http://www.ifesworld.org/ IFES news from English and Portuguese Speaking Africa, Francophone Africa, Middle East and North Africa en Thu, 10 Jul 2008 13:00:00 GMT http://www.ifesworld.org/news/item.php?newsID=560 http://www.ifesworld.org/news/item.php?itemID=1127 Guinea-Bissau, in western Africa, has a population of 1.7 million people. The country experienced civil war 10 years ago, and has continued to face political instability. Despite this, a handful of faithful and committed servants are being used by God to set an example for the future. The IFES movement in Guinea-Bissau - Grupo Biblico Universitario (GBU-GB) – has groups in country's two universities, as well as four high schools. Students share with one another the joys and struggles in their faith and are encouraged to look to the Bible for guidance. Training Secretary Edi Gomes, currently the only GBU staffworker, leads the work there with the help of volunteer staff and student leaders. He shares with us: 'Many university students are ashamed to put themselves forward as 'believers'... and the student leaders sometimes struggle to feel effective in their work. But even with all the difficulties that we have been experiencing, we are encouraged to keep on trying.' Seven students have recently received small group leadership training and each is leading a group. Edi oversees these groups and supports and encourages the leaders. Please join with us in giving thanks for these individuals and pray that the students will open their hearts to God so that he can work in them and transform them for his glory. For some time Edi has had a vision to form a group of 'Friends of GBU-GB', with the purpose of helping to support the movement financially. We can praise God that this group is now becoming a reality, drawing together people from different fields including the national churches, government, banks and even private enterprise. The next meeting of 'Friends of GBU-GB' is on 13 July. Pray that God will raise up many more pastors and church members who share the group's vision of seeing students equipped through teaching and fellowship to entrust their lives to God and be witnesses for him. Thu, 10 Jul 2008 13:00:00 GMT http://www.ifesworld.org/news/item.php?newsID=561 http://www.ifesworld.org/news/item.php?itemID=1128 After the disputed elections in Zimbabwe in March, the country has continued to make the headlines with reports of violence, repression and poverty. In the midst of this suffering, the students and staff of the IFES movement (FOCUS) have valued the prayers of their brothers and sisters around the world. Nic Sibanda, FOCUS General Secretary, writes: 'We felt the love of Christ and the assurance of many prayers during the dark hours in the recent months. Our academic calendar was disrupted. Several events had to be postponed and our National Students' Day of Prayer (26 May) was affected. However, in all the regions students were able to gather in their campuses and they prayed for the nation, the work of FOCUS and other student movements in IFES. The immediate result was a renewal of prayer in the fellowship.' Join us in giving thanks for the testimony of our friends in Zimbabwe and the encouragement to 'pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests' (Ephesians 6:18). Tue, 01 Jul 2008 13:00:00 GMT http://www.ifesworld.org/news/item.php?newsID=538 http://www.ifesworld.org/news/item.php?itemID=1065 Aziz works in the Middle East and recently helped organize a student conference in a country that has been at war for almost 30 years. Salem is a student in that country. (Names have been changed to protect their identities.) What is the current situation in this country? Aziz: The country is in great despair and pain. Questions arise both from individuals and the Christian student community more widely. We organized the conference at the request of the Christian students who saw it as an urgent need. It was a time for them to meet together to think about the challenges they face in the light of the gospel. Time was spent in praise and prayer asking the Holy Spirit for his help in the midst of their struggles. What impact has the conference had in your life? Salem: I'm amazed at how the book of Habakkuk we studied during the conference has helped me, uplifted me, and encouraged me. Not long ago, I was in an internet café in my city, which is supposed to be safer than other cities in our country. I was checking my emails and just browsing on the net. As we're in war, the only contact we have with the rest of the world is the internet. Many people were in the internet café, mainly young people. Then a young man entered the room, a terrorist, who blew himself up inside the café. I am confused about what happened exactly. I remember much noise, chaos and blood. People were screaming. I recall the doctors talking, saying that I would not make it beyond the next six hours. I was really scared. I didn't want to die so soon. I went through a lot of medical treatment as you can see from my stitches. The Lord saved me, he gave me new life. I did not believe in him before, but I do now. I want to live to serve him with all my heart and strength. I was dead, now I live, I live for him. Join us in praising God for his miracles and salvation. Pray for each student in this country to be sustained day-by-day and for God's protection. Please pray too for the end of the conflict. Tue, 01 Jul 2008 13:00:00 GMT http://www.ifesworld.org/news/item.php?newsID=541 http://www.ifesworld.org/news/item.php?itemID=1075 What does it look like to be committed to evangelism, discipleship and mission in the context of political unrest and violence fuelled by ethnic division? Nehemiah has much to teach us on leading with integrity and persevering with God's work through periods of conflict and opposition. And it was the book of Nehemiah that Femi Adeleye, IFES Regional Secretary for English- and Portuguese-speaking Africa (EPSA), turned to when he met with students of the IFES movement in Kenya (FOCUS). The FOCUS staff and students were not left unaffected by the troubles following the disputed elections. Two staff members had their homesteads burned and many families were displaced. Universities and colleges were closed, lives disrupted, and FOCUS had to cancel its Bible & Leadership conference. Everyone was faced with questions of identity, trust and integrity. Femi continues: 'I was able to interact with some of the participants, one on one. I saw committed students and staff not giving up in the face of challenges. And I saw a Church continuing to be light to many. FOCUS continues to be very relevant both on campuses and in society.' Please continue to pray with us for God to grant lasting peace and political stability to Kenya. Pray too for student ministry there, that God would use FOCUS to reach many students for Christ and equip them for effective service both during and after their studies. Praise God for the faithful and committed work of FOCUS Kenya, and for Simon Masibo (General Secretary). Give thanks for staff and students meeting across ethnic divisions to pray together. Thank God for the debriefing and counselling sessions with students that have helped bring acceptance across those divisions. Please pray that students would desire God's kingdom, regardless of circumstance. Tue, 17 Jun 2008 13:00:00 GMT http://www.ifesworld.org/news/item.php?newsID=552 http://www.ifesworld.org/news/item.php?itemID=1104 UGBB (the IFES movement in Burkina Faso) holds a mission convention every two years. Through these events, they aim to develop students' interest in evangelism and train them in how to share the good news, as well as to raise people willing to go onto the mission field within the country or cross-culturally. Roland Tamini, General Secretary of UGBB writes: 'This very strategic convention for us gives us a space to reflect on the impact of our evangelistic activities in schools and universities, and on the strategies we need to adopt for the future. After attending several Francophone regional mission conventions, we became aware that UGBB has to commit more in mission. We organized the first seminar on mission in March 2003 with Pierre Ezoua (IFES Secretary for Mission, Francophone Africa) as the main speaker. After that event, we were challenged to organize a national meeting fully dedicated to mission.' This year's mission convention (24-31 July) is the fruit of that commitment to mission. Please pray for the students and staff as they focus more particularly on holistic mission and UGBB's social engagement as a student movement. Pray for God's guidance as they make plans for their future activities, not only at the spiritual level, but at all levels: body, soul and spirit. Thu, 05 Jun 2008 13:00:00 GMT http://www.ifesworld.org/news/item.php?newsID=548 http://www.ifesworld.org/news/item.php?itemID=1092 Recent news from around the IFES family has reminded us of the sad realities of violence and persecution that many believers face on a daily basis. Our brothers and sisters in SULTM (the IFES movement in Lesotho) are deeply saddened by the sudden death of Mohau, who volunteered as personal assistant to Peter Thobea (SULTM General Secretary). Mohau was stabbed last Saturday (31 May). Please pray for God's consolation and comfort, especially for Mohau's family. This young man (early 20s) was bringing up his teenage siblings, following the death of their parents in tragic circumstances not so long ago. In Eurasia, many Christian students face persecution and pressure from friends and family to give up their faith in Jesus Christ. In Kyrgyzstan recently, a family was stopped from burying their dead child because they are Christian. There is a growing concern that this will lead to further persecution. Several weeks ago in Moldova, a teacher lost her job because she was meeting with a group of Christian students to encourage them. Security concerns and growing pressure from the police in the Middle East and North Africa means that overseas Christian students now have to meet separately from national believers. Although the unity of the body of Christ cannot be expressed as it was before, we thank God that the students are continuing to meet together. In these politically-volatile and war-torn areas, please pray for protection and safety for the groups. Thu, 05 Jun 2008 13:00:00 GMT http://www.ifesworld.org/news/item.php?newsID=547 http://www.ifesworld.org/news/item.php?itemID=1091 Noble grew up in Gambia in a nominal Christian environment. When he finished high school, he was sent by his family to the United States of America to study law. However, after a year and a half at University, he dropped out and got involved in selling drugs and guns. As a result, he was arrested and sentenced to 15 years in prison. Noble felt lonely and deserted by everyone; those who were once his closest friends were not there to support him anymore. One day at the gym, he saw a Bible, started to read it and kept reading it. Someone from the prison ministry came and Noble learned more about God, about his love and forgiveness through Jesus. Noble surrendered his life to Jesus there in prison. He went to the penitentiary authorities and recognized his wrong doings. Because of this, he was released after just two years in prison, but had to be involved in community work for a further two years. In his heart, Noble knew God was calling him to serve him back home in Gambia, but he was afraid. Being a Christian there was not easy, he remembered, especially in a Muslim-majority country. So Noble began making plans to go back to selling drugs. But the Lord stopped him and he ended up back in jail for another two years. He spent that time studying God's Word, reading Christian books and praying. When he was finally released, Noble went back home and obeyed God's calling. He first served in a church for a couple of years, where he was introduced to the work of GAMFES (the IFES movement in Gambia). Noble gave his time to supporting the student groups on various campuses for five years before joining staff for two years. He then went to Europe to study for more theological training for a couple of years. Praise the Lord for calling Noble to himself and to serve him in GAMFES. Please pray for Noble as he returns to Gambia after his theological training, that what he has learnt this couple of years may help him in his own walk with the Lord and also enable the student ministry to grow, especially as the movement is in a time of leadership transition. Wed, 04 Jun 2008 13:00:00 GMT http://www.ifesworld.org/news/item.php?newsID=546 http://www.ifesworld.org/news/item.php?itemID=1090 Today, like every first Wednesday of the month, SLEFES (the IFES movement in Sierra Leone) holds its day of prayer. Let's join with them in praying for the student ministry in their country. Every year, each Christian Union group elects an executive committee to run their programs and oversee activities of the group. Associates (graduates from the Christian Unions) also serve in an advisory capacity. Most of SLEFES staff members were once Christian Union members who through their campus fellowships fell in love with Christ and the work of SLEFES. Francis Williams, the General Secretary of SLEFES writes: 'We thank God that we are experiencing growth as many godly people serve according to their abilities.' Praise God with us that He has raised up good Christian leaders at all levels for the movement. Praise God also that the students have a growing commitment to sharing the good news of Jesus with their classmates and on their campuses. Christian Unions throughout the country are very creative in finding ways to reach out to non-Christians: door-to-door visitation, orientation outreach at the beginning of term, special lunches, music events, and drama festivals are just some of their evangelistic activities. It's encouraging to see the gospel in the hands of students and to watch an increasing number respond to the call of God. Pray for boldness and perseverance as SLEFES students live out the truth in their exemplary lifestyle and academic excellence. Pray for wisdom as they face ungodliness and increasing occult practices on campus. The movement is making plans for their national conference 2008 (30 August to 5 September). Last year's conference had to be cancelled because of a venue problem. Please pray for all the arrangements for this year's conference to go smoothly. Pray too for the speaker, Gideon Para-Mallam (Associate Regional Secretary for the English- and Portuguese-speaking Africa region) who will be speaking on 'Called to be salt and light'. Fri, 23 May 2008 13:00:00 GMT http://www.ifesworld.org/news/item.php?newsID=535 http://www.ifesworld.org/news/item.php?itemID=1054 The kingdom of Lesotho is a small country completely surrounded by South Africa. Made up mostly of highland plateaux, resources are scarce, especially arable land. The UN describes 40% of the people as 'ultra-poor'. Lesotho also has one of the highest rates of HIV infection. Unemployment is widespread, with thousands of workers finding jobs in South African mines. Praise God for SULTM, the IFES movement in Lesotho, which seeks to bring hope in this difficult context. About 500 students are involved in SULTM, reaching out to their peers with the good news of Jesus Christ. Peter Letunyane, who is leading the ministry of SULTM, urges us to pray for those Christian students who will be going into universities and colleges for the first time, and those who are returning - that they might find real peace in serving and worshiping the Lord. Praise God for the support provided by the associates (graduates) who have volunteered to help the colleges by visiting and encouraging them. Pray that God renews their strength in the upcoming academic year, beginning in August. Pray too for Joseph Morenammele, the IFES Associate Regional Secretary for Southern Africa. Joseph, himself from Lesotho, is responsible for overseeing ten countries, namely Angola, Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. Pray for protection as he travels and for wisdom as he meets staff and students from those countries. Mon, 12 May 2008 13:00:00 GMT http://www.ifesworld.org/news/item.php?newsID=531 http://www.ifesworld.org/news/item.php?itemID=1040 Please join our brothers and sisters in LIVF (the IFES movement in Lebanon) in praying for their country. Recently, there has been a lot of turmoil and violence in Beirut, the capital city. According to news reports, over forty people have died across the country in the five days of violence. In Beirut, roadblocks are now found throughout the city and are causing lots of disruption. Students cannot access their schools and universities. Elie, a friend of the Fellowship in Beirut, urges us to 'pray for them, for peace and stability in the country'. Please pray for protection, peace and courage for Elie and his family, and for each one of the students and graduates of LIVF. Praise God that nothing 'will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord' (Romans 8:39). Please pray that our brothers and sisters there will be reminded of God's love each day in the midst of this trial. Pray too that the major political groups currently deadlocked in a power struggle will move toward negotiating peace. Fri, 09 May 2008 13:00:00 GMT http://www.ifesworld.org/news/item.php?newsID=530 http://www.ifesworld.org/news/item.php?itemID=1039 The IFES movement in Gambia (FES) recently held its students conference on their camp site in Busumbala. One hundred students took part and FES also welcomed one staffworker and four students from the movement in Guinea Bissau. Praise God for the partnership the movement has with other countries the region, and particularly with Guinea Bissau. The theme of the conference was crush the idols (Jer 51:21-24) focusing on the idolatry in the region. Steven Musa-Kormayea, the General Secretary of the movement, writes: Please pray that the hearts of our students will be set on fire by God s word and that we will all give up and turn away from the idols in our hearts. FES Gambia celebrated their 10th anniversary last year. Join us in giving thanks to God for his work through the student movement to bless the Church and the nation of Gambia. Thu, 24 Apr 2008 13:00:00 GMT http://www.ifesworld.org/news/item.php?newsID=524 http://www.ifesworld.org/news/item.php?itemID=1017 Zimbabwe has made the news headlines recently after the disputed elections there last month. The run-up to the elections and the process itself were characterised by peace, but the country continues to suffer. The economy is in tatters, daily life is an almost unbearable struggle and, amid increasing reports of violence, some are even warning of genocide. Nic Sibanda, General Secretary of the IFES student movement in Zimbabwe (FOCUS), writes: 'The situation on campus is very bad. Students have to buy their own food and the prices are getting out of reach. Most students have resorted to eating just one meal a day. Mostly the food is just sadza (Zimbabwean staple from maize meal) and beans or boiled cabbage.' FOCUS has responded to this dire situation by launching a food relief program, handing out food to students and contributing to the stores on each campus, so students may access free meals. Nic continues: 'We thank God for all of you, for the prayers offered on behalf of our nation. It is imperative that we focus on the future. The rebuilding process is going to be long and demanding. We in FOCUS believe that we are strategically positioned to make a significant contribution and so is the Zimbabwean church. Our students and graduates have an important role to play in changing opinions and strengthening our stakes in the future.' As Nic urges, please continue to pray for this nation. Mon, 21 Apr 2008 13:00:00 GMT http://www.ifesworld.org/news/item.php?newsID=522 http://www.ifesworld.org/news/item.php?itemID=1011 Each year, students from across Cameroon take part in the country's university Olympic games. Students from the IFES movement (GBEEC) use this opportunity to share the gospel personally with athletes and spectators. This is the ninth year GBEEC has run their evangelistic event, known as 'Student Conquest'. The games took place over five days in April (18-22 April) and 350 GBEEC students from seven universities took part in the student conquest with the theme: 'All peoples on earth will be blessed through you' from Genesis 12. Zacharie Moukiné (GBEEC General Secretary) shares: 'The challenge is to fill the campus with the gospel so that we can reach 15,000 students, which represents 10% of the university population of Cameroon. We would like to see 1,500 students committing their lives to Christ and to accept him as Lord and Saviour. To achieve our aim, we encourage each Christian student to invest in five people during the five days – the length of the University Games. 'Please pray for the training that the GBEEC students have received through several speakers, among which Rev. Daidanso. Pray that they will commit their lives to mission. Pray too for each student to be determined and persevere until the end of the event despite the difficult conditions they find themselves in. Pray for God to provide for our financial needs. We long to see each Christian student go back full of joy and peace in their respective universities.' Tue, 01 Apr 2008 13:00:00 GMT http://www.ifesworld.org/news/item.php?newsID=506 http://www.ifesworld.org/news/item.php?itemID=959 Andy Moore, IFES staff, talks with Kofi Hagan (National Director of World Vision Rwanda) and Syldio Dusabumuremyi (General Secretary of UGBR, the IFES movement in Rwanda). At the end of the recent regional missions conference in Rwanda, students from IFES groups across French-speaking Africa stood to affirm their commitment to being God's agents of transformation in African society. Nearly everyone was on their feet. One way transformation is taking place locally is through a one-year volunteer program established between UGBR (the IFES movement in Rwanda) and World Vision Rwanda, where UGBR graduates live in rural communities, serving people in their practical needs. What is your prayer for the UGBR graduates taking part in this program? Kofi: These graduates encounter the realities of their country. We want them to embrace it, to see this is how our people live. They need to ask: How do I evangelise this culture? How do I evangelise family life? It is not easy. But the word is authenticity. Pray for them to re-engage with sharing the gospel at grassroots. Close to 90% of last year's volunteers were hired to work longer-term with World Vision. My observation is these people are the future of this country. They are burning with passion. How is UGBR preparing students for this role? Syldio: When you graduate from this educational system, you have learned to choose your words, to be detached. You learn to speak diplomatically on some issues. In UGBR, we believe it is when you are real, people will say, 'He is like us. He is with us.' And they will learn about Christ through us. So, at the university we are proactive in developing such authentic attitudes. We talk Hutu; we talk Tutsi; we talk problems; we talk genocide; we talk healing. We talk everything. As students face the challenge of being authentic before their people, they are serving them and being served. What is your vision for the future of Rwanda? Kofi: God has done so much in this country. I can focus on need because that is what I see every day. But the fact that the country is what it is today shows that there is so much more that God wants to do. As long as I am here, I want to be part of it. One of my friends said to me that we were in tears, but now we are country with a thousand smiles. And I said, 'There are tens of thousands of people who want to smile. We need to help them show their teeth.' My dream is that this will be something we will witness. » For more news on the region, see the focus on Francophone Africa Tue, 01 Apr 2008 13:00:00 GMT http://www.ifesworld.org/news/item.php?newsID=515 http://www.ifesworld.org/news/item.php?itemID=987 Across Francophone Africa, IFES-affiliated movements are investing in students, developing whole-life disciples, who are having impact in their societies for Christ. Yet raising support for IFES ministry is not always easy. Last year, staff in Francophone Africa worked to equip each movement to take control of its own fund development activities. Today only three movements out of the 20 in the region continue to receive grants from IFES, and these are Islamic countries where raising support for student ministry is next to impossible. Join us in giving thanks for the creation of a discussion forum which is used to share information, prayer topics and present employment opportunities. Promotion of self-employment amongst graduates is also taking place with a special project to encourage and equip graduates to create lasting job opportunities. The region has also launched Operation Action in Mali, Guinea, Togo, Congo and Burundi. This project is aimed at strengthening fund raising structures within movements and encouraging the appointment of full-time staff members in charge of fund development. Please pray that God would bless these initiatives and use them to build lasting relationships within Francophone Africa between movements and supporters, both individuals and churches. Mon, 31 Mar 2008 13:00:00 GMT http://www.ifesworld.org/news/item.php?newsID=514 http://www.ifesworld.org/news/item.php?itemID=972 Join us in praying for the 80 students who are part of the Groupe Biblique du Gabon (GBG) – the IFES movement there. There are GBG groups meeting in several secondary schools around the country, as well as university groups in a number of cities. The staff and leaders in Gabon have benefited from their partnership with other IFES groups in the Francophone Africa region: enjoying fellowship and support form their brothers and sisters, learning from training events and taking part in the regional missions conference in Rwanda in December 2007. The movement officially affiliated with IFES at World Assembly in Canada last year and, later in the year, were able to appoint a new full-time General Secretary, Nesmy Bersot Mve Nguema. IFES is committed to providing training and leadership development opportunities to staff and students. Emmanuel Ndikumana (IFES regional staff) writes: 'We want to see the emergence of leaders who have a deep understanding of the vision and the mission of IFES and are able to bring transformation into the lives of students in the African context in the midst of all the challenges we find ourselves in.' Thu, 06 Mar 2008 13:00:00 GMT http://www.ifesworld.org/news/item.php?newsID=501 http://www.ifesworld.org/news/item.php?itemID=940 This week, please pray with us for the work amongst students in Botswana. The IFES movement there (ICMB) started in the early 1990s. There are student groups in 29 institutions around the country, with a total membership of 16,000 students! Praise God for the ICMB affiliated to IFES at World Assembly 2007. Thank him for the work that has been done to establish indigenous leadership, governance and volunteer staffing. The movement has recently strengthened its organisational structure, so that it is better equipped to minister to students throughout the country in the coming years. Please pray for the students and volunteers of ICMB as they seek to reach more students with the gospel, to train more student leaders to take increased responsibility, and to invest in young believers. Faced with limited human and financial resources (there are currently no employed staff), they need wisdom and perseverance. Join us in praising God for the many students already part of this movement and pray for adequate resources and personnel to strengthen the ministry. Wed, 05 Mar 2008 13:00:00 GMT http://www.ifesworld.org/news/item.php?newsID=499 http://www.ifesworld.org/news/item.php?itemID=936 Please keep on praying for the situation in Chad after the fighting there last month. Barka Kamnadj (IFES staff) is based in the capital N'djamena and works with the IFES student movement there (UJC). He asks us to pray that 'the Lordship of God may be revealed and manifest in the country'. This week Barka shared more with us about the great trials the country is experiencing: 'Please pray that the young people might have the courage to keep on praying, to share their faith and to do their work. Sometimes we are so confused and we wonder where we are, what God wants to do through this, and why we need to start everything all over again. It is not rare for people to kill to seek revenge in front of everybody, either in the streets or in universities. Christian students are tempted to remain in their cocoons because they fear for their lives. Please pray for them to regain their evangelistic zeal despite everything that's going on.' Last month the government declared a state of emergency to restore order after rebels tried to seize power. Soldiers and investigation teams have been sent around the country, but there are allegations they have misused their powers with frequent reports of violence and rape. Pray for the violence to stop in universities and in the wider country. Please pray for Barka and his family, for God's protection over them and for the support they bring to the whole UJC fellowship. Fri, 29 Feb 2008 13:00:00 GMT http://www.ifesworld.org/news/item.php?newsID=498 http://www.ifesworld.org/news/item.php?itemID=933 Please join us in praying for GBEEM (the IFES movement in Mali). Students and staff are launching a new project to share the gospel with people of one of the country's least reached areas. In Mali, about 90% of the population is Muslim and, in schools and universities, space and time are allocated for Muslim prayer. Josue (GBEEM General Secretary) explains: 'It is to contribute to the expansion of God's kingdom among students in that region that GBEEM is starting up this current project. There is a great need for biblical evangelism training. 'Within the space of a year, we want to see over 60 Christian students praying regularly for their non-Christian friends and 10 non-Christian students to come to the knowledge of God through Christ. GBEEM wants to reach out to students who have not had an encounter with Jesus Christ in that area.' Join us in praising God that students in Mali are free to share their faith on campuses and that many non-Christian students are open to finding out more about Jesus. Please pray for Christian students involved in this project, for boldness, discernment and love for those around them. Pray for students who do not know Christ to come to know him. Finally, please pray for God's provision for GBEEM as they raise funds for this ministry. Fri, 08 Feb 2008 13:00:00 GMT http://www.ifesworld.org/news/item.php?newsID=491 http://www.ifesworld.org/news/item.php?itemID=905 The West Bank has proved a hard place to develop student ministry: at times it has felt as though all we can do is simply maintain a presence for the Lord in the universities, pray, and have faith that, out of this, new growth will come. By just being there, and building relationships, we believed we would be preparing the ground for the moment when we will be able to build more strategically. It is a great joy, therefore, to be asking for prayer for a conference which will be starting tonight (8 February), bringing together students from Bethlehem and Birzeit Universities. The aim is to encourage and equip student leaders to be more effective witnesses to their peers on campus. Please pray for Christian students in this place, giving thanks for the way that Hebrew and Arab students around the region are praying and working together for the gospel. We have learned to value unity in these groups above fast growth, believing that out of this will come longer term hope for the region.