I\u00a0don\u2019t know whether you\u2019re feeling disappointed or relieved that Christmas has passed for another year, but in this issue of Connect, one recurring theme, no matter where the stories are from, reminds me of a verse you may have heard recently:<\/p>\r\n
\u201cThe people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned.\u201d (Isaiah 9:2)<\/p>\r\n
We may rightly think our own culture seems dark, but many places in Africa are darker than we comprehend. Yet the glorious truth of the gospel is that our Saviour is the light of the world, and the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it! (John 8:12 and John 1:5)<\/p>\r\n
As you read the stories contained here you will be amazed and encouraged by the power of the gospel as it transforms lives, communities and entire cultures from darkness into light. You will read about the work among the Laarim in South Sudan – as the gospel challenges their culture, new believers are making radical decisions to reject the status quo. In Tanzania, a Zigua village primary school is impacting an entire generation of Muslim children for Christ, and in North Africa, Muslims are having dreams about Jesus and testifying that he alone can bring light, healing and purpose. \u00a0<\/p>\r\n
Please join us in praying for our brothers and sisters in Christ living in dark places, that God would use them as his image-bearers, to bring the gospel of light and transformation to the people around them.<\/p>\r\n
Miriam Bryant,\u00a0Mission Advisor for the north of England & Wales<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n