Sunday, May 24, 2020

Week of 25-31 May Herron Pray Blog


James and Sonya Herron, IMB Missionaries

Uganda East Africa

Island Ministry team (Upper Buvuma Islands)

The vision of the International Mission Board is to see a multitude from every language, people, tribe and nation knowing and worshiping our Lord Jesus Christ




Why Pray during Ramadan?



Fourteen hours. That’s how long Muslims from Sub-Saharan Africa who live in France will abstain from food and drink during Ramadan. However, life continues—they head to work, drop kids off at school, attend class, and go to appointments. Many of these Muslims will be overlooked as many in France don’t know it is Ramadan. Pray French believers will not overlook the African immigrants who are fasting in Paris. Pray they can see Muslims' desire for holiness as an opportunity to share the righteousness of Christ that presents all who believe in Him as forgiven people before God.



Muslims conclude the last day of Ramadan with Eid al-Fitr (the Festival of Fast Breaking). Entire neighborhoods may come together over a huge feast, complete with fireworks and gifts, to celebrate their endurance and generosity toward others during Ramadan. However, when life goes back to normal after the feast, many Muslims report feeling sad or disappointed. Some hoped their fasting would yield a felt nearness to Allah, but instead they feel just as distant as they did before Ramadan began. Pray for God to use the days following Ramadan to steer Muslims toward truth. Ask God to put believers in their path who can share the gospel and invite them into eternal assurance of salvation.

Praise God for the Week of 11th –24th May

Thank the Lord with the Herrons for the Past Two Weeks

We Praise God for:

  • Traveling grace for the Herrons during the past two weeks: 
    • We thank God for safety for the limited travel around Jinja during the past two weeks.

  • We thank God for continually keeping us in good physical, emotional and spiritual health during the last two weeks.  
  • We continue to be thankful for the time we have with our family during this time of extended “Shelter in Place.”   
  • We continually thank God for our good and adjustment to having everyone at home and limiting our exposure to the outside world. 
  • We thank God for Madison’s good adjustment be being homeschool via computer until school resume in the future. 
  • Our being able to continue to minister at home and ministering using the internet and phone. T
  • The way our islands Pastor have been able to minister to their communities using different methods. 
    • We were able to provide 200 families on the island basic food 

  • The assistance we received from O’Fallon FBC to provide emergency food supplies to our island pastors and their family and the impact this has had on our pastors and their families. 
    •    We were able to bless our island pastors and 11 support personal with funds to secure necessities during our extended shelter in place for two additional weeks   

  • We praise God for some lifting of restrictions whereas we will be able to travel with-in our district.

Pray for the Herron’s This Coming Week

25th -31st May 2020
  • Pray for our travel this week 
    • James and Sonya travels throughout Jinja and surrounding area this week
  • Pray for us as we are to self-isolate as commanded by our leadership for May 
    • Pray that we continue to redeem the time and spend time getting closer to one another and Christ during this time.

  • Pray for the Island Ministry Team as we adjust to ministering on the islands they are confined to reside. 
  • Pray for those are affected by the rising waters of Lake Victoria flooding homes, fields and destroying crops and fruit trees 
  • Pray for Wakikere Baptist Church which has been flooded by Lake Victoria and the congregation has been displaced. 
  • Pray for Austin and his roommate Joseph (another IMB Journeymen) during this time of self-isolation as they adjust to this confinement 
  • Pray for our Pastors and Church leaders on the islands as they minister to the people on the island during this time because they are unable to travel, they are not able to work to provide for their family 
  • Pray for our plans for continue ministry when we are allowed to travel.

      • That God will direct our plans for resuming ministry. 
      • That our priorities are directed by God.
      • We have insight from the Holy Spirit and our plans to resume ministry.  
      • Pray that God give us insight and wisdom to make wise decisions as we engage in ministering on the island again.

  • Pray for our families in the USA 

      • Sonya mother, Mary Sutton, in Cleveland, Ohio she was hospitalized last week and in now back in the nursing home
      • Our three sons and their families 
        • Continue to pray for our oldest son Keith, that we will allow God to direct his life.
        • Our youngest son, Jeremy and his family as he serves in the Army in Ft. Stewart Georgia 
        • Our five grandchildren

o   The Sutton Family

o   The Dempsey Family

o   Stribling/Herron Family  

o   Our siblings and their families

In HIS service  


James and Sonya Herron 


 "...before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language...." Revelation 7:9 (NIV)   

Piture of O'Fallon FBC Mission Team 

Getting Ready to Return to the Islands

Discipleship Training at Muti-Omu Church, Bwema Island

A Time of Worship and Praise  

Arriving for Training Session 

Pastor Taylor, From Illinois Teaching at Kyanja Baptist Church, Buziri Island 



A Class at Uganda Baptist Seminary 
The vision of the International Mission Board is to see a multitude from every language, people, tribe and nation knowing and worshiping our Lord Jesus Christ

Monday, May 11, 2020

Week of 11-17 May Herron's Prayer Blog


James and Sonya Herron, IMB Missionaries

Uganda East Africa

Island Ministry team (Upper Buvuma Islands)

The vision of the International Mission Board is to see a multitude from every language, people, tribe and nation knowing and worshiping our Lord Jesus Christ

Why Pray during Ramadan?

Fawzia* is a Muslim woman in northern Mozambique who has heard the gospel and expressed her desire to follow Jesus. However, her Muslim husband will not allow her to attend the local church or be baptized. Pray for Fawzia and the many women like her in Mozambique and around the world who want to follow Jesus but are prohibited by their husbands. Pray that in spite of the cost, they would repent, receive Jesus, and become His disciples. Pray that their husbands would also hear the gospel and turn to Jesus so that whole households would be saved.  (*Indicates name changed.)

Praise God for the Week of 04th –10th May

Thank the Lord with the Herrons for the Past Week

We Praise God for:

  • Traveling grace for the Herrons during the past week:
o   We thank God for safety for the limited travel around Jinja during the past week.
  • We thank God for keeping us in good health 
  • We continue to be thankful for the time we have with our family during this time of extended “Shelter in Place.” 
  • We always thank God for our good and adjustment to having everyone at homme and limiting our exposure to the outside world. 
  • We thank God for Madison’s good adjustment be being homeschool via computer until school resume in the future. 
  • Our being able to continue to minister at home and ministering using the internet and phone. 
  • The way our islands Pastor have been able to minister to their communities using different methods.  
  • The assistance we received from O’Fallon FBC to provide emergency food supplies to our island pastors and their family and the impact this has had on our pastors and their families




11th—17th May 2020

  • Pray for the limited travel this week

o   James and Sonya travels throughout Jinja and surrounding area this week

  • Pray for us as we are to self-isolate as commanded by our leadership for May

o   Pray for us as we are confined to our compound during this time.

o   Pray that we redeem the time and spend time getting closer to one another and Christ during this time.

  • Pray for the Island Ministry Team as we adjust to ministering on the islands they are confined to reside. 
  • Pray for those are affected by the rising waters of Lake Victoria flooding homes, fields and destroying crops and fruit trees 
  • Pray for Wakikere Baptist Church which has been flooded by Lake Victoria and the congregation has been displaced. 
  • Pray for efforts of Pastor Safanie to visit the island churches this week to assess the needs of the pastors and congregations. 
  • Pray for Austin and his roommate Joseph (another IMB Journeymen) during this time of self-isolation as they adjust to this confinement 
  • Pray for our Pastors and Church leaders on the islands as they minister to the people on the island during this time because they are unable to travel, they are not able to work to provide for their family 
  • Pray for our plans for continue ministry when we are allowed to travel.

·       That God will direct our plans for resuming ministry.

·       That our priorities are directed by God.

·       We have insight from the Holy Spirit and our plans to resume ministry.

·       Pray that God give us insight and wisdom to make wise decisions as we engage in ministering on the island again.
  • Pray for our families in the USA 
·       Sonya mother, Mary Sutton, in Cleveland, Ohio she was hospitalized last week and in now back in the nursing home

o   Our three sons and their families 

§  Continue to pray for our oldest son Keith, that we will allow God to direct his life.

§  Our youngest son, Jeremy and his family as he serves in the Army in Ft. Stewart Georgia  

o   Our five grandchildren

o   The Sutton Family

o   The Dempsey Family

o   Stribling/Herron Family   

o   Our siblings and their families


Thanks for your prayerful support.


In HIS service  


James and Sonya Herron 


 "...before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language...." Revelation 7:9 (NIV)   

Pastor Safanie Teaching Pastor and Church Leader

Pastor Safanie Traveling to the Island 

Teaching The Heart of God 
 
Getting Ready to travel to Sigulu Island  

Taking a snack as we travel 

Preaching the Gospel to the Village People 

Pastor George and Wife 
The vision of the International Mission Board is to see a multitude from every language, people, tribe and nation knowing and worshiping our Lord Jesus Christ

Monday, May 4, 2020

Week of 04-10 May Herron's Prayer Letter


James and Sonya Herron, IMB Missionaries

Uganda East Africa

Island Ministry team (Upper Buvuma Islands)

The vision of the International Mission Board is to see a multitude from every language, people, tribe and nation knowing and worshiping our Lord Jesus Christ
_______________________________________________________________________

 Why Pray during Ramadan?
This year Muslims in Sub-Saharan Africa will face many challenges as they celebrate the month of Ramadan amidst market closures and social restrictions. This time is normally one of celebrating by feasting with friends and family. However, in light of COVID-19, many governments may make that difficult. Our Muslim friends believe that God is in control of everything and that his wrath can be appeased by their actions. Pray that they will see that it is impossible to please God on their own and that they would turn to Christ as the propitiation for their sins.

Praise God 04th--10 May

Thank the Lord with the Herrons for the Past Week

We Praise God for: 
  • Traveling grace for the Herrons during the past week: 
o   We thank God for safety for the limited travel around Jinja during the past week. 
  • We thank God for keeping us in good health 
  • We are thankful for the time we have with our family during this time of extended “Shelter in Place.”  
  • We thank God for our continual good adjusting to having everyone at homme and limiting our exposure to the outside world.  
  • We thank God for Madison’s good adjustment be being homeschool until school resume in the future. 
  • Our being able to continue to minister at home and ministering using the internet and phone.   
  • The way our islands Pastor have been able to minister to their communities using different methods. 
  • The assistance we received from O’Fallon FBC to provide emergency food supplies to our island pastors and their family and the impact this has had on our pastors and their families

04th—10th May 2020

  • Pray for the limited travel this week
o   James and Sonya travels throughout Jinja and surrounding area this week
  • Pray for us as we are to self-isolate as commanded by our leadership for May
o   Pray for us as we are confined to our compound during this time.
o   Pray that we redeem the time and spend time getting closer to one another and Christ during this time.
  • Pray for the Island Ministry Team as we adjust to ministering to ministering on the islands they are confined to reside. 
  • Pray for those are affected by the rising waters of Lake Victoria flooding homes, fields and destroying crops and fruit trees
Pray for Wakikere Baptist Church which has been flooded by Lake Victoria and the congregation has been displaced.
Pray for Austin and his roommate during this time of self-isolation as they adjust to this confinement
Pray for our Pastors and Church leaders on the islands as they minister to the people on the island during this time because they are unable to travel, they are not able to work to provide for their family
Pray for our planning to distribute food, first aid kits and Mama Kits on Sigulu Island once we are able to travel about.
Pray for our plans for continue ministry when we are allowed to travel.
·       That God will direct our plans for resuming ministry.
·       That our priorities are directed by God.
·       We have insight from the Holy Spirit and our plans to resume ministry.
Pray for our families in the USA
·       Sonya Mother in Cleveland, Ohio
o   Our three sons and their families 
§  Continue to pray for our oldest son Keith, that we will allow God to direct his life.
§  Our youngest son, Jeremy and his family as he serve in the Army in ,
§  For Sonya’s mother, Mary, who is making progress after surgery  
o   Our five grandchildren
o   The Sutton Family
o   The Dempsey Family
o   Stribling/Herron Family   
o   Our siblings and their families
Pray for our language teacher that he may come to receive Jesus as Lord and Savior


Thanks for your prayerful support. 


In HIS service  


James and Sonya Herron 


 "...before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language...." Revelation 7:9 (NIV)   

Approaching Khususani Village, Sigulu Island Our Base Camp for Ministry on the Island

Our Tents Set-Up at Khususani Village 

Nathan, Farming God's Way Instructor Giving Final Reviews 

Some of the Tools to be Distributed on Bugoma Island, Sigulu  

Austin Sharing the Gospel  

Pastor George Share the Gospel with those waiting to receive the Tools and Shield.  


Pastor Safanie Shares with farmers from Khusuuimi Village 

On our way Home 

The vision of the International Mission Board is to see a multitude from every language, people, tribe and nation knowing and worshiping our Lord Jesus Christ