julienne Mboriundore in ourlast magazine, this Zande
missionary couple will be
amongst the church leaders
seeking to support the team
and work with them as they
adapt to life and culture in
this border area between
Central African Republic
and Democratic Republic of
Congo.
THE CENTRAL AFRICAN
REPUBLIC CONFLICT
We in no way claim to
be experts, and do notwant to become political
commentators on this
conflict, however, we feel it
is important to share with
you news from the ground
in the CAR. In December
2012, 5000 Seleka forces
marched from the north of
the country and by April
2013 had destroyed theiropposition and effectively
taken hold of Bangui (the
capital of CAR) and the whole
country. The Seleka forces
are Islamic and in destroying
opposition to their rule,
they also carried out brutal
attacks on Christian pastors
and traders. Unsurprisinglyperhaps, the population
rose up in opposition to the
Seleka forces, a wave known
as Anti-Balaka. Despite what
you may have seen portrayed
via our western media outlets,
these fighters are not in fact
WHO ARE THE
ZANDE?
Over one million Azande
live in South Sudan,
Democratic Republic
of Congo, and Central African
Republic. The Church exists
among them but there is much
need for revival, for further
equipping of church leaders,
and for the discipleship of
believers. As many Zande
believers continue to follow
their traditional ways ofthinking and doing, there is
great need for efforts that will
help them develop a biblical
worldview. The difficulties
these people are facing - living
in isolated areas ravaged by
rebels, many people displaced
and living as refugees, poor
infrastructure resulting in an
economy that is limping along,weak educational systems, and
lack of quality health care
are also major prayer needs.
Download a prayer sheet:
www.aimint.org/eu/zande
22
8/11/2019 Connect Oct-Dec 2014
23/36
8/11/2019 Connect Oct-Dec 2014
24/36
COUNTRY FOCUS:TANZANIA
November 23-29
WEEKLYFOCUS
This weeks prayer
points have been
submitted by Lucas Ndaro,
Acting Principle of Nassa
Theological College,
Tanzania. Lucas is married
to Limi and they have four
children. The whole family
is currently studying in the
USA. Please pray for Gods
provision, spiritual growth
and physical safety fortheir two sons as they start
college. Pray too for their
two daughters at elementary
school, Limis education at
Evangelical Seminary and
Lucas as he seeks Gods will
for a doctoral programme.
Sandra Meyerworks withSAFINA Street Network inDar es Salaam, Tanzania.Their main aim is to see
young lives redeemed,restored and transformedthrough the love of Christ.Sandra writes
A CHANCE TO TALK
While still on the
streets, kids come
into our Drop-In-
Centre where they can get food,
medical care, a chance to talk
about their lives and listen to
our teaching about the Word
of God. My heart really beats to
help them through counseling
sessions. These one to one
times are good opportunities
to teach them personally about
the presence and love of God.
If they decide to stop living on
the streets they come into our
shelter for about three months.
Here they learn to get used
to rules and a daily life again.
We also try ascertain their
education level and give them
some schooling. Our main aim,
however, is to get in contact
with their families so that they
can be reconciled with them. If
that is not possible then they
join one of our foster families
where they live until they havefinished school or training.
HOME AGAIN
One day I met Gabriel, he
looked so sad. He told me
that he got into trouble with a
neighbour at home, because
the neighbour beat his dog very
badly. Gabriel got very angry,
beat up the boy and then ran
away. But now in the shelter he
told me how much he missed
his parents. We have a branch
in the area where he used to
live, so we sent workers to try
and find his family. His parents
were already searching for
him, and I had the privilege to
drive his father and brother to
the shelter. I wont forget how
Gabriel looked when his family
suddenly got out of the car and
he ran into their arms. It was an
awesome and touching moment
for me. Now he is home again.
24
8/11/2019 Connect Oct-Dec 2014
25/36
8/11/2019 Connect Oct-Dec 2014
26/36
MINISTRY FOCUS:WOMENS MINISTRY
30NOVEMBERSUNDAY
Pray for the many
women who quietly
want to learn to read the
Bible, and develop new
literacy skills to help
their families stay well
and bring income to
their struggling homes.
Pray they may knowJesus freeing their lives
through their learning.
1NOVEMBER
MONDAY
Praise the Lord for
the volunteer literacy
teachers. May they be
faithful and regular inteaching the adults.
May they know the
rewards of helping
their people and joy
for themselves, as they
serve the Lord in this
way.
2
NOVEMBER
TUESDAYA committed AIC
member who is well-
educated and has a deep
desire to help people
learn to read is needed
to lead the Otuho work
in the AIC church Torit
area. In our last two
years in South Sudanwe would like to focus
on wherever the Lord is
leading us next.
3NOVEMBER
WEDNESDAY
People are still affected
by war trauma from
the last civil war and
now the recent politicalstruggles and tribal
fighting. Clan fighting
around one church
literacy centre has left
many dead. Pray as
Christians seek to bring
peace and reconciliation
to their own people.
4NOVEMBER
THURSDAY
Pray for the AICchurch leadership in
Eastern Equatoria led
by Assistant Bishop
Sarafino Oseyek. Many
things inhibit the
ministry of the church.
However, they continue
to meet each Sunday as
Russ & Lyn Nobleare working
with the African Inland Church
(AIC) in South Sudan to develop
an adult literacy programme.
They talk here about how
this programme is helping
many women who often feel
marginalised and lacking in
confidence.
LEARNING TO READ
Torit is the capital of Eastern
Equatoria State in South
Sudan. We are thankful for
the relative calm during the last
seven months of great political
upheaval and suffering in this
newest nation in the world.
The majority of Christians in
the AIC church around Torit are
women - most of these women
cannot read in any language! Our
main focus since 2007 has been
training and equipping volunteer
literacy teachers from the AIC
among the Otuho people group.
We have been working with them
to develop a learning curriculum
for adults along with small books
of Old Testament stories. Most
of the literacy teachers are malechurch leaders. Most of the adult
learners are women who have
never been to school, mainly
because of war and the limitations
of their culture.
Nov 30 - Dec 6
The majority of Christians
in the AIC church around
Torit, South Sudan are
women.
Rose is nowthrilled to beable to readthe Bible
8/11/2019 Connect Oct-Dec 2014
27/36
Her 30-year oldson, a soldier in the
army, was killed inthe fighting againstrebels in February
Women in South Sudan are
marginalised. This has led to many
women lacking confidence to try new
things, low in self-esteem to speak
out, not being invited to training,
and as they cannot read the Bible for
themselves; not reaching their full
spiritual potential in the Lord.
DAVITIKAS PRAYER
Davitika is a very active woman in
her local church. She has suffered
a lot recently. Her 30-year old son,
a soldier in the army, was killed
in the fighting against rebels inFebruary. Then in April her home
was bulldozed down to clear poor
people away from an area wanted by
the government. Davitika longs to be
able to read well. This was her prayer
translated from Juba Arabic, another
language we work with, at a recent
lesson time
May our hearts be opened. May
our minds be opened so that inthe night, whilst we sleep, all this
knowledge will enter us like a dream
and we will remember it. Help us to
take what we are learning so that we
can teach those in darkness.
well as preaching thegood news at the many
funerals the leaders are
called to minister at.
5NOVEMBER
FRIDAY
As we write cholera is
gripping the area and
people live in fear of
this and other illnesses.Basic community
teaching on sickness
prevention, hygiene and
first aid is needed. Pray
Christians will reach
out to their people with
this freeing knowledge
along with Jesus love.
6NOVEMBERSATURDAY
Solomon and Kamilo,church leaders andliteracy teachers, taught
Rose to read. Rose isnow thrilled to be ableto read the Bible and lastyear her longing to readthe story of Jesus birth
in church on ChristmasDay came true! Pray formore to learn to read.
LEFT:
Davitika has
suffered a lot in
recent years, yet
is very active in
her local church.
She attends
one of the the
literacy classes
run by Russ &
Lyn Noble.
WOMEN
OF SOUTH
SUDAN
In July 2011, South
Sudan gainedindependence, an
outcome of a peace
deal that ended
Africas longest
running civil war.
Peace was short lived,
with Presidential
power struggles
soon leading to
violence. Unrest,poverty and lack of
infrastructure means
that few receive
any meaningful
education, with only
16% of girls learning
to read (the lowest
female literacy rate
in the world). A
woman is more likely
to die in pregnancy
or childbirth than
graduate from
primary school.
WEEKLYFOCUS
Women make upapproximately60% of the
population of South
Sudan, a direct result
of years of civil war
and tribal violence.
Please pray that thiscountry would be
able to find lasting
peace and that
women would have
new opportunities to
access education and
literacy programmes.
See People & Places p15For more info on missionpartners working amongstwomen.
www.aimint.org/eu/peopleandplaces
27
8/11/2019 Connect Oct-Dec 2014
28/36
8/11/2019 Connect Oct-Dec 2014
29/36
Many o the
evangelistsworking amongthe Datooga arerom other peoplegroups.
already have a flock to
look after their animals for
them. This practice happenswidely in Tanzania but it is
dependent on the honesty
and diligence of the host
family. Early on the project
suffered a high rate of loss
of animals which were cared
for in this way. More careful
checking of host families is
now reducing this loss but
finding good herders can be
hard.
7DECEMBER | SUNDAY
Available grazing land isbecoming increasingly scarce insome areas of Tanzania, in partas a result of the desire for landto be set aside for agriculture,conservation and game hunting.Please pray that the voice of the
Datooga is heard along withother pastoralists when landissues are decided.
8DECEMBER | MONDAY
Recent increasededucation opportunities havelead to a number of Datoogasecondary school childrenreturning to their communities
with qualifications but fewopportunities for employment.Pray for opportunities to openfor them that will allow themto make use of what they havelearnt.
9DECEMBER | TUESDAY
Many Datooga Christiansface the daily temptation toreturn to cultural habits which
are not compatible with theirnew faith. Pray that they willbe able discern and keep thoseaspects of their culture which arecompatible with Gods word andbe strong enough to reject thosethat are not.
10DECEMBER
WEDNESDAY
Many of the Tanzanian pastorsand evangelists working amongthe Datooga are from otherpeople groups. Give thanks thatthey feel called to this work andplease pray that more Datoogawill feel called by God to reachtheir own people.
11DECEMBER | THURSDAY
Please pray for the Eyasilivestock project as it seeksto help evangelists reachingthe Datooga. Pray for projectmembers who are not able tolook after their goats themselvesand have to rely on others todo so. Pray that they will findfaithful partners to share in thiswork.
12DECEMBER | FRIDAY
Please pray for Simon
& Sue French as they seek tobalance their role of witnessingto the Datooga and other peoplegroups in the Eyasi area withtheir role as AIM Unit Leadersfor their area of Tanzania.
13DECEMBER | SATURDAY
Please pray for Hannahand Jasmine as they continuetheir studies at Rift ValleyAcademy. Hannah starts her finalyear at the school this autumn -pray for wisdom as she considerscolleges and further educationoptions. Pray too for Jasmineas she enters the high schoolsection of the school at the startof the new academic year.
LEFT:Evangelists working
amongst the unreached
Datooga people are given a
goat to help supplement their
income.
ABOVE:Yatoshta Dalele
and the twin Goats that were
successfully reared.
WEEKLYFOCUS
Simon & Sue French areinvolved in disciplingDatooga believers in
partnership with the Africa
Inalnd Church Tanzania.
They write, please give
thanks that our family has
been able to serve the Lord
here in Tanzania for the
last nine years. Pray thatwe each continue to sense
Gods calling on our lives as
we look to the future.
Pastoralists in Tanzania
face many challenges such
as theft of livestock, wild
animals eating domestic
animals and livestock
disease. However despite
these issues there is a
thriving culture of livestock
rearing in the Lake Eyasiarea. We trust that God
will continue to use this
project to help a number of
evangelists profit from the
opportunity to rear livestock
as they seek to raise their
families in what at times can
be difficult situations.29
8/11/2019 Connect Oct-Dec 2014
30/36
MINISTRY FOCUS:CHILDREN & YOUTH
14DECEMBER
SUNDAY
Being an accountantand seeing firsthandthe financial need inthe organisation, I
cannot help but make aprayer request for Godsresources for the work.It is not just money thatis needed but ongoing,meaningful partnershipsso that more childrencan be reached with thelove of Jesus.
15DECEMBER
MONDAY
At Dwelling Places, westart every day withstaff devotions. Theseare blessed times but
often very sobering.Life is not easy for a lotof our workers as theyface common humanproblems like sicknessand death, as wellas joyful events, butwith limited financialresources.
16DECEMBER
TUESDAY
Give thanks for ourbeautiful children.Remember themas we seek their
rehabilitation; comingfrom a chaotic lifestyleon the streets with allthe behaviours thatcome with that, tobecoming ready to goto a mainstream schooland hopefully to returnto a loving family set-up.
17DECEMBER
WEDNESDAY
In some cases ourchildren are goingback to a non-Christianenvironment. Pray
for them to come to apersonal knowledgeof Jesus while they arewith us, to stay closeto him when they areresettled and to be saltand light in their homecommunities.
Its December and DonnaMorrisonfrom MartinsMemorial Church, Stornowayhas already been in Ugandaa year. Here she fills us in onwhat she has been doing to helpreach young people
AMAZED AND THANKFUL
Iam serving in a Ugandan
Christian NGO called DwellingPlaces (DP) as Deputy Director
of Finance and Sustainability,
which means that I oversee the
Accountancy, Procurement and
Sustainable Business arms of the
organisation.
I am amazed and very thankful
at how well I have settled already.
I live and work in a lovely
neighbourhood and I have madegreat friends. Ugandans are
probably the friendliest people I
have ever met!
One of the highlights of my
week is helping lead a newly
formed youth discipleship group
in our local community. I love
meeting outdoors with them as
night falls and the stars come out,
getting to know them and seeingthem grow, and at times start out
in their relationship with Jesus.
FOCUS ON PEOPLE
My main focus while I am here is
to do on the job training, passing
on skills and experiences to the
team I manage. I have a great
team, although recently the
December 14-20
8/11/2019 Connect Oct-Dec 2014
31/36
main person I was training to one
day succeed me as an accountant,
got a job offer he could not refuse
and left. This was obviously not in
my plan, and it has made things a
bit more challenging, but I trust that
God has a greater plan in it all.
There is lots of scope to improve
the way we do things but I want
to remain focussed on developing
people and not just processes. This
is more time consuming and makes
me feel quite inefficient at times, but
I hope and pray it will be worth it.
That is after all what discipleship is
all about people. Sharing Jesus andhopefully demonstrating in every
area of life what it looks like to be his
follower.
18DECEMBER
THURSDAY
Maybe on a Friday night4-6:30pm UK time, youcould remember ournewly formed youth
fellowship group? Weare currently goingthrough Youth Alphaand it is exciting to seegrowth already takingplace. Please pray forrelationships with Jesusto deepen and lastingfruit as a result.
19DECEMBER
FRIDAY
One of the group, MJ,asked me to pray forhim. He needs muchencouragement. He has
poor eyesight and hetold me that the clotheshe was wearing were allthat he owned and thathe is separated from hisfamily.
20DECEMBER
SATURDAY
On a personal note, Ineed to abide in Jesus.Everything flows fromthe place of intimacy
with him and I can onlydo what I have beencalled to do if I remainin Him. Pray that I dontrely on human wisdombut that I focus on him.
ABOVE:Donna Morrison
from Scotland,
with two of her
colleagues from
Dwelling Places.
REACHING THE
KARAMOJONGS
Karamoja is located in the northeastern part
of Uganda, a days drive from Kampala. The
land there is so dry that agriculture is almost
impossible, famine and drought are common. The
region is filled with insecurity caused by rampant
cattle raids, during which many people, especiallywomen and
children, are killed.
This, alongside the
poverty, has forced
many Karamojong
families to flee.
When Michael
reached the streets
of Kampala from Karamoja, his family were destined
to sleep in shipping containers for 0.30 cents a night,and forced to beg on the streets so they could afford
accommodation and food. Begging turned into a way
of life. For Michael this story has a happy ending, he
was found during a street outreach by Dwelling Places
and ultimately he has returned to the Karamoja to live
with his grandmother. Dwelling Places is working
to give many more Karamojongs a happy ending,
reaching them with alternatives to begging, and most
importantly, with the gospel.
he was oundduring a streetoutreach byDwelling Places
WEEKLYFOCUS
Dwelling Placesis dedicatedto the rescue and
rehabilitation of street
children, abandoned
babies and high-risk
slum families. Please
join us in praying for
these children and
families as well as
the team working
with them. Pray for
Donna Morrison,who left the Isle of
Lewis, Scotland, last
Christmas to use her
accountancy skills
at Dwelling Places,
and helps to equip
national staff. See People & Places p22 - For more info on missionpartners working amongst children & youth.
31
8/11/2019 Connect Oct-Dec 2014
32/36
AIMs vision is to seeChrist-centred churchesamong all African people,with a priority for the
unreached. So how doshort term mission trips fitwith this vision? We askedPJ Holmertz, the currentEastern Region Short TermCoordinator and soon to beInternational Short TermProgramme Director for hisviews.
ITS BEING THE SAME
THAT MEANS WERE
DIFFERENT
The fact that short
term shares the same
vision as all other
AIM programmes, and sits
alongside them, is what
makes AIM distinctive. You
see, within AIM, a short
term trip is never an end
unto itself. Short termers on
the field arent involved in
something that finishes when
they leave, instead they are
part of a chain of mission.
When their service begins it
is because of what has come
before. When they leave,
their ministry continues.
They become an integral
part of how AIM is reaching
the unreached and buildingChrist-centred churches
among all African peoples.
The two, short term and long
term mission, cannot be
separated. And because of
SHORT TERM
December 21-31
Short termerson the field
arent involvedin somethingthat finisheswhen they leave,instead they arepart o a chain o
mission.AIMs Short Term programmeoffers anyone over the age
of 18 the opportunity to get
involved with cross-cultural
mission in Africa. Find out more
about opportunities online:
www.synergyarica.com
MEET
PJ HOLMERTZ
For PJ & his wife Emily,
following God is an
adventure. Growing up
in suburban Iowa, USA, both
of them were involved with
mission from an early age;
going on short term mission
trips to Mexico whilst still in
High School. Perhaps its notsurprising now that theyre
continuing to follow Gods
call into mission, using their
varied experiences as they
head up AIMs Short Term
programme. They live and
work in Nairobi, Kenya, with
their children Sarah & Aiden.
this integral link, I believe
that short term mission
with AIM offers individuals
a strong introduction to
mission as well as being a real
benefit to the field.
32
8/11/2019 Connect Oct-Dec 2014
33/36
The only limit we have on
our short term programme
is our imagination. Thereare so many places and
ways in which short term
missionaries can support
those already ministering
in Africa. There are so many
long term missionaries
and ministries that would
massively benefit from
having short termers
working with them. Part ofmy role at the moment is
to get alongside long term
missionaries to help them
reprogramme their own
mindsets. To make them
aware that there are people
who are willing and able to
help them for a time. This
applies to myself as well.
Recently we were down a
member of administration
staff in our office and we
were struggling. Thankfully
a short term mission worker
got involved and was a
tremendous help.
21DECEMBER | SUNDAY
Paul & Di Allcock begantheir second year of assignmentwith us in Mbarara, Uganda, inOctober. Give thanks that theyfelt called to return for a secondyear and pray for them as theysupport the team there.
22DECEMBER
MONDAY
Emma Foxall began a six monthassignment in Madagascarin August. She is helpingwith administration in ouroffice there whilst the LongTerm Administrator takeshome assignment. Pray for
good relationships with hercolleagues in the office andfor opportunities for her to beinvolved in outreach to localpeople.
23DECEMBER
TUESDAY
Gnter Springer, SarahMcArthur and Bethany Sinclairall began an assignment
teaching English in Bunia, DRCongo in October. Please prayfor them as they continue toshare their knowledge but alsotheir faith with their students.
24DECEMBER
WEDNESDAY
Celebrating Christmas offers agreat opportunity for our Short
Termers to share about thereasons for Jesus birth withthose that dont know him,through special events andparties. Pray for all such eventsthat will likely take place todayand that our Short Termerswould be bold in proclaimingtheir faith.
25DECEMBER
THURSDAYBeing away from family andfriends in the UK at Christmascan be hard. Please pray thatour Short Termers currentlyon assignment will not feelhomesick but that they wouldenjoy celebrating with newfriends in Africa.
Korr, Kenya is a perfect settingfor a game of football. There are so
many places and ways in which short
termers can serve.
8/11/2019 Connect Oct-Dec 2014
34/36
Maybe they didnt have
the most exciting mission
experience, but they played a
big part in making sure others
got to the mission field, to
reach the unreached.
ARE YOU CALLED TO
SUCH A TIME AS THIS?
And what about you? It
just may be that you have
the skill and ability thats
needed on the field at this
time. There are so many
new and exciting ways for
short termers to get involved
in mission, we have people
serving through maintaining
vehicles, through discipleship
in Bible colleges, and through
using their medical skills
and abilities. We have seen
short termers make a big
impact when they come out
to the field as educational
support for families. A busy
family can end up getting
caught up in the day to day.
When a short termer arrives,
dedicated to working with
their children, parents are
released into language
learning, relationship
building; into ministry.
I NEED AFRICA MORE
THAN AFRICA NEEDS ME
We only really ask one thingof you; come with a learner
attitude. You will be impacted
as much as you are there to
make an impact. Theres a
lot to learn from Africa and
many opportunities to dive
into language and culture.
You wont be coming to
Africa to solve problems,
youll be joining with the
African people to learn, so
that together, you move
forward. A short term mission
can radically alter your life
and the lives of people you
interact with on the field.
To reach the unreached and
build Christ-centred churches
in Africa, we need people of
every age, with a variety of
skills and experiences to form
that chain of ministry. Please
consider whether God is
calling you to come and work
in Africa, and ultimately to
learn more of him.
There are somany new andexciting ways orshort termers toget involved inmission
A BETTERSYNERGY
You may have noticed
that we are no longer
using the name
Synergy to refer to our
Short Term Programme. This
is part of an effort to make
the programme feel moreconnected to AIMs ministries
as a whole, to make Short
Termers feel that they are an
integral part of seeing Christ
Centred Churches among all
African Peoples and to make
clear to enquirers that AIM
does do short term mission
too! Many changes have taken
place over recent months andthere are still more to come so
please continue to pray that we
would continue to glorify God
in all we do!
PEOPLE &
PLACES
If youd like more
information about the
current short termers
serving in Africa with AIM,
view and download the ShortTerm People & Placesfrom our
website:
Short term People & Places can
be found online at:
aimint.org/eu/shortterm
34
8/11/2019 Connect Oct-Dec 2014
35/36
8/11/2019 Connect Oct-Dec 2014
36/36
MAGAZINE &PRAYER DIARY
Africa Inland Missions OCTDEC 2014
Christ-centred churches among all African peoples
CONNECTis AIM EuropesMagazine & Prayer Diary.
European headquartersA International
Halifax PlaceNottingham NG1 1QN
United Kingdom0115 9838 [email protected]
@aimeuropef.com/aimeurope
Scotland
South England/[email protected]
North England/[email protected]
French [email protected]
Africa Inland Mission
is an evangelical,
interdenominational
organisation with the goal o
seeing Christ-centred churches
among all Arican peoples.
AIM Europe | October 2014
Africa Inland Mission International, a company limited by
guarantee (04598557), a registered charity in England
and Wales (1096364) and a charity registered in Scotland
(SC037594) Registered Office: Halifax Place Nottingham
NG1 1QN
Friday 7 Sunday 9 November 2014
AUTUMNCONFERENCE
SHARING IN GODSUNFINISHED MISSION