PL2009-41, 14-Oct-09
Wednesday, 14th October 2009 | No: PL2009-41 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The 'Day' and 'Country' designations below refer to the respective right-hand page(s) in the 2009 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.
Day 2 – BRAZIL
Naomi Keefe arrived safely in Belfast last week for the start of a period of home assignment during which she will be engaged in deputation speaking in quite a number of churches.
- Give thanks for Naomi’s safe arrival and remember her as she prepares for deputation.
Day 4 – SPAIN
Derek and Jane French are in China to complete the adoption of Gabriela.
Prayer Points –
- That the trip and the formalities of completing all the documentation will go smoothly; and, above all, that the transition for Gabriela will be smooth.
- That Gabriela will quickly adapt to Derek and Jane and realise that she is safe with them and that they are her family.
Days 12 to 14 – KENYA
In Tuum, the Cowan’s satellite phone remains out of order so they are still unable to send or receive emails. This has gone on for a number of weeks now and has meant that communicating with the outside world has been very difficult for them. All they have managed are a few very short text (sms) messages sent via their mobile phone but this can only be done in areas south of Tuum, when Stephen is travelling on the road.
- Pray that the Cowans’ satellite phone service will be restored soon and remember them in their work in and around Tuum. Pray for daily strength and wisdom in all they do, and for protection at all times but especially when travelling on treacherous roads.
Day 24 – NEPAL
Last week, due to severe unseasonable weather, several hundred people had their homes swept away in landslides in the far west of Nepal. UMN Staff in Doti and Bajhang Districts are working with local organizations to help families rebuild their homes in safer areas.
Janet Campbell is grateful for those who have been praying for her recovery since twisting her ankle very badly. Thankfully the damaged ankle is recovering very well and has returned to its normal colour and size. It will however be some further weeks before it is likely to be back to full strength.
Rev Noble McNeely, Minister of First Holywood - Joe and Janet Campbell’s home congregation - will be visiting Nepal for two weeks from this Friday (16th). During this time he will meet church leaders and learn about the work of PCI personnel who are serving with UMN.
Prayer Points –
- Pray that UMN staff will be able to demonstrate God’s love to the many poor people suffering during the recent floods and landslides.
- Give thanks for Janet’s recovery and pray for the strengthening of her ankle.
- Pray for Noble McNeely, that his visit will be a blessing to the Campbells and Hopkinsons as well as enabling him to enthuse and encourage members of First Holywood when he gets back and shares with them all he has seen and learnt.
Day 26 – MISSION INVOLVEMENT
‘Moving out, moving on’ is the theme for this autumn’s two ‘Celebration of Global Mission’ evenings, taking place on:
Thursday, 22nd October in Ardstraw Presbyterian Church, near Omagh (7.45 pm – 9.30 pm)
Speakers: Gary & Mary Reid (KENYA); Heather Lennox (JAMAICA); Moderator, Rev Dr Stafford Carson (on his recent visit to ETHIOPIA); and Naomi Keefe (BRAZIL)
Tuesday, 27th October in Church House, Belfast (7.30 pm – 9.30 pm)
Speakers: David Steele (MALAWI); Moderator, Rev Dr Stafford Carson (on his recent visit to ETHIOPIA); Mervyn & Raing McCullagh (INDONESIA); and Naomi Keefe (BRAZIL)
The offering on both evenings will be going towards Jivandwar Mission in Gujarat (India), which provides a home and support to children who have been abandoned or come from difficult home situation, and people with leprosy. Its mission is to provide for their educational, medical and spiritual needs.
Prayer Points –
- For all those involved in preparing for each evening.
- That as publicity for these events reaches congregations many will be encouraged to attend one or other of these celebrations.
A number of our mission personnel are on home assignment at present and are involved in deputation over the next months, including Heather Lennox (Jamaica), Mervyn & Raing McCullagh (Indonesia), Gary & Mary Reid (Kenya), Derek and Linda Roulston (Kenya), David & Maggie Steele (Malawi) and Darren and Nicola Aitcheson (Romania) and Naomi Keefe (Brazil). Tomorrow, Thursday (15th), most are attending a deputation training day which is being led by Maurice McNicholl, Peter McDowell and Nigel Eves.
Prayer Points –
- For the Deputation Training Day and those leading it.
- For God’s guidance for mission personnel as they engage in deputation; and for safety and strength as they travel to undertake a range of speaking engagements over the next few months.
- For clear and effective communication; and that those who come to listen to them will not only be encouraged by what they hear but also challenged by God’s call to engage in His mission to the world.
- For wisdom in balancing speaking commitments with day-to-day family commitments. Remember the children as they continue to settle into school and to being in Ireland.
Days 27 to 29 – INDONESIA
Mervyn and Raing McCullagh are on home assignment at present. Raing’s visa for the United Kingdom is due to expire at the end of October and next week Mervyn and Raing will be seeking to get this renewed.
- Pray that the process of obtaining a new visa will go smoothly and will be issued in good time.
Day 31 – WORLD DEVELOPMENT
This year’s Appeal, which is the first in a two-year series of World Development Appeals under the title ‘Credit Where Credit’sDue’, is being launched next Tuesday (20th). The focus is that when the poor are able to secure access to very modest financial support through micro-credit schemes and 'start-up' grants they are able to transform their lives in a sustainable way. The projects being highlighted are in Ethiopia (Tearfund), India (Christian Aid), Cambodia (Tearfund) and Mali (Christian Aid).
We thank all who contributed to the appeal last year, which raised over £635,800. Hopefully we can do even better this year, making the ‘Credit Where Credit’s Due’ Appeal even more of a success! Information on the appeal is being distributed to congregations over the next few weeks. From next Tuesday (20th), it will also be available on our website [see Current Appeal].
Prayer Points –
- For the preparations for the launch of this year’s appeal.
- Give thanks for all those who support the World Development Appeal each year.
- That the appeal will receive good support again this year.
OVERSEAS TEAM
INDIA - An all-age team of eight people from High Kirk Presbyterian Church, Ballymena is working in Kollegal Girls' Home in India, from 8th to 23rd October.
Prayer Points -
- Good health, safety, strength and energy for all the team members and those they are working with.
- The work that the team will be involved in.
- For the Word of God to be explained clearly and for spiritual fruit in the lives of those the team are going to help and work alongside.
Prayerline is also available as a recorded message, normally in a shortened version. |
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