Wednesday, August 22, 2012

Urgent Prayer for Niger!

I would never have thought to ask this from our prayer partners but we are asking y'all to please pray for the rains to stop ... for a few days at least! The river has risen to a dangerously high level. So much so, that there are many places that are already flooded & beyond repair.

Last year, the country did not receive enough rains & most farmers lost their crops &, therefore, we have experienced a famine this year. This year, the rains came a little late but, once they came, they fell steady & strong. The rains have been larger & more consistent than anyone can remember in the last 50 years. And it's been all across our region.



Due to this, the river began to rise & swell. In the last few days, the levees have broke & those along the river have begun evacuating. Many Songhai live on islands that are now completely flooded. Many markets are on the river's edge for those traveling by boat to have easier access & those are now flooded. The Christian school in Niamey has 2 feet of water already inside the buildings. The seminary where Cephas attends is flooded, too. Biba's family has had to evacuate their home & they're a mile from the river.

Some of our believers have lost everything - their gardens, their livestock, their homes, their entire livelihood. Because of the steady rainfall & homes that are made out of mud brick, even those that aren't close to the river have lost their homes from crumbling under the pressure. Our hearts are breaking & I'm on the verge of just losing it.


Not this, Lord. Not this. Not after months of going hungry because of no food to losing their homes & their livelihood. My mind cannot process this. I have NEVER been in their shoes. I will probably never be in their shoes. There is no such thing as flood insurance. Where do they go from here?


My heart & my mind HAVE to rest in the fact that God is in control of ALL of this. He can hold back the waters JUST the same as He can open the floodgates of heaven. He can restore lives & homes from nothing. He can turn chaos into events for His Glory. He can draw people to Himself through devastation. He can & He will. He will provide for the needs of His beloved. He will comfort those who are grieving. He will be praised even in the midst of suffering. He can & He will.

Please pray. Please pray for the river to recede quickly. Please pray for no more damage to be done. Please pray for God to provide for our believers & their families. Please pray for Him to bring Glory to Himself through this & that He will draw people to Himself in their desperation.



7 comments:

  1. Breaks my heart to hear about this devastation. Praying for the Songhai. Praying for you all as you seek to minister to them and point them to Him who is greater. Thankful that our God is bigger.

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  2. God bless you all.Will pray.Only god can stop the rains and he will.Just believe in Jesus he can do it.
    Love from
    India

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  3. First Baptist Scott City will join in prayer for the people of Niger. Also, please let me know what we can do to help with food, water, supplies. Please provide me a list (at pastorfbsc@gmail.com) of needed items as soon as you are able.

    Blessings
    Jeremy Sells

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  4. Praying, and shared this update with others who are also praying. We trust Him, even in this, that He knows exactly what He is doing, knowing His ultimate desire is for "all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth." 1 Tim 2:4

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  5. Please know that your fellow believers are praying for you and for Niger. I am praying for a rainbow right now! These are stong people who can and will rebuild their lives regardless of the circumstances. I am lifting them up for God's blessings, peace and comfort. I love you! Anna Smart ><>

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  6. First Baptist Church of Tracy City is praying for you and the people of Niger. Please let us know if there is anything we can do to help.

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  7. I am definitely moved to pray. I'm praying Romans 8:28 over the Songhai that somehow God will work even this for the good. Also 8:35" Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?... No in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loves us"
    Father, express your deep love toward these broken believers and unbelievers even now in the midst of the flood. Please stop the rain in your great power, but we trust you no matter what. Julie Howerton

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