Recently Shirley was asked by one of our Latin American contacts to give some ideas about teaching children how to pray. Since it is important to encourage children to think of others and not just themselves she came up with this simple way to help guide them in their prayers - using the 5 fingers of their hand:

1) think of God - give Him thanks and praise for His love and blessings
2) think of our own needs - asking forgiveness for our sins and mistakes and praying for guidance each day
3) think of our family - praying for peace and love, and wisdom for our parents
4) think of our town - such as friends that need help
5) think of others around the world that are in need

It is good to encourage them to think of different things each time - to recognize the different areas of blessings from God, the different problems and needs of others in our family, town and around the world. It is not important if they use only a few words as long as they really think about what they are saying to our Heavenly Father.




Shirley developed an exciting new game called the Marathon Bible Game. She actually wrote the questions in it with a Christmas theme but it can actually be adapted to use questions about any theme in the Bible. Follow this link to learn more Christmas Marathon Game or in Spanish Maratón Navideño


Shirley writes a short message each month to children especially in developing countries, which is published in a Christian magazine in India. Follow this link to the latest message entitled "Questions, questions, questions!" which encourages children to turn to the Lord to answer their questions and  guide them through life. This is also available in Spanish: Mensajes para los Niños 

News updated February 2012

In Togo - Pastor Sika has again been busy organizing the distribution of 12 container loads of shoeboxes for Samaritan's Purse - a huge task as these must be transported all over Togo and careful follow-up reports made. He says that the shallow well in the JP orphanage compound is being used temporarily by neighbors and is producing good water (the deep well will be drilled later in the year). He recently bought beds and mattresses and is trying to obtain the final items needed for the orphanage, and will make another visit there at the end of this month. He has an urgent prayer request - the house he and his family have been renting is involved in a lawsuit and they have to leave it immediately. He must not only find another suitable house but also come up with the extra money - in Togo usually 6-12 months rent is needed in advance!! Please pray for God to help in this extremely difficult situation!

In C.A.R. - Pastor Honoré and his family have spent many days visiting the plot of land outside Bangui, Central African Republic, where they plan to build a ministry office and eventually an orphanage. They teach weekly bible classes there and minister to some orphans, who are eager to help with the laborious work of making mud bricks, one at a time, in a simple machine and then drying them in the sun. As seen in this photo, already several thousand have been made and Pastor Honoré plans to fire them in a type of kiln and then soon start construction of the building. Please pray God will bless their hard work and send in more willing helpers!

In Kenya - Mike and Irene received the second shipment of "Little Dresses" at the end of 2011 and Irene has been helping Mike distribute them as part of the children's ministry. She is pregnant with their 4th child, which is due at the end of February, and so is having to take things easier now. Mike recently visited many schools locally, where he is welcomed and allowed to teach the Bible to all the students. Sometimes he gets to preach to as many as 1,000 students at one time - it is truly a wonderful opportunity to share the Gospel, especially in public schools! To help Irene, Mike has been staying at home more lately and working with his laptop on some new children's ministry materials which he can now print out on his new printer. Please pray that all will go well with the delivery and that mother and baby will be healthy and have no problems.

Progress continues to be made with the Joseph Project Orphanage in the village of Sika-Kondji in Togo. A temporary well has been dug to provide water until a deep well can be drilled in few months. Staff have been appointed and the final furnishings are being bought before the children can be accepted. This photo shows a local peace corps volunteer teaching the orphans and helpers how to grow Moringa trees which provide a wonderful source of protein and vitamins. Soon it will be time to plant the corn again and we hope it won't be long before we can announce when the Grand Opening will be. Of course it will be months before the orphanage can start producing its own vegetables, eggs and meat, and become self-supporting, and there are still many needs, so if YOU are interested in helping the Joseph Project Orphanage just contact us e-mail






We are excited as we look back at all the Lord has done over the past year, and eagerly move forward to see what He will allow us to accomplish in the months ahead. Thanks so much for all your faithful prayers and support,
Blessings,
Gerald and Shirley Davis.

International Missionary Outreach Fellowship Inc. is a 501(c) (3) non-profit ministry and we can give a tax-deductible receipt at the end of the year for donations made out to IMOF Inc. Please enclose a separate note stating if the donation is for the ministry in general or for a specific partner or need.

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