I am writing you from the airport on my way to Guinea, which is now calm in place of the protests that filled the streets before the election in the fall. Over the next week I will meet with the the Alliance teams in Guinea to encourage them in their work. Please pray for the Youth Team as they share the love of Christ with youth through ESL classes and one-on-one relationships. Please pray for the team working among the Fula as they encourage a small group of believers meeting in one village and meet with believers across the country. Pray for Jesus to live through me as I encourage these teams and think with them about their focus for this new year.
I'm excited about attending the the Fulani language church tomorrow where I will meet many new brothers and sisters in Christ who didn't know Jesus when I was there last. It will be exciting to meet with the leaders of the church to share the news that their brothers and sisters in the US have raised enough funds to purchase land for a center of refuge where persecuted believers can be discipled and learn practical work skills. Please pray for us to have wisdom as we make plans for starting this project. Pray that the Lord would guide these church leaders to a piece of land in a good location which will not have any legal problems. Please pray for the church leaders as they lead this project, encourage young believers, and pray with seekers and those in need.
I'm excited to meet with Bubakar who continues to preach through the Old Testament each week. Because of the positive response to this ministry, he has a vision to grow the radio ministry to reach many more people. Please pray for Bubakar as he responds to all the people calling with questions each week and as he meets regularly with young believers to help them grow deeper in their understanding of God's word and in their walk with Jesus. Please pray for me to have wisdom to see how I can walk with Bubakar and support him in is vision for radio ministry.
This week I also plan to meet with the family of Mr. Sow, my adopted Fula "dad" who passed away about a year ago. Please pray for me as I meet with the family to bring my condoleances and encourage them. Pray for opportunities to share the love, truth and power of Jesus.
While I'm in Guinea, please pray for Becky as she cares for our three daughters in Senegal. While they began in-person classes last week, the rapidly rising number of COVID-19 cases in Senegal could easily lead to online school for some periods of time. Pray for our girls to grow to be more like Jesus, knowing his word more and living his love among their classmates and in the community. Please pray for Becky as she has finished coaching a group of Alliance leaders and anticipates further coaching in the spring.
Please pray for me when I return to Senegal as there are many things to do: helping my team prepare a budget for next year, meeting with a ministry helping prisoners to discuss next steps for the work, regional meetings to discuss the needs of our teams in Africa, and encouraging the Fula believers around us who want to reach their people in Senegal with the love of Jesus. Please also pray for me as I work on my multicultural team studies in anticipation of welcoming some new workers from the Ecuadorian Alliance Church who are scheduled to arrive in February.
Thank you for your ongoing prayers, encouragement, and financial partnership in the work here in Africa. Even in the midst of all the challenges this past year, we have never been lacking. It is such a privilege to partner together with you!
In HIS love and grace,
Jim, Becky, Hannah, Jenna and Lina
Thank you for all your prayers and support. If you give through your local church and their doors are currently closed, please know you can support us online at https://cmalliance.org/give. Under Gift Type, you can click on “Give to the Alliance” or “a worker you love”. For the latter, type in “Jim & Becky Derksen - support” for our support, "Jim & Becky Derksen - work" for ministry expenses such as food for the hungry, medicines for the sick, Bibles and training or "Jim & Becky Derksen - outfit" for our personal expenses for larger needs on the field. (Our names will not appear automatically, so you must type them in.) Click the box by our name, then the “Select” button.
