PL2010-05, 03-Feb-10
Wednesday, 3rd February 2010 | No: PL2010-05 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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 4 – SPAIN
The new University semester begins officially in February, and during this semester all the GBU groups will be using the new LIFE project: studies in John's Gospel.
- Pray that these studies would be used to spread the gospel and encourage those who are Christians.
Derek writes, “Many of you will have been praying for Lina from Colombia. We have mentioned her in several prayer items over the past few years. In January, Lina was interviewed and accepted by the GBU Executive Committee as a full time GBU Staff worker in the Basque Country. We are thrilled at this answer to prayer and she will be such an asset to the team here. She will begin full time in June.”
- Pray for Lina as she makes this transition. Give thanks for the funding received thus far towards her salary and pray that God would supply the balance that is still needed.
Paula: Praise God that through a Christianity Explored course, run by Derek in a local church in Bilbao, Paula has come to know Christ personally as her Saviour and Lord. This is what it is all about!
- Pray for her as she seeks to follow Christ and is discipled. Give thanks that she attends a good church and will have great follow up.
Team Development: Give thanks that the GBU team needed to cover the North of Spain from September 2010 is already beginning to take shape.
- Pray for clear guidance from God for those who at this time are praying and considering whether they should be part of this team from next September.
Day 7 – CZECH REPUBLIC
Rev Daniel Heczko, Pastor of Dejvice congregation (Prague) of the Church of Brethren has been diagnosed with cancer and is receiving chemotherapy. Thankfully he is responding well, so far. Daniel is well known to many in PCI, and particularly to members of Portrush Presbyterian Church, which is twinned with Dejvice congregation.
- Pray for Daniel at this difficult time and remember the congregation also.
Days 12 to 14 – KENYA
The PCEA Peace Initiative, in partnership with Reconcile (an ecumenical institution based in South Sudan), will be taking a five day workshop on trauma healing and reconciliation. This workshop will take place in Eldoret town, one of the worst affected areas in 2007 by the post-election violence. The workshop will bring together leaders from the PCEA and the Reformed Church of East Africa(RCEA). It will be held from Monday 8th to Friday 12th February.
Prayer Points –
- For Thomas Leremore as he organises this workshop
- For safety in travel for Rev Khamis and Lalam from Reconcile as they will be coming from Sudan to facilitate the workshop.
- For all the participants, and that they may know God’s healing power as they seek to reconcile their communities.
Naomi Leremore thanks all who prayed for the Sunday School curriculum workshop which was held last week. There was real unity among the members and much progress made. The next meeting is scheduled to take place from 16th to 19th February.
Prayer Points –
- For the members of the curriculum committee as they continue preparing materials for 16th February.
- That the momentum will be sustained, so that Book 1, for four to six year olds, will be completed soon.
Stephen Cowan sends the following prayer requests from Tuum:-
- For safety in travel for students starting First Form this week in schools across Kenya and for the availability of funds to pay for school fees.
- For the informal meeting with newest generation of young men in Tuum which is planned for the beginning of next week. Previous attempts to reach this generation have not been very effective. Pray for the young Christian leaders as they plan this meeting.
- For the Head-teacher of Tuum Girls’ Secondary School who is improving after accident. She hopes to return to work in around two weeks.
Days 16 to 19 – MALAWI
Last Wednesday, Diane Cusick and her colleagues were delighted to receive many boxes filled with much-needed resources for the pre-schools. Diane writes, “Thanks to one and all for these gifts of love to the children and caregivers in Malawi.”
Prayer Points –
- Give thanks for all those who support the Containers to Malawi Project.
- For the family and friends of one on Diane’s colleagues in the Education Department who passed away recently.
- For one of the teachers from the school who is unwell at present; pray that she will receive proper medical care and that she will recover soon.
Day 24 – NEPAL
Grenville and Georgie Hopkinson have been busy supporting the International Church in Kathmanduwhile the congregation wait for the new pastor. Georgie is serving on the board and organising the Sunday School programme and material, whilst Grenville is chairing the worship committee and has led a number of the services over the past few months. In a few weeks time, Randall Day and his wife will leave their pastoral duties in their church in the United States and travel to Nepal where, Randall will take up his new role as Pastor of the International Church in Kathmandu.
Prayer Points –
- For Grenville and Georgie as they help out in the International Church.
- For the International Church in Kathmandu as they prepare to welcome the new pastor.
- For the Days as they pack up their lives and prepare to spend the next three years in Nepal.
In Kathmandu, there is a large network of expatriate workers from the UN, the British Government and other major international development organisations. Over the past six months, the Hopkinsons have built good relationships within this community and have been very much aware of some people's desire to explore faith issues, though they often search in the wrong areas. This week, the Hopkinsons are making final preparations for an Alpha course, which will be run from their home, for parents they have met through the British School. The first meeting will take place next Tuesday evening (9th) and the course will run for six to seven weeks. This is the first Alpha course Grenville and Georgie have run and they would really value prayer as they prepare for it.
- Pray for the preparations for the Alpha course; that many will come to the course and that many of those who attend will come to know the Lord.
Joe Campbell has returned safely to Nepal following his trip to India to attend a multi-faith peace-building programme. The participants will now share their experiences within their faith communities and make plans to reduce tensions and work for better relationships across the various faith divides in Nepal. They will gather again in Kathmandu in May and invite others from their faith groups.
- Give thanks for the good interfaith peace programme held last week and pray that the Nepali delegates who attended will be inspired to work for peace in their communities.
Serving overseas puts particular strains on relationships in the home. This coming Friday evening and for the next seven weeks, Janet and Joe Campbell will be running the ‘Marriage Course’. Nine expatriate couples have agreed to attend the programme which will be held in a local cafe. The first session is called ‘Building Strong Foundations’.
- Pray for the couples who have agreed to attend the Marriage Course this Friday evening. That they will be enjoy reviewing their relationships and be inspired to take corrective action where necessary. Pray for God's protection and strength for couples living and serving overseas.
- Today, Wednesday (3rd) Janet Campbell will be returning by bus from Tansen and Butwal where she has been working for the past week. Pray for safe travel.
On Saturday, Joe Campbell will travel to Mugu, the most deprived and underdeveloped District in Nepal and one of UMN's cluster locations. Joe will be working with the staff team there in the development of their work plan for the next five years.
- Pray for safety for Joe and many of the UMN staff travelling these coming weeks both in the air, on the roads and during the long hikes to get to destinations.
- Pray for good health and that staff working in these remote regions will be encouraged and blessed.
Day 28 – INDONESIA
Timor – Following his stroke last December, Elsye McCroskery’s dad has been making steady progress. He is now able to walk while aided, although he still has no power in his right arm. Barry writes: “Thank you for your continued prayers for him and for Elsye and the rest of the family.”
At Artha Wacana Christian University in Kupang, ministry students and staff at the Faculty of Theology, where Elsye is Vice-Dean and where both she and Barry teach, are preparing for a new semester. With some 500 students, the workload faced by full-time staff at the faculty can, at times, seem overwhelming, especially at this time of year. A great concern of the faculty and the church is that pastoral care, individual character development, and personal discipleship of students suffers as a result of overstretched resources. This has been reflected recently in an increasing number of assistant ministers having to drop-out because of moral and spiritual issues.
Prayer Points –
- For the students, who arrive at the faculty directly from school and often find their faith tested through living away from the protection and security of home.
- Elsye and the rest of the faculty staff to be able to draw on God’s grace and wisdom in order to carry out their responsibilties and provide an example of Christ-likeness to the students.
- Rev Dina Takalapeta, the new full-time residential students’chaplain, who has just been appointed to the theology faculty.
On Monday of this week (1st February), our partner church, GMIT, signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with its development organisation, Alfa Omega, and handed over a cheque for the full amount raised by Presbyterian Women (PW), through their BirthdayFund, a total of £34,942. This money will fund the purchase of a much-needed truck, which will help transport locally grown produce to market. PW’s gift will also provide valuable capital funding, which will greatly assist the work of women’s groups in the Lelogama area of Timor. Alfa Omegaand those who will benefit directly from this generous gift want to express sincere thanks to all the members of PW in Ireland who contributed in any way. Barry McCroskery writes: “We [in GMIT] have every confidence that they [Alfa Omega] have the expertise to run this scheme well and to the glory of God.” The truck will also be used from time to time to help with the distribution of aid.
- Give thanks for continued interest and involvement of PW members in the work of mission overseas and that the generous gift they have sent to Timor will soon be bringing very real benefits to rural communities and women’s groups, particularly in the Lelogama area.
- Pray for God’s blessing on the work and witness of Alfa Omega; and for wisdom and grace for those who head up this organisation, as they seek to make wise decisions on the use of the resources that have been entrusted to their care.
- Give thanks to God for the ongoing witness of the many women’s groups within GMIT - in Timor and the surrounding islands where GMIT ministers. Pray that these groups will continue to be able to provide effective practical help to individuals, families and communities, as well as bringing spiritual encouragement and opportunities for growth in faith and witness.
Day 31 – DISASTERS AND EMERGENCIES
Many people remain in great need in Haiti, following the earthquake of three weeks ago which devastated the country. As well as a need for continued supplies of food, water and medical supplies, one of the main concerns at present is how to provide proper shelter for so many people before the rainy seasons begins. It is believed that over a million people are currently without proper shelter, and special tents will be needed to withstand the expected heavy rains which are due to start in a few weeks time. Tents are being shipped in to the country, however many more are required, and it is thought there are not enough in the world at present to cover the need.
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 and for those who have been injured to receive medical help.
- For wisdom and energy for aid workers, medical staff and all those trying to bring help to so many people in desperate need.
- That everyone in Haiti will have adequate shelter before the rains come.
Donations towards the Moderator’s Appeal for Haiti should be sent 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.
(Gift Aid to be recovered by the congregation).
Alternatively, people may give directly to Tearfund and Christian Aid. Details are available on their websites.
Prayerline is also available as a recorded message, normally in a shortened version. |
Thank you for sharing in the ministry of prayer |
