PL2010-12, 24-Mar-10
Wednesday, 24th March 2010 | No: PL2010-12 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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.
Days 12 to 14 – KENYA
Derek Roulston reports, “Harvest conditions continue to remain very challenging for the grain crop in Kenya as unsettled weather means crops remain damp and so unsuitable to harvest, also few farmers have access to any form of drying facilities, unless dry weather comes crops will be lost. With such a short supply of food in the country Kenya cannot afford to have any crop loss. On the other hand, with the seasonal rains coming early, spring planting is well under way and many crops are now well established.”
As part of a link-up between the school in Galana and Raphoe Royal & Prior School, in Co Donegal, three teachers from Galana, who are hoping to travel to Donegal in May, are still waiting for their visa application results. This is part of an exchange visit organised by the Rev Stanley Stewart, school chaplain, who is also planning to take a group from the school to Galana this coming June.
Laura-Jayne and Amy will travel to Kenya on Saturday 27th March for the Easter holidays. Joshua will also finish his first term at boarding school on the same day.
The new church in Galana, together with the Malindi congregation, is planning to hold a mission in the Galana area during the Easter week.
The WHEAT Project is supporting a new secondary school, Pwani High School, located just outside Mombasa. Despite many financial constraints, the school opened last week with a modest intake of eight students.
Prayer Points –
- For favourable weather so crops may be saved.
- For a safe journey from Dublin to Kenya for Laura-Jayne and Amy and that the family will have a good time together over the Easter period.
- That all the plans being made for the Galana-Raphoe exchange visit will be successful and especially that visa applications will come through in time for the Galana group to travel to Ireland in May.
- Remember the outreach taking place in the Galana area over Easter. Pray that many will respond to the Good News and that God’s Kingdom will continue to grow in this area and beyond. Pray for wisdom and guidance for plans being made for another mission in the Galana area in June.
- Give thanks for the recent opening of Pwani High School. Pray that even from this small start numbers will grow and these students will know God’s grace as they continue their studies in a Christian environment and that the financial challenges will be overcome.
Lanken, the little girl mentioned by Gary and Mary Reid in last week’s Prayerline, sadly passed away at Tenwick Mission hospital.
- Pray for Lanken’s mother and father at this difficult time.
- Remember Gary and Mary Reid and the other at Olkinyiei Mission Station as they try to help this family.
Stephen Cowan reports that some areas of the Tuum district are flooded again. However, other areas which have adopted soil erosion measures and grass growing have benefitted.
Prayer Points –
- Continue to pray for the process of change and not just individual projects that may help.
- Pray for plans to come together for the youth camps as communication has been down. It is hoped the FGM group can still come.
- Pray also for the plans for the first Christian wedding in Tuum to be held on 10th April.
Days 16 to 19 – MALAWI
Una Brownlie has now completed her period of deputation speaking and is preparing to return to her work at the David GordonMemorial Hospital (DGMH) in Livingstonia. One of Una colleagues at the hospital, Josephine Soko, a Community Nurse has been in N Ireland since February and accompanied Una on her speaking engagements. Una and Josephine will travel back to Malawi together, leaving Belfast next Wednesday (31st).
- Give thanks for the opportunities Una and Josephine have had to share with others in PCI about the work in DGMH.
- Pray for them as they prepare to return, for Una as she says farewell to family and friends and for safe and trouble-free travel back to Livingstonia for both Una and Josephine.
Day 22 – ASIANS in the UK
Christopher and Nivedita Benjamin are writing an Easter article for a Gujarati newspaper, which is widely read by those in the Gujarati community in Britain. The article is to be published in next week’s edition, providing an excellent opportunity to share the Easter message of Hope with those from other faiths in the Gujarati community.
Prayer Points –
- That the people who read the article may understand the meaning and message of Easter.
- For the Gujaratis who attend the weekly Bible Study at the Benjamins’ home every Thursday.
- For a Gujarati Christian family, whose one year old son has been operated on twice and who faces a further operation later this year. Please pray for the boy’s parents and especially that he will have a speedy recovery.
Day 24 – NEPAL
Last Saturday (20th), Mr G P Koirala, former Prime Minister of Nepal died. He was 84 and elder statesman of Nepal. Mr Koirala guided the peace negotiations back in 2005/2006 and in the past few years has been trusted by all the political parties. He will be greatly missed by his party the Nepali Congress of which he was President, but also as someone who could transcend petty party division to reach agreement. There are still major hurdles to overcome if the new Nepali Constitution is to be written by the fixed date of 28th May.
Grenville and Georgie Hopkinsoncontinue to run the Alpha Course in their home every Tuesday evening. Those attending are friends and members in the expatriate community, who live in Kathmandu.
Joe and Janet Campbell host the final session of the Marriage Course this coming Friday evening. Eight couples have been attending regularly for the past seven weeks.
Joe Campbell continues to meet with officials in the Ministry of Peace and Reconstruction, as well as other political contacts, to guide the peace process as it affects the ordinary people of Nepal.
Janet Campbell will be co-ordinating a series of short lunchtime reflections for Holy Week in UMN offices starting this coming Monday. Churches in Nepal will all have special programmes for Easter. In Kathmandu, Easter Sunday will mean a large public parade rally in the city from all churches, and a day of celebration.
Prayer Points –
- For the Nepali Congress as they chose a new leader for their party and for all the politicians that they seize the opportunity to complete the writing of the new constitution and unite to serve the people of Nepal.
- For all the participants in the Alpha and the Marriage courses, that they will be open to the voice and Spirit of God as they live and work overseas.
- For wisdom and God’s blessing on Joe Campbell in his work with the Ministry of Peace and Reconstruction, where he spends time each week.
- For all the special Easter activities, that through them Jesus will be glorified in the unity of the church in Nepal. Remember all those who are planning the events this week.
Day 25 – THAILAND
Thousands of anti-government protesters remain in Bangkok, demanding the resignation of Thailand's Prime Minister, Abhisit Vejjajiva, and for new and fair elections to be held. Abhisit Vejjajiva, allegedly came to power over a year ago without a popular mandate in his own favour. The protesters come from of a diverse mix of interest groups, many of whom support former Prime Minister, Thaksin Shinawatra who was ousted in a bloodless military coup in 2006. Attempts to arrange talks between the protesters and government have failed. Another rally is planned for this Saturday; last weekend around 65,000 attended the protest.
Prayer Points –
- That people will remain calm and that a peaceful and just solution will be found to the present conflict.
- For long term reconciliation, that Thailand will once again will be united for the common good.
Day 26 – MISSION INVOLVEMENT
This Spring’s ‘Celebration of Global Mission’, 'Seize the Moment!', took place last night (23rd), in Banbridge Road, Dromore Presbyterian Church.
- Give thanks for this inspiring and challenging evening; for those who led in worship and those who shared ‘their story’; for all who came to listen, to encourage and to be encouraged; and for God speaking through the prompting of His Spirit.
- Give thanks for a total of just over £860 raised through the offering, which will go towards helping to resource the ministry of Grupos Biblicos Unídos (GBU) in outreach and evangelism amongst students in Spain.
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