Farho.net Prayer Blog

Grateful for your prayers

noreply@blogger.com (Mike Farho) — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 21:45:00 +0000

Thanksgiving 2008
in Sousse with the Millers

As Thanksgiving Day approaches in the USA, we'd like to express our gratitude to you. You are making a difference in our lives, ministry and each person we meet everyday. We cannot measure the power of prayer. If you ever feel ineffectual, it is just a feeling. The reality is beyond your imagination. Pray assured that God is listening to and answering your prayers.

Thank You Heavenly Father for giving the Farhos such an amazing team of prayer partners. Bless each one with joy as they pray. Give us Your Holy Spirit's guidance as we pray each day.

Visitors, Bishop, Veterans

noreply@blogger.com (Mike Farho) — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 22:22:00 +0000

We learned a lot and were very encouraged by our visitors, Bob and Craig, from USA. As we visited and prayed at some of the most famous Christian and Muslim locations in North Africa, our hearts were touched forever. Yesterday, we had an encouraging visit with the Bishop of Tunisia in Tunis. He provides the Sousse Church a sanctuary for worship on

Joshua in the cemetery

Sundays. Tomorrow, we drive to Carthage, north of Tunis, to a memorial service at the 27-acre North Africa American Cemetery and Memorial in Tunisia where 2,841 of our American military dead are buried. They gave their lives to liberate North Africans from Nazi tyranny. Read more at the North Africa American Cemetery and Memorial website

Heavenly Father, comfort our grieving veterans and their families. Remind us daily about their sacrifices and their physical, emotional and spiritual needs. Bless the Farhos with a safe round trip to Tunis.

Grateful for your partnership in prayer,

Mike and Sue Farho

Driving to Tunis Twice

noreply@blogger.com (Mike Farho) — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 22:08:00 +0000

Toyota Hilux 4x4

It will be a quick day trip Wednesday to visit the main duty office. It could be possible for us to purchase a car without paying import duty. It make a tremendous difference in the price. For example, a new 4x4 Toyota 4 door pickup with duty is $48,000 or $26,000 without duty. We are seeking God's will about the real need for a vehicle. Now, we take public transportation or rent a car when we can't walk. We also have two visitors coming this weekend from Omaha's Christ Community Church.

Heavenly Father, give Mike and his friends safe travels. Give grace in the eyes and hearts of the duty agents, to give the Farhos permission to purchase a duty-free vehicle.

Grateful for your partnership in prayer,

Mike and Sue Farho

The Sousse Church at Facebook

Train, Bishop, Prado, Fun

noreply@blogger.com (Mike Farho) — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 18:31:00 +0000

Wednesday will be quite exciting. We will all take the two hour train ride from Sousse to Tunis with the Sousse priest. Joshua will have school on the train. Mike will visit with the Roman Catholic Bishop of Tunisia about a building project and check out the 2006 Toyota Prado we want to purchase. Sue and Joshua will visit with some friends and maybe go shopping. It will be dark before we return home to Sousse.

Heavenly Father, give the Farhos a safe round trip to Tunis. Guide each meeting. Give the strength needed for this busy day. Provide them with the best car for their family.

To see photos use this link http://bit.ly/fbSousseChurchPhotos

Farho Update Opinions

noreply@blogger.com (Mike Farho) — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 19:12:00 +0000

We're enjoying Fall weather for the first time as residents in Africa. We froze here in Tunisia last Fall, when we were studying Arabic here. Now we really are enjoying it :-)

Please reply with your opinions or post them as comments for all to read at here!

Would you like or dislike photos with our updates?
Do you think our updates are: Too short, Too long, or Just right?
Do you want to hear more or less personal family stuff?
What do you really like or dislike about our updates?

Heavenly Father, thank You for all the members of the Farho prayer team. Encourage us all as we join together in prayer each week.

Sousse Catacombs

noreply@blogger.com (Mike Farho) — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 19:39:00 +0000

Today, Joshua and I went on a field trip to the Good Shepherd Catacombs. From some time after 70 AD until 312 AD, it was the graveyard for the Christians in Sousse. It is estimated that over 15,000 Christians are buried there. We're sure grateful those days are over. We are also grateful for the beautiful sanctuary where we worship each Sunday. You can see photos at our new website http://SousseChurch.org and at Facebook even if you aren't a member!

Heavenly Father, we thank You for the martyrs who gave their lives for their faith in Jesus. Encourage us to love You more than our earthly lives.

Coffee with the Mayor

noreply@blogger.com (Mike Farho) — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 21:08:00 +0000

One of many high points last week was our meeting with the Mayor of Sousse. Can you imagine being the Mayor of a city that is more than 3,000 years old? It was exciting to listen to his stories, as he has served in every region of Tunisia, even as a governor of an important region. He shared with us the importance of Christian and Jewish people in Sousse over the centuries. He also explained the ethnic diversity of Tunisia.

Thank You Heavenly Father for this informative visit with the Mayor of Sousse. Give Mike an equally educational visit with the Governor of the Region of Sousse in the week ahead.

The Sousse Church at Facebook

Farewell to John

noreply@blogger.com (Mike Farho) — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 20:18:00 +0000

Our 23 year old son will be heading overseas again soon with the Army National Guard. Your prayers for him are much appreciated. It is always hard to say goodbye to friends and relatives when leaving for about a year. He has many details to finish and bags to pack. Pray for us too, that we would not worry about him, as he serves our country. If you would like to send him a word of encouragement, we will forward it on to him.

Heavenly Father, be with John as he prepares to leave USA. Give him wisdom and joy as he faces the challenging months ahead.

Learning about Tunisia

noreply@blogger.com (Mike Farho) — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 14:19:00 +0000

It is fascinating to visit some of the important cities in the southern half of the country. We visited a museum today. It was a large home, for an extended family, built in the 1600s. He said the women had no need to leave their home. The men did the shopping.

Heavenly Father, give the Farhos wisdom as they learn Tunisian customs and culture. Give them travel mercies over narrow roads.

Is Jesus Coming Today?

noreply@blogger.com (Mike Farho) — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 13:29:00 +0000

Joshua asked me that question, because of some weird thunder this morning. It sounded like a jet aircraft hovering above our city. It roared on and on for more than ten minutes, with no lightning visible. I told Joshua, "Maybe He is coming today!"

On Sundays, my benediction comes from 1Thes. 3:12-13 And the Lord give you increase of love in fullest measure to one another and to all men, even as our love to you; (13) So that your hearts may be strong and free from all sin before our God and Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints.

Heavenly Father, thank You for the Holy Spirit's power in us to love YOU and ALL men and women from every nation. Give Mike, Sue and Joshua great joy as they serve believers from many nations at the Sousse Church.

Send us your questions advice, comments or prayer requests!

Back to School

noreply@blogger.com (Mike Farho) — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 12:40:00 +0000

Sunday we started a new series of messages at the Sousse Church. Now we are studying an overview of the Bible. It is refreshing to review these great teachings. Last week, before our hot water heater got fixed, I realized why Bathsheba could have bathed on her roof, 2 Sam. 11:2ff. It would have been a great solar water heater.

Heavenly Father, thank You for sending the right person to fix the Farho's hot water heater/furnace. You are the author of the Bible, open our eyes and hearts to see and obey all it teaches.

Fasting for 3 days

noreply@blogger.com (Mike Farho) — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 20:31:00 +0000

It's a partial fast, a healthy vegan diet. Have you ever tried to go three days without coffee, meat, milk and sugar? Easier said than done. Sunday we challenged our congregation to do the Daniel Fast for only three days this week and focus on prayer for Tunisia when hungry for the missing foods. Many made the commitment. Would you join us in prayer and fasting for at least 3 days in September? Visit our Daniel Fast website for more information.

Heavenly Father, encourage us to try the Daniel Fast, or to give up some favorite foods for a few days. Help us to pray for revival in Tunisia. Give those fasting for Ramadan dreams and visions of Jesus.

106F today in Sousse

noreply@blogger.com (Mike Farho) — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 21:53:00 +0000

We will apply for our visa in two weeks. We're grateful for the opportunity to reach the world here in Sousse. Joshua had a great two weeks, with kids from Tunis. You can see photos of our recent adventures at our Farho family blog.

We added a facebook page this week for the Sousse Church. It has a few photos of our church. We are amazed how calm it is here for Ramadan, with few cars on the roads 24 hours a day. It is nothing like Abidjan.

Heavenly Father, smooth the process for the Farho's visa. Continue to bless the Sousse Church with good attendance. Protect the people of Sousse as they fast from food and water during daylight hours.

1st Saturday of Ramadan 2009

noreply@blogger.com (Mike Farho) — Sat, 22 Aug 2009 21:05:00 +0000

Today is the first Saturday of Ramadan. Muslims fast, no food and liquids, for all daylight hours. As we made our visits all the cafes we saw were empty. Must be a hard 30 days for them and restaurants. At night, Muslims try to eat as a family during this holy month. They've shared with us that family unity is the main thing they enjoy about Ramadan.

Heavenly Father, we trust You to open doors and hearts for Mike and Sue everywhere they go. Encourage Sue as she is sharing about her experience of Your faithfulness in our family and ministry tomorrow at church.

Send us your questions, advice, comments or prayer requests!

Ramadan Karim

noreply@blogger.com (Mike Farho) — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 09:31:00 +0000

Wish your Muslim friends, neighbors and co-workers a happy Ramadan. Kindness is so important in our relationships. We don't know what Ramadan will be like here in Sousse. It will be our first time starting this week. We're told to expect all the restaurants and cafes to be closed during the days. We wonder where tourists will eat!

Heavenly Father, make the Farhos a real blessing to their Muslim neighbors. Give them patience as life will change dramatically in Sousse during Ramadan.

Jellyfish and Tunisians

noreply@blogger.com (Mike Farho) — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 21:31:00 +0000

We had a fun evening, after work at the beach, with 3 Tunisian families. They only spoke Arabic, but we enjoyed being together. Sue and I were tired and wondering how we could get Joshua to go home before it got too dark. Then he left the other kids and came out of the sea. A jellyfish stung him and the 3 year old girl. So we walked to the pharmacy and home. The pharmacist said, "You don't need medicine. Just soak it in hot water for 15 min!" Joshua just went to bed and can't remember which leg was stung!

Thank You Heavenly Father for the Farho's neighborhood friends and honest pharmacist. As Muslims around the world prepare for their 30 days of Ramadan fasting, open their hearts to their Christian neighbors.

See a jellyfish, two sharks and a praying mantis at our Farho family blog.

Farho Family Blog

noreply@blogger.com (Mike Farho) — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 13:07:00 +0000

If you would like to know more about our personal lives, we have several Web resources that will help you to know us better. For photos and little comments, go to our Family blog.

You will find photos dating from 1974 to present from USA, France, Cote d'Ivoire, Senegal, and Tunisia. We're trying to add more photos daily. We also have daily updates by at least Mike and sometimes from Sue, John and Joshua at our home page.

Heavenly Father, give Mike and Sue wisdom as they help people in Tunisia with very difficult problems. Give them patience, love and understanding in each relationship You provide.

Ramadan 22 Aug- 20 Sept

noreply@blogger.com (Mike Farho) — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 17:34:00 +0000

Muslims fast from food and water for 30 days, from sunrise until sunset. They fast as an act of faith and worship towards Allah, to suppress sinful desires and increase religious piety. Ramadan in 2009 (or the Islamic year of 1430) is August 22 - September 20. Learn more at http://islam.farho.net

30-days.net distributes free daily e-mail updates for the 30 days of Ramadan. Please sign up for these updates from their "30-Days of Prayer for the Muslim World" booklet.

Heavenly Father, motivate Christians around the world to love Muslims through prayer. Help us to see them as You see them. Give them dreams and visions of our Savior Jesus Christ.

Overwhelmed by God's Grace

noreply@blogger.com (Mike Farho) — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 20:21:00 +0000

You are making a difference, sending us to this perfect location. We love preaching about the love and grace of Jesus. It is thrilling to see people come to the Lord each Sunday at the Sousse Church. Eight put their faith in Jesus Sunday, from France, Germany, Holland and the UK. Sue did a wonderful job planning and leading the music. God continues to bless us with good quality friends in our neighborhood.

Heavenly Father, give Your young children hunger for the pure milk of Your Word. Motivate them to study Your Word daily. Give Mike, Sue and Joshua great joy as they teach Your Word on Wednesdays and Sundays.

Shared my testimony

noreply@blogger.com (Mike Farho) — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 21:08:00 +0000

It was our second Sunday preaching at our Sousse Church. Twenty-seven of 34 present were visitors. Our family was almost half of the seven regulars present. People came from England, Netherlands, Romania, Scotland, Germany, Switzerland and the USA. When I asked if anyone wanted to put Christ on the throne of their life, letting Jesus take charge, seven people made a clear commitment.

Heavenly Father, thank You for giving Mike and Sue opportunities to share Your word and love. Encourage these new committed believers to spend quality time in the Bible each day.

Believe in prayer!

noreply@blogger.com (Mike Farho) — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 21:32:00 +0000

We do! That's why we provide new ways to equip you to pray. Did you know you can use Facebook to pray for us? You're invited to add us as your friends. We send single sentence updates twice a day. Every weekend we now send a unique 30 second prayer update to our Facebook prayer partners. You can join and add us as your friends at http://facebook.com/mike.farho Include a message, reminding us that you are already on our prayer team.

Heavenly Father, give each Farho prayer partner great joy as they trust in You to answer their prayers for Mike and Sue. Give the women at Sue's French Bible study a great time together on Wednesday morning.

Preaching Sunday in Sousse

noreply@blogger.com (Mike Farho) — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 19:52:00 +0000

It will be exciting to finally get to preach at our church. Sue leads her first French Bible study here Wednesday. Both of us are excited and anxious at the same time. Pastor Peter and his wife Susan will be present, for the last time, after 30 years as the founding pastor of the Sousse Christian Church.

We're getting settled in our home. Half of our windows are now screened. Instead of cars, we have tennis shoes, bikes and a scooter for transportation!

Heavenly Father, continue to bless Mike, Sue and Joshua with good friends in Sousse. Open their ears to hear Tunisian Arabic clearly. Open their mouths to teach Your Word with clarity.

A Sad Father's Day

noreply@blogger.com (Mike Farho) — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 20:54:00 +0000

Of course we miss our dads, but that wasn't the only reason we were sad on Father's Day. At church, we said goodbye to three friends who are leaving Tunisia. We were also sad, as we headed home from church, we saw a dead man on the road. He evidently crashed his fast motorcycle into the rear of a parked tow truck. Fortunately, the young man was covered with a sheet, so Joshua only saw the crumpled motorcycle. Traffic will get more deadly this summer as reckless young tourists from North Africa and Europe come here for vacation.

Heavenly Father, thank You for protecting Joshua from seeing this man on the road. Protect the people in Sousse from accidents during the dangerous summer months. Open hearts to trust in You for eternity.

Finding friends in Sousse

noreply@blogger.com (Mike Farho) — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 19:56:00 +0000

We prayed that Sue would find a gym, where she could exercise with other women. During our evening walk Sunday night, we happened upon a small gym three blocks from our house. Sue joined there today. It would be very encouraging for Sue to become friends with the neighborhood women at the gym. Joshua also played soccer this week with some new friends on our street.

Heavenly Father, thank You for providing a gym near the Farho's house. Help Sue to find a good friend there. Continue to heal Mike's sprained ankle. Give wisdom as he purchases a moped or scooter soon.

Online in Tunisia

noreply@blogger.com (Mike Farho) — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 20:00:00 +0000

We got connected for the first time today from our new apartment. Our connection will only be slow and dial-up, so please don't send forwards or attachments. They could take hours to download. We pay by the minute for our connection. Sorry! We're busy getting settled in to life here, learning lots and speaking Tunisian Arabic again.

Heavenly Father, encourage Mike, Sue and Joshua by helping them to remember all the spoken Arabic they learned last year. Give them fluency and courage to use what they know each day.