The Bouyei children’s program is up and running in the courtyard.So far we have held 3 sessions on Saturday afternoons when the most kids are available. From 6 to 12 children have attended each time, ranging in age from 4 to 12. I have been giving a message and XB has been teaching them a new song each week. They love the coloringactivity (and snacks) at the end of each time.

 

This last Saturday, we had a smaller turn-out and the children seemed somewhat glum and indifferent (although they perked up later). We felt it was a spiritual issue, requiring increased prayer. This week we will meet before our time with them to pray for the atmosphere in the courtyard and for the children’s hearts to be prepared. Please join us in praying.

A good friend has begun to explore joining the ministry to the Bouyei people. She has done a lot of student ministry but for a long time has desired to work with an ethnic minority. Please pray for his clear confirmation of this new course. Her personality blends well with the Bouyei and she enjoys working with the poor. Last week, she joined me for the children’s program but ended up talking for a long time with the mother of the 12 year old girl who is so keen to learn. At the end of that conversation, the mother as well as another visiting relative both prayed to receive Him!
For the visiting relative it was the first time to hear, but for the mother, the seed had already been planted in her heart by her daughter.

The mother said she would discuss this with her husband and felt he would believe too. My friend has already begun to teach this woman about her new-found faith.

We continue to ask for all eight families of this courtyard. Now that there are believers in two of the families, it will be easier for the other families to respond. We are always welcomed there with warm smiles although the adults, especially the men, are busy with their work of sorting and hauling recyclable trash. Please pray for the protection of this courtyard from the enemy’s attack. I am very aware that though there seems much openness now, that could change unless we persevere in intercession.

 

This week we challenged LBX and WGW to set aside a Sabbath day and attend a weekly fellowship. Since they are just barely getting by on what they make, it will be quite a step of faith for them not to work every day of the week.
It is very encouraging to see other people developing a concern for the Bouyei people. One example is our upstairs neighbors. The wife is a nurse practitioner and would like to begin a community health project of some kind in one of these Bouyei communities. There is much need here for education on nutrition, contraception, parenting, hygiene. A case in point: I was recently talking to a Bouyei patient who told me she was out of money because she has been feeding both her 16 month old strictly on infant formula alone (she has a 3 month old as well)! When I explained to her some basics of childhood nutrition, she responded with, “No wonder my older child is so small! Pray such a health project would be a door into her community.

I have another patient, from yet another Bouyei community, with severe rheumatic heart disease. He is only 32 and has 3 young children. He will not live long without a valve replacement but his heart is already so damaged that surgery would be very risky even if the funds were available to do it. He tells me he’s been to one of the government approved churches in town several times and one of his neighbors goes also. He understands some of what he has heard there. We gave him a book before the summer and he’s read some of it , but without much understanding. When asked if he would like someone to visit his village to share, he responds very affirmatively. Please pray for this Mr. W and for us to have wisdom in his medical care as well as in taking up this opportunity to share with him more truth. Pray for the right people to teach.