OBERG PRAISE N PRAY – February 23, 2008

PRAISE God that the church in Sirasso is roofed!  This has been such an encouragement to the group there.  Please PRAY that God would pack this church to overflowing, and for Pastor Marcel and his wife as they minister in this area.

Kevin leaves today for the Sirasso area for four nights of evangelism, two in Flakayiri (if the chief gives permission—he refused last year but seems open to it this year—PRAY!) and two in Katana.  (If they don’t go to Flakayiri, they will go again to Temetemeso,--God knows what would be best, so pray His will be done.)  Pastor Marcel has a pastor friend from Mali who is coming to help.  Please PRAY for many people to respond to the saving grace of God, that lives would be transformed in a powerful way.

We’ve asked in the past for prayer for the village of Sirasso, as there seems to be a real spiritual stronghold in this village and the chief, although appearing to be friendly, is probably very much at work causing dissention and making people afraid to follow Christ.  When Kevin spoke to the chief after roofing the church, the chief asked him (in all seriousness) when he was going to come and build him a mosque.  Other village leaders and even the chief’s brothers have indicated that they would be open to letting the people of the village decide for themselves about following Jesus, but their brother, the chief, stands in their way.  Please PRAY that this man would see his need for a Savior and turn to Christ, and if he does not, that God would work as only He can work and bring spiritual freedom to this village.  Villages all surrounding Sirasso are open to the gospel and many people are responding to Christ, and yet this village remains closed.  This is a matter that we believe will not change without the power of prayer.  Your prayer ministry is going to be crucial in this situation—PLEASE PRAY! 

Although still struggling with the dust and coughs and colds, none of us are getting a bad case of sickness.  Please continue to PRAY for good health during these months.  Thanks for PRAYING for our getting caught up—please continue to do so.  There is a lot to be done and just not enough hours in the day to do it! 

Please PRAY for peace in Burkina.  For those who follow news in Africa, you might have noticed that there were riots in Bobo and two other towns in western Burkina this past week.  There are all sorts of reports of what took place, and who knows what is true and what is rumor, but we’ve seen the vandalism and there is a definite underlying (and sometimes spilling out) anger in the people.  The issue is mainly centered on the high prices that they have to pay for food and basic supplies, which has risen incredibly just in the past 6-12 months.  The government has made promises that they will do something about it, so things have calmed down this weekend.  But there is an underlying feeling that it could easily erupt again if those promises aren’t followed up with action soon.  Please PRAY that this doesn’t escalate into something bigger.