PL2010-02, 13-Jan-10
Wednesday, 13th January 2010 | No: PL2010-02 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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.
Day 8 – ROMANIA
The Board of the Caleb House met on Monday (11th) and appointed Gulacsy Paul and his wife, a retired couple, as the new house-parents of Caleb for a three month period, commencing next Monday (18th). They will also advertise for the positions on a permanent basis. Tunde Kiss will remain on the staff as the part time social worker.
Prayer Points –
- For Gulacsy Paul and his wife, as they take up their new positions.
- For the young people currently living in the Caleb House, that they would adjust well to their new house-parents and that they will know God’s encouragement at this time.
Day 10 – SUDAN
Five years on from the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement between parties in the North and South of Sudan, which ended more than two decades of civil war (1983 – 2004), there are fears that the peace may collapse. This is a critical time as national elections are due to be held in April and a Referendum on Southern Self-determination is due to take place in a year’s time. There are fears that Sudan could descend into civil war once more. There is also a severe threat of famine in Southern Sudan, due to the failure of rains in various parts of the country in the past year.
Prayer Points –
- For the Comprehensive Peace Agreement to hold, for compromises to be reached and for a real and lasting peace for all the people of Sudan.
- For an end to the continued violence in the Darfur region in western Sudan and for all those who continue to be affected by it.
- For all those in the country who face food shortages, that they will get all the food they need in good time.
Days 12 to 14 – KENYA
People in Tuum are thankful to see the grass growing again. Stephen Cowan writes, “Rain is such a blessing and really explains why the cultural Samburu word for rain and god are the same. As we seek to live the gospel here we realise that it is only by the power of the Holy Spirit that people come to know that we know the Father through His Son, Jesus. Our relationships and involvement with the community need to communicate this, irrespective of our practical involvement.”
Prayer Points –
- Pray for the Head teacher of Tuum Girls’ Secondary School, Ms Halima, who is still in hospital following her accident. Pray that the other teachers at the school will make wise and decisive decisions in Ms Halima's absence.
- Continue to pray for the four people from the Tuum area who are involved at present with Youth With A Mission (YWAM); three at the Discipleship Training School (DTS) and one on staff. Another student will attend a new DTS beginning February.
- The regular monthly adult Bible teaching time held in Tuum will take place next week. This time really encourages the small group of believers who live in isolated villages. Pray that the impact of the December student mission will encourage others to come and search for the truth of Jesus Christ.
- Pray for plans for the April youth camps, which it is hoped will be held in conjunction with a training and challenging time on the abandonment of female genital mutilation. There is much cultural and spiritual ignorance to this practice, and December is always a dark month as many girls are circumcised then, even many who attend church and sing in the choir. Pray for the few who have decided to refuse to pass through this initiation.
- First form selection in all secondary schools in Kenya will have taken place by the end of this week. Over one third of the students who passed the entrance exam will miss a chance to go to secondary school; while many who will get a place, will struggle to find money for the fees, as cash is short after months of severe drought, no food in the stores, and weak animals.
- Pray that people will see God's provision and also plan ahead where possible. Some will have to make choices, but often locally around Mt. Nyiru a second wife is a priority over educating a daughter.
Derek and Linda Roulston, with their son Joshua arrived safely in Kenya last week having completed their home assignment. Joshua went bravely into boarding school on Sunday, had a few tears the first night, but had a good first day.
Prayer Points –
- Give thanks that despite the bad weather, they managed to fly in and out of Heathrow safely. Luggage and passengers all arrived intact!
- Continue to pray for Joshua as he adjusts to life at the boarding school.
- That Derek and Linda will fully recover from a bad dose of flu and feel physically strengthened before launching into the new project. They are in Nairobi for a few days getting some things sorted out before heading up to Timau all being well on Wednesday.
- For the community in Galana, that they will continue to move forward in their agriculture and other developments one of which is the women's crafts and that the Church will go from strength to strength.
- For a field Day that will take place in Timauthis Friday (15th), specifically for local farmers to demonstrate potato growing techniques and the importance of using healthy seed potatoes.
- For the girls settling back into school in Dublin, particularly for Laura Jayne, as she continues her studies for her mocks in February.
Days 16 to 19 – MALAWI
Fiona Innes, a member of Portrush Presbyterian Church, was commissioned last Sunday (10th) for service in Malawi. Fiona has been invited by the Education Department of the Livingstonia Synod of the Church of Central Africa Presbyterian (CCAP), to take up the role of Monitoring and Evaluation Officer in its Early Childhood Development Programme. This will involve working closely with DianeCusickin the development of the Montessori teaching and training methodology in pre-schools throughout the Livingstonia Synod area. She is due to leave for Malawi at the end of next month.
Prayer Points –
- For Fiona as she has much to do before she leaves, including packing up and dealing with the damage to her house caused by a burst pipe – a result of the recent cold weather.
- For Fiona as she says farewell to family and friends.
The Karonga District which suffered a series of damaging earthquakes in December, is still suffering from tremors, though they are not as strong. CCAP’s Karonga Girls’ Secondary School, which was badly damaged in the quakes, reopened this week. Tents have replaced badly damaged classrooms and the hostels the girls normally live in. For more information, see Diane Cusick’s blog
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 and that the rains which are vital water supplies in the coming months, will not be too severe and will not cause further damage properties.
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'.
Day 24 – INDIA
In recent weeks, Christians in Orissa have been fearful of a new outbreak of violence against them by local Hindus. Since Christmas 2007, there have been several large-scale attacks on Christians. For more information click here.
Prayer Points –
- That there will be no renewal of anti-Christian violence.
- That Christians in Orissa will know the Lord’s sustaining strength, and His peace and protection.
Day 28 – INDONESIA
Elsye McCroskery's father, Mr Niap, who suffered a stroke at the end of November, is making some progress.
- Give thanks for the improvement in Mr Niap’s health, and continue to pray for his healing.
The 2010 Edition of the ‘Points for Prayer’ Handbook is now available.
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