About 18 months ago, a group of local Christian leaders in West Africa* were imprisoned. Through harsh conditions they stood strong and were released with tacit approval to practice their faith. Then a couple of months ago the body of a local believer, buried the day before, was exhumed by a mob and dragged through town. Following this, the believers were warned that they couldn’t be buried in public cemeteries. In response, three local believers sent a letter to the governor requesting that they be given land for a private cemetery. What boldness! It’s incredible to see how each new pressure hasn’t forced them down into fear and hiding, but up into even greater courage, stepping further out into the open. Imagine if this was approved – it would surely cement their presence in the region, pushing forward past anything that has happened here before. So, please pray for those making decisions. Pray also for the wider local community, that God would move hearts so they would come to gladly accept the presence of believers amongst them. Pray for these three men who put their names to the letter, as well as the rest of the church family. Whatever the outcome, pray that their hearts would be filled with peace, and they would know that God delights in them. Pray also for the right level of nationwide awareness about these events – so that, if helpful, many will hear and meaningful conversations will be sparked. Or it may be that less attention allows things to grow until they achieve a momentum that can’t be stopped! God knows better than us what is needed, thank you for asking Him to do just that.

Ndeshi is the Personnel Officer in our Southern Africa Region office. The last two years have been an extended time of transition to a new office, home, and church. She has had to wait patiently for the Lord, but her heart is full of thankfulness and joy at his recent provision. Pray that her testimony of the Lord’s goodness through this time will be of great help to all she supports in her role, as they too serve through transitions, uncertainty, and periods of waiting on the Lord.