Western Niger Fulani

The Fulani are the largest nomadic people group in the world. One of the tribes or sub-groups of this large people group is the Fulani of Western Niger. There are an estimated 400,000 Western Fulani and, out of this number, approximately 50 are Christians. Worship services and chronological Bible “storying” are both underway, but no churches have yet been planted among this people group.

Wednesday, May 10, 2006

Prayer Requests and Updates for Western Niger Fulani

WARM Greetings from Niger!
 
The temperatures have been really warm as we are in our hot season. We are anticipating the beginning of rainy season and cooler temperatures in the next few weeks. We appreciate your prayers for energy & patience on these warm days. We are all so grateful for your support of us through prayer and your notes of encouragement.
  • Please remember to pray for Michelle Spannagel in the weeks to come. Michelle is expecting a sibling for Hannah during the month of June. The Spannagel family will be traveling to Burkina Faso later this month for a check up and a look at the clinic where Michelle is planning to have her baby. Pray for their safety as they travel.  Pray for strength, comfort & health for Michelle during this difficult time of year.Pray for Hannah as she will be going through a big change when the baby comes.
  • The Spannagels have been ministering to the physical needs of a chief in their area who has had to have his foot amputated.  Pray for them as they show Christ's love to this man.  Pray for healing.  Pray for an openness to the Gospel in the chief, his family and his village.
  • Thank you for your prayers for the meningitis outbreak near Cherry's village. We are happy to report that there were no new cases after the initial 3. Thank you for lifting Cherry up in prayer during a very stressful time. The mystery illness is still around but people seem to recover without any lasting side effects. Pray for Cherry during this hot time as she lives without electricity. Pray for her to be able to rest at night and awake refreshed. 
  • Kris has recently traveled to Cherry's village to share with some men.One man said that he heard about Jesus on the radio and wanted to know more.This man and a few others prayed to accept Christ! Pray for them as they learn about their new faith. Pray for encouragement for them since they will certainly face persecution from their family and friends.
  • Rainy season should be starting soon. Please pray for adequate rain to fall for the millet crops of the Fulani. Many people are already running out of the stored grain from last year's harvest. Pray for them to be sustained until the next harvest in September.  Pray for them to hunger for the LORD and His salvation. 
 
We are grateful for your prayers for us as we minister to the Fulani.  Please pray that we will always be prepared to give testimony about what Jesus has done for us. 
 
The Western Niger Fulani Team:
Cherry Faile
Shad & Michelle Spannagel
Kris and Shelley Riggs
 

Sunday, May 07, 2006

Current prayer requests for the Western Niger Fulani:
 
1)  Fulfulde programming continues to go out across the land of the Western Niger Fulani.  Recently a new station near a large Fulani population agreed to broadcast the audio version of the Jesus film on their station.  Pray for the Fulani who will hear this amazing story.  Pray for them to accept this Truth and to have the courage to make it a part of their lives.  Pray for continued success in getting even more Fulani Christian programs on the radio so that even more Fulani can hear.
 
2)  Recently a Western Fulani man from a village south of Niamey heard some Christian programs on the radio.  After listening to the program he wanted to know more about Jesus.  Missionaries to the Fulani were able to meet with him and he has confessed faith in Jesus!  Give praise for this new Fulani Christian.  Pray for him to have courage to live and give testimony about his new faith.
 
3)  Missionary to the Western Niger Fulani, Cherry Faile has started new outreach groups in villages near her village southwest of Niamey.  Cherry reports that one certain village is very spiritually oppressed.  Pray for Cherry to have all of the right words to say to share the Truth of the scripture with these Fulani.  Pray for her safety as she travels to these villages that are all very isolated bush villages.  Pray for the people who hear the Bible stories that God would soften their hearts towards the Gospel.