PL2010-07, 17-Feb-10
Wednesday, 17th February 2010 | No: PL2010-07 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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
Last weekend’s mini-camp for GBU groups in the North of Spain and Aragon did not take place as there was heavy snow in SanSebastion were they were to stay. It is hoped it willbe re-scheduled.
The GBU group in Vitoria have been doing the Christianity Explored Course and four people who aren’t Christians have also been attending; and in San Sebastion, eight to 10 students are attending the course.
In Bilbao, Jane French is enjoying more opportunities to get to know other mums, now she has Gabriela.
Prayer Points –
- That the camp can be rescheduled and that all those who had planned to come will be able to attend.
- That the students doing the Christianity Explored course would be grounded in the gospel and that those who are not Christians will come to faith in Jesus Christ.
- For Jane and for opportunities to share the gospel with the mums she meets.
Days 12 to 14 – KENYA
Stephen Cowan writes, “The planned meeting with the younger generation of youth did not take place due to asecurity threat from Turkana raiders from Lokori. As of Monday [this week], there has not been a raid, but people arevigilant. Church on Sunday saw a full house with more secondary school girls and many more village people. Ofcourse this is no indication of growth, but the passion ofsome of the leadership has certainly encouraged others tocome. We pray that lifestyles are speaking. It is important that village people see the integrity and truth in the life offollowers of Jesus and have a good example to follow.”
Prayer Points –
- A Form 4 group from Tuum Girls’ School is going on an educational trip to the Naivaisha area this week. Pray that all who travel will realise they are ambassadors for the school, and pray that they will be kept safe.
- Continue to pray for the full recovery of the head teacher of Tuum Girls’ Secondary School. She hopes to return to Tuum at the beginning of March.
- Next week will be the monthly training time in Tuum. Pray that more men will come from some of the outlying villages. Pray too for some who followed Jesus in the past but succumbed to cultural norms and took second wives. Pray that they may return to being faithful followers of Jesus; and, whilst recognising that what they have done is contrary to what the Bible teaches, that they will remain faithful to their wives.
Derek Roulston has decided, at very short notice, to take part in a 50km mountain bike race to raise funds for the 14 students from PCEA Bombi Primary School, who did so well in their Form 8 exam and have now started secondary school. Finding the money to pay school fees is such a challenge but, so far, the parents of these students have raised over half the money required. Derek is definitely not out to win, but asks for prayer to just cross the finish line!
Prayer Points –
- Remember Derek as he undertakes this bike ride. Pray for his safety and the stamina needed.
- Pray for sufficient funds to meet the cost of school fees, so that all the pupils will be able to attend school.
- For a farmers’ field day, which will be held on 4th March; this is usually very well attended by a good cross-section of the community and is a good opportunity to meet many and offer help and advice in farming techniques.
- As Derek continues to visit farmers, it is becoming more apparent that although the people are by and large farmers, none has ever had any formal training, and knowledge of even the fundamentals in animal and crop husbandry is very low. Pray for ways and means to redress these disadvantages.
Joshua Roulston, who is home from boarding school for the half term holidays, is due to return to school this Sunday (21st), which will also be his 8th birthday! He continues to enjoy school and has made many friends.
- Please remember Joshua as he returns to boarding school and that he will settle back well.
Last weekend, the newly planted PCEA congregation for East African expatriates in London, where Edwin and Anne Kibathi serve, held a seminar for the leaders. This Sunday (21st), these leaders will be inducted.
The court hearing following the tragic car accident in London in the summer, in which two Kenyan students died, starts this week. Edwin and Anne plan to attend the hearing if they can. The families will be meeting for the first time and emotions of anger and bitterness could rise.
Prayer Points –
- That the new leaders will be used by God as they serve in their respective groups.
- For the families who are still mourning the loss of their loved ones killed in the car accident last summer, that God will give them the strength they need as they attend the court hearing.
- That Edwin and Anne will also find the right words to say to the families, if required.
Days 16 to 19 – MALAWI
Victoria Chihana and Helen Quinn are visiting the Jombo Presbytery today (17th) to meet with all ministers and session clerks in the Presbytery to explain the Women's Empowerment Programme Micro-Finance Loan Scheme, with a view to introducing the scheme there.
Next Wednesday (24th), they will visit the Women's Empowerment Groups in each of the congregations in NjuyuPresbytery. This is a monitoring visit, following the introduction of the programme there last year.
Prayer Points –
- For safe travel on rough and muddy roads.
- That these congregational leaders will catch the vision of the potential of this scheme and be willing to give the necessary assistance for it to be a success in their congregations.
- For Victoria and Helen will be an encouragement to the women.
- That the women will have had success with their small businesses and be able to pay back their loans so that others will be able to receive new loans.
- For the many Malawians who struggle, especially at this time of year, to get enough food to feed their families as they wait for the new harvest in April to June and that the rains will be adequate, as they have not been as good as necessary so far in various parts of the country.
The Student Christian Organisation of Malawi (SCOM) is holding end of term student conferences throughout Malawi from 19th to 21st February. Eight of these are in the Northern Region, where the theme is 'Seek first the Kingdom of God'.
- Pray for all the speakers and discussion group leaders.
- Pray that young people will come to saving faith and many will be built up in their faith.
- Pray that these young people will be effective witnesses to their friends when they return to school.
Day 24 – NEPAL
Nepal had some much needed rain last week as the hydro rivers are very low and power is off nationwide for 16 hours every day. In the north-western district of Mugu, where Joe Campbell was working, the rain fell as heavy snow. Currently, as in every winter, there is severe food shortage, very few employment opportunities and increased ill health. Joe was thankful for prayers for safety in travel and blessings in the work. He returned to Kathmandulast Saturday (13th) evening.
Janet and Joe Campbell are again running a marriage course for expatriate couples based in Kathmandu. Nine couples are attending each Friday evening.
Grenville and Georgie Hopkinson are hosting an Alpha Course for parents from the British School. Last week, three people came and the group had some good discussions. This is a busy time of year for many people, so the Hopkinsons are hoping that people will be able to continue coming over the next six weeks.
Today (17th) at lunchtime, Janet was leading the monthly ‘prayers for healing’ in UMN offices. Many staff submit names of friends and relatives, who request prayer, and God has honoured this faithful ministry.
This Sunday (21st), Nigel Eves (BMO Asia Secretary), and Rev Dr Trevor Morrow (Minister of Lucan Presbyterian Church) leave for a short visit to Nepal. During their visit Nigel hopes to meet with various people and groups, both inside and outside UMN; while Trevor will speak to a gathering of key denominational leaders, UMN leaders and Nepali Board Members at an overnight conference (Tuesday 23rd to Wednesday 24th) and from Thursday evening (25th) through to Sunday evening (28th), Trevor will be the main speaker at the UMN Retreat for expatriate staff.
Prayer Points –
- Give thanks for Joe’s safe travel and good health in Mugu last week. Pray for Paul the young Nepali man leading UMN’s work there. Pray God’s strength and support for the young team of Nepali staff he leads.
- For Janet in her pastoral care work and for this week’s healing prayer time.
- For the Hopkinsons as they facilitate the Alpha course and for those who have been able to come so far.
- For the marriage course on Friday evening. One big challenge is that a generator is needed to give power for the DVD. Lots of wires and connections needed.
- For a safe journey and good health for Nigel and Trevor as they travel. Pray for God’s rich blessing on all they undertake while in the country, especially that Trevor will be used to bring God’s message in his two main speaking events.
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