Presbyterian Church in Ireland - Mission Overseas - PL2010-03, 20-Jan-10

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PL2010-03, 20-Jan-10

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 – UKRAINE

Jenni Wolfe asks for prayer for David Csok, an assistant at Nagybereg School (NBRL) and known to members of PCI teams who have served in Transcarpathia. David is having an interview soon for volunteer work in America and really feels now is the time for him to do this and that it is God’s plan for his life.  

Prayer Points –

• That in God’s will David Csok will be able to enter the volunteer programme.
  
• For the interview and his ability to speak English will be sufficien for him to be accepted on the programme.
  
• That God will guide David in all he does and that he will receive God’s blessing in every aspect of his life.

Days 12 to 14 – KENYA

Stephen Cowan writes that there is a lot of fear around Tuum, as there have been reports of many footprints and of raiders coming from the other side of the Suguta Valley, near Lokori. Local rival communities have decided to integrate more, but when people can come from 100 miles away from another district by foot there is little chance of a lack of hostility.

There has been good rain for about a week in the area. Grass growth has been good, and the health of smaller stock has improved.  Life in the manyatta is better as there is some milk around again, but fear of attack appears around the corner.

Prayer Points –

• Give thanks for a good attendance at the monthly adult Bible teaching time. Many of the women are keen to grow as followers of Jesus, but unfortunately many of their husbands do not yet believe in Jesus.  
  
  
• At Wuaso Rongai, the tree planting area has been well looked after by the parents, and even though there has been a drought, the trees are healthy. Pray that this will encourage more planting and lead to some sustained agro-forestry.
  
  
• Outreach this week will be to Seren, as they work towards placing a Samburu family there. They will be looking at how the water supply can be improved, as part of an ongoing witness to the community. Pray that the Word of God will continue to impact the people of this village as they are loved.

The PCEA Galana primary school has been ranked the number one school, in terms of exam results, in their zone and number one in the entire division! This is due to many people praying and the dedication of the teachers and pupils who have performed so well in the December exams. This was such a welcomed result as it was the first time students in the school sat final exams. 

Derek and Linda Roulston were encouraged by the potato meeting last week and Derek has had more positive meetings with stake holders yesterday (19th).  

Derek and Linda Roulston give thanks that Josh has made a good start in boarding school, even though there have been a few tears at night, all his other dorm mates rally round and this soon passes. 

Prayer Points –

• Give thanks for the great performance of PCEA Galana primary school. For the challenge in assisting the PCEA primary school with extra resources and personal to enable it to be a leading light for Christ as a Christian school in the predominately Muslim coastal area.
  
  
• Praise God for the goodwill within the Government bodies and other organisations involved in reviving the seed sector in Kenya.
  
  
• For the new project in Timau as it seeks to develop people’s faith in Christ as well as seed potatoes.
  
  
• Remember Josh as he will be in boarding school for another two weeks, before having a weekend at home.  

Last Friday (15th), Thomas Leremore was with the members of three pastoralist communities (Pokot, Turkana and Samburu) for a peace meeting in Laikipia.  Over 200 local community members were there.

• Give thanks for the peace meeting in Laikipia and pray that there will be sustainable peace among the pastoralist communities who have been fighting against each other for a long time.
  
  
  

The Presbyterian University of East Africa (PUEA) is offering a diploma course in Peace and Conflict Studies which is due to begin next week. Thomas Leremore is coordinating this programme.

Prayer Points –

• Thank God for the interest already shown in this course and pray for the students as they enrol.
  
  
• Pray for the lecturers who will be involved in teaching it. 
  
  
  

Naomi Leremore will be involved in a week-long curriculum committee meeting from Tuesday 26th January. The task is to rewrite the Sunday School text book for the four to six years’ age group.

• Pray for unity among the members of the curriculum committee as they work together on the revision of book one.

Days 16 to 19 – MALAWI

People in the Karonga District in northern Malawi continue to deal with the huge damage caused by a series of earthquakes in December. 

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

Rev Bill McReynolds, who served in India from 1946 to 1960 passed away on Sunday (17th). A Service ofThanksgiving will be held this Friday (22nd) in Granshaw Presbyterian Church at 12.15 pm. 

• Give thanks for Bill’s faithful service to the Lord in both Ireland and India and pray for his family at this difficult time. 

Day 24 – NEPAL

This coming Saturday (23rd), Joe Campbell will travel to Ahmedabad in Gujarat with nine Nepalese from five different faiths. There, they will join with ten Indian nationals in a multi faith peace-building programme.  The group will look together at what the various "holy books" say about peace and work on plans to intervene as mediators in local disputes before they become major issues. Along with Joe, will be one of the UMN conflict transformation officers who is heading up this aspect of UMN's work.  Joe will return to Nepal on Tuesday, 2nd February.

Janet Campbell will lead a "prayers for healing" in UMN's headquarters tomorrow Thursday (21st) and in addition to counselling various people will travel to Tansen Hospital next Thursday (28th) to hold annual personnel reviews with UMN appointed staff. She will return to Kathmandu on Wednesday 3rd February.

This Sunday (25th) another of the now regular politically motivated national strikes is due to take place. This will effectively shut down all road transport in Nepal and also almost all commercial activity in the country.

Prayer Points –

• That the group going to Gujarat will learn new skills and be inspired to work in the tense disputes constantly springing up along the border with India. Usually these are about, water, land or other resources but quickly lead to ethnic and religious division and violence.
  
  
• That many of the UMN staff will be encouraged to share needs for healing prayer this Thursday afternoon.
  
  
• That Janet will have a safe journey to Tansen and that the interviews with staff will be productive, encouraging and helpful.
  
  
• For political stability in Nepal and for the Christian community all over the country that each will be a source and sign of hope in these uncertain times.

Day 31 – DISASTERS AND EMERGENCIES

Last week, Presbyterian Moderator, Dr Stafford Carson, launched a Church-wide appeal to support relief work in Haitifollowing last week's devastating earthquake:

"As we hear of and see the horrendous suffering in Haiti all of us want to do something to help.  I know that everyone will be praying and would encourage people to continue in that both at public worship and in their private devotions.

But we also need to give practical support and for most of us that is done through financial giving to the huge relief effort that is underway.  Consequently I am launching a Moderator's Appeal for Haiti across the Presbyterian Church and £20,000 has immediately been sent to support our relief partners Tearfund and Christian Aid who are already hard at work in these most difficult circumstances." 

For more information visit the Moderator’s blog 

Prayer Points –

• For all those who have been affected by the earthquake; especially for those who have been injured, have lost loved ones, or have suffered damage to their homes, possessions, or livelihoods.
  
  
• That emergency supplies will quickly reach all those in need. 
  
  
• That the funds needed to provide for emergency assistance and for the repair and rebuilding of damaged properties and infrastructure will be quickly found.

The Moderator’s Appeal letter being sent out to ministers today, encourages congregations to support this appeal and send their donations to the Financial Secretary’s Office, Church House, as soon as possible, but not later than the end of February 2010.

Cheques should be made payable to ‘The Presbyterian Church in Ireland’
and marked ‘Haiti Earthquake Appeal’.

Where possible, members should be encouraged to contribute under the Gift Aid Scheme.

Alternatively, people may give directly to Tearfund and Christian Aid.  Details are available on their websites. 

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