Ruth works on an Indian Ocean Island, seeking to share the gospel with people who have never had it explained to them. She has recently been supporting a friend, ‘A’ whose brother is currently being held in prison, accused of being the ringleader of a group that killed a man. For a couple of days following the incident, ‘A’ had to leave her home with her three children as the deceased man’s family came for retribution, and she has faced being ignored by many in the honour/shame community of the island. Praise God that it has given lots of opportunities for Ruth to be able to share her faith and to pray with ‘A’, and to be a witness in the community, as many are shocked that she is still willing to associate with her. Please pray for strength and wisdom for Ruth as ‘A’ visits her often for support and shares her burdens, and that through this trial, ‘A’ and her family may be saved.

Ruth works on an Indian Ocean Island, seeking to share the gospel with people who have never had it explained to them. Praise God for opportunities to challenge preconceptions about Christians and build trust with patients in the hospital. This month, she was treating an older man following a stroke, and he and his wife were initially reluctant for her to touch him, as a woman and a believer. But by the end of his ten-session block of therapy, they hugged her and bought her a big bag of fruit as a gift from their home out in a village!  Please pray that Ruth’s presence in the community will be used to soften hearts towards the Lord, and that they may come to see that the love she has for them comes from Him.

Ruth* works on an Indian Ocean Island, seeking to share the gospel with people who have never had it explained to them. The team are very excited that the new Sister we have on the island, who came to faith earlier this year, was baptised last month! Her children are also showing some interest, with her daughter even coming along to the women’s bible study this month, so that’s super encouraging! Pray for Ruth as she transitions back into island life after a period of home assignment: that she would cope with the humidity (she’s returned during the hottest time), get the house set back up okay and that she would remember language! Ask the Lord for favour, meeting with the Director of the hospital, that he would allow her to volunteer there again and that he would write a letter of support so she can get a visa.

*Name changed for security reasons