In March 2000, the Dorcas Class of Oak Harbor Baptist Church in Oak Harbor, Washington contacted the Songhai Team asking how they could be more involved in ministry. We had a prayer project that we had never done before, but felt God leading in this direction. We asked the women to make a doll and commit to pray for a child for a specific amount of time. The doll was not to just be a craft, but an avenue for prayer. Information about the village and the Songhai people were sent to the group, describing where and how these children live. After hearing about the prayer dolls, the ladies were thrilled and decided to be a part of this pilot project.
The basic idea was for the ladies to make a black/brown, simple, cloth doll, much like a gingerbread man outline, with an embroidered face and yarn hair. Over the heart area, the words "Irikoy gu ba ni" (which means "God loves you") were embroidered. Simple dresses were added with a piece of costume jewelry. Each lady also attached to the doll a small zip lock bag with a picture of themselves and another piece of costume jewelry inside for the little girl who would receive the doll. The dolls were boxed and airmailed together as a group.
In November 2000, the dolls were received on the field and distributed in a village where work was just beginning, a strategic place where prayer was needed. While the entire village watched, the chief gathered together several little girls. We wrote down each child's name, made her picture with the doll, and explained that the jewelry and doll were a gift from a Christian lady who was praying for her. The photo with the doll and child was then sent back to the lady who made that specific doll. This is her prayer child, a child she can call by name, and lift up in daily intercession.
As the project began, the ladies knew that this would be a labor of love and a big commitment, as we did not know if we would ever have contact with the child again. It is a challenge to pray without knowing; many days one could feel discouraged not having any follow-up. Each lady must ask God daily to guide their prayers for the needs of "their child" each day.
We are praying that these little girls will show up in children's Bible Storying groups in the village, again as young women committing their lives to Christ, and yet again taking their place in the local church, marrying a local believer, raising godly children, and becoming a Christian example within their communities. We know by faith that these prayers will make a difference in the lives and eternity of the children. God has given us the vision that these ladies will meet these girls in heaven as the girls continue to hold a photo and doll in their hands, prayers in their hearts.
Meeting My Prayer Child (pdf document)
Free Adobe Reader for PDF Documents
A Picture is Worth a Thousand Prayers (coming soon)