Presbyterian Church in Ireland - Mission Overseas - PL2009-51, 23-Dec-09

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PL2009-51, 23-Dec-09

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 3 – JAMAICA

Heather Lennox, who served in Jamaica for six years, latterly as Children’s Advisor at Synod level in the United Church of Jamaica and the Cayman Islands (UCJCI), returned to the UK last summer, having completed her assignment there. Over the last few months, Heather has been engaged in deputation speaking in PCI congregations and, at the end of this month, she officially completes her service with BMO.

Prayer Points –

• Give thanks for Heather’s faithful service in Jamaica and remember her as she settles back into life in Scotland.

Day 9 – MIDDLE EAST

The year 2009 began with the Israeli offensive on Gaza, with 1,387 Palestinians and 13 Israelis killed and over 5000 Palestinians and 182 Israelis injured. As the year continued, hundreds of Palestinians were uprooted by home demolitions or evictions and many thousands more face the threat of demolition, eviction and displacement. As the year draws to an end, the occupation is creating a deepening trauma in the lives of many of the people who live in the region. Land confiscation, settlement expansion, home demolitions, increased tension in and over Jerusalem make everyday life uncertain, difficult and stressful. O Come, O Come Emmanuel!

Reflecting on the society into which Jesus was born, there are many similarities to life in this region today. The ancient Israelites suffered at the hands of a foreign occupying power. The Romans lived freely, able to use and abuse the local population at will, while the subjugated peoples lived in constant uncertainty and anxiety, never sure how they would be treated or whether they would be singled out for random punishment. This is being repeated today for Palestinians living under the longest occupation in modern history, generally trying to live life and survive, but sometimes crossing the line into illegal and counterproductive violence, such as firing rockets from Gaza into Israel. O Come, O Come Emmanuel!

Mary caught the hopes of so many, then and now, when she sang: “God has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble. God has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich empty away” (Luke 2:53-54). Jesus’ life reflected that vision of Mary. Christ came to earth to bring about a new reality: a Godly realm where the oppressed are lifted up; where the meek, the hungry, and the peacemakers are blessed; where all nations stand before God's penetrating gaze.  “O Come, O Come Emmanuel!”

Advent is a time for hope: a hope which can transform the life of the occupied and occupier alike; a hope which can bring a new era for all people to live in freedom and justice.

• In this Advent season, let us pray for God’s justice and peace in Israel and Palestine. That justice will be done, that peace will reign; and that all peoples may flourish with life in fullness – for this is the promise of the baby in the manger, who became the risen Christ.

Day 11 – PASTORAL CARE

A number of mission personnel will be in Ireland over the Christmas period, but many will be remaining overseas and celebrating Christmas with those they live and work amongst.

Prayer Points –

• For safety in travel for those who are returning to Ireland and that they will not only have a restful and relaxing time with family and friends but will also be blessed and encouraged, as they celebrate the birth of the One they are seeking to serve in other lands.
  
  
• Remember those who will be remaining overseas for Christmas. Being separated from family and friends can be especially difficult at this special time of the year.  Pray that they too will know the Lord’s special blessing and encouragement over this Christmas period.

Days 12 to 14– KENYA

Gary and Mary Reid and family have now completed their home assignment and are due to leave Northern Ireland on 2nd January, to return to Olkinyiei in SW Kenya. 

Prayer Points –

• Give thanks for a good home assignment and for the opportunity to speak to many people in a number of congregations about their work in Kenya.
  
  
• For the Reid family as they prepare to return to Olkinyiei; for safe travel, and that they will settle back quickly into life, work and school in Kenya. 
  
  
• Remember Timothy especially as he is separated from the rest of this immediate family and returns to boarding school in another part of Kenya.

Derek and Linda Roulston have also completed their home assignment, and together with Joshua are due to leave Ireland on 6th January to return to work with the WHEAT Project in Kenya, while Laura-Jayne and Amy will be returning to boarding school in Dublin.

Prayer Points –

• Give thanks for a good home assignment and opportunities to speak to many people in a number of congregations about their work in Kenya.
  
  
• For Derek, Linda and Joshua as they prepare to return to Kenya; for safe travel and that they will settle back quickly into life, work and school in Kenya. 
  
  
• Remember Laura-Jayne and Amy as they return to Dublin and settle back into school. 

Tuum – Stephen Cowan writes: “We give thanks to the Lord for the great time of outreach that took place with the Kabete campusteam. Many villages were reached with the gospel and many conversations took placeconcerning Jesus and His Salvation. The YouthCamps ended on Friday last, 18th December. Everybody seemed tired after all the outreach and then the four days teaching.”

• Pray that the knowledge gained will help these young people make wise decisions in the future, and the Holy Spirit will anoint the Word in their lives, and dispel the sense of hopelessness in many.

December is a very difficult month spiritually with many traditional tribal ceremonies taking place which give rise to a profound sense of spiritual apathy that seems to grip the community.

• Pray that this year’s Christmas celebrations will reflect the love of Jesus Christ; and that those who love Him will reflect that sense of hope through their attitudes, in what they say, and in the way they live.

Members of the student team from Nairobi, that led the recent Youth Camps and outreach, are due to leave Tuum today, Wednesday 23rd, and return to their homes for Christmas.

• Pray for safety in all travelling, as they make their way back to their home villages in various parts of Kenya.

Days 16 to 19 – MALAWI

Since 7th December, Karonga District in Northern Malawi has been seriously affected by a number of earthquakes registering up to 6.0 on the Richter scale. The most recent occurred last Sunday (20th), at 2.15 am in the early morning. As a consequence, the infrastructure has been severely affected and there’s been widespread damage to peoples’ homes, schools, churches and other buildings. People have been evacuated from areas where large cracks have developed and hot and dirty waste is erupting from the ground. Metrological and Geologist experts warn of major health hazards as a result of these eruptions.

Reporting on the latest quake, Diane Cusick says: “... three people have been killed ... and about 300+ taken tohospital, some with major injuries.” In all, it is reported that almost 1,000 homes have been destroyed and over 3,500 more have been damaged, while it is estimate that over 16,000 people are in immediateneedof emergency assistance.

Karonga comes within the Livingstonia Synodarea of the Church of Central Africa Presbyterian (CCAP). The Synod’s Emergency & Development Department estimates that some £610,000/€682,000 is needed to meet the cost of providing emergency aid and for the repair or rebuilding of damaged buildings in the area, and it is appealing to its international partners to help them meet this significant cost. The Board of Mission Overseas has already sent £10,000 towards emergency relief. 

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 the funds needed to provide for emergency assistance and for the repair and rebuilding of damaged properties will be quickly found.
  
  
• That no further earthquakes or tremors will occur.

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.

For further information on the disaster go to NEWS

Day 24 – NEPAL

This is only the second year that Christmas Day has been a national holiday in Nepal. Only a small percentage of the population in this overwhelming Hindu nation will know the real meaning of the celebration. Many churches will be running special programmes of carol singing in the homes of members who have invited in their neighbours and friends. On Christmas Day, most churches have services in the morning followed by lunch together; again with invited friends and neighbours.

The United Mission to Nepal (UMN) will hold its Christmas Celebration and Carol Service in the UMN garden on Christmas Eve. UMN Staff members usually bring family and friends along to this event, which is followed by everyone sharing in and enjoying a special selection of snack foods.

Prayer Points –

• For Nepali Christians as they share, in both formal and informal settings, the Good News of the birth of the King or Kings. Pray that many who are disillusioned by the sacrificial nature of the Hindu faith may experience personally the Gift of God’s Son.
  
  
• Pray that the UMN celebration of Christmas will be meaningful for all the staff and their families.
  
  
• Pray for families serving overseas that God would protect relationships. Pray for wisdom for Janet Campbell as she counsels and supports two particular families who are experiencing difficulties at present.
  
  
• Pray for Joe Campbell as he prepares for and speaks at the International Church service in Kathmandu on Sunday, 27th December.

PLEASE NOTE – The Mission Overseas Office will be closed for the Christmas and New Year holidays from tomorrow Thursday, 24th December, reopening again on Monday, 4th January 2010. As a consequence, there will be no Prayerline service on Wednesday, 30th December. The next Prayerline bulletin will be issued on Wednesday, 6th January 2010.

Thank you for your continued prayer support for the work of God’s mission around the world. 
May you know God’s peace and blessing this Christmas and in the coming New Year.

The 2010 Edition of the ‘Points for Prayer’ Handbook is now available.
If you have not received your copy or wish to obtain one, please enquire within your congregation.

Alternatively, contact:  The Communications Office, Church House, Belfast BT1 6DW.
 ‘Points for Prayer’ email: pfp@presbyterianireland.org    Tel: (028) 9032 2284

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