June/July 2007

Since TIMO left the church has appointed a church secretary and treasurer to join Pastor Francois (Bara coordinator) in the work. Therefore offerings and communion are now included in the church service.

 Francois and family

 Cell Groups

In February, they built two cell groups which need your prayers. One in Fonena's house at Besakoa ( a believer) and one at Antrandtelo. However for the third cell group, in Ambatomainty, they found a problem. Nobody was converted except one old man, Mahavano. He was obliged to attend the FLM church fellowship close by him instead of travelling far to Antrandtelo. As they prayed, one lady believer in the village of Ambatomainty told them of Sorv's desire to become a christian. He is an old man who attended Marc & Stacy's meetings (TIMO couple). They asked him if he could receive the cell group in his home. He readily agreed, but when Sorv shared this news with his wife, Tema, she was opposed to it and told him: “Don't you know that there is an inherited evil spirit within Pastor Francois. If you receive the believers here, I worry that this spirit will come; and if you decide to say yes, I will leave this house and go to my fathers.” There is no cell group in Ambatomainty ..... yet. Please pray.

Progress in the church

The Bara Christians are helped very much with TEE leaders who provide books and tools to use. The TIMO team translated many books into the Bara language. The believers are pleased to be growing in the Lord, for which we give thanks.

Need for Christian Bara Songs

They very much desire to find someone who can help the team create Christian Bara songs, so that the songs they sing come from their hearts. They are in contact with a musician and he knows how to play the traditional instrument "KABOSY". They would like prayer that it will be a good instrument in God's hands.

A growing church

We praise the Lord for the church is growing. Among the new believers are Tsilevo (who built our house), and it's amazing to hear that now, a Bible study is held in his house for our village, Ambatomety). Other new believers are Tongatsara and Ranira, Nay, Nandy, Nary, Arivano and Mboho. The existing believers are standing firm. The daily challenges are numerous, including witchcraft, disease, death, and cattle thieves.

Personnel

Continue to pray for Francois' health which is still fragile.

Praise God that Marc and Stacey Niles (ex TIMO), with their baby son Isaac, are preparing to return in September 2007 to work with Wycliffe and translation work among the Bara people.