Gabes, lying between Sfax and Medenine, is called the “Gateway to the South.” If you pass from North to South or vice versa, you will travel through this town, but it’s unlikely you will put it on your list of places to stop and visit. There is little tourism, with the lack of antiquities or modern resort hotels. Even the agriculture in this region is mediocre, with thousands of date palms producing not-quite-exportable dates. The only “claim to fame” for this town is that it is an oasis located on the seacoast.

There has been a positive presence of faith in this city for a few years. They haven’t found it easy, but their consistent prayers and witness are valuable. They ask that their presence would be known by unity, boldness and wisdom, and that the Light of Truth would shine through the everyday tasks of being there in living and working relationships with the community. They ask for prayers for those who are seeking the one who is The Way.

It is a community with many needs. There is poverty, and with it, hopelessness; the high unemployment rate leads to a communal sense of worthlessness, which is a hard cycle to break—but we ask that it would be broken by our great God, who values each one of His own no matter what condition we are in. Pray that this reality of love from the Creator will also bring about a dawn in the hearts of the marginalized—single moms, at risk youth (drugs are a problem in this nation), abandoned babies, and individuals with special needs. Ask that God’s grace will become their source of strength and comfort.

In addition, the issue of folk Islam, where people put faith in dead saints and other traditional things, is a strong area of bondage in this town. The empty ritual of visiting tombs often leads to spiritual darkness and blindness. Pray for a break with these traditions—for the words of Jesus to ring true, “Why do you seek the living among the dead?”

Pray the words of Isaiah 61 – a chapter of promise, for those who live and walk in faith in this city. They will rebuild the ancient ruins and restore the places long devastated… Instead of their shame my people will receive a double portion, and instead of disgrace they will rejoice in their inheritance; and so they will inherit a double portion in their land, and everlasting joy will be theirs (Isaiah 61:4-7).

For Gabes, pray around the issues of division and pride. There is a sense of looking down on people from a nearby town (El Hamma). They even have a proverb “hold the hand of a ‘Hammi’ only until you find a real man.” There are long running divisions between people within Gabes from the area of Jara and from the area of Menzel. Although there are people who marry across the lines, it is rare. Anything that is done wrong is said to be the fault of people from the other area. El Hamma itself has a large percentage of disabled people. One of the reasons for this is intermarriage. Domestic violence is also prevalent in the community.