OBERG PRAISE N PRAY – March 12, 2007

PRAISE God for the most recent evangelism campaign this past week. About 30 people came forward to accept Christ in the village of Banzon, and Kevin said it was especially encouraging as these people stayed afterwards and asked for prayer for various issues in their lives. Please PRAY that these new believers will get plugged into the church in Banzon, and that Pastor Francois will be able to follow up with each one. In neighboring Kounesini, there was no initial response to the gospel. Please PRAY for those who attended the evangelism, that God will continue to work in their hearts, drawing them to Himself.

Kevin and our field director, Steve Nehlsen, left yesterday (Sunday) to go to Sirasso for this week’s evangelism campaign. They will be in the neighboring villages of Tina and Temetemeso for four nights, returning to Bobo on Thursday. Please PRAY that God will bless this evangelism campaign, that many will come to Christ, and that Pastor Marcel (in Sirasso) will be encouraged in his ministry in this area. Please PRAY for good health for Kevin, who was coming down with a cold/sore throat and really needs to stay healthy during these busy days. Please also PRAY for Steve’s wife, Amy, as she has also been struggling with her health these days and is “manning the fort” with Steve gone to the bush with Kevin.

PRAISE God that we sold the white car we were trying to sell! Thanks to all those who prayed last June about selling this vehicle. It took a while, but we are so glad to be done with it!

Please continue to PRAY for our Jula studies. Due to the extreme busyness of this past month, we’ve had to take a break and we’ll be taking another break when my (Bonnie’s) parents come out to visit in April. (Yeah!) Please PRAY that we will find the hours to study, that we will retain what we have learned up to this point, and that God will enable us to learn this language. Language learning is never easy—having to learn it 6 years into a missionary career when there are so many other things pulling at you is even worse! I now understand why most people learn their languages at the beginning of their missionary career . . . . Oh well . . . . (“Little by little, the bird builds its nest”—African proverb learned on the first day of French class, September 2000 . . . .)

Thanks to all who have been praying about the discouragements that we’ve faced in recent days. I can tell you that even though situations haven’t changed, we’ve felt God’s peace and grace in our lives over this past week and we know that many of you have been praying for us! Please continue to PRAY—that God would give us the words to say, the wisdom to know how to respond in difficult situations, and most of all, that His joy would fill our hearts. The little chorus “Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus” (Newsboys version, I have to admit!) has been running through my mind, and I’m reminded again of how the things on earth do grow dim in the light of His glory and grace. Pray that we would live (and think!) with an eternal perspective—May God help us all to do so!