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Overseas Prayerline

The 'Day' and 'Country' designations below refer to the respective right-hand page(s) in the 2010 edition of the Points for Prayer Handbook, which contains useful background information to these prayer requests.

Click on these links for further information on Countries, Partners and People.

Days 12 to 14 – KENYA

Stephen Cowan sends the following prayer points:-

• There has been continuous rain in parts of the district for days which has resulted in floods. In the Tuum area it has not been so intense and only a little damage has been caused. Of course the condition of the roads deteriorates and the water source clogs up with silt. The government intervention has not yet made any progress on the water project in Tuum, despite 7 million Kenyan shillings having been allocated for this work. 
  
  
• Give thanks that the head teacher of Tuum Girls’ Secondary School has returned to work after her accident in December and is settling in well. Pray that she may have wisdom and courage as she seeks to help the staff and students gain a more positive outlook following recent discouragements in the school. 
  
  
• Give thanks that students supported through the ‘work for fees’ programme have done well in the recent Form 4 exams. Pray that the girls will have a positive attitude in all areas of life and work.
  
  
• Give thanks that Stephen is feeling better after being treated for Tick Typhus.
  
  
• Some girls who have been involved in church and youth activities for several years, and who say they are Christians, still see it is important to be circumcised. Some are planning to do this in April. This is an identity crisis, and shows the intensity of the battle between being a follower of Jesus and being a Samburu. Pray that the Holy Spirit will show them their identity in Christ is of more value, and that Stephen and Angelina can support them through the thought process.
  
  
• Pray for the preparations for the first wedding to take place in Tuum on 10th April. This is a great opportunity to teach the values of Christian marriage to people who have no idea of its significance.

Derek Roulston writes, “The recent Field Day was a great success in spite of threatening rain attendance was very encouraging.  A crowd of about 400 people attended and showed huge interested in the seed potato stand as well as other exhibits.  It was a good opportunity to introduce the project to the community as well as identify some of the areas that need to be addressed to improve farming practices.  Thank you for praying for the rain to hold off, which it did right until the end when, after speeches and prize giving, it poured down!  A highlight of the day was the ox-ploughing competition.  Derek was involved in judging, leaving Linda to man the potatostand, an interesting experience for both Linda and farmers alike!”

Prayer Points –

• There has been exceptional rainfall and hail storms, a flash flood swept away several tourist camps in the area. Many of the Wheat farmers are feeling very anxious; they would need five dry days to be able to harvest their crops. Pray that they will be able to gather in a good harvest.
  
  
• Pray for Derek as he prepares for and conducts the service of renewal of wedding vows this evening (10th), which planned to be outdoors - weather permitting! Remember him also as he prepares a sermon to be delivered on Easter Sunday.
  
  
• Pray for Derek and Linda in all the opportunities they have for ministry as they interact with individuals. 
  
  
• Pray for favourable weather to allow the harvest to be gathered in, and for the follow-up of the many contacts made through the Field Day.

Days 16 to 19 – MALAWI

Today, (10th), Victoria Chihana and Helen Quinn are visiting the Wenya Presbytery, to meet with all the ministers and session clerks from the Presbytery to explain to them about the Women's Empowerment Programme’s Micro-Finance Loan Scheme; this is with a view to introducing the scheme in the Presbytery.

Prayer Points –

• For safe travel on rough, muddy roads to and from this remote area. 
  
  
• That these congregational leaders will catch the vision of the potential of this scheme and be willing to give the necessary assistance for it to be a success in their congregations.

Day 21 – INDIA

Thousands of Christians from Orissa are still living in refugee camps following attacks on them by Hindu fundamentalists and over the past couple of years. The Clio Trust (Christian Love for India’s Orphans) has been campaigning to help those Christians who continue to suffer, politically by making representations to our government to put pressure on the Indian government and also practically organising humanitarian aid to those in need. The Clio Trust is holding a musical presentation for Easter entitled “What if there is hope?” in Orangefield Presbyterian Church, Belfast on Saturday, 27th March at 7.30pm.  For more information on this event telephone: 028 9756 5542. 

• Continue to pray for Christians from Orissa who still live in fear and in refugee camps.

Day 22 – ASIANS in the UK

Christopher and Nivedita Benjamin send the following requests for prayer -

• Pray for the Bible study group which meets every Thursday at the Benjamin’s home during this lent season.  Pray especially for the Benjamin’s Hindu friends who attend this group regularly.
  
  
• Pray for the monthly Gujarati prayer meeting at which also meets at the Benjamin’s home. It is hoped in the future the prayer meeting will instead be held at one of their friend’s home who is a Hindu. Pray that they may we find the suitable time for this meeting, and meet there regularly.
  
  
• Aminesh and Shilpa are students from India. Their son is one year old. Please pray for his health.

Day 26 – MISSION INVOLVEMENT

‘Seize the moment!’is the theme for this Spring’s ‘Celebration of Global Mission’ event taking place on Tuesday,23rd March in Banbridge Road, Dromore Presbyterian Church (7.45 pm – 9.30 pm).  The speakers will be Ron & Hilary McCartney (Pakistan), Derek & Jane French (Spain) and Maurice & Helen Kennedy(Malawi). 

Prayer Points –

• For all those involved in preparing for eac evening.
  
  
• That as publicity for these events reaches congregations many will be encouraged to attend. 

The Board of Mission Overseas is again holding its Overseas Teams Training (OTT) event on Saturday 17th April in Hillhall Presbyterian Church, near Lisburn.  It is recommended that all those going on overseas teams should attend this important training event, which is also suitable for any individuals going overseas for short-term engagement in mission.

Prayer Points –

• For those involved in organising and preparing for these events.
  
  
• For good attendance at these training events. 

Information Leaflets, including booking forms, can be obtained from the Mission Overseas Office or online at Events.

Day 24 – NEPAL

All United Mission to Nepal (UMN) staff are in Kathmandu this week for Learning Review and Planningrelated to the coming year’s activities. Grenville Hopkinson will be leading much of the training and learning.  Janet Campbell continues to have a full counselling workload, usually helping individuals and couples with the challenges they are facing living in Nepal. On Thursday next week (18th), Grenville Hopkinson is travelling to London where he will be for a week to complete a module of the Masters programme in Development, which he is enrolled on. This Sunday (14th), Joe Campbell plans is travelling to the east of Nepal to train a group of Nepali Christians on Conflict Transformation. He will return to Kathmandu next Wednesday evening (17th).

Prayer Points –

• Give thanks for the good Peace-Building workshop in Bangkok last week which Joe Campbell attended and where he presented a paper. Participants at the workshop were from five South Asian countries.
  
  
• Pray for the meetings taking place this week in Kathmandu for all UMN staff. Pray that amidst all the planning and discussion, God’s voice would be heard. Pray for all the staff returning by bus and plane to remote areas at the weekend.
  
  
• Pray for Janet Campbell that she will be given wisdom in the important work of counselling and support to UMN and other international workers in Kathmandu.
  
  
• Pray for safe travel for Grenville and Joe over the next few days and also for a good workshop in East Nepal from Monday to Wednesday of next week.
  
  
• Pray for safety to Georgie Hopkinson and the children while Grenville is in London.

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