Presbyterian Church in Ireland - Mission Overseas - PL2009-50, 16-Dec-09

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PL2009-50, 16-Dec-09

The 'Day' and 'Country' designations below refer to the respective right-hand page(s) in the 2009 edition of the Pointsfor Prayer Handbook, which contains useful background information to these prayer requests.

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

Day 5 – PORTUGAL

James Cochrane completed the teaching of his first module on ‘The Church’ last Friday evening (11th). Pastor Fabiano Fernandes, Director of the Portuguese Bible Institute (IBP) will teach the next module.  Pastor Fabiano, who teaches in Lisbon during the week, will travel to the Algarve to teach the students at their class on Friday evenings over the next couple of months, beginning this Friday, 18th. 

      Prayer Points –

• Give thanks that James completed the teaching of his first module last Friday evening.
  
  
• Pray for Pastor Fabiano as he teaches the next module, for safe travel and plenty of energy, as he will have a very busy schedule over the next couple of months. 
  
  
• Most of the students lead busy lives, as most work full-time and are involved in their local churches, in addition to their studies. Pray that they will each have a time of rest and refreshment as they enjoy two Friday nights off over the Christmas period. 

Day 8 – ROMANIA

The work with the young people in Caleb House has been continuing. Unfortunately Andrea Melzer, the new houseparent, was ill recently and had to take some time off. Although she has now returned to work, she is still not yet fully recovered. During her absence Tunde Kiss, the Caleb House social worker and other volunteers covered her work at the house. 

Two more young people have moved into Caleb House during December.  Unfortunately one of them has been very disruptive, and there are doubts as to why he was invited to move into the Caleb House.  

Darren and Nicola Aitcheson returned to N Ireland in September. Nicola has been back in her previous social work position since October, and Darren will resign from BMO at the end of December and will begin a new job with his previous employer in January. Darren and Nicola will still be involved with the work in Caleb House and would be more than happy to speak to any individuals or groups who are interested in the work of Caleb House. They would also like to thank all those who prayed for and supported them during their service with BMO. 

Prayer Points –

• Give thanks for the work of Tunde and other volunteers in covering for Andrea while she was ill. Pray for Andrea’s full healing and for wisdom in all her decision-making in regard to the Caleb House. 
  
  
• For wise decisions to be made regarding the new young person in the House who has been disruptive, in order to avoid further disruption and upheaval.
  
  
• Two of the young people from Caleb House will be visiting Northern Ireland during the Christmas holidays. Give thanks for this opportunity for them to renew friendships and please pray that their travel will go smoothly and safely.
  
  
• For wisdom for the Board of Directors as they make crucial decisions regarding the future of the Foundation. 
  
  
• Give thanks for the willingness of many of the Board members to assist practically with the work in Caleb House. 
  
  
• Give thanks that both Darren and Nicola found employment relatively quickly and pray for peace and contentment during this time of change. 

Day 9 – MIDDLE EAST

SAT-7, a satellite television service providing Christian television for the Middle East and North Africa, sends thefollowing prayer points:-

• Pray for all the Christmas programmes airing this month, and for all of SAT-7’s channels. These include films, documentaries, cartoons, and many live specials.  Ask the Lord to use these shows to help viewers better understand God’s love for them.
  
  
• Thank God that all the members of the team involved in producing SAT-7’s first-ever reality programme entitled, ‘C707’, were able to get visas to travel to Denmark to record the new programme. Pray that the editors will put it together well, and that when it airs that it will attract a wide audience.
  
  
• Give thanks for the two years that SAT-7 KIDS has been on the air. Pray that many children will learn about the true meaning of Christmas through the live show and other specials airing this month on this channel.
  
  
• Thank God that SAT-7 PARS will be airing its first live programmes this month. Pray that the technical details come together and that the hosts will have wisdom as they answer viewer’s questions.

Days 12 to 14 – KENYA

Olkinyiei– Although many parts of Kenya have received rain, Olkinyiei is still lacking. Animals taken to market to be sold to provide money for food, have returned as they are too thin. 

      Prayer Points –

• That our loving Father will show His mercy upon the people of Olkinyiei and send rain to water the ground and fill the watering holes.
  
  
• For the beautiful Maasai as this is a very difficult time for them.  May they seek Jesus’ mercy and love.
  
  
• Pray too for the staff at Acacia Grove Mission as they try to assist the people where they can. May they be granted God’s wisdom and be blessed as they shine in such darkness. 

Tuum – A group of 84 people from the Kabete campus of Nairobi University arrived in Tuum (26 hours after leaving Nairobi) to help out with the December outreach and youth camps. Most of the group travelled out from Tuum on Monday, to nearby areas where the Word of God is very new – to Seren, Longerin and some villages near South Horr, where they are involved in outreach.  They are due to return to Tuum on Thursday afternoon. Around 25 members of the group have stayed in Tuum to help lead the Junior Youth Camp taking place this week. 

      Prayer Points –

• Give thanks for the safe travel of the group to Tuum and pray that they will enjoy safe and trouble-free travel throughout the rest of their trip.  Most of the group travel back to Nairobi this Saturday. 
  
  
• For safety in the reserve where are obvious dangers with scorpions, etc, and some of the villages have little clean water. 
  
  
• For guidance as the members of the group pray, preach, visit and listen to the voice of the Lord, seeking to bring freedom and deliverance to these communities.
  
  
• For the Junior Youth Camp in Tuum that it will remain in focus, as the other mission activities go on. Pray for group leading the Junior Youth Camp. Pray too for their visit Wuaso Rongai and Kawap, a Turkana village, near Wuaso Rongai. There is much animosity between these two villages, and only Jesus can bring real peace.
  
  
• That the students will reflect on their experiences of the simplicity of life, and the power of the gospel as it impacts their lives and the lives of those they will preach to especially at night.
  
  
• Pray for the senior youth camp will begin on Thursday 17th December and run through to 22nd. Some of the Kabete team will remain in Tuum to help lead this and young people from Marti will also attend.

Days 16 to 19 – MALAWI

There have been more earthquakes in the northern region of Malawi. At least one child has died and 15 people have been injured. Many houses, schools, churches and other buildings have been badly damaged or destroyed. In the badly affected area of Ngerenge, hot and foul smelling water is coming from underground. The cracks, which the quake has made, are big and pose a danger, especially to children.  

The Church of Central Africa Presbyterian (CCAP), Synod of Livingstonia has launched an appeal to help those who have been affected by the earthquakes. The Synod reports that it is estimated that over 16,000 people need some form of emergency assistance and that over 2,000 people have been made homeless, (this number is expected to increase).

      Prayer Points –

• For all those who have been affected by the earthquakes; especially for those who have been injured, have lost loved ones, or have suffered damage to their homes, possessions, or livelihoods.
  
  
• That people will be able to fix their houses before the much needed rains come. 
  
  
• There is still a shortage of petrol and diesel in Malawi. Please pray that the Malawian government will be given the wisdom it needs and act with integrity to manage the situation. 
  
  

The Mission Overseas Office in Church House is receiving donations towards the CCAP’s relief efforts.
Cheques should made payable to ‘The Presbyterian Church in Ireland’ and clearly marked Malawi Earthquake Relief.

Una Brownlie is due to return to Ireland this weekend for home assignment. She will be involved in deputation speaking in the new year. 

• Pray for Una as she packs up and prepares to come to Ireland for a few months, and for safe and trouble-free travel.

Day 22 - ASIANS in the UK

Christopher and Nivedita Benjaminarrived back in London at the beginning of December following home assignment in their sending church, the Church of North India. During this time they were engaged in deputation speaking in a number of churches in the Gujarat Diocese. 

      Prayer Points –

• Praise God for their fruitful time in India, for safe travelling and for the opportunities they had to share with pastors from the Gujarat Diocese. 
  
  
• Pray that many will read and be challenged the Christmas articles the Benjamins have written in the Gujarati newspaper ‘Gujarat Samachar’. 
  
  
• For the Gujarati fellowship meeting taking place this Saturday (19th).
  
  
• For Christopher and Nivedita in their day-to-day Christian witness. They have invited a number of their Hindu friends to their home over the Christmas period.
  
  
• For Wembley Park United Reformed Congregation, (where the Benjamins are members) which is going through a very difficult time at present, as the church is without a minister. 
  
  
• Many Gujarati students including Christians, who have spent a huge amount of money on their college fees and accommodation are facing a difficult situation, as they cannot find jobs to cover their expenses. Pray for them, and for Christopher and Nivedita as they try to help them find employment. 

Day 31 – WORLD DEVELOPMENT

Over the Advent and Christmas season many congregations promote the annual World Development Appeal. This year’s Appeal, the first of a two-year series of Appeals under the title: 'Credit Where Credit's Due', is to help Tearfund and Christian Aid give modest financial aid to self-help groups (SHGs) in a number of countries in the developing world. The projects being highlighted this year are in Ethiopia (Tearfund), India (Christian Aid), Cambodia (Tearfund) and Mali (Christian Aid). 

For more information go to World Development

The appeal last year raised over £635,800. We hope to build on this, so as we thank you, we ask you to help make this year’s 'Credit Where Credit's Due' appeal even more of a success! 

      Prayer Points –

• Give thanks for all those who support the World Development Appeal each year and pray that those who seldom or perhaps have maybe never support the Appeal will do so this year.
  
  
• That the appeal will receive good support again this year. This is so important at a time when much of the world is struggling with financial difficulties and those in the developing world more than ever need help to help themselves, as they seek to overcome poverty and improve the quality of their lives.

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