God's Word gives HOPE

After two years in Acts, we have completed this series of Bible studies in our village Bible studies. Eighty-nine lessons, and 89 memory verses later, many women have been encouraged by studying the early church and the life of Paul. Jane, a new contact from a Bible study about an hour away, visited me recently, to express her thanks to God for these studies. She has experienced a lot of hardship in her life, including two bad marriages, a daughter with a brain tumor, other illnesses, and on-going poverty. She said she had not imagined there ever existed someone with problems as bad as hers, until she read about Paul's life and ministry. Through these studies she has found great encouragement in the Lord. In her words, "Now I have found hope. I am so thankful." This is just one testimony among hundreds of women feeding on God's Word each week.

(Side note: Last month the second most frequent cause for admission on Tenwek's medical ward was suicide attempts. These people really need to know the HOPE in Jesus!)

The God of ENCOURAGEMENT

Joyce is a young widow with five children. She and her son Immanuel have HIV and are taking medication for it. After many years of loose living, she came to know the Lord three years ago. She now loves the Lord, and is trying to teach her children to follow Him. She visits us each week and we like to visit her, too. Julia and Immanuel, the son holding the Frisbee, are especially good friends and play soccer together whenever they have a chance.

She has received a house, cow, food, chickens, fencing, and field work from Tabitha Ministry. Her cow is now providing milk for her family, when it is well; Joyce has just harvested her beans, and she is caring for her family of four boys and one girl as best she can. But each week she struggles with health issues, a rebellious son, general poverty issues, and jealous family members.

Pray for encouragement from the Lord and other believers for Joyce.

Pray for Dennis, her oldest son, in 8th grade. He can be helpful, but he has a temper and gets into trouble because of it. Pray that he'll turn his whole heart to the Lord.

Pray for good health for Joyce and her children.

Pray for regular Christian fellowship for Joyce.