Praise that the VanderWals are getting settled into their new home and ministry at the Babogaya Center for Renewal in Ministry. Praise that the Media Ministry Leadership team has developed more independence allowing Jim to focus most of his time on Babogaya. Pray for Mary as she prepares to defend her dissertation on April 12 and publish two articles based on her research. Praise that this work has grown into a new ministry focus to mothers of HIV+ kids. Pray for endurance and grace for the VanderWals’ many travels for Trauma Healing trainings, intensive seminary classes, home assignment, and other family and ministry events.
Gina McConley (Niger)
Praise that Gina has returned to Niger, and pray for her as she begins Hausa language training for a few months so she can relate better to patients. Praise that doctors have been coming to the Danja Fistula Clinic from several countries to aid in the restoration work for women, but pray for a surgeon to come long term. Pray for Gina as she teaches a Trauma Healing Training at another clinic (in French), and as she has the opportunity to do outreach and evangelism with children in a nearby school. Pray for stamina as the hot season has descended.
William & Lorraine Foute (USA)
Praise for the Foutes’ ministry trip to Nigeria, Thailand and South Africa. Praise that in Nigeria believers were given a two-week training to help traumatized people. Praise for the connections made in Thailand at a spiritual life conference with 70 adults from 19 countries. Pray for lasting fruit from the two-day healing group they led in South Africa. Pray for wisdom as they fly to Asia at the end of March to help debrief cross-cultural workers who have been forced to leave their ministry location, and as they provide training in Charlotte in trauma healing at the end of April.
Neil & Sarah Sandoz (South Sudan)
Praise for the completion of a year of Arabic language study, and for the patient teacher they have had. Pray for Neil as he begins working on videos that he has planned to do from a trip to Doro – beginning with the arrival and dedication of the Mabaan Bibles. Pray for him also as he seeks out people interested in filmmaking in hopes of beginning a discipleship/mentorship program for aspiring story tellers. Pray for Sarah as she becomes more involved in Trauma Healing Workshops and assists in individual counseling at a local counseling center that serves missionaries and ministries.
Dick & Sara Hart (Bolivia)
Praise for changes Sara sees in some of the participants of the two Trauma Healing groups she is leading. Pray for wisdom as one group is characterized by interesting and sometimes complicated dynamics. Praise for the 170+ students who participated in the Perspectives on the World Christian Movement course that Dick helped organize. Pray that they will be active in mobilization in their churches and wisdom for the Perspectives team regarding training new team members and offering the course again.
Michael & Kelly Reeves (Ecuador)
Praise that the Reeves have been able to complete their first term of missionary service in Loja, joining SIM teammates in ministering to young adults in the area. Praise for their opportunity to represent Jesus as they delivered disaster relief to coastal towns after the April 2016 earthquake. Pray for them as they continue to share the compassion of Christ through Trauma Healing groups in two locations, and for new groups with local facilitators that are now beginning. Pray also for the Reeves’ finances, since they are only at around 60% of their full monthly support needed to return and serve in Ecuador.
Dan & Corrie Linsz (SIM USA)
Praise for the leading of the Lord that has redirected the Linsz family once again to remain for a longer time in the US and for Dan to become the International Support Services Team leader for Sports Friends. Pray that they can find an appropriate house to purchase in the right neighborhood near the SIM headquarters. Pray for Corrie as she homeschools their boys, and pray for stability for the family and continued healing from the traumatic event of Dan’s stabbing in Costa Rica during their language school experience.
Neil & Sarah Sandoz (Kenya/South Sudan)
Praise for the progress Neil and Sarah have made in learning Arabic with the seven language helpers they have had since arriving in Kenya last March. Praise also for the encouraging videos Neil has been able to create documenting stories of God’s provision for the advance of the gospel. Pray for them as they spend the next few weeks in South Sudan with the Doro team where Neil will begin a busy filming schedule to help the team communicate all that God is doing. Pray also for Sarah as she works with women in Trauma Healing.