Presbyterian Church in Ireland - Mission Overseas - PL2010-15, 14-Apr-10

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PL2010-15, 14-Apr-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 10 – SUDAN

Landmark national elections are taking place this week in Sudan. Polling began on Sunday and is taking place over five days, concluding tomorrow (Thursday 15th). The elections are the first multi-party polls to be held in the country in 24 years. In January 2005, a Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) was signed by parties in the North and South of Sudan, ending more than two decades of civil war (1983–2004).

The elections will elect a president, the national assembly and governors, as well as legislative bodies for 25 states. Results are due in next week. However, a number of opposition parties have criticised the election and accused the authorities of electoral fraud.

This is a critical time for Sudan with fears in recent months that the CPA may collapse and Sudan could descend into civil war once more. The current elections are the last major step in the CPA before a referendum is held in the South in 2011, to determine whether this part of the country (which is largely Christian) remains part of Sudan or forms its own independent state.

• Pray for the elections to be fair and for reaction to the result to be peaceful. 
  
  
• Pray for the CPA to hold, for compromises to be reached and for a real and lasting peace for all the people of Sudan.

Days 12 to 14 – KENYA

Derek and Linda Roulston thank all who prayed for the mission held last week in Galana. Over 100 people came to faith, some of whom were senior men. This is especially encouraging as many are so deeply attached to traditional beliefs (and alcohol) that they seldom listen to the gospel, let alone respond to it. 

Numbers in the two congregations in Galana are growing at a very encouraging pace. The two trainee evangelists have finished their six-month course in Nairobi and have now taken up pastoral roles in Galana. After the recent mission, they are very busy following-up new converts.

It is such a delight for Derek and Linda to see these people (who they have known for years) come to know Jesus as their Lord and Saviour! Plans are now being made for another mission to be held in July.

Rev Nigel Craig, minister of the Roulstons' home congregation of Newtowncunningham (and also Ray) in Donegal, has been with Derek and Linda for the past few days and has visited Galana, meeting many of the new converts.

• Pray for those who have just come to faith in Christ. 
  
  
• Pray for the plans for the mission in Galana in July. 
  
  
• Pray for Nigel Craig and the remainder of his two weeks with the Roulston's.

Recently, Naomi and Thomas Leremore have both been suffering from ill-health and have required ongoing medical treatment.  Thankfully, Aaron is keeping well. 

• Please pray for the Leremore family at this difficult time; that Thomas and Naomi would make a full recovery from illness and know God’s strength and encouragement in their work from day to day, and that Aaron would continue to enjoy good health. 

Days 16 to 19 – MALAWI

Neil Kennedy and a number of Christian Medical Fellowship (CMF) students are involved in an outreach this weekend in the Bangula area of southern Malawi.  While there, they will be undertaking some trachoma screening, review of orphans, as well as pastor health education in several rural villages and working with local pastors to pray with the patients they see.

• Pray for safe and trouble-free travel for Neil and the students.  As the road is very bumpy, pray that they will get there and back, without any breakdowns!
  
  
• Pray that the students will be challenged to meet the health needs of the rural poor of Malawi.

Day 24 – NEPAL

Joe Campbell is in Rukum this week, a mid-western district of Nepal, where he is working with the local UMN staff team and visiting the PW sponsored Woman's Income Support project.

Janet Campbell was visiting UMN expatriate staff in Nepalgunj yesterday (Tuesday, 13th). Today, Wednesday 14th, she is travelling to UMN's Bajhang Cluster, in the far west of the country; a 14-hour road journey one way.  In Bajhang, Janet will see the expatriate family working there and she also hopes to visit some health related projects.  There are two small churches in Bajhang in what is a very traditional part of the country.  Joe and Janet both hope to return to Kathmandu this Sunday (18th).

The Board of the United Mission to Nepal (UMN) meets on 22nd and 23rd April, with a number of members from outside the country travelling to attend the meeting.  Several critical issues are on the agenda, including the agreement of the Strategic Work Plan for the next five years, which forms the backbone of UMN’s next 5-year General Agreement with the Government of Nepal due for renewal later this year.

• Pray for safe journeys for both Janet and Joe and that their work with local Christians and the UMN staff teams will be a blessing to all concerned.
  
  
• Pray also for safety for UMN Board members travelling to Kathmandu and that God will guide the Board’s discussions and decision-making.

On Monday (12th), there was a national strike supported by people frustrated by the slow progress being made in writing Nepal’s new Constitution. With the May 28th deadline for completion of the Constitution fast approaching, it now seems unlikely there will be sufficient political agreement to complete it. It looks more likely that Nepal is heading into a time of heightened political tension and uncertainly. 

The Nepali Church is being mobilised to support 40 days of prayer for the country as it approaches the deadline for writing the new Constitution.  Bhab Ghale, the coordinator for this event, writes:

“Nepal is at a critical period in its history.  With less than two months to go until the deadline for the completion of the new Constitution (28th May), and with on-going political turmoil in the country, the future of Nepal as a peaceful, democratic, just and inclusive country looks more uncertain than ever.  As a response to this, the local church in Nepal, supported by mission agencies and Christian organisations has come together to call for a 40 day period of prayer & fasting for the country – within Nepal and also globally.

We would like to ask you to join in us in prayer at this time of fear and anxiety, with the unpredictable situation of Nepal, particularly if the Constitution is not written on time.  Please mobilise your own prayer supporters to join us as well in crying out to God for the country of Nepal and its people at this time.  Let’s believe and hope that through our united prayer, intercession and fasting God will intervene in the critical and volatile situation of Nepal and would heal this Himalayan Nation of Nepal.  May this highest land of the world give the highest glory to highest God. Amen!”

Please pray for Nepal as a Nation-

• For the writing of the new Constitution. That it would be completed within the deadline (28th May); that the Constitution would be inclusive, respect the rights of minority groups, and recognise and celebrate the diversity of Nepal, leading to increased unity across the country.
  
  
• That the Constitution would pave the way for free and fair elections and the election of a representative, just and effective government to run the country.
  
  
• For commitment to the secular state model and Constitution, and against recent calls for a return to Nepal being a Hindu kingdom.
  
  
• For the leaders of the country including the country's president, prime minister, the cabinet ministers, and political leaders - for unity of mind and purpose and an attitude of service to their country and its people.
  
  
• Pray against the culture of violence and impunity that has come with the end of the civil war, and for peace and an end to community violence.
  
  
• Pray against the exploitation and injustice prevalent across the country, and for a just and prosperous society where every individual has the chance to fulfil their God given potential as people made in the image of God.

Please pray for the Church in Nepal-

• For greater unity among the churches in the country, and against division and conflict.
  
  
• For spiritual passion and for the growth of the church in unreached areas.
  
  
• For the safety of recently gained religious freedom, and wisdom to use this wisely.
  
  
• For the local church to act as salt and light and a transforming presence in their own communities and at all levels in society.
  
  
• For organisations working to strengthen the local church and serve the people of Nepal.

Day 25 – THAILAND

Protesters, known as the ‘red-shirts’,remain in Bangkok and are believed to be gathering their camps together into one location as they fear another government crackdown. The number of protestors on the streets has fallen as the annual three-day New Year ‘Songkran’ festival approaches. 

Last week, the protestors rejected the government’s offer to dissolve parliament and call fresh elections within six months, insisting that this must be done immediately. One of the protest leaders has stated, “There will be no more negotiations, no more talks.  We believe the government will try to disperse us again in the next couple of days. We're organising our movement to fight.”

[More on Thai protests from BBC News online]

• Pray that people will remain calm and that a peaceful and just solution will be found. 
  
  
• Pray for long term reconciliation, that Thailand will once again will be united for the common good. 

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