MAGAZINE & PRAYER DIARY

Africa Inland Missions JULY-SEPT 2015

32EXPLORE SHORT TERMTHE PERSONAL IMPACT

14CHANGE IN CHAD

MOVING TO REACH THE UNREACHED

04WHY BOTHER

WITH CHILDREN &YOUNG PEOPLE?

Christ-centred churches among all African peoples

04 WHY BOTHER: WITH CHILDREN & YOUTH?We look at the importance of children & youth ministries in mission and mobilising.

06 NEWSThe Pugh family shares news of baptisms amongst the Alagwa of Tanzania.

08 JULY 1-4We share information on the Karimojong, an unreached people group in Uganda.

10 JULY 5-11Graeme & Eli Mallett discuss their thoughts on community development.

12 JULY 12-18We share about the work of the Communications Department.

14 JULY 19-25Prayer points from Chad with news of an exciting new ministry amongst the unreached.

16 JULY 26 - 1 AUGUSTWill you be part of sending a team to the Ik of Uganda?

18 AUGUST 2-8Information from Rwanda about literacy and language ministries.

20 AUGUST 9-15A small photo essay about the Antakarana of Madagascar.

22 AUGUST 16-22Read about how were reaching the unreached in South Sudan.

24 AUGUST 23-29Claire Weddell shares about church development ministry in Mozambique.

26 AUGUST 30 - 5 SEPTGilles & Myriam Bonvallat share about mobilising in francophone Europe.

28 SEPTEMBER 6-12Prayer points and family focus from the shepherd team in Lesotho.

30 SEPTEMBER 13-19A snapshot of life amongst the Sakalava in Madagascar.

32 SEPTEMBER 20-30Our Short Termers share about their work in Africa.

Looking for more prayer resources? Visit our website:

www.aimint.org/eu/prayer

04 WHY BOTHERWITH CHILDREN& YOUTH?

What role does ministry amongst young people have in terms of mobilisation for mission or as mission in itself?

14 CHANGE INCHAD: REACHINGTHE UNREACHED

Two doctors share about their decision to move to eastern Chad to reach the unreached Maba.

32 EXPLORE SHORT TERM: THEPERSONAL IMPACT

What does Short Term mission in DR Congo and Madagascar have in common? The impact to change lives.

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Currently, 47% of Africa is under the age of 18, with that figure expected to greatly increase over the next few decades.

A young girl amongst the unreached Ik of Uganda, carrrying her younger brother.

by Joe Morgan

WHO IS THEGREATEST?

UPTURNED GREATNESS

The unreached Karimojong people in northeast Uganda (page 8) traditionally believe that all the cattle in the world are their property, which goes some way to explaining why they are constantly raiding herds in neighbouring countries. You see, for the Karimojong, greatness is tied up with being a successful raid warrior, increasing your herd, and building a cattle empire.

But lets not forget that no matter where we live, the values of obtaining greatness are often very similar. Greatness is about human endeavour, accomplishment and status. However, when the disciples ask Jesus, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? (Matthew 18:1), Jesus doesnt call a great warrior or someone with great academic success, as you might expect. Jesus calls the most vulnerable, unaccomplished, statusless person he knows a child.

THE GREATEST STATUSAlong with our weekly prayer focus on the peoples, ministries and countries of Africa, we are also briefly focusing on children & young people (page 4). Currently, 47% of Africa is under the age of 18, with that figure expected to greatly increase over the next few decades. Many have concerns for the maturity of Africa as the average age drops. Concerns about its weakness, its ability to develop and potential to be as great as it could be. But lets not forget how Jesus responds to the disciples. Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 18:3). Please join us in praying that as the population of Africa gets younger, they would indeed put a humble childlike trust in Jesus; as they feel more vulnerable, they would always look and depend on their heavenly Father; and when they think they have nothing to their name, they will remember that through Jesus Christ, they are a child of God.

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F.R.O.G. Fully rely on Goddoes that sound familiar? If it does, youre probably in your early 20sa slogan chanted across many Sunday schools and youth programmes in the 90s! Many of those that sang (or danced) to this ditty are involved in missions today.

At that time, I was working in an inner-city Christian school in Tower Hamlets, preparing to go on the mission field. I had my sights set on the golden African sun, but God had me do a small detour that still affects my life and ministry today. I saw how keen many youngsters are to learn Gods word and apply it to life, and how many are called to ministry between the ages of 7 and 11! Many children who attended that particular school are now involved in mission.

During the summer, I was privileged to be a part of Powerpack, a childrens worship team. This opened my eyes to how God just loves to answer childrens prayers

and use them in ministry, something I had never really thought of before.

When I finally got to the mission field in 1998, Mozambique was recovering from civil war. Most adults were highly suspicious of us coming to tell them the Good News. My husband, John, taught at a local primary school, whilst I started a childrens club. Its wonderful to hear stories about the children we taught. Dilinda & Helena are now married with their own families, working in an unreached people group (UPG). Emmanuel has become a teacher, influencing a future generation for the Gospel and Helio distributes the newly translated Mwani Bible.

I was recently teaching children of mission partners in Kenya and asked them what their favourite part of the day was. They answered, When we pray for children who have never heard about Jesus! We would spend half an hour each morning chatting about

a particular UPG, imagining what its like to be a young person in that context and then three or four children would pray. (Taking turns as they were all clamouring to pray!)

Children are vitally important in Gods Kingdom work. Jesus said, Beware that you dont look down on any of these little ones. For I tell you that in heaven their angels are always in the presence of my heavenly Father. Matthew 18:10

by Shan Barry

WHY BOTHER WITH:CHILDREN & YOUTH

SHAN BARRY

Shan has been involved with mission since she was a teenager in different contexts across Africa. Now based in Johannesburg, Shan supports her husband John as he leads Southern Region and develops prayer resources through the Pray Africa website. They are parents to three boys.

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The unreached Ik people live in northeast Uganda, perched on the edge of the great Rift Valley. Terrill Schrock gives us this insight into a typical day for an Ik child.

At the crowing of a rooster, an Ik child awakens from slumber, her modod or cocoon. She emerges from her grass-thatched hut to huddle by the fire under a veil of morning mist. If the family granaries are not yet empty, she may be lucky enough to have a mug of porridge before heading down into the valley for the days first heavy jerrycan of water. After that, her baby brother will be strapped to her back for much of the day, as her dad takes off to check his traps and her mum goes for weeding in the garden. She may have to scrounge around for her own food the rest of the day. If her mum comes home drunk, she may not even get dinner. She has to learn to care for herself.

Her two older brothers, with their little posse of friends, will roam the land like a gang in search of food and fun. They will hunt for birds and rats and the latest tree to go to fruit. If the local school is in session, they may go for the cheap porridge or they may dodge. For the most part, the boys are left to their own devices, but sometimes they are allowed

to participate in the world of men: hunting, farming, making an aw or homestead.

To grow up as a child of the Ik is to learn how to survive creatively on ones own in a community of other self-interested survivors, and in a world reluctant to give up its life-giving treasures. It is a life of hunger, danger, and back-breaking labour; drama and intrigue; fear and superstition; sickness, suffering, and death...but also of good humour, close community, and the simple goodness of life lived outside under the sky.

In a world such as theirs, Ik children can only aspire to survive on a daily basis, fill the stomach, marry and reproduce, and live long enough to see ones grandchildren. They enjoy the intricate web of relationships between family members, friends, neighbours, relatives, and even enemies but sadly often have to negotiate these with the well-honed tools of exploitation and trickery. For an Ik child, to live is to survive at any cost and enjoy the process. Life beyond mere survival is only just coming over the horizon.

It is a life of hunger, danger, and back-breaking labour

A DAY IN THE LIFE OF AN IK CHILD

To find out more about working amongst children & youth, visit: eu.aimint.org/go/children-youth

1.8BILLION babies in the next

35 YEARSwill be born in Africa

24%of the planets UNDER18 YEAR OLDSlive in Africa

BY 2050 this will increase to

40%

DID YOUKNOW

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by The Pughs

ALAGWA UPDATEBut we serve the same God the differences in our religions are very small: we just pray kneeling down, thats all

This snippet from a recent conversation demonstrates some of the challenges when sharing

Jesus here. In Tanzania unity is emphasised, and religious and ethnic differences are not. It works well in maintaining amani (peace). It is less helpful when trying to communicate Gods unique gift of salvation to the Alagwa. Even when they see the need to

exclusively choose Jesus, they face the fear of rejection by community and family. They may also fear retribution from ancestral spirits and majini (evil spirits).

And yet we see God demonstrating his deep love for the Alagwa in many ways. Five Alagwa have been baptised

Mama Lieko is an elderly lady amongst the Alagwa. She has shown an interest in Gods Word but later said that her demons have refused Jesus. She is a widow of a well known witch and some of her children are also involved in witchcraft.

To download a prayer sheet on the Alagwa people of Tanzania, visit: www.aimint.org/eu/alagwa

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over the last few months. Each one speaks of Gods Kingdom on the move. The first was already a Christian before the team arrived. It was so moving to see him baptised in our local river, stronger in his faith; bolder in his witness; more understanding of Gods word; willing to take up responsibilities in the church.

Then there was a lady who came to Jesus in her need for healing from sickness and evil spirits. She is free and following Jesus. She smiles a lot now. Two young people from Christian families also got baptised, publicly associating themselves with Jesus. The last was a woman who also came to Christ through healing. She has an amazing testimony and a complicated life. She is currently not allowed to come to church by her Muslim husband.

Easter was another humbling time of seeing God move. The church decided to have two open services: Good Friday in the afternoon and Easter Sunday. The idea was to invite friends and neighbours and to eat together afterwards. Friday, the building was bursting (Cerys counted 70 altogether) and on Sunday we met outside under a tree to give us space. Everyone heard the Gospel in Swahili and Alagwaisa, and many seeds were planted.

As a team, we feel it is the time to sow seeds of the Gospel generously. Through the chronological Bible stories; teaching and other projects; living and relationships; we are all seeking to make Gods love known amongst the Alagwa. Just like the rocky mountainous paths we walk here, its a case of experiencing the lows of disappointment and struggle as well as the highs of seeing seeds start to grow and flourish

11-12 JULYKELBURN CASTLE, LARGS

CLAN Gathering 2015

27-31 JULYLLANDRINDOD WELLS

Keswick Convention in Wales

21-29 AUGUSTBANGOR, CO. DOWN

Bangor Worldwide

26 SEPTSTOCKPORTInto Africa? at Emmanuel Community Church

DATES FOR YOURDIARY

For the latest information on each of these events, see our weekly email, facebook or website: eu.aimint.org

The ten members of the team working amongst the Alagwa.

Praise God for the five Alagwa Christians that have been baptised over the last few months.

It was so moving to see him baptised in our local river, stronger in his faith, bolder in his witness

AIMs desire for the Karimojong of Uganda is for them to be set free from darkness; to be set free from the bondage of destructive traditions; and to be transformed into the full measure of Christ.

MARGINALISED & FEARED

Karamoja, home to the unreached Karimojong people, is located in northeast Uganda, bordered on the east by Kenya and the north by South Sudan. The plan is to send a Focus Team to share their lives with them, and in so doing, bring many into a living relationship with Jesus Christ.

Karamoja has historically been ignored and marginalised because of armed conflict, often stemming from cattle raiding. The fierceness of the Karimojong warriors has exacerbated the isolation of the region. Even Joseph Kony, the head of the Lords Resistance Army (LRA), doesnt venture into Karamoja because he fears the Karimojong

so much. Development in Karamoja has also been hindered by the unpredictable climate, resistance to adopting agricultural practices, and the many guns used for raiding cattle. The current peace is maintained by the continued presence of the Ugandan military and through disarmament campaigns led by the government.

JUST ANOTHER LAYER OF PROTECTION

So why go to this difficult area where there has been so much conflict and when some observers state that they are already reached with the gospel? Because, while many of the Karimojong will say that they are Christian, sadly this identification with Christ does not usually represent a transformed life. For the most part, Christianity is viewed as another way to protect oneself from evil or to bring prosperity. In addition to their traditional African religion, Christianity simply adds another layer of

protection. The presence of mature Christian leaders, able to teach and disciple others, is largely non-existent, to the extent that the Bishop of Moroto (Church of Uganda) states that 98% of church attendees do not know Christ.

In response to this, the Moroto Focus Team has set their vision as for the Karimojong to be set free from darkness, to be set free from the bondage of destructive traditions, to be transformed into the full measure of Christ, and to reproduce this transformed life of Christ in their fellow peoples.

PEOPLE FOCUS: THE KARIMOJONG

July 1-4

For the most part, Christianity is viewed as another way to protect oneself from evil or to bring prosperity.

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The Karimojong live in circular huts made out of mud and wood, capped with grass-thatched roofs. Ten to twenty people live in a typical hut, each with a diameter of six to ten feet. A cluster of three to six huts, surrounded by a thorn bush fence, makes up a village called an ere. An ere might consist of family members or non-related clan members living together for security. These clusters of huts are then grouped together in a circle and the entire grouping is surrounded by more thorn bushes.

Traditionally, the Karimojong dress in distinctive plaid wraps, called sheets. Jewellery worn by adults holds no significance, unless it is a solid metal necklace, where this indicates the woman is married. Girls as young as five often have metal necklaces around their neck, which signifies that she is

booked. That is, she is already committed to a man. When she is older she will be given to the one who has paid the dowry, usually some sort of livestock. Since this is a polygamous society, the man the girl will marry might already have other wives.

WEEKLY FOCUS

We are now recruiting team members for the team to the Karimojong. Please pray for our mobilisers and mobilising offices around the world who are seeking to find those whom God has called to be part of this work. Please pray that those the Lord is leading to go to the Karimojong will listen and obey.

KARIMOJONG CULTUREOur focus is to make disciples

among the Karimojong in Moroto District. When practical, we are seeking to mobilise local churches, equipping and training church leadership to carry the vision of discipleship forward. For those who already know Christ, the aim is to encourage and develop obedience and transformed lives, while showing them how to embrace evangelism, discipleship, and incarnational living. When this happens and the Karimojong are able to disciple and shepherd their own people in a Biblical way, Karamoja will be reached and we will know that the work there is complete.

Interested in serving amongst the Karimojong? Find out more at eu.aimint.org/karimojong

1 JULY WEDNESDAYPlease pray for team leaders Lyle & Ingrid Lathrop. They are already living amongst the Karimojong and have begun ministry. Please pray for them as they continue to learn language and plan ministries for the team.

2 JULY | THURSDAYLyle & Ingrid share, We have two villages the Lord has laid on our hearts and we are looking for AIM missionaries willing to live a simple

lifestyle to bring Christ to these people who live in the bush. 85% of the Karimojong in Moroto District live in villages with only basic amenities.

3 JULY | FRIDAYLyle is retired from 33 years in law enforcement, working in a variety of different roles. Since arriving in the Moroto Town he has been able to start a Bible study group among prison guards and some police. Give thanks for this development and pray that they will

understand the words shared and live out the truth in their lives.

4 JULY | SATURDAYIngrid has begun a Bible study amongst Karimojong women. Some, after having been in church most of their lives, are beginning to understand what salvation is and what being a Christian really entails. Others gives verbal assent, but no change is taking place. Pray that the Lord softens their hearts to his transforming Word.

The Karimojong live in clusters of huts called an ere

We asked Graeme & Eli Mallett to discuss their thoughts on community development as they adjust to life and ministry in Mahajanga, Madagascar.

COMMUNITY LIVING

Living in community is tied up with one of the most important Malagasy cultural values - that of Fihavanana. Fihavanana is an idea which is difficult to translate but is basically the importance of living in harmony with each other.Vaguely underpinning this value is the concept that all Malagasy people come from one ancestor. As such, many Malagasy people live interdependent lives deeply intertwined with those of their larger families, neighbours and local communities.

However, when people normally talk about community development they are not talking about growing a sense of community but instead mean a sustainable approach to economic and social development driven by

the local community. Behind this is an implicit faith in progress perhaps one of the driving forces of Western capitalism the idea that our society, economy, technology and civilisation are evolving inevitably to become better and better. This view sees a poorer country, such as Madagascar, as being in an earlier stage of evolution, and in need of assistance to speed up its evolution to Western levels.

COMMUNITIES TRANSFORMED

But what do Christians mean when we talk about community development? Well often we mean the same as secular organisations but were not sure thats really whats on Gods heart. It is clear, throughout the Bible, that God has a special place for the poor. The first public message of Jesus that Luke records (Luke 4:16-30) has Jesus announcing that he has come to bring good news to the poor. If our church planting does not address the physical needs of the poor we have only half the Gospel

message and are not talking about the good news that Gods kingdom is now (as well as not yet).

As a family we believe that God wants to use his church in Mahajanga to reach the lost and minister to the poor here. To this end we are currently learning Malagasy, building relationships with the local churches and praying together for the Kingdom to advance. We want to further encourage and catalyse the churches to develop a Biblical, Malagasy take on community development whilst starting church planting movements amongst the local unreached people groups.

Discipling unreached people groups, who consider themselves to be poor, that they are made in the image of God, that they are important to God, that God has equipped them with many gifts and resources, that God has given them the responsibility of caring for his creation, is all part of the good news that we are redeemed through the blood of his Son.

MINISTRY FOCUS: COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

July 5-11

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5 JULY | SUNDAYSince his election in 2014, the President Hery Rajaonarimampianina (it is a world record as a presidential surname) has struggled to deliver on electoral promises and overcome the entrenched political stand-off which has existed since a coup in 2009. Pray that God would guide the government and lead them to make right decisions for the country.

6 JULY | MONDAYFounded on the blood of Malagasy believers who were put to death and persecuted for their faith in the early 19th century, the church in Madagascar has a great heritage. Today many Malagasy Christians say they need God to move again in their nation as he has done in the past.

7 JULY | TUESDAYThe Malagasy church is looking to be more intentional in taking the gospel to the remaining unreached people groups (UPGs) in Madagascar. Pray that God would help the church overcome the considerable ethnic, linguistic and cultural barriers plus the physical remoteness that has so far hindered mission.

8 JULY | WEDNESDAYPlease pray for Madagascar to become a missionary-sending hub. Pray for Madagascar to be a strategic nation in Gods plan, developing its own Malagasy mission paradigm and sending out missionaries to advance

Gods Kingdom on this side of the Indian Ocean.

9 JULY | THURSDAYPlease pray for the transformational effect of the Gospel to be evident in the lives of believers, including AIM missionaries!

10 JULY | FRIDAYWe have seen some examples recently of successful local businesses. Pray that God would raise up godly, principled business men and women from the churches in Mahajanga to start up many more enterprises that respect Gods creation, use the profits generated for good, and provide people with a means to support themselves and their families.

11 JULY | SATURDAYPlease pray for more discipleship-making movements in the UPGs of the region. We want to see more than a handful of believers or a handful of churches; we want to see God establishing rapidly multiplying groups of disciples amongst peoples who are currently lost.

WEEKLY FOCUS

Without completely depending on God through prayer we can do nothing. Pray that God would raise up in us (the Malletts) and in the local church in Mahajanga an unwavering commitment to pray for the lost we live amongst so that we are humbled and he is glorified as his kingdom is extended.

MADE IN THEIMAGE OF GOD

Pastor Tovo has worked in Mahajanga for many years. As well as being one of the leaders of the Baptist church in Mahajanga, Madagascar, he also heads up the Union des Eglises Evangliques de Mahajanga (UEEM) which includes over 30 evangelical churches of various denominations.

He shares, One of the most important aspects of community development is about training people, particularly Christians, to realise the gifts and resources God has given them to provide for their needs. This comes from a creation theology and the profound revelation that we are all made in the image of God. And as part of that, he emphasises Pauls teaching in 2 Thessalonians 3:10b: Those unwilling to work will not get to eat. For members of UEEM, community development is part and parcel of church planting. Many of the local pastors in UEEM have started churches in the bush around Mahajanga amongst the unreached Sakalava people. Often they will start a school as part of their church plant as this meets a real need of the community they are reaching.

See People & Places p12For mission partners working in Madagascar.

aimint.org/eu/pandp

Training at the spiritual retreat for local pastors.

MOBILISING MISSION July 12-18

This weeks prayer requests come from the whole of the Nottingham office, but in this article, Lindsey Davies takes the opportunity briefly to share about the work of the Communications Department.

WORDS & PICTURES

Communications. Thats just words and pictures, right? In part, yes, its words and pictures for websites, blogs, social

media, magazines, emails, mobilising leaflets, support raising leaflets, postcards, fridge magnets and even mugs. Words and pictures that need to be right for their often very different audiences. But its also building the website to start with, exploring how we should operate on social media, finding and researching stories to share and even sourcing the right kinds of magnets! Life is varied and hectic in AIM Europes Communications

Department, but into every set of words and pictures goes an element of strategic thinking. Thinking that is centred around the fact there are still 320 million people in Africa who have never heard the Gospel and its part of our responsibility to encourage people to pray, give and go so that those 320 million can be part of Christs glorious church.

12 JULY | SUNDAYThese are both exciting and challenging times for AIM Europe, demonstrated through the introduction of our new international framework and the imminent arrival (2016) of the next five-year strategic plan. Please pray as we seek Gods leading on how best to implement these plans.

13 JULY | MONDAYBoth the international framework and AIM Europes strategic plan aspire to more mission partners and higher concentrations of workers among Africas unengaged and unreached people groups. Please pray that both individually and collectively we would make wise decisions that facilitate Gods plans and purposes in all we do.

14 JULY | TUESDAYPlease pray for continuing good communications between the finance department and our overseas colleagues. In order to deliver a high quality service, we need to provide timely and accurate financial information, which can be a challenge for some mission partners who face frequent interruptions in their local provision of power and internet services.

15 JULY WEDNESDAYToday marks the start of our Home Assignment Conference for UK staff and mission partners on Home Assignment to meet and pray together. Please pray that it will be a time of encouragement and refreshment for all and will help us work better as a team.

The Nottingham office meet every day before lunch to pray for our mission partners in Africa.

See People & Places p14For more information on the Mobilising Team

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MAGAZINE & PRAYER DIARY

Africa Inland MissionsJAN-MAR 2015

Christ-centred churches among all African peoples

VISITINGTHE IK

Joe Morgan works as a designer in AIMs Communications Department. Last October he had the opportunity to visit Africa for the first time and join the survey team to the unreached Ik in northeast Uganda. The survey was a success in terms of obtaining permission for a Training in Ministry Outreach (TIMO) team to work amongst them and find a location for the team leaders house. Many of Joes photos have appeared in our publications and on our website, including this cover photo of a young Ik girl who was keen to have her photo taken. See page 16 for the latest updates on the Ik.

16 JULY THURSDAYMember Care is something everyone in the sending office contributes to; please pray as we all work towards serving and caring for our mission partners. More specifically pray for the Personnel Department and Mobilisers as we enter the busy time of Home Assignments and therefore lots of debriefs of members and their families.

17 JULY | FRIDAYGive thanks for the thousands of supporters who financially support mission partners each year, thus enabling them to perform the work which God has called them to. Please pray that each supporter would be encouraged by knowing that they play a vital part in building Christ-centred churches among all African peoples.

18 JULY SATURDAYPlease pray for creativity and inspiration for our Communications team as they seek ways to engage with existing supporters as well as develop new avenues to enthuse a new generation about mission in Africa. Please pray that God would be glorified in all the publications produced by AIM Europe.

CONNECTING PEOPLEIts often said that good

communication forms the centre of a successful relationship, and likewise, we appreciate that if AIM Europe is to achieve all that God has called us to, at the centre of what we do must be effective communication. As part of that, we often act as a channel between the mission partners in the field and our supporters in Europe. To raise the vital prayer and financial support that our mission partners need, our goal is to communicate their needs, hopes and challenges in ways that provoke both new and existing supporters to respond as God calls. This is done through sharing their stories and prayer requests here in Connect as well as through individual partnership leaflets and prayer cards.

ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO GOThe other half of our

responsibility is to share information with people who feel called to serve God in Africa. Over the next few weeks and months wed encourage you to visit the Go pages of our website, where we explain the ministry areas that AIM is involved in, share information about the countries we work in and post specific opportunities. Working with our mobilisers, we hope that our website and publications provide an area where prospective candidates can discover more about AIM and the work that God has called us to as they consider the callings on their own lives.

We hope all that we share ultimately gives glory to God and tells of the awesome work he is doing in Africa. As you read and respond to anything we produce, our prayer is that you will be encouraged in your own walk with the Lord through your partnership with us in the Gospel.

WEEKLY FOCUS

The European Mobilising Office, based in Nottingham, plays an often unseen role in mobilising, equipping, releasing and supporting long and short term personnel to serve in Africa and among African diaspora. Please pray that the Home Staff may know Christs presence and power as they faithfully and diligently work in these areas.

We are very grateful for the faithful volunteers who help pack Connect into envelop each quarter.

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COUNTRY FOCUS:CHAD

July 19-25

In August a team will begin work amongst the unreached Maba people of eastern Chad. The team will be lead by Ann Fursdon and includes Catherine Grier and the Bright family from Canada. We asked Ann and Catherine to share their thoughts on this upcoming team.

ANN SHARES:

In early April I moved from established church medical work in Bebalem, southern Chad (in health centres and in Bebalem hospital training nurses and midwives), to work in a large town in eastern Chad where the church has no medical work. Why? Well, in July 2014 I taught several times about mission amongst ethnic groups which have little access to the gospel, in the hospital and in a local church. Teaching others about this kind of mission made me re-evaluate my work. Although I still believe that the training of African believers (medical workers and others) is very important, it seemed right to go myself to unreached people

groups, as an example, hoping to encourage others to do likewise, or to support those who do go.There are very few local churches in Chad with such a vision.

The AIM Chad team is seeking to make the gospel accessible to a number of people groups who currently have little or no witness amongst them. This includes a group, called the Maba, living in the region where I now live, a group with a population of about 300,000 amongst whom there are fewer than 10 Christians. In keeping with AIMs vision to encourage Africans to mission, we hope as a team of four to work amongst this group and also with local churches (currently almost entirely made up of southerners posted here by government or NGOs) and in student Christian work at the two universities here. I personally hope to use my medical skills in the local government hospital which also trains doctors, hoping to do good there, make contacts and encourage doctors of the future to a broader vision of living for Christ.

MIDWIFERYIN CHAD

Joan MacKenzie works to train local Chadian women in basic midwifery so they can go on to help women in their villages through pregnancy and childbirth.

Please continue to pray for the health education project as we finished teaching in three villages in early June. We have been encouraged by the involvement and interest of a number of women, although not as many as planned. It is now the hot season so please pray for extra energy and good ideas for communicating to women ways of keeping healthy in pregnancy and beyond. Pray for wisdom for the best date for when we plan to broadcast the need for every pregnant woman to have antenatal care. We hope to have a wall painting, some drama and perhaps a radio broadcast.

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WEEKLYFOCUS

In Chad, around 51% of the population are unreached with the gospel of Christ. Please pray for work amongst these many unreached people groups, including the Maba whom Doctors Ann Fursdon and Catherine Grier are ministering amongst. Please pray for Joan MacKenzie working with Chadian women in situations where infrastructure and healthcare are very limited.

19 JULY | SUNDAYPray for wisdom for Maba team leader, Ann Fursdon as she prepares for the team to arrive in August and decides strategies for ministry. Pray too for the practicalities of settling into the community and finding appropriate accommodation for each of the team members.

20 JULY | MONDAYPray for team members Ann Fursdon, Catherine Grier and the Bright family as they start language learning, get used to daily life in Abch and get used to a dramatically different culture and climate. Pray for safety in travel; Abch is 554 miles from the capital NDjamna.

21 JULY | TUESDAY Pray that God will speak to the Maba people through dreams and visions, to soften their hearts to outsiders and to him, even before the team arrives. Pray for encounters early on (even during the teams six months of learning Chadian Arabic) with those whose hearts God is preparing.

22 JULY | WEDNESDAYLearning Chadian Arabic and local culture will be the teams first tasks. Pray for good progress in this. Pray that the team will quickly gel so as to be more effective in their work and in encouraging each other in all that they do.

23 JULY | THURSDAYPray for the continuing work at Bebalem hospital, where third year nursing students will graduate in August. Several are in a group studying the Bible with Andy & Cari Robertson (USA). Pray that this will impact their choices

for future employment and that some of them would feel the call to go to the unreached in their own country.

24 JULY | FRIDAYPlease pray for Joan MacKenzie as she works to train village women in midwifery. Pray that the training will improve the health and wellbeing of women and babies during pregnancy, childbirth and beyond. Joan works with two Chadian women, Dia and Juliette. Please pray for these two coworkers who have recently had health problems.

25 JULY | SATURDAYGive thanks for the love and concern that Joan, Juliette and Dia have for the ladies they are in contact with. Pray that the women will ask about the hope they have and that they would be alert to the leading of the Lord in sharing spiritual truths. Pray for opportunities to keep in contact with the ladies after the course ends.

See People & Places p6For more information on mission partners working in Chad

aimint.org/eu/peopleandplaces

CATHERINE SHARES:I worked in southern Chad from

2011 to 2014, training church-going nursing students to go to unreached people groups. God has called me to go now myself and live and witness among an unreached people group in eastern Chad.

The Maba are one of the largest non-Arab people groups in Chad. They are traditionally animist, although when they were invaded in 1635 the people became Islamic and this is now a large part of their identity. The people live in fear, using amulets and charms to ward off evil and sickness.

I will be part of a team which will start living in Abch in August 2015. To start with I will have the opportunity to teach English to adults in a school set up by WEC and will spend time language learning; first Chadian Arabic and then the Maba language. Through this I hope to start building friendships with the Maba people who are based in the town. Then, I hope to be able to start translating some Bible stories into the Maba language and to start doing some Bible story-telling among the women. There is a church of southerners in Abch and I hope to be able to be able to work with some of the members, with the goal of them joining us in reaching out to their Chadian neighbours.

Ann Fursdon and Catherine Grier will be working amongst the unreached Maba in eastern Chad.

PEOPLE FOCUS:THE IK

July 26-August 1

Were getting ready to send a Training in Ministry Outreach (TIMO) team to the Ik. As we share news of preparations, will you consider your part in reaching the unreached Ik with the gospel?

ARRIVING ON THE RIDGE

We are standing on the cusp of realising something that God has put in hearts across the world for a decade. Over the years, many from AIM have prayed for the Ik, who are perched on a mountain ridge on the border of Uganda and Kenya. Now, Jesus will be proclaimed to them through the Ik Training in Ministry Outreach (TIMO) team.

Christoph & Heidi Rauch will be the TIMO team leaders. Theyve just arrived on the ridge to begin the intense work of building their own house, learning language and culture, developing relationships, and organising team housing and curriculum.

AIM and DIGUNA (a German mission agency)

are now working to recruit a multinational team. As potential members apply, wisdom is needed to discern if this is the right placement for each individual. Conditions are harsh, and quite isolated, but stunningly beautiful. Last month the first team members were accepted from Uganda. Stephen & Rejina Embati and their adult disabled son, Peter, have been sent from Madi West Nile Diocese. They bring a wealth of ministry experience, learners hearts and practical skills. A monthly wage for Stephen would be about 20. On this team the family need 20,000 a year! To help with these costs an AIM project has been started. Please consider whether God is nudging you to become more involved in the Ik team by contributing to this project or even coming as part of the team!

LOVING LOGISTICSSome people love logistics

while others simply endure it. The Ik ridge is remote and it is a challenge to get sufficient cement, timber and tools up

the side of a mountain. But this is necessary if our team is going to have houses to live in when they arrive. Relationships are built as walls go up even this has the potential to open Ik hearts to the gospel. What else would help open doors? Short term building teams? An Ik workforce? A Ugandan contractor? As we make decisions we are asking ourselves many other questions as well. Where should these houses be located? Which village gets the privilege and the responsibility of having an outsider live adjacent to them? Into which villages will team members first get to demonstrate Jesus? Big decisions are ahead as we all seek to do this to Gods glory.

Relationships are built as walls go up even this has the potential to open Ik hearts to the gospel.

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WEEKLY FOCUS

Earlier this year an AIM Prayer Team visited the Ik. Please give thanks for their willingness to participate in ministry in this way. Please pray that the Bible readings and prayers uttered on Ik land will begin to soften the hearts of the Ik to the team and the Gospel that they will share.

26 JULY | SUNDAYPray for Christoph & Heidi Rauch, the Training in Ministry Outreach (TIMO) team leaders who returned from Home Assignment in June. They travel to the Ik ridge in early July and then have a year to build houses, learn language, make relationships and develop curriculum.

27 JULY | MONDAYPraise God for the first confirmed team members. Stephen & Rejina Embati are a Ugandan couple. Pray for them as they seek to raise support. Many of their expenses will be paid through an AIM project. Please pray that this project will be well funded - perhaps God is calling you to contribute?

28 JULY TUESDAYPray for the TIMO logistics personnel as they visit the Ik ridge in July to assess the situation and to help make critical decisions about the location and design of team housing. Pray for Christoph & Heidi as they coordinate this. Pray for openness within the Ik community, that even during this construction phase they may see Jesus in the set-up personnel.

29 JULY WEDNESDAYWisdom is needed as potential team members apply and are accepted. Pray for the right people to join. Pray for unity among the team and that those who are currently strangers will quickly

demonstrate love for one another.

30 JULY THURSDAYPraise God for the very real help the SIL couple, Terrill & Amber Shrock, will be to the team as they learn the Icet d (Ik speech) language. Ask that God will put into the hearts of the few Ik believers a hunger for Gods word to be accessible among them.

31 JULY | FRIDAYPeace and safety are not always guaranteed on the Ik ridge as conflicts sometimes arise between the Ik, the Turkana and the Dodoth. Pray for Gods protection of the team and that they may bring peace and model a love of ones neighbour.

1 AUGUST SATURDAYPray that the Holy Spirit may be already preparing the hearts of the Ik people to receive the good news of Jesus Christ.

PRAYER TEAM In January a prayer team travelled to the Ik to pray for them and the team who will live amongst them.

Nita, a prayer team member shares: We spent two days visiting and praying on the ridge where the Ik people live. Terrill & Amber from SIL were our guides for our time there. They have been living there for a number of years learning Icet d (Ik language) and have just published a formal grammar of the language. The Ik have been caught between the raiding of the Karimojong and Turkana peoples and so have retreated to the hills along the ridge. In general they have given up owning flocks and herds, but instead their lifestyle is supported more by hunting and gathering. This lifestyle is under duress due to encroachment on their lands and deforestation for firewood and building.

Bruce, another prayer team member noted the interconnecting pathways of people that God is [already] putting into place. He prays: May these partnerships go deeper so that we can walk these paths together, light great fires and so reveal the glory of Christ.

If youre interested in serving amongst the Ik of Uganda, or praying for them, visit our website: eu.aimint.org/ik

Chris & Fiona Tyrrell went to Rwanda in 2009 to teach English in a Bible college. However, during 2010 they caught a vision to reach out to Rwandas Historically Marginalised People. Here they share how a new methodology is helping to reach this people group and others across Rwanda.

A MUDDLED MIX

Our desire is to teach the marginalised people well, so that theyd know the truth of the gospel and be transformed. However, in Rwanda there are misunderstandings about the Bible and although people enjoy singing Christian songs introduced by earlier missionaries, what they actually believe is often muddled, a mix of truth and fable, and seldom has this belief led them out of darkness.

ORAL LEARNERSWe heard of an approach

known as Chronological Bible

Storying (CBS). But surely stories are for children, we thought. On the other hand, nearly four billion of the worlds population are oral learners, preferring to learn through stories. Even if they can read and write, they find it difficult to internalise messages that dont come through proverbs or prose. Maybe that partly explains why so often when a cross-cultural visitor presents a well-crafted sermon, many become distracted and weary, unable afterwards to recount the main points. Yet the moment the same speaker begins to tell a story, people tune in and are able to recall that story years later.

After learning more about this approach, the Rwandan team hesitantly accepted the recommendation to adopt CBS in their outreach to a marginalised rural community. The inclination to preach, to explain and to seek the congregations affirmation wasnt always easy to

August 2-8

MINISTRY FOCUS:LITERACY & LANGUAGE

MEET JEREMIEBikorimanu Jeremie has shared the following testimony in English, a direct result of the literacy & language work carried out by Bridget Howard.

I was born in 1982 in the west of Rwanda. In 1992 I came to live in Kigali. I was a motorbike taximan. In 2009, on Tuesday, 7 October at 12:45 pm, I was driving my motorbike with a passenger. Suddenly a car came from the opposite direction and hit the motorbike. I fell down on the ground and landed on the rocks. My left leg was cut and broken in two places. However, my passenger was unhurt. Somebody took me to hospital where the doctor amputated my leg. When people heard the story of my accident they said it was the saddest story. This was a very bad accident but God helped me to trust more in him and today I am very happy. God has made me an evangelist. I am very excited about the power of God and I thank God for his mercy.

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overcome, but eventually the team took to CBS with enthusiasm. The people are understanding, they are changing, and theyre telling us how different this is to any previous Christian learning method!

SEEING GOD AT WORKWe have seen the power of

the gospel, and have taken part in helping others to hear and understand it too. How delightful it was to witness over seventy individuals confess their need of a saviour and call on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Adopting this new methodology has been hard work and time consuming - preparing a story in English then getting it translated into Kinyarwanda - but we believe it has borne fruit, and we can see God generating through us a body of new believers, a people called by his name.

2 AUGUST | SUNDAYPeter & Catherine Gitau (Kenya & Australia) arrived in Rwanda in February. Please pray for their children, that they will settle in the new school system well. As they begin work at the 3D Christian Camp ministry, pray they would have patience and enthusiasm for learning Kinyarwanda.

3 AUGUST | MONDAYPray for the Lambrechts family that their time in the UK this summer with their families, both biological and spiritual would be refereshing. Also pray for two Preach the Word initiatives, the preaching class and the discipleship training, that they would equip students to take the gospel out to their communities.

4 AUGUST | TUESDAYPray for the Marlin family as they move to a new community in Kigali to share the gospel and plant churches through the students at the Pastors Training School and the Christian Leadership Institute. Pray for Joe as he teaches leaders using Kinyarwanda, the local language. Pray for Kristy who ministers among sex workers.

5 AUGUST | WEDNESDAYAs the Stehlik family finish their term, please pray for the remaining projects that they need to complete.Pray for creative vision, physical stamina, emotional endurance, and resilient resourcefulness. Pray that God would use the media resources they create to further his kingdom and accomplish his purposes.

6 AUGUST | THURSDAYJessica Goldschmidt is planning a camp as part of 3D Christian Camps ministry, as well as a training camp this summer. Pray about safety, logistics, unity and for the right staff and campers. Above all, please pray that God would do his work in the hearts of each one involved.

7 AUGUST | FRDAYPray for Chris & Fiona Tyrrell in their varied ministry opportunities, including, outreach and church planting among a marginalised rural people group, training and mentoring local church leaders, and teaching English communication classes. Pray as they decide how to invest their time and energy.

8 AUGUST | SATURDAYPray for Bridget Howard, that she would have competence and creativity for teaching a variety of English classes, and vision and energy to lead the Rwanda Unit, relying on a God who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine.

WEEKLYFOCUS

Pray that the team in Rwanda wont grow weary in learning Kinyarwanda, that each member will find his/her best learning style and a good facilitator to master pronunciation and expression. Also pray that they would be proactive in using the language.

See People & Places p15For the index of mission partners working in Literacy & Language.

www.aimint.org/eu/pandp

Fiona Tyrrell teaching Rwandan children.

August 9-15

PEOPLE FOCUS: THE ANTAKARANA

9 AUGUST SUNDAYPray for the Willards as they lead their team into a deeper relationship with God and a greater understanding of his purposes and work for the Antakarana people. Pray for Loras pregnancy while on Nosy Mitsio, for good health and energy, and for a healthy delivery in December.

10 AUGUST MONDAYThe Jobes village (Antsakoa) has a stronger Muslim influence. Pray that these villagers would seek the freedom and peace that is found in Jesus. The Jobes family has experienced two medical evacuations in the last six months. Pray for good health, relief from sickness and accidents, and praise for Gods healing and protection.

WEEKLY FOCUS

Pray for the TIMO team as they progress in cultural and language acquisition, that their daily lives alongside the Antakarana would speak the truth of the Gospel as they learn to speak it in their language. Pray that our team would discover Gods strategy to bring his kingdom to the Antakarana people.

WHATSGOING ON

Adam & Lora Willard are leading a Training in Ministry Outreach (TIMO) team on the small island of Nosy Mitsio, Madagascar amongst the Antakarana people. This is the first gospel witness that the island has ever received. The Antakarana people are one of the least-reached people groups of Madagascar and have historically been resistant to outside influence. The teams goal is to learn from them and to work alongside them with sustainable small-scale community development, sharing Jesuss love with them when theyre ready to receive it. Then, once received, we want to see the Antakarana people take ownership of the work of Christ among themselves and we want to be catalysts to a self-sustaining movement that will continue to multiply throughout Nosy Mitsio and northern Madagascar.

Download a prayer sheet:

aimint.org/eu/Antakarana

INTO THE ROYAL ANCESTRAL CAVEIn the early 19th century, during the Madagascar wars of the conquering Merina tribe, the Antakarana people hid

in caves near the harana rock formations. They still return to these caves to sacrifice animals and hold ceremonies. This path into the royal ancestral cave is about a mile long. All the men enter first, with the women behind.

Pray for open ears and receptive hearts to the gospel.

IN THE MOUTH OF THE CAVE

At the mouth of the cave,

the Antakarana re-enact their ancient tribal war through dance and play. The money in the mouths of the dancers is their reward from the audience for performing well.

11 AUGUST TUESDAYThe Mayles are the only AIM family located on the northeast side of the island. Pray not only that they would deepen their relationships and have a Christian influence on members of their village but also with the five other small villages close to theirs.

12 AUGUST WEDNESDAYPray that Kelly Segit will remain sensitive to the

correction and leadings of the Spirit so that she can love as Christ loved, serve as he served, and give as he gave. Pray that her ministry will come from an overflow of Christs love, not from her own strength or human efforts.

13 AUGUST THURSDAYPray for the Orners as they start homeschooling in August. Pray for good time management as

they balance educating Ruthie with their commitment to the ministry and their TIMO training.

14 AUGUST FRIDAYPray for the village of Andavakabiby as they work to rebuild and improve their well. Pray as they seek help from a local NGO and for the Antakarana TIMO team as they interact and try to help in an appropriate way.

15 AUGUST SATURDAYDuring dry season (May November) the Antakarana have less work in their rice fields and spend more time in their villages. Pray that this increased time leads to deeper conversations and relationships, with opportunities to share the Gospel. Pray for open ears and receptive hearts to the Gospel.

INTO THE DARKNESSPalm leaves are used for lighting as the Antakarana ancestors apparently wouldnt

approve of modern lighting. Everyone needs to get through quickly before all the torches burn up. People have been know to wander into side passages without a light, never to be found again.

STILL LIVING IN DARKNESS

When the Antakarana were hiding in caves, they prayed that if they survived, they would embrace Islam. They later found refuge on the island of Nosy Mitsio and converted to Islam in the 1840s. They now believe a mix of folk Islam and animistic beliefs where deities and elements of nature play a significant role.

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THE COST & STRUGGLEOF FOLLOWING

For many new Christians in South Sudan, the cost of following Christ can be so hard when its just so counter cultural. This is just one story and one example:

Last year a young Didinga man, who had responded to Gods call on his life some years earlier, was growing in Christ when he faced a life-threatening challenge. He had taken a wife a year previously and was expected to pay the bride price which he had negotiated. However his wifes family gradually increased its demands for him to fulfil the cultural marriage rites, most of which are anti-Christian. When he refused he was threatened with his life and had to leave the community and take refuge a days drive away. This is just one very common problem that new believers face as they struggle to live a Christ-like life in a very anti-Christian culture. Please pray for these young Christians, that they would demonstrate the beauty and goodness of Christ in their lives and would impact the growth of the local church as potential leaders.

COUNTRY FOCUS:SOUTH SUDAN

August 16-22

Approximately seven people groups in South Sudan have never heard the good news of Christ. Why? Because they are some of the most difficult people on earth to reach.

DIFFICULT PEOPLE TO REACH

Some are difficult to reach because of their location, like the Toposa. They are migrant cattle herders so dont stay in one place long enough for there to be a settled ministry amongst them. Or the Laarim who live along Boya Hills, which are extremely difficult to access. Or they can be difficult to reach spiritually, like the Didinga, who cling to their anti-Christian rituals. But our call is not to fear the difficulty but to go to the unreached, to the difficult places; because the Toposa, the Laarim and the Didinga, like us, desperately need the hope of the Gospel.

South Sudans seven indigenous unreached people groups are mainly concentrated in the south east, ranging from 10,000 to over half a million people in each group, while many of the non-indigenous unreached people groups lie on the borders with Sudan.

THE LOPIT, DIDINGA AND LAARIMWe are currently working amongst the

Lopit, Didinga and Laarim. Ministry amongst the Lopit has been carried out by numerous mission organisations and churches over

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vmany years. More recently, two Training in Ministry Outreach (TIMO) teams have worked amongst the Lopit, which we shared about in January (eu.aimint.org/lopitfeb2015). AIM has also been engaged with the Didinga since 2007, but the ministry has been fraught with numerous difficulties and setbacks. Next year we hope to launch a renewed emphasis on disciple-making using a team based in the town of Nagishot. Then in the future, we hope to establish a more remote team on the eastern slopes of the Didinga Mountains. Amongst the Laarim people we plan to establish an entirely new ministry initiative. Andrew Wallace left the UK to join this team last month, as a forerunner to the new Focus team (eu.aimint.org/newmemberjan2015). We have been praying for an opportunity to engage with the Laarim in a more concerted manner for many years and it looks like God is opening the doors for this to take place. Our current task is to establish five housing units in this demanding and challenging environment.

WHAT ABOUT THE OTHER GROUPS?We are also looking into a partnering

venture to take the gospel to the eastern Toposa and Nangatom peoples and the Logirr, who live at the south end of the huge and majestic Dongatona mountain range. During 2016 we hope to complete surveys amongst these peoples and develop strategies for taking the Gospel to them. There are also new and exciting opportunities for gospel ministry on the northern border where tens of thousands of unreached Sudanese people have moved for safety, in four large refugee camps.

For all these plans we pray that God will give us the wisdom to know how to go about making his kingdom known.

See People & Places p5For more information on mission partners working in South Sudan

aimint.org/eu/peopleandplaces

16 AUGUST | SUNDAYPray for the Lopit team finishing ministry in December, that God would enable them to end well and make significant inroads for the gospel amongst the Ohilang and Iboni communities. Please pray for missionaries to continue this ministry in the future.

17 AUGUST | MONDAYPray for the prospective Nagishot team. We have five possible team members but are short of two houses. Pray for the means to establish additional houses in the Nagishot community by mid-2016.

18 AUGUST TUESDAYPray for plans to partner with the Africa Inland Church in the Lomech area of the Didinga plateau. We hope to establish a multi-disciplined church planting team in this area by late 2017. There are large logistical challenges to be overcome beside the need for experienced leaders and a committed team.

19 AUGUST WEDNESDAYPlease pray for the encouraging development to establish a team on the Boya Hills amongst the Laarim. We praise God for the Bylers who have agreed to lead the team. Pray for wisdom in selecting the team and for the massive challenge of getting the houses ready.

20 AUGUST THURSDAYThe Toposa are a large people group who have had minimal exposure to the Gospel. They are

illiterate and mobile, being cattle keepers by tradition. Pray for the complicated challenge of developing a partnering initiative.

21 AUGUST | FRIDAYWhile we work to minister amongst unreached people groups, we desperately need the church in South Sudan to be committed to the task of sharing the Gospel. AIM can only hope to have a minimal impact, whereas the indigenous Church has the capacity to make huge inroads. Please pray for the South Sudanese church to respond to the Biblical challenge.

22 AUGUST SATURDAYThere are over 14 unreached people groups represented in the residents of the refugee camps in the Upper Nile State. Access to some of these people groups has been prayed for decades. Ask the Lord to enable us to be able to respond to this development. The challenge is to mobilise a team which has the ability to engage with Muslim background believers.

WEEKLY FOCUS

Please ask the Lord to sustain the missionary team in South Sudan. The situation is often turbulent and challenging. But the opportunities for the gospel are enormous. Pray that God would enable us to effectively engage those who have had no means of hearing the precious gospel.

our call is not to fear the difficulty but to go to the unreached, to the difficult places

August 23-29

MINISTRY FOCUS:CHURCH DEVELOPMENT

Claire Weddell from New Life Church in Newcastle upon Tyne shares about the importance of the local church in Mozambique and her part in equipping and mobilising.

I WILL BUILD MY CHURCH

As in many mission situations, the work here is multi-faceted. The church is Gods chosen instrument to communicate the Gospel to every nation, therefore it must be strong and healthy in order to serve its purpose effectively.

The Mozambican church has tremendous potential, but is often inward-looking and lacking in understanding of the

bigger picture of Gods plans and purposes. Consequently, a significant part of the work is to address this and to mobilise the church to fulfill the Great Commission. This is done through seminars (including both urban and rural churches), teaching in

Bible & Discipleship Schools, presenting the Kairos Course, and through other practical ministry opportunities.

I teach both at the Bible & Discipleship School and at the Leadership School, as well as having involvement with various outreach activities and supervising students. I love being part of this team, and greatly appreciate this opportunity to work with others who are passionate about serving the Lord and investing spiritually in the lives of others. The students are encouraged to reach out with Gods love, and they regularly minister in various locations, including local churches, a primary school, a centre for disabled people and in the prison. It is a joy to see lives touched and changed and to see people equipped, developing their potential in God, and released to serve him effectively.

The Kairos Course is an excellent mobilisation tool to help believers recognise and fulfil their part in the Gods plans. Here in Mozambique we have faced major challenges, not least with the project to translate the course into Portuguese. Hopefully, by the time you read this the dubbing of the DVDs for the course will have begun again, enabling more Mozambicans to benefit.

IN WORD AND DEED The Bible records many

instances where Jesus reached out to the sick and disabled, to the marginalized and rejected. As his followers, he calls us to do likewise and we encourage the students in this. Last year I met a group of young people who are deaf and began to build friendships with them. It was much later that I learned that the deaf community in Mozambique is officially recognised as an unreached people group! God had led me to initiate outreach to the unreached, and I hadnt even realised!

Students lead a small group Bible study at the Centre for Disabled People.

Claire Weddell teaching in one of the more remote churches.

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See People & Places p15For the index of mission partners working in Church Development

www.aimint.org/eu/pandp

23 AUGUST | SUNDAYPlease pray that I would grow spiritually, go deeper in my relationship with God, develop increased sensitivity to hear his voice, and be led by his Holy Spirit. Please pray that God would be glorified both in my life and through it. Please also pray for the salvation of my not-yet-saved family.

24 AUGUST | MONDAYGive thanks and pray for all of my prayer and financial supporters, without whom this ministry could not be so fruitful. Please pray that they will be blessed and encouraged - they are valued partners in the work here!

25 AUGUST TUESDAYPlease pray that hindrances to communication (intermittent email, lack of electricity, technological challenges, etc.) would be resolved and thus help facilitate better and more timely communications.

26 AUGUST WEDNESDAYPlease pray for all those who have enrolled in the Bible & Discipleship School and Leadership Schools. Pray also for the Director and the Leadership Team as we invest in the lives of the students and equip them to grow and live for Christ. Pray we will be effective in mobilising them to fulfill Gods plans and purposes, especially among unreached peoples.

27 AUGUST THURSDAYPeople with disabilities are marginalized and rejected, often having to beg on the

streets. Please pray that Christians will put their faith into action and reach out to communicate Gods love and acceptance. Please pray especially for the deaf communities here, that they will hear the gospel and respond.

28 AUGUST | FRIDAYPlease pray for the ongoing work to complete the Portuguese translation of the Kairos Course (Fourth Edition), and for me as I look to raise up Mozambicans to fill key roles in establishing this tool for mobilisation in Mozambique.

29 AUGUST SATURDAYPlease pray for the bush churches as they seek to live out their faith in areas where witchcraft and ancestral worship are very strong. Please pray for safety, especially when travelling on the roads, and for spiritual protection as we seek to extend the kingdom of God in Mozambique and beyond.

We asked church leaders to share about the church development work Claire (Clara) has been carrying out. They commented:

Missionary Clara has been a blessing to us in Misso F Apostolica Church. We had few believers and now we have many zones where there are services.... and we have quality leaders through the Bible Study that missionary Clara teaches us and walks with us. We thank God for this ministry he sent to Africa and thank you very much.Pastor Isidro Gimo, Igreja Misso F Apostolica.

Missionary Clara... is a person with lots of love, peace, is humble and patient, she likes to pray and she speaks the truth. She helps anyone in Gods work and we are helped by her in our ministries.... With the teaching of missionary Clara my church is growing a lot and has many zones through the help of this teaching. The church does not want her to return (to England) now as she still has much work to do and to go to many places here in Mozambique.Pastor Isaias, Igreja Revelao Crista de Moambique

WEEKLYFOCUS

Corruption is a major problem in Mozambican culture. Please pray that believers will stand against corruption, set an example, and not be drawn into corrupt practices for personal gain. Pray for me as I finalise the seminar Honesty, Integrity and Truth, and that this will effectively impact all who attend.

THANKFULFOR CLARA

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Gilles & Myriam Bonvallat first worked with AIM in Zaire, and then in Rwanda from 1997 to 2013. Now theyre heading up AIMs mobilisation work in francophone Europe. Here they discuss the challenges ahead.

EQUIPPING FRANCOPHONE EUROPE FOR MISSION

After more than 15 years in Africa we prayerfully made the hard decision to return to Switzerland. Our hearts were very sad but very peaceful at the same time! We realised that our family was facing a huge and painful transition. Our dream and desire was to remain involved in mission, so it was a great answer to prayer when AIM Europe asked Gilles to represent AIM in francophone Europe (France, Switzerland, Belgium and others). AIM is currently working in more than 14 francophone countries in Africa and the need

for francophone missionaries on the field is real!

I WILL MAKE A WAYThis totally new assignment

requires new skills, which equals a great challenge! But only a few weeks after our return God spoke to us strongly through a promise from Isaiah 43:18-19: Do not remember the past events, pay no attention to things of old. Look, I am about to do something new; even now it is coming. Do you not see it? Indeed, I will make a way in the wilderness, rivers in the desert.

Indeed, France can look like a spiritual desert. Establishing mature churches in France is such a challenge that some French church leaders seem to have forgotten that

mission is not about France only, but unto the ends of the earth! The lack of interest for mission rests on a lack of vision and a lack of relevant information about the

MOBILISING MISSION

30 AUGUST SUNDAYGive thanks for the smooth transition our family has had back to Switzerland. Our children, Corentin (14), Mal (11) and Aurlien (9) seem happy in their new environment, enjoy our church, and face many new challenges in their new world! Pray that their love and understanding of God will grow and keep their hearts.

31 AUGUST MONDAYPray for Gilles as he is very busy managing the AIM Francophone office, recruiting, mobilising, administration, finance, media, and travelling quite often either in Europe or in Africa to discover the AIM francophone fields. He also attends staff days with the AIM team in Nottingham.

1 SEPTEMBER TUESDAYGilles and Myriam are both involved in a training project with the Geneva Bible Institute. Myriam is helping Gilles at the office two days a week and is working as a physio in a clinic in town two days a week. Pray that they can keep quality time with God and have wisdom to choose the right priorities as there is so much to be done.

2 SEPTEMBER WEDNESDAYWe praise God for the incredible opportunity to equip future missionaries through Pole Mission Transculturel course, in partnership with Geneva Bible Institute. Pray for the first students starting in September and all the planning and logistics going along with this practical training in transcultural ministry.

Aug30 - Sept5

See People & Places p14For more information on the Mobilising Team

great things that God is doing in Africa. For this, we urgently need to work on media tools in French. But there is hope; weve met a number of young people passionate about Jesus and interested in bringing his love to unreached people groups.

Were now based in a small town close to Geneva. God has provided for us in many ways. Early on he opened unique opportunities for us to be part of important youth gatherings, to meet with other mission agencies, and to meet key people in the francophone mission world. Our desire is to contaminate church and youth leaders with a renewed vision and passion for mission and AIMs work.

God blessed us with our first long term AIM candidate recently. Geneva Bible Institute has also welcomed our vision for a four-year transcultural missiology training that should begin in September 2015. God is doing new things! He started long before we arrived in Geneva, and we rejoice to enter in his plan, to discover new paths in wilderness and new rivers in the desert

3 SEPTEMBER THURSDAY AIM in francophone Europe needs a website in French as well as other tools. This kind of work represents hours of labour and we need help with translation, formatting and design. Pray that God will bring along people with skills to help us!

4 SEPTEMBER FRIDAYSince our time in a Training in Ministry Outreach (TIMO) team in Kigali we have been praying for this outstanding programme to be available in French. As AIMs ministry develops it would be a great tool to train francophone and African missionaries. Pray that God would raise up translators.

5 SEPTEMBER SATURDAYThis summer, in July, we took two teams to Rwanda to work along the 3DCC camps ministry. Were excited about the opportunity for the teams to discover Africa and camp ministry and we pray that as they return they will encourage their home churches about mission!

BACK IN FRANCEJessica Goldschmidt is back in France for her first home assignment after three years in Kigali, Rwanda. She was involved in the 3DCC camps ministry, and in the WHY WAIT? project training school teachers with a Biblical based life skill curriculum.

WHAT DID YOU LEARN?

This might seem obvious, but just like a bottle can only pour drink into a glass if the bottle actually has something in it, so can we only share Gods truth with others if we have something in us to share; so we need to keep taking the time to fill ourselves with Gods truth - I can get caught up in doing and need to learn to give relationships the right place!

ARE YOU GOING BACK?Yes, Im planning to go back after this first home

assignment; I dont think my time there is done yet! I desire to see youth in Rwanda committing their lives to Christ and truly living as children of God. The camp ministry Im involved in is one way of doing this and also walking alongside young women.

WEEKLY FOCUSPray that God can use the AIM Francophone office to encourage francophone Christians to be more involved in cross cultural mission, and then to send francophone missionaries to French-speaking African countries.

Gilles & Myriam Bonvallat with their three boys.

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MEET THE WILLIAMSON CHILDREN

Sam & Leanna are leading the Lesotho shepherds TIMO team. We asked their four children, Zeke (3), Zeph(5), Suzanna(11) and Ella(14) whats it like. WHAT ARE THE BEST THINGS ABOUT LIVING IN CLARENS?

ZEKE: Sitting on tractors.ZEPH: Playing!SUZANNA: Having a dog and two catsELLA: Walks

WHAT DO YOU MISS ABOUT LIVING IN THE UK?

ALL: Grandma, Grandpa, Granny, Ntate Moholo (Sesotho for Grandad), friends from church and all the after school clubs such as Girls Brigade.

WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THE TIMO TEAM?

ZEKE: Smelly (Zeke has a point, they are after being in the mountains for 3 weeks with no washing facilities).ZEPH: I love them.SUZANNA: Theyre good fun and funny.

ELLA: Fun, funny, crazy but in a good way because theyll go to extremes to serve God.

WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THEM LIVING UP IN THE MOUNTAINS?

ZEKE: HardZEPH: Very hard as they have to keep running after sheep.SUZANNA: Amazing to do what they are doing.ELLA: Extremely hard for them and they show a lot of self-denial.

WHAT ARE THEY DOING?

ZEKE AND ZEPH: To tell the shepherds about Jesus.SUZANNA: Telling shepherds the gospel.ELLA: Learning Sesotho, forming relationships with the shepherds, sharing the good news and giving the shepherds an example of a Christian life.

What do you think about the TIMO team? Zeke: Smelly

PEOPLE FOCUS: THE LESOTHOSHEPHERDS

September 6-12

DO YOU THINK THEYLL BECOME FRIENDS WITH THE SHEPHERDS?

ALL: Yes. They are already building good relationships.

WOULD YOU LIKE TO DO WHAT THEY ARE DOING?

ZEKE AND ZEPH: Yes!SUZANNA: No!ELLA: No, Ive seen what theyve been going through and have given up and I dont think I have enough faith and perseverance to do it.

DO YOU THINK WHAT THEY ARE DOING IS IMPORTANT?

ZEKE, ZEPH, SUZANNA: Yes!ELLA: Very; its important that the word of God is spread to the ends of the earth and salvation in Jesus is offered to all.

The shepherds TIMO team with the Williamson family

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WEEKLY FOCUS

Pray that through the TIMO team the shepherds of Lesotho will hear the gospel message, receive it and live obedient lives to God.

6 SEPTEMBER SUNDAYA shepherds diet consists of almost exclusively papa (maize meal) in the morning and in the evening. In order to share life with the shepherds this is all the team are eating too. As a result they are struggling to getting all the nutrients they need. Pray that they cope with this limited diet.

7 SEPTEMBER MONDAYThe shepherds sleep on a rock shelf in their huts. The team do the same but with the luxury of a camping mat. Sleeping well though is often difficult because of the narrow shelf and the high altitude at which the team live. Please pray that the team are able to adjust and get good sleep.

8 SEPTEMBER TUESDAYA shepherds day is very lonely and isolated. Pray for the TIMO team members as they live this life, finding it hard with lack of stimulation and activity. Pray that they will spend the time thinking about God and meditating on his word.

9 SEPTEMBER WEDNESDAYThe team members are working hard at Sesotho. Give thanks that they are learning the language well. Pray for consistent language helpers to teach them Sesotho so they can explain the gospel clearly.

10 SEPTEMBER THURSDAY Pray that God would work in the hearts and minds of the shepherds. Pray that the team develop good friendships with shepherds who will then receive the gospel. Pray that the shepherds will know Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour and live lives obedient to him.

11 SEPTEMBER FRIDAYGive thanks for such a great team. Pray for wisdom for Sam & Leanna Williamson as they lead the team. Pray that they will encourage each team member to live for God, being obedient to his word.

12 SEPTEMBER SATURDAYPray for Chris, Tobias, Mark, Spencer and Caleb. Pray that these men continue to be exceptional men of God, that they will grow in their understanding and knowledge of God through the Scriptures.

CHASING SHEEPOne of the Lesotho shepherds gave this account of the TIMO team who are living amongst them.

I heard about these white men who were going to come to the mountains and I didnt believe it. When they actually showed up I didnt think they would last long. I still do not understand why they keep coming back to stay in the motebong (shepherd hut). It is funny trying to see them herd the sheep. They have improved and help a lot by going out with the sheep. It was really frustrating not being able to communicate; only one of them knew any Sesotho. The others were babbling idiots. They have come a long way in the few months they have been here but it is still hard to have a good conversation. I look cool walking around with a bunch of white guys. I like having them here so Im not alone at the hut and have someone to sit with while watching the sheep. It is also nice because they bring peanuts and the good maize meal with them!

Download a prayer sheet on the shepherds:

www.aimint.org/eu/shepherds

60,000 shepherds can be found in the mountains of Lesotho. They live in isolated communities, outside the reach of the local churches.

PEOPLE FOCUS:THE SAKALAVA

September 13-19

Elly Schoepp serving as part of the Sakalava Training in Ministry Outreach (TIMO) team with her husband Jed and children James, Elias & Ben shares her reflections on the practicalities of living in a Madagascan village.

JOYS AND CHALLENGES

During the first year of our time on Nosy Be, Madagascar, it felt like every day each experience was either a joy or a challenge. There was no in between, no middle ground, no monotony.

The day would often begin with joy. An amazing sunrise, a delicious cup of coffee and a quiet peaceful moment of sitting either alone, or with my husband Jed, or one of our sons, on the deck soaking in our new beautiful surroundings. This joy would quickly morph into a challenge upon the arrival of our Sakalava neighbors! Language barriers, hospitality blunders, and the stress of not knowing how to gracefully say, Sorry, I just started homeschooling, would raise my anxiety. The daily experiences seemed to alternate back and forth the good days predominantly joys; the hard days full of challenges.

JOYOUS EXPERIENCESSome of the simple,

everyday joyous experiences that stand out include watching our older boys come home from catching birds, lizards, or cicadas in the back yard with their band of Sakalava friends. They were hot, tired and satisfied with their catch, smiling and laughing, speaking in Sakalava with their slingshots hanging around their heads. I think of picking rice far up on the hill with a beautiful breeze in my face or planting greens in the garden by the river with my friend Laurette. Wed joke around and chat about life: children, husbands, cooking and working. I consider the stunning beauty of Nosy Be the lush landscape, the tropical fruit growing right outside my door, the vanilla vines and coffee blossoms growing wild in the yard, the gorgeous blue and green shades of the Indian Ocean and marvel at the privilege of living here.

EVERYDAY CHALLENGESEveryday challenges are

harder to take on some days more than others. Depending on what else is going on in the village or in our family,

something like not having a fridge can range from a mild nuisance to the last straw. No electricity and no running water are my first thoughts of challenges, though they are less of a hardship now than they were at the beginning. Rainy season brings several challenges such as mud, no solar power, and cabin fever. Its hard to get out of the house; difficult to get supplies from town; and infections from cuts, scrapes, and mosquito bites incubate and multiply in the humid conditions.

With less than four months left in this village Im trying to savour the joys, and count the challenges as endurance-builders. I trust that God will use these challenges weve faced over the last two years to help mould me into a woman more like the one he wants me to be.

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TAKING ROOT

In April 2013, the Sakalava Training in Ministry Outreach (TIMO) team arrived in Nosy Be, Madagascar to start ministry amongst this unreached people group. Now as they finish their term, regular gatherings of those who are interested in hearing the gospel have begun and the Sakalava even have songs explaining the gospel in their own language.

The Band are a group of local Sakalavan musicians who became friends with the TIMO team. When Scripture was translated into the local language the team shared it with The Band, who promptly turned it into song. Now the band members increasingly want to know more about the scripture they are reading and beginning to understand. Gatherings of locals continue, and the team are leaving with the knowledge that scattered gospel seeds are taking root and having seen the beginnings of what we pray will grow into a thriving Sakalava church plant.

Watch a video of this band:

eu.aimint.org/sakalava2015

13 SEPTEMBER SUNDAYIn April the team completed two years on the field. We now have one month to go before we finish in October. Please pray that we finish well, particularly for those families with children. Pray for parents as they help prepare their children for the transition to their culture back home.

14 SEPTEMBER MONDAYWe praise God that we have been able to organise more and more gatherings in our villages since August 2014. Gods word has been spoken and shared in the Sakalava language.

15 SEPTEMBER TUESDAYIn May, during our regular gatherings we asked for a response from the attendees. Pray especially for those who did respond, and for those who perhaps lacked the courage. Pray too that those who have regularly attended the gathering, but who are still working it all through, will respond to the Lord.

16 SEPTEMBER WEDNESDAYPlease pray for a new Focus team, to be recruited in 2016. Please pray for some current team members who are now considering Gods call in their hearts to return for this ministry, that the Lord would make it clear to them.

17 SEPTEMBER THURSDAYWe pray that God would raise Sakalava believers to lead Sakalava churches. Please pray for Franois and Josephine his wife, a Sakalava couple who love

the Lord, to think more and more of Sakalava ministry.

18 SEPTEMBER FRIDAYPray for the translation work, that more Scriptures would be translated and printed in the Sakalava language. The team is already using the translation we have done for our regular gatherings, along with readings and songs.

19 SEPTEMBER SATURDAYThis summer, we are hosting six young people on a Training in Ministry Outreach (TIMO) Quest from Canada, the US and the UK. They will stay with us for a month, with each team member being assigned one Quester as his/her disciple. Pray that this life experience would help the Questers to see and feel what mission is, and would help them in decisions about future mission.

WEEKLYFOCUS

Pray for the Sakalava people of Nosy Be, Madagascar, that they might come to know the true God of the world. Pray that they would turn from looking to their ancestors for protection and blessing, and turn to Jesus Christ, their true spiritual brother, who is the only one able to save them.

Gods word has been spoken and shared in the Sakalava language.

SHORT TERMSeptember 20-30

If you are interested in Short Term, get in touch with Tom at:

Sarah McArthur and Bethany Sinclair with the choir from their local church in Bunia.

Sarah McArthur and Bethany Sinclair are serving in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) after finishing school, using and developing French language skills as well as teaching English.

CULTURE SHOCK

Writing this six months into our eight month placement in Bunia, DRC, we are now very well versed in introducing ourselves and our work. Bethany and Sarah, from Scotland, teaching English (and picking up some extra stuff i.e. amateur midwifery) - thats all you need to know, right?

Before we came to DRC we had heard a lot about culture shock. We knew it would happen, but what shocked us the most was not how different the culture was and how to adapt, but it was the

love God gave us for this place. We had both felt called to DRC for this year, and we expected it to be very different from normal life back home in bonnie Scotland. We were not nave enough to think wed enjoy every moment of it; in fact, we were sure that wed positively hate some bits (cockroaches...). But that was okay as that was just culture shock and this is where God had called us. Wed do our work despite the frustrations, and there would also be parts of the culture that we would love.

For the first few months Bunia lived up to expectations. We liked getting to know our neighbours and colleagues, and really disliked the motorbike taxi drivers trying to get to know us. We loved the church choirs, but struggled to connect to the church services

SHORT TERM

AIMs Short Term programme allows anyone over the age of 18 to get involved in cross-cultural mission in Africa for three months to one year. Our programme shares the same values and vision as long term ministry: going on a Short Term mission trip means becoming an integral part of how AIM is reaching the unreached and building Christ-centred churches across Africa. Opportunities to serve range from Training in Ministry Outreach (TIMO) Quests, where you will have the opportunity to participate in church planting, evangelism and outreach projects amongst unreached people groups, to teaching roles alongside mission partners or fulfilling administrative needs. Could you be part of the amazing work that God is doing in Africa?

stc.eu@aimint.org

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20 SEPTEMBER | SUNDAYTamsin Drew begins a year-long assignment in DR Congo at the start of October. Tamsin will be working alongside Annemarie Boks as a doctor in Adi. She will be working in the hospital with two permanent doctors who treat those living with AIDS. Pray that Tamsin would be a good support to the doctors and for opportunities for her to share her faith with those she meets.

21 SEPTEMBER | MONDAYIn October Tom Lott will be heading out to Spain to meet with Short Term Coordinators from other mobilising and receiving regions as they discuss how to move forward with the Short Term w