Praise

Thank you for praying for the inter-church youth worship concert. It was a great success. The leaders were very encouraged and blessed the youth and young adults leading and entering together into vibrant worship. Thank you for joining us in prayer.

Prayer

Please pray for a formerly violent man who threatened Christian workers, but who seems to have become a secret believer. He has accepted Bibles and other growth material, but his seriously anti-Christian brother is a member of the secret police.

Pray for Sandra, a local believer, who continues to struggle with marriage and family issues. Please pray for her to respond in a godly manner, even in difficult situations with her husband. Pray for wisdom and discernment.

A few days ago, there was a car bomb which exploded in a city north of us, killing 8 and wounding about a 100. Do pray for the families that grieve and for healing for those wounded. Pray for the people behind this tragedy that they will be brought to justice. Pray that those who seek to bring unrest to the country through activities such as these, will fail.

Kuwait is to have new elections for its parliament soon, the previous parliament having been cancelled by the Amir. Many arrests of citizens have been made, for illegal procedures in family tribes to determine their preferred candidates. Pray that peace will persist between the various elements of government.

Pray for J, the son of a Tent-making family, who had a major health crisis last month. Pray for God to bring healing to this young man, and that the parents would find rest in this very stressful situation.

Testimony

We were spending time with a young friend, whom we call Sweet, having coffee last week. We talked about many things, including her personal life and issues to do with bringing up young children. Towards the end of our conversation, she shared with us how she sees that we are very committed to our faith. She then mentioned that perhaps we should read the Quran and that she would also read the Bible. I offered to bring her a copy next time we meet. Please pray for Sweet, that she would start the read the Bible, and through it, find the Author and Perfecter of our faith as her Saviour and Lord. Thank you for praying for God's light to shine through Christians here.

Praise

A local believer, Samantha, is back studying the scriptures with some of the workers. Praise God for restoring her faith. Pray that she would grow strong.

Prayer

Pray for God's Word to go out - through internet sites and media, as well as personal contact with foreign believers in the country.

Please remember the worker who was told recently that his contract is not being renewed in June. Pray for God's favour toward him during his appeal process.

A number of our team mates are involved in teaching at the university. Al and Leah were able to host an Easter dinner for the Christian staff on their campus. Pat and Katherine have been able to develop significant relationships through their work in a neighboring city. Pray for the Lord’s blessing on these people, that seeds of God’s Word will be planted in people’s lives as a result of their witness.

A couple of weeks ago some bombs were planted in various places where foreigners frequent in our country. No one was hurt but it seems the devices were planted to unsettle people. Ask that these plans will not suceed and that the people behind them will come to know the One who wants peace. Ask that these people will be caught before they can hurt anyone.

Pray for renewed motivation of workers in our country in the face of the spiritual complacency of the people. Pray for their insight with new questions and approaches in sharing the gospel, and for a genuine love for the people.

Testimony

It was an unpleasant surprise for H, our believing local friend, when he had a stroke recently. Praise God that he has now fully recovered and for the positive effect that it has had on his life. Though he is still resting, spiritually he is on a total high. He is addicted to his bible, books and cd's. He includes all his 10 children in all his reading, listening and watching of the spiritual materials.

Though his wife is not yet a believer, up until now she has not given H any problem. After the miracle of H's healing, she seems open to the gospel, but not ready to commit. We are really trusting God for her to take the step toward her redemption. Please pray for H to continue to grow in his faith and for his wife to come to faith.

- Restoring Families -

Praise

A local believer, Samantha, is back studying the scriptures with some of the workers. Praise God for bringing her back and ask Him to help her on her journey to a strong and deep faith.

Prayer

Pray for three families here who have not only heard the Truth over and over in various ways, but have seen God confirm His own Word to them through answers to prayer, healing and dreams. Pray He will save them and make them each a light to others.

Pray for “A” the daughter of a local family who is very resistant to the Christian friends of her parents. A is causing some concern within the family.

Pray against complacency in our country. Our target people have wealth and a presumed righteousness in Islam. Pray that they would experience spiritual emptiness that makes them open to the gospel.

Pray for a tent-making couple who have just come to our city believing they had a job but now find that they do not have anything. They have a commitment to serve and we are praying that God will provide another job opportunity.

Pray for the many Christian teenagers here from Europe, USA, Philippines, India, Korea etc. Pray for God's blessing on the various ministries in the different churches and fellowships. Pray for God to use their time here to spur them on in their faith. Pray for the big inter-church youth worship concert to be held soon. Pray for many to be encouraged in their faith and for blessing on this new event.

Testimony

A month or so back, our local believer friend, “M” got a phone call from his wife's brothers saying that their son had tonsillitis and that the doctor wanted do an operation to remove them. This has “opened the door” slightly for M to talk directly with his wife. Since he informed her of his decision to become a believer almost a year ago, he hasn't seen or spoken to her. The shock of the news caused his wife to leave him and return to her family. She did not, however, tell their family about M’s decision (she gave another reason). Despite daily phone calls, she continued to refuse to speak with Him.

Now, because of their son's problem, he traveled to the town where his wife’s family lives to meet with them. Many people were praying and a miracle happened, he was able to reconcile with her. The Lord is restoring his family to him!! And now M’s wife is prepared to sit and listen to him talking about his faith!!

- Banquet Table -

Praise

Give thanks to God that, in answer to your prayers, there has been greater unity within the Tentmaker community in our country.

Prayer

Please pray that we, as Christian workers in this country, will be guided by God in what we say and do in areas of spiritual conflict. Pray that the local citizens will hear the gospel clearly, and not only be delivered from evil, but also transferred into God's kingdom of light.

Please pray for a worker in need of a new residence permit. His previous employer wants him to find a new job & sponsor, but did not cancel his permit immediately. The worker recently re-located to another part of the country, thinking he had a new sponsor but now it is clear that the new employer is not able to obtain a new residence permit. Pray that God will provide a way for the worker and his family to stay in the country with a new residence permit (deadline is set in the end of April).

As we visited our friend, a “sister” in the faith, she said, “I think about my relative who died years ago. She never heard the good news and she would have believed, if she had heard it.” How would you respond to such a comment? Guilt? Grief? A feeling of urgency to spread the good news? Ask that all in this country will have a chance to hear the good news and that we will be obedient in telling it to those around us.

Please pray for a local woman who is passionately seeking God, and has eagerly accepted all sorts of Christian materials because of a supernatural experience she had. Her fervor cooled when she had some confusing dreams that she felt were telling her that Islam is the way. God is not the author of confusion. Please pray He will make the Way plain.

Pray for a worker's extended family. His family has been in extreme conflict and turmoil for over a year. Right now, there seems to be little hope for reconciliation. Please pray for a breakthrough in the hearts of all those involved.

Testimony

It was a wedding like many others that Rowan had attended over the years. The men gathered in one place and the women, separate in another hall. This wedding had the customary line of male relatives waiting to greet the guests as they came in. But in over 50 weddings, never had Rowan seen a National Muslim bride at her wedding.

The men at the beginning of the greeting line noticed that Rowan’s face was not that of a national, and quickly passed a question down the line – ‘Who is this foreigner?’ The groom was a student of Rowan’s at the university and upon learning this, they all gave warm handshakes, pats on the back and kisses on the cheeks conveying their pleasure at his attendance at this rural wedding celebration. He was passed over to Dr Mohd, the one in the crowd who had the most English – his task was to ‘watch over the foreigner’ for the night.

The two new friends had a lively chat about many things in a mix of broken English and broken Arabic. They spoke about their faiths, their children, and their hopes for God's blessings in the future. After waiting for 2.5 hours in the lounge, they, along with all the guests, were led into the banquet hall at 10 pm. Guided by his ‘guardian angel’, Rowan was taken to the head table only 2 seats from the groom & his father. At the banquet table, it was all about the business of eating an abundance of food as fast as possible! After 10 minutes, Dr Mohd was finished, gave Rowan a big hug, thanked him for the time to share about God together, turned and left.

Praise the Lord for this opportunity for Dr. Mohd to hear about faith in Christ. Ask the Lord for future opportunities for Rowan to travel and meet up again to continue this friendship and times of sharing. Pray that Dr. Mohd and his family would come to faith in Jesus as he watches satellite TV or the Jesus DVD he received in one of his summer trips to Europe.

- Worshiping Together -

Praise

Give thanks for the perseverance in faith of local brothers and sisters here in our country.

Prayer

Please remember a lady in Y who has been asked to teach several ladies whose husbands believe. Also the children in these families need teaching. Ask that she will have wisdom in preparing what the ladies need and that a program that meets the needs of the children will come together.

Pray for continued fruit amongst the Chinese who are here for employment. Pray for many to be reached, for God to use the Chinese believers to reach and disciple other Chinese. Pray for special strengthening for those who are returning to mainland China.

After good attendance at our weekly gathering and Bible study for local MBB's, a couple now have wandered off, and we're not hearing from them. Pray especially for Mohammed, and other non-attending believers, that they will become desperate for fellowship, and that the fellowship will continue to be meaningful and sustained.

Pray that a local believer in our land would finish writing an audio script for personal evangelism sharing. Pray that it will be presented as a powerful life changing message when it is recorded.

Please pray for the local family who want a Christian tutor for their children but show no inclination to have a closer relationship with the tutor. Pray that God will stir their hearts to want the very best in their life.

Testimony

How would we react in the West if it were forbidden to meet together to worship? Would we have the courage to do it? People count the cost here. They must put aside fear. It is a sweet thing to hear the sounds of worship.

As one who heard them said, "Tears (of joy) came to my eyes". Ask that more will be willing to meet together and that they would be kept safe, until they are ready to face persecution.

- In awe of God -

Praise

Give glory to God for a number of new believers in the prisons in our city.

Prayer

Pray for the National man, who has come to faith in Jesus, as he travels to a western country for a holiday and to meet a relative for the first time. He does not know what his relative's faith is and what his life is like at all. Pray for an opening for the Gospel and the boldness to proclaim the Lord Jesus Christ.

Recently, an acting troupe came through to perform the Good News in schools. Thank you for remembering them when they were here. Now ask that the impact that they made will be followed up by those who believe as they do. Ask that the kids who heard the stories will continue to hear the message from other sources.

Pray for workers in our land who organize special events for their friends, colleagues and neighbours. Pray for God's blessing on these events and for God's Word and truth to be active and working in people's lives.

The practice of scoffing and humiliating is common between local people of different backgrounds. Please pray for a local woman we will call "the Interpreter", who was very upset recently. Through situations beyond her control, she was insulted by scoffing and rude comments from her customers. She was furious and refused to continue in her current job. In the days following, she was shifted to another work situation where she is more satisfied. “The Interpreter” is proud of her family heritage and her identity is partly based on these roots, hence the hurt from scoffing about her background. Pray "the Interpreter" finds her identity in Jesus. Pray that the scoffers will be convicted of their acts.

Please pray for a number of key donors of AP ministries who are currently reviewing a great list of projects in the coming year. Ask that as they decide which they will support in the coming year, they find sense the leading of the Lord and have great wisdom.

Testimony

God is moving in a powerful way through the Perspectives Course in the UAE. Continue to pray for the 170 "hearers" at these classes representing over 20 nationalities and many congregations. Here's a note from a participant......

"I just wanted to say how much I am enjoying this Perspectives class ...... God has done great things in me that I can't take any credit for or even explain many times. When I listen to what is presented in this class, I am in awe of God. This is where it makes sense, when His word comes to life. As I re-read the word "awe" it seems a bit strange or strong. But I can't explain it any other way. Again, when I left this week I was reflecting on this great bit of knowledge that has been thrust upon me and I nearly came to tears of joy in amazement of His plan and how He has chosen me to be a part of it. I couldn't help but pray out my thankfulness on the drive home. I've grown up in the church my whole life, tried to do all the right things, and sat through all kinds of church stuff like this. But the only place that ever got me after 30 years was absolutely broken in my own sinfulness (finally!). As I reflect on my past life I am truly amazed at His plan as it is being revealed and how it does involve me. What has been taught not only rings so true with His Spirit in me, but fits so well into what he has been laying on my heart for this last year."

- He is Risen! -

Praise

Praise God for the new workers to our country this month. This is a great encouragement to us like beauty out of ashes.

Prayer

In Arabic, Easter is translated as "the feast of resurrection". Many of my friends have asked, "What does that mean?" There are millions in this country who have no concept that we would celebrate the resurrection of Christ because they do not believe that he died. Ask that they would hear the Good News and believe. Pray for those who do believe and tell this "new" story to their friends.

Please pray for workers and other Christians in our country who continue to share the message of Easter this week with their local friends and colleagues. Pray for boldness, wisdom, creativity and a loving attitude as they do this. Ask God for fruit from these conversations and deeds.

Pray for a mixed local-Arab family with tensions in their marriage, that the Lord would renew each one, guide each one in the way they are to go, and finally unite them with sacrificial love.

A music professor has the privileged opportunity to present the gospel to his many muslim students each semester, merely by sharing selected texts from Handel's Messiah. Pray that the Holy Spirit will open the spiritual eyes of the students, and give them questions that lead to their salvation.

Pray for the teacher who was recently called into his ex-pat Muslim boss's office. He was told to stop talking about Jesus while on campus. The teacher has often enjoyed conversations with his Muslim and Hindu students outside of the class time - in the student union, in his office, in the sports area. Pray for wisdom in his response and for continued open doors for the Good News.

Testimony

Recently, our neighbor, Umm Mohammed, shared that awful things had been happening ever since she moved into her house. Those "things" included her sister and nephew being killed in a car wreck. In this accident, she herself was injured.

Some tentmaker ladies were welcomed to come to her house and prayed that God would remove any spiritual evil influence from the house and family. In the process, the ladies were able to share the gospel clearly with those attending. The tentmakers and Umm Mohammed's family remain in good relationship with one another. Pray for this family, that the resurrected Christ will break any bondage and release the life of God to renew dead and dark places.

- Freedom -

Praise

Praise God for the prayer team that came to our country recently to walk and
talk with the Father in different places. It was a real encouragement
having them here.

Prayer

Pray for the impact and the message of Easter to be spread amongst the local
people of our land and the entire Arabian Peninsula. Pray that through
church programmes, Christians would be blessed and would share the message
with their local friends and colleagues. Pray for Christians of all
nationalities to be envisioned to talk and live out the wonderful Gospel of
Jesus Christ with their neighbours, especially amongst locals.

Join with us as we ask God to provide work platforms for several new
tent-making families coming to the UAE.

Pray for outreach programs to villages in our country. Ask God for good
connections and fruitful, lasting relationships to be formed.

Ask the Lord to help those in the north of the country of Y who are
displaced due to unrest between tribes. Some of these people are able to go
back to their homes but it is too late to plant for next year’s crops. Ask
that they will be provided for and that money given for their food, will get
to them.

Pray that a new meeting schedule and place for local believers in our city
will work well and encourage them to meet together. Ask that they will be
concerned for one another, and be in touch with each other building each
another up.

Testimony

The closer we get to locals, the more we see the control of Satan in our
region. One faithful MBB, "Adnan", shared that his brother was moving and
shouting out in such a way as to realize that he was demon-possessed.
Another Christian brother was asked to come to minister to Him.

When this brother arrived, the family brought along a Muslim Imam. They
were concerned at the invitation of the Christian. As they began to
interact together about this problem, the imam even suggested that the demon
was a "Christian demon"! For his own shouting and shaking of the young man,
the imam was asked to leave by the family, only for another to be brought.
In the end, the young man seemed to return to his normal self, and the
Christian was thanked for coming, even though he could only stand by the
side and pray. Ask the Lord to bring freedom in Adnan’s brother, not only a
freedom from bondage, but also freedom in relationship with Jesus Christ.

- Empowered to Share -

Praise

Praise the Lord for His gracious care of an expatriate MBB who was
long discipled in the AP before he returned to his own Muslim country.
He has struggled in his faith, dealt with lots of family persecution,
but is able to rejoice in God and his goodness. He is able to visit
for almost 2 weeks in the AP.


Prayer

Please remember an important partnership meeting taking place this week.
Ask for a spirit of encouragement and God's guidance through the
proceedings. Also ask that clear decisions will be made which will
please the heart of God.

Pray for children of national believers in our land and across the AP.
Pray for the Word of Truth to be deeply sown in the lives of these young ones.
Pray for the fruit of salvation and commitment to Christ to come forth
in each one in God's timing.

Please remember several groups who are seeking the truth and are
studying the Book together. Ask that they will understand the message
and will believe. Ask that those who they seek out for counsel will be
wise in their answers. Ask that the Holy Spirit will show them answers in the Word.

Pray for a worker as he counsels Jim in his new marriage. Pray that
workers will be able to develop a friendship with Faith, Jim's new wife.

Ask that locals would not only come to Christ in our country, but also
come together as a body.


Testimony

Just a couple of weeks back, Gerald got talking with an expatriate
Arab mechanic, Khalifa, who was repairing his car. During the course
of the conversation, Khalifa discovered that Gerald was a believer and
shared that he had come from a Christian Orthodox background but had
just recently come to faith in Christ. On further questioning, it was
clear that the main influence was the ministry of a Christian satellite TV station.

Khalifa, though young in the Lord and with little or no regular
fellowship, had actively been sharing his faith with his Muslim
friends. When he discovered Gerald had access to Bibles, he asked for
a larger Bible for his personal use, as well as some Bibles to give to
the Muslims he is sharing with. Gerald was excited to come along side
this man and provide them with the Word of God. Pray that these
materials to help Khalifa grow strong in the Lord and that he will be
empowered to be salt and light among the local population.

- Give Thanks -

Praise

Give thanks to God for those who give of their money and time to travel to
the Arabian Peninsula to encourage the workers whether through prayer,
practical support or counsel. Such people offer valuable support.

Prayer

Lift up the Muslim Background Believer who is encountering much opposition
in his business ventures. There have been legal and governmental
distractions that burden this dear brother. He wants so much to do things
in a way that brings glory to God.

While walking in the market place last month, a question was asked about how
business was going. One merchant said that following the recent killing of
some tourists, business was slow – “The visitors are not coming”. Ask that
those who are seeking to create tension and unrest will become disorganized
and not be able to carry out their plans. Ask that merchants, hotel
managers, tour guides and all in the hospitality industry will be able to
provide for their families. Ask that visitors who have a message of Hope
will come and talk to these people.

Please continue to pray for the expatriate (from UK, USA, Korea,
Philippines, India, Europe, etc.) Christian youth here. Pray that many of
them would make this a time of growth and commitment to Christ. Pray for a
work of God amongst the youth - for fruit in their lives, a greater
understanding of their faith, encouragement and a season of growth - even in
this desert! Please pray especially for the boys.

A number of the workers in our country are experiencing deep emotional pain
and grief. It is clear that the enemy is running around like a roaring
lion. Please pray for protection from the evil one and pray for emotional
and spiritual healing!

The workers here are so discouraged in their work. A real spirit of
discouragement is paralyzing our prayer meetings. Please pray for a release
both in terms of encouragement and some fruit to spur on these weary souls.

Testimony

The shared taxi was packed with 11 people as it took off for its 5 hour
journey to the capital city on Thanksgiving Day. Our colleague tried to make
herself comfortable in one of the seats. Right away she had a feeling that
someone in the taxi had a question on his mind.

Halfway through the ride, the taxi came to a halt at a small mosque. It
seemed that only the driver wanted to go and pray but after a while all the
men but one left the taxi and made their way to the mosque. The one man
stayed put and was visibly nervous; all of a sudden he asked her the
question “How can I get to know Jesus?”

The conversation was short because the other men could return any moment.
They were just able to exchange phone numbers before their time was up. That
same night in the capital city a male friend of our colleague was able to
meet up with this man - the week of Thanksgiving he gave his life to the
Lord!