Life in Myanmar still remains challenging. People face different kinds of crises each day including government instability, no proper care for COVID, brutal attacks on people, and fighting. Despite these tremendous obstacles, our leaders continue sharing God's love for the needy, talking with them, and fellowshipping.

 

One leader writes, "Even though, we walk through the valley of the shadow of death. God Cares and Protecting in each day of our life. Therefore, we thank God and praise God!"

The leaders are reaching out to children and adults with the love of God, comforting, encouraging and counselling those who are desperate, discouraged, facing disappointments and hardship, have family problems, mental issues, and much, much more.

The leaders shared, "We are grateful for your prayer supports even though you are afar….God is Omnipresent. God loves you and He is faithful." 

 

The leaders in Myanmar continue to ask for prayer. Many people from villages have been displaced searching for a place to call home. The military controls every area of the country and many people are suffering joblessness. The education system has totally collapsed with students having not attended school for two years! However, there are still plans for an STS training in the Spring. Thank you for praying for Myanmar and our leaders who faithfully press on. 

 

 

For several months jihadists have poured into Burkina Faso from the north, attacking civilians, killing many and displacing thousands of others. The refugee population continues to grow. Add to this tragedy, Burkina Faso's internet was cut off on January 21, and a couple of days later Ouagadougou, the capital, suffered an attempted coup d'état. This all occurred just as several language teams arrived in the capital city to start the translation and recording process of God's Story. 

We praise the Lord that thus far, 5 teams have arrived safely and one leader reports that the work is going on well. Two more teams are scheduled to arrive in early February. The work on God's Story is expected to continue through late February. All teams need prayer for the languages, safety while in Ouagadougou, and for traveling mercies.

 

 

Our leader in West Africa received an exciting request at the completion of a new Nigerian language of God’s Story. 

"Good day sir, After consultation with my people, I've been asked to request on behalf of the Alago race, if it would be possible to permit us to launch the "IGWU KOWUSO" (God's Story) in March 2022….[at] a national convention of Alago Christian Association of Nigeria (ACAN) … that would be a great opportunity to present the God's Story to all the illustrious sons and daughters of Alago nation for onward usage as a tool for evangelism amongst our people. 

"The importance of this soul winning video cannot be overstressed and the people are so eager to have it." 

Pray for the launch of God's Story among the 100,000 Alago people and for many thousands to be impacted. 

 

 

In order to maintain stability in the country as a result of terrorist activity, recently the Government of the Republic of Mali officially announced the end of diplomatic and economic relations with France as of January 24, 2022. Mali also ended its participation in the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU). 

Bambara is now the official language of Mali, replacing French. Mali called for all French troops to leave and the French Embassy to be closed immediately. French institutions and French companies had 72 hours to leave Mali. 

North African countries and Russia are assisting Mali. What used to be a difficult, yet open, country, is now closed and cut off. Even in light of all this, several Malians traveled a great distance to be part of a critical Simply The Story training. 

Our leader there recently reported having to move the training in middle of the week due to threats from jihadists. This region remains under constant threat, and yet we praise the Lord for every open door, wonderful church plants, STS workshops and the people who accept Christ, even at the cost of their own lives.

Please continue to pray for this mighty band of believers who experience difficulties nearly every day. 

 

 

We recently wrapped up a special training with a group of ladies in Asia, whom many called "rescued". Yes, they have been rescued, but that's a moment in time. They are leaders with a distinct focus to reach other ladies, as well as their country for Christ. 

We are committed to this special group, rolling out an in-depth plan for the next few years. As each of these ladies hide Scripture in their hearts, the transformation from God includes healing, restoration, confidence, focus, and obedience to the Lord. 

 

Ch|na

 

Ch|na continues to ratchet the noose tighter and tighter around the necks of the Ch|nese people in hopes of accomplishing total control in a perfect police state. They now detain and question people who MAY commit a crime. As of March 1, it will be illegal to pass on Christian teaching via online platforms such as Zoom. Ch|na's perfection of these “police” measures moved from their testing grounds among the U|ghurs and are now being implemented in other countries to “help governments”, especially in Africa and Latin America. Please pray for the millions of Ch|nese people being forced to live in perfect subjection to man or face prison and human rights violations for seeking the true living God, Jesus Christ. A couple of STS trainings are planned, and we want all the attendees to have the Word in their hearts to share anytime, and any place. 

 

India 

 

Our Indian leaders continue to hold workshops, even in remote areas. Throughout the cold season our leader conducted 8 Christmas programs. He was able to help 28 families with various needs. The ministry also gave away coats and blankets during this cold season. 

A very special translation is ready to be recorded in this region. However, the storyteller and his wife were in an accident a few months back. As they are doing better now, please pray for the completion and the recording of this language.

Some of the STS national missionaries are threatened by militants and have been handed over to the police. Our leader states: "Day by day the opposition to gospel is increasing. Please pray that our Missionaries, Evangelists and believers may be filled with courage and wisdom from above."

Three workshops were conducted in January. 

Praise the Lord, over the past month, 18 new souls testified of their faith through water baptism. 

 

 

We encourage people interested in improving their STS skills to join our Assistant Instructor training in late February. Feel free to call for more information or visit simplythestory.org and click the Upcoming Workshops link. 

 

 

Last year we shared about Paul, a homeless man we met in 2015 who asked us to pray for him. He suffered through many health issues and God kept healing him! He became one of my heroes! He never asked for anything but prayer. This dear man graduated to heaven in January. His sister says "thanks" for all your prayers for him. Thank you for reading and for praying for this ministry,