Fri. Feb. 1 As I sat down today to write our prayer calendar my heart was overwhelmed with what our missionaries and national brothers and sisters in Christ living in Kenya are going through at this time. I don’t know what the political situation will be at the time that you get this prayer calendar but from having lived there I know that even when it calms down the tension will still be there. Please continue praying for peace to reign in Kenya. Pray that the divisive parties will come to an agreement and people can start living their lives without fear.

Sat. Feb. 2 Pray for all the displaced people in Kenya that no longer have homes to go back to. Pray for the humanitarian aid that Southern Baptist and many other agencies are giving out in this ravaged country.

Sun. Feb. 3 Those who have been prayer partners for a long time know that each year Rosslyn Academy in Nairobi, Kenya, where many of our missionary kids go to school, has a special time called Cultural Field Studies (CFS) where they travel across Kenya and do week long community service projects. CFS has had to be cancelled because of the political turmoil and school being delayed in restarting after Christmas. This is very hard on the students who look forward to this all year. This is especially hard on the seniors who will not get to go on their last CFS. Pray for them to accept this loss and to press on with vigor as they work towards graduation.

Mon. Feb. 4 Praise the Lord that He provided Dan another job. He is serving as custodian at James Island Baptist Church.

Tues. Feb. 5 Pray for Dan to have the strength he needs as he maintains two jobs.

Wed. Feb. 6 Praise the Lord that when Pam saw the urologist again back in December that he gave her an all clear report. She will have a follow up visit in March to make sure she is still doing well.

Thurs. Feb. 7 Continue praying for Katelyn as she writes her senior thesis book. She has struggled with this project all year but it must be done to graduate with her major.

Fri. Feb. 8 Because of Katelyn’s creative bent she always carries a notebook to write down ideas that come into her head. Would you please pray on a daily basis that God would flood Katelyn with the ideas and stories that she needs to write her senior thesis book and that when she sits down at the computer the stories would flow from her.

Sat. Feb. 9 Praise the Lord that Katelyn has been accepted by University of South Carolina, Aiken.

Sun. Feb. 10 Pray for Katelyn to do well in all of her classes as her final acceptance at USC Aiken depends on her making a “C” or better in all of her classes.

Mon. Feb. 11 Now that it is less than 9 months until we return to the field we really need to solidify what we will be doing when we get back. So, continue praying with us as we correspond with the field about possible jobs for us when we return to the field in Sept. 2008. There have been several possibilities offered to us and we hope to solidify one of them in the near future. You guys will be some of the first to know.

Tues. Feb. 12 Continue praying that we will get medical clearance to return to the field. We submitted all the necessary exams in May 2007 but they would not review them until closer to our return date. By March we will begin e-mailing the medical personnel as to our status.

Wed. Feb. 13 Praise the Lord for kind, generous people who have graciously helped Kid’s Fort out in their time of need. Since it occurred after sending out January’s prayer calendar most of you do not know that Kid’s Fort, where Dan and I work, had a break in and robbery on Dec. 19^th. By the grace of God I had scheduled Dan and the other gentleman that works for us to open the next morning and they were able to contact all those that needed to know what had happened. We lost many items one of which was the computer where we did all our record keeping. We have since gotten new computers. Praise the Lord that I was able to get us caught up for the three weeks we were without them.

Thurs. Feb. 14 Take time today to show the Love of God to those around you. Pray that missionaries everywhere will have the opportunity to share the Good News with others today.

Fri. Feb. 15 Pray for Pam and Dan as they have a long day at work at Kid’s Fort today. Dan will start the day at Kid’s Fort and then go to his other job in the afternoon. Praise the Lord for the flexible hours at his second job that enables him to be able to do this.

Sat. Feb. 16 Pray for the university students from all over the US participating in the new program called Hands on Africa, who will be going to several locations in Eastern and Southern Africa. Pray for them to adjust well and quickly so that they will have a very effective, joyful and growing time during the 5 months they work on campuses, schools, with orphans and many other projects.

Sun. Feb. 17 This past year many farmers in Tanzania missed the short rains, which mean they missed crops. Pray that the long rains that come normally in March might be early and last long enough for a harvest.

Mon. Feb. 18 Pray for all of the kids at Kid’s Fort as they have another long day at Kid’s Fort today.

Tues. Feb. 19 There are several missionary couples in Tanzania that will be finishing up their missions career during 2008. There is so much to do. So many lost and hurting people need a touch from our Wonderful Savior. Pray for these to make the most of this year guided by our Lord and Savior. Pray they will have confidence about leaving; knowing God is faithful to bring to completion that which He began. 

Wed. Feb. 20 Many of you will remember that back in July one of our missionary friends had to be flown back to the US due to a tumour on his brain. In November his health began to decline. This family is going through a really rough time as they all know Jim’s time here on earth is short. Please keep this family in your prayers.

I thought you would like to hear their latest up date.

“Hello to all,

We had a wonderful Christmas holiday season. Jim was awake and alert with easily controlled pain. Luke described Christmas as "the best Christmas ever!"

Shortly after the New Year Jim began to go down. He was sleeping more, having more pain, more confusion, dizziness even when lying still, and just generally weaker. That all culminated yesterday with a fever of 102.5 and a urinary tract infection. He had terrible headaches that were almost impossible to control. However, getting an antibiotic on board and doubling his steroid dose again and much prayer, we have a new man today. He has been more alert, easily controlled pain, and less agitation. He has even been sitting up in bed watching TV this evening. He has still slept much of the day, but when he has been awake he has actually been awake.

We appreciate so much the prayer support that we have from everyone. It has been unbelievable the number of emails, calls, letters, and visits that we have received through this holiday season. Please continue to pray for us as we walk this road. We never know what the day will bring until it gets here. I only want for his pain to be controlled and the time we have with him to be time that he can appreciate as well as us.

In Christ, Elaine”

Thurs. Feb. 21 There are several new missionaries in language school right now. Pray that we they will complete such a level of proficiency in language acquisition that language will not be a stumbling block.

Fri. Feb. 22 Please pray for Tanzania missionaries as they try to start Bible studies which will lead to new church plants.  Pray for cooperation with local Baptist churches. Pray as they minister with them in this work, finding effective New Testament, CPM strategies that will work.

Sat. Feb. 23 Pray for all your missionaries as they explore ministry opportunities and platforms that will help them build key relationships and gain a hearing for the Gospel in their respective areas.

Sun. Feb. 24 Pray for volunteers and short term workers. Pray for an opportunity to connect with churches in Tanzania and back home and that missionaries would be able to use volunteers and short term workers in the work in Tanzania. Pray for the people who are called out who will join this work!

Mon. Feb. 25 CESALT, Central, Eastern and Southern Africa Leadership Team, is a meeting of all strategy facilitators, treasurers, logistic coordinators and other key leaders begins today and goes through Feb. 29.   These leaders gather together to hear from God and each other in order to better lead the strategy and ministries of the more than 500 missionaries in CESA. Pray that God’s Spirit would work in each person’s life to make them moldable clay in God’s hands.  Good leadership begins with an obedient and willing heart to follow God’s leadership.   Pray that each one would come prepared to hear from God. 

Tues. Feb. 26 Ask God to use Jerry and Bobbye Rankin as they lead in Bible study and during workshop time. Pray for the CESA committee of Trustees, David Steverson, partnering churches, and others joining the meeting that all would work together for the expansion of God’s kingdom here in Central, Eastern and Southern Africa. Afterwards, the trustees will be involved in a number of different ministry trips.  

Wed. Feb. 27 Pray that God will use missionaries on stateside assignment as His instruments to call out new personnel to serve Him in Central, Eastern, and Southern Africa Region and new partners to be on Mission with Him wherever He leads

Thurs. Feb. 28 Most of you will remember when fellow missionaries Carl and Kay Garvin were involved in an attack in 2007. They need our continued prayer support as they seek God’s direction in their lives. The following is an excerpt from their last prayer request to their mission family.

“The Garvin’s write, “We hope you had a great holiday season.   We are enjoying family and friends.   We would like to start this new year off with a new look at what God has in store for us.   As we are on our medical leave and leave of absence we ask your continued prayers for our complete healing.   We do not know what the Lord has in store for us but pray we will be sensitive to His will.   We thank you for all your prayers and support. God bless to all””

Fri. Feb. 29 Pray for the associations and churches among the Baptist Convention of Tanzania (BCT) to continue to grow in understanding of their role and responsibility for the future of their convention and Baptist in Tanzania