03-16 November 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

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Ndengereko of Tanzania

2025 Status Update

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16 NIV)

2025 Status Update

Western missionaries have attempted to reach the Ndengereko for decades but have faced resistance. However, a Tanzanian family has been working in Muhuro since 2017. After Cyclone Hidaya struck Muhoro in 2024, 900 families received food from Send Relief, which opened doors for sharing the gospel. A Muslim community leader expressed gratitude, saying, “We will remember your love and care. You are welcome back.” Some Ndengereko have since come to faith and joined the church.

Prayer Requests  

• Pray for the Tanzanian family as they continue their work among the Ndengereko.
• Thank God for the partnership of the Southern Baptists through Send Relief.
• Praise God for the new believers among the Ndengereko.

Praise God for His Faithfulness and Protection from

03^rd –09^th November

 Thank the Lord with the Herrons for the Past Weeks    

We Praise God for:

• Traveling Grace:
•  James and Sonya traveled around the Jinja area during the last weeks without problems or difficulties.
•  James travels to America for visit with Jason and his family for several weeks.
• For the Herrons having several ministry opportunities this week past week:
• Sonya’s Tuesday Bible Study and On-Line Bible Study and Prayer Ministry
• James is preparing to travel to Oklahoma City this Friday 07^th November. 
•  We praise God for the Evangelism and Discipleship follow-up and training conducted on Sigulu Island on a weekly basis by Pastor Odongo and his ministry team.
• We thank God for Pastor Odongo and the Hasusuni Baptist Church for their commitment to the reaching and discipleship of the those who recently accepted Christ during the last few weeks. 
• We thank God for Bro. David and Isacc from Acacia Community Church and Robert Odongo for attending the cross-cultural ministry in Nairobi on October 28^th—13^th November 2025.
• We thank God for Bro. John from Sigulu Island after completing his third term of seminary classes at Uganda Baptist Seminary.
• We thank God for the Boda Wednesday Bible Study and the 20 plus to attend the class every other Wednesday
• Thanks God as Madison begin classes at Rift Valley Academy in Kijabe, Kenya.

Pray for the Herron’s This Coming Week

10^th—16^th November 2025

• Pray for the Herrons as they travel this week:
•  Sonya as she travels in and around Jinja during this week.
• James as he travels to the Metro-East area to visit O’Fallon First Baptist Church, the sending church for the Herrons.
• James is travelling to the Metro-East area, Saturday 15^th, Thursday 20^th November.
• James sharing with the church what God is doing in Uganda with the congregation of OFBC.
• Meet with prospective team members for the 2026 Uganda Mission.
• Schedule meetings with pastors in the Metro-East area for possible mission trips in Uganda
• Planning contact with some Church Connection pastors
• Possible contact with mission personals from Illinois Baptist Association.
•  Pray for Sonya as she has two Tuesday Bible studies, and a Women Fellowship on this Saturday, 15^th November. 
• Pray for Pastor Odongo and his team as they continue to assist with the training and outreach efforts to develop new believers.
• Pray for the physical, emotional, and spiritual health of the Herrons.
• Pray that God will give the Herron’s insight and spiritual wisdom in making wise ministry decisions as they engage in ministering on Buvuma and Sigulu Islands.
• Pray for the Herron’s ministry tasks we have this week.
• Pray that the Herron would be light and salt to the people they meet this week.
• Pray that the Herron’s will be given the words to share to others about Jesus and how they might receive the salvation from God offered through a relationship with Christ.
•  Pray for our families in the USA: 
• Our three sons and their families 
• Our oldest son Keith in Memphis, Tennessee
• Our middle son, Jason, and his wife Marsha and their two sons Jacob and Joshua
• Our youngest son, Jeremy, and his wife Jennifer, and his three children, Kim, Colie, and Cy as he serves in the Army in stationed on Stuttgart, Germany.   
• Babra in Heidelberg, Germany as she prepares for critical examinations in June.
• Madison as she is near the end of her first term and preparing for her school break.
• Pray for our siblings, aunts and uncles 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)   

Ndengereko Woman #1

Ndengereko Woman #2

Sonya Sharing the Gospel in a Village 

near Jinja as Madison watch 

Gospel Presentation With Needed Medical Care 

Was Provided to this Village

Farming God's Way Sigulu Island

Outdoors Training Session (Sigulu Island)

 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

Hima of Uganda

2025 Status Update

All the (Hima) will worship you, and will sing to you; they will sing to your name. Come, and see God’s deeds O (Hima) — awesome work on your behalf. He turned the sea into dry land. Rejoice in him for he rules by his might forever. His eyes watch you O (Hima people)! Don’t be rebellious and rise up against him. (Psalm 66:4-7)

Challenges We have Faced

Older documents identified the Hima as a significant unreached and unengaged people group in southwestern Uganda. However, current interviews and research confirmed that the Hima do not have an identifiable presence in Uganda. A smaller population of Hima live in the neighboring Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), and they have been engaged with the gospel. We’re grateful for the research that informs our gospel proclamation efforts.

Prayer Requests

• ·   Pray that more Hima in the DRC will respond to the gospel.
• ·   Pray for church planters in Uganda as they strive to see healthy churches among all people groups in their country.
• ·   Pray that IMB researchers can continue to learn about people groups to inform our ministry efforts.

Praise God for His Faithfulness and Protection from

20^th October—02^nd November 2025

Thank the Lord with the Herrons for the Past two Weeks   

We Praise God for:

•  Traveling Grace:
• James and Sonya traveled around the Jinja area during the last two weeks without problems or difficulties.
• James and Joseph Wafula as they traveled to Sigulu Island for discipleship training.
• The Herrons as they prepare for several ministry opportunities this week:
• Sonya’s Tuesday Bible Study and her On-Line Prayer Ministry
• James travel to West Nile Bibi Refugee Camp.
• Thank God for the Herrons because they celebrated 16^th years being appointed IMB missionaries!
• We are thankful for the continued outreach on Sigulu Island and our ability to provide discipleship and evangelistic training from 22^nd—26^th October.
• We praise God for the twenty-eight, pastors and church leaders who attended the four-day training event.
• We thank God for the zeal and enthusiasm of the pastors and Church Leaders who attended the training.
• We thank God for the opportunity James had to minister to the people of Bibi Refugee Camp in West Nile:
• The twenty-eight pastors, 60 plus Women Leaders and 30 plus Youths Leaders and assistance who attended a three-day training session.
• We thank God for Pastor Odongo and the Hasusuni Baptist Church for their commitment to the reaching and discipleship of the those who recently accepted Christ during the last few weeks.
• Madison’s readjustment to being in boarding school for her first term this school year.

 

Pray for the Herron’s This Coming Week

03^rd—09^th November 2025

• Pray for our travel this week:
• As we travel around Jinja this week.
• As James travels to Oklahoma City, OK this Friday for vacation until 23^rd December.
• Pray for God guidance as Pastor Odongo has access to a boat and motor to minister to the villages of Sigulu Island.
• Pray for Pastor Odongo and his team as they assist with the training and outreach efforts to develop new believers.
• Pray for God’s provision for the coming months as the Herron’s has opportunities to expand their work to different islands on Lake Victoria.
• Pray for the physical, emotional, and spiritual health of Herron’s.
• Pray that God will give the Herron’s insight and spiritual wisdom in making wise ministry decisions as they engage in ministering on Buvuma and Sigulu Islands.
• Pray that the Herron’s will be given the words to share to others about Jesus and how they might receive the salvation from God offered through a relationship with Christ.
• Pray for Madison as she continues her studies at Rift Valley Academy.
•  Pray for our families in the USA: 
• Our three sons and their families 
• Our oldest son Keith in Memphis, Tennessee
• Our middle son, Jason, and his wife Marsha and their two sons Jacob and Joshua
• Our youngest son, Jeremy, and his wife Jennifer, and his three children, Kim, Colie, and Cy as he serves in the Army in stationed on Stuttgart, Germany.  
• Babra in Heidelberg, Germany as she prepares for critical examinations in June.
• Madison as she studies in Kenya until late-November.
• Pray for our siblings, aunts and uncles 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)   

Evangelism-Discipleship Training Session 

Sigulu Island March 2025

School Children of Sigulu Island Waiting for 

Morning Breakfast 

New Believers Praying to Receive 

Christ as Lord and Savior Sigulu Island 2025

Children Ministry Buvuma Island

Traveling on the Lake

 from Island to Island 

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

28 September-13 October 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

________________________________________________________________

Konyanke of Ivory Coast

2025 Status Update

Challenges We’ve Faced

        We discovered two Konyanke villages in Côte d’Ivoire with an approximate population of 200.         The Konyanke are Muslim with animistic influences. They begin memorizing the Quran at birth. We are thankful for churches in the area. Multiple churches, pastors, and missionaries in the surrounding area are already engaging other people groups but have the potential to reach out to the Konyanke.

Prayer Requests

·    Pray for churches in the area to have a vision to engage the Konyanke with the gospel.

• ·       Many Konyanke in Côte d’Ivoire travel to Guinea as merchants. 
• Pray for the church there to reach the Konyanke as well.
• ·       Pray for the spread of the gospel among Muslims across this region.

 “The joy of the Lord is your strength.” (Nehemiah 8:10c ESV)

Praise God for His Faithfulness and Protection from

28^th September–13^th October 2025

Thank the Lord with the Herrons for the Past two Weeks   

We Praise God for:  

• Traveling Grace:
•  James and Sonya traveled around the Jinja area during the last two weeks without problems or difficulties.
• James and Joseph Wafula as they traveled to Sigulu Island for discipleship training.
• The Herrons as they prepare for several ministry opportunities this week:
• Sonya’s Tuesday Bible Study and her On-Line Prayer Ministry
• James travel to West Nile Bibi Refugee Camp 06^th—09^th October.
•  Thank God for the Herrons because they celebrated 16^th years being appointed IMB missionaries!
• We are thankful for the continued outreach on Sigulu Island and our ability to provide discipleship and evangelistic training from 22^nd—26^th September.
• We praise God for the twenty-eight, pastors and church leaders who attended the four-day training event.
• We thank God for the zeal and enthusiasm of the pastors and Church Leaders who attended the training.
• We thank God for the opportunity James had to minister to the people of Bibi Refugee Camp in West Nile:
• The twenty-eight pastors, 60 plus Women Leaders and 30 plus Youths Leaders and assistance who attended a three-day training session.
• We thank God for Pastor Odongo and the Hasusuni Baptist Church for their commitment to the reaching and discipleship of the those who recently accepted Christ during the last few weeks.
• Madison’s readjustment to being in boarding school for her first term this school year.

Pray for the Herron’s This Coming Week

12^th—20^th October 2025

• Pray for our travel this week:
• As we travel around Jinja this week.
• As James, Sonya and Joseph Wafula travel to Sigulu Island Sunday—Friday October 19^th—24^th.
• Pray for God guidance as Pastor Odongo has access to a boat and motor to minister to the villages of Sigulu Island.
• Pray for Pastor Odongo and his team as they assist with the training and outreach efforts to develop new believers.
• Pray for God’s provision for the coming months as the Herron’s has opportunities to expand their work to different islands on Lake Victoria.
• Pray for the physical, emotional, and spiritual health of Herron’s.
• Pray that God will give the Herron’s insight and spiritual wisdom in making wise ministry decisions as they engage in ministering on Buvuma and Sigulu Islands.
• Pray that the Herron’s will be given the words to share to others about Jesus and how they might receive the salvation from God offered through a relationship with Christ.
• Pray for Madison as she continues her studies at Rift Valley Academy.
•  Pray for our families in the USA: 
• Our three sons and their families 
• Our oldest son Keith in Memphis, Tennessee
• Our middle son, Jason, and his wife Marsha and their two sons Jacob and Joshua
• Our youngest son, Jeremy, and his wife Jennifer, and his three children, Kim, Colie, and Cy as he serves in the Army in stationed on Stuttgart, Germany.  
• Babra in Heidelberg, Germany as she prepares for critical examinations in June.
• Madison as she studies in Kenya until late-November.
• Pray for our siblings, aunts and uncles 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)   

Konyanke Mother and Child

Island Church Meeting in the Public Square

Island Church Meeting to make Plans for Reaching People for Christ

Some Island Children 

Preaching the Gospel to the People of the Island

Approaching Island Landing Site

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

01-07 September 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

_________________________________________________________________________

Manyika of Mozambique

2025 Status Update

“But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you.” – 1 Peter 3:15

We’ve seen amazing things happen among the Manyika. For example, Baptist pastors who had been going to the Manyika took up an offering to provide the materials for a wood-and- thatch shelter where a Bible study group could worship together. The Manyika Bible study group has since become a church, baptized 10 believers, and chosen a leader who will receive pastoral training. We’re asking God to grow strong believers who are called to be leaders of this church and many others. 

Prayer Requests

• ·       Pray for the new church leader to grow in his calling, his ability to lead, and his ability to teach.
• ·       Pray that cross-cultural workers can wisely engage the Manyika.
• ·       Pray that the 10 new believers can be discipled well.

Praise God for His Faithfulness and Protection from

01^st -07^th September 2025

Thank the Lord with the Herrons for the Past Two Weeks    

We Praise God for:

• Traveling Grace:
•  James and Sonya traveled around the Jinja area during the last weeks without problems or difficulties.
• As the Herrons attended to several ministry opportunities this past week:
• Sonya’s Tuesday Bible Study and On-Line Bible Study and Prayer Ministry the past two weeks.
• James is teaching at Uganda Baptist Seminary this week and preparing to teach Sonday Morning Bible Class at Acacia Community Church the last two weeks. 
• We praise God for the Evangelism and Discipleship Training conducted on Sigulu Island last week from Sunday—Friday.
• Pastor Odongo coordination of Discipleship-Evangelism Training for last week.
• We thank God for Pastor Odongo and the Hasusuni Baptist Church for their commitment to the reaching and discipleship of the those who recently accepted Christ during the last few weeks. 
• We thank God for Bro. John, from Sigulu Island for attending the cross-cultural ministry in Nairobi in August 2025.
• Bro. John and Hamal are completing their second week of seminary class for this term.
• Thanks God as Madison begin classes at Rift Valley Academy in Kijabe, Kenya.

Pray for the Herron’s This Coming Week

08^th—14^th September 2025

• Pray for the Herrons as they travel this week:
• James and Sonya drive in and around the Jinja area during this week.
• Paray for James as he completes grading by Friday the 12^th September for the class he taught at Uganda Baptist Seminary for the last two weeks.
• Pray for Sonya as she has two Tuesday Bible studies. And a Women Fellowship on this Saturday, 13^th September. 
• Pray for Pastor Odongo and his team as they continue to assist with the training and outreach efforts to develop new believers.
• Pray for God’s provision for the coming months as the Herron’s has many opportunities to expand their work to different islands on Lake Victoria. 
• Pray for the physical, emotional, and spiritual health of the Herrons.
• Pray that God will give the Herron’s insight and spiritual wisdom in making wise ministry decisions as they engage in ministering on Buvuma and Sigulu Islands.
• Pray for the Herron’s ministry tasks we have this week.
• Pray that the Herron would be light and salt to the people they meet this week.
• Pray that the Herron’s will be given the words to share to others about Jesus and how they might receive the salvation from God offered through a relationship with Christ.
• Pray for our families in the USA: 
• Our three sons and their families 
• Our oldest son Keith in Memphis, Tennessee
• Our middle son, Jason, and his wife Marsha and their two sons Jacob and Joshua
• Our youngest son, Jeremy, and his wife Jennifer, and his three children, Kim, Colie, and Cy as he serves in the Army in stationed on Stuttgart, Germany.   
• Babra in Heidelberg, Germany as she prepares for critical examinations in June.
• Madison as she returns to RVA after the end of her school break.
• Pray for our siblings, aunts and uncles 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)   

Manyilka Woman and Child

Leprosy Village Food Distribution-August 2025

Traveling To Sigulu Island for Ministry August 2025

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

28 July-03 August 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

_________________________________________________________________

Bangobango of the DRC

2025 Status Update

“Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.” (Hebrews 7:25)

    In 2024, four Bangobango believers completed Bible school and learned translation skills. A     pastor who oversees Bible storying and translation said, “It’s hard to explain, but the                openness to the gospel among the Bangobango is different than in the neighboring tribes.         They listen attentively and respond to the message with understanding and commitment.”         When he heard about the prayer emphasis of the 55-in-5 initiative, he said, “That makes         sense, then! We need to pray for the other tribes, too!”

Prayer Requests

 

·       Praise God for the pastor who is following up on the work among the Bangobango.

·       Pray for the storying team that is sharing God’s Word among the Bangobango.

·      Pray for the Bible translation into the Bangobango language.

Praise God for His Faithfulness and Protection from

21^st—27^th July 2025

 Thank the Lord with the Herrons for the Past Week    

We Praise God for:

• Traveling Grace:
•  James and Sonya traveled around the Jinja area during the last weeks without problems or difficulties.
•  As the Herrons prepare for several ministry opportunities this week:
• Sonya’s Tuesday Bible Study and On-Line Bible Study and Prayer Ministry
• James is preparing for a mission team from Nevada in August. 
• We praise God for the Evangelism and Discipleship Training conducted on Sigulu Island last week from Sunday—Friday.
• We thank God for the 30-35 people who attended the training each day to learn how to share their faith and disciple new believers.
• The four people who accepted Christ as Lord and Savior during the training
• The ten (10) people who were baptized at the end of the training.
• For Joseph being able to do the training with help from two assistance trainers. 
• We praise God for giving Joseph the strength to endure as he came to the training not feeling well.
• We also thank God for the possible new church planting.
• We thank God for the work being done to prepare for the Mission Team 06^th—16^th August during the last week.
• Pastor Odongo coordination of Discipleship-Evangelism Training for 20^th–25^th July.
• We thank God for Pastor Odongo and the Hasusuni Baptist Church for their commitment to the reaching and discipleship of the those who recently accepted Christ during the last few weeks. 
• We thank God for Bro. John, from Sigulu Island being accepted to attend the cross-cultural ministry in Nairobi in August 2025.
• Bro. John and Hamal are completing their second week of seminary class for this term. 

Pray for the Herron’s This Coming Week

28^th July—03 August 2025

• Pray for the Herrons as they travel this week:
• James and Sonya drive in and around the Jinja area during this week.
• Paray for Nathan, Joseph and James as they travel delivering the supplies for the upcoming mission trip this Thursday 31^st July, with a return the following day.
• Pray for God guidance as James and Joseph Wafula travel to Sigulu Island in preparation for the 6-16 August South Reno Baptist Church Misson Team trip.  We will be delivering all the supplies and food that will be distributed during the team visit. 
• Pray for Pastor Odongo and his team as they continue to assist with the training and outreach efforts to develop new believers.
• Pray for God’s provision for the coming months as the Herron’s has many opportunities to expand their work to different islands on Lake Victoria. 
• Pray for the physical, emotional, and spiritual health of the Herrons.
• Continue to pray for Bro. John and Hamal as they continue their second term at UBS:
• Pray for their spending time away from their family and ministry during their study.
• Pray that they are prepared to assist and teach local pastors and church leaders upon them returning from their studies.
• Pray that God will give the Herron’s insight and spiritual wisdom in making wise ministry decisions as they engage in ministering on Buvuma and Sigulu Islands.
• Pray for the Herron’s ministry tasks we have this week.
• Pray for preparations for the mission team scheduled for early August.
• Making plans for securing the food that is to be distributed.
• Training on Sigulu Island for the teams that will be discipling the new believers.
• Pray that the Herron would be light and salt to the people they meet this week.
• Pray that the Herron’s will be given the words to share to others about Jesus and how they might receive the salvation from God offered through a relationship with Christ.
• Pray for Madison as she continues her break from RVA and returns home until late August. 
•  Pray for our families in the USA: 
• Our three sons and their families 
• Our oldest son Keith in Memphis, Tennessee
• Our middle son, Jason, and his wife Marsha and their two sons Jacob and Joshua
• Our youngest son, Jeremy, and his wife Jennifer, and his three children, Kim, Colie, and Cy as he serves in the Army in stationed on Stuttgart, Germany.   
• Babra in Heidelberg, Germany as she prepares for critical examinations in June.
• Madison as she returns home for her end of school break.
• Pray for our siblings, aunts and uncles 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)   

Bangobango Man

Bangobango Woman

Bangobango Man Reading the Bible

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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