Presbyterian Church in Ireland - Mission Overseas - PL2010-21, 26-May-10

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PL2010-21, 26-May-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 3 – JAMAICA

At least 31 people have been killed and scores injured over the past week in Kingston. Security forces are battling with supporters of a suspected drug lord, whom the Jamaican authorities are searching for, as they have agreed to extradite him to the USA, where he is wanted on cocaine trafficking and gunrunning charges. Most of those killed and injured are believed to be innocent civilians caught in the crossfire on the streets. There are fears the fighting will have longer term effects on Jamaica’s tourist industry, which provides a quarter of all jobs in Jamaica. 

• Pray for a just resolution to this unfolding situation, protection for innocent civilians and the security forces, and for the restoration of peace and calm. 

Days 12 to 14 – KENYA

Derek Roulston writes, “Thank you for your prayers for the Seed Potato Field Day - it was a huge success! Around 250 people attended with greatenthusiasm. Some had travelled almost five hours by road and had many questions on how to improve potato production! They are very keen andasking for another one! The local chief (a lady) also attended, she was taking notes from Derek and thenproceeded to explain it all to the group!  She was a great support.”

We have an American missionary couple who live near us and the husband, Guy is very seriously ill.  He has seen ten different doctors, however none of them can diagnose his problem. They have asked for Christian friends to pray.”

Prayer Points –

• Give thanks that the field day went so well.
  
  
• Pray for Guy, that he will fully recover from illness. 
  
  
• Pray for plans for another mission in Galanawhich will take place from 20th to 25th July. Pray for those taking part as they prepare and that the seed of God’s Word will fall on good ground.
  
  
• Pray for Derek and Linda’s work permit to be processed soon. 

Stephen Cowan sends the following prayer points from Tuum:-

• Give thanks that this month’s Bible teaching seminar went well, with good biblical and social teaching. 
  
  
• Pray for the outreach which will follow the teaching, which this month will take place in the village of Seren. 
  
  
• Pray for the moving of a portacabin to Seren in preparation for the move of Julius and Wanijuku to the village. 

Days 16 to 19 – MALAWI

Victoria Chihana and Helen Quinn are visiting each congregation in Jombo Presbytery today and tomorrow (26th and 27th) to meet with a group of women for the first time, to give them loans through the Women's Empowerment Programme Micro-Finance Loan Scheme.

Prayer Points –

• For safe travel over very difficult terrain and that the vehicle will serve them well. 
  
  
• For sufficient time to begin to get to know the women and encourage them in their faith as well as helping them practically.

The ministerial students at the College of Theology in Ekwendeni returned home last Friday (21st) after a 20-week semester. Their wives will be coming to the College for a two-week intensive course from 30th May to 11th June.

Prayer Points –

• That as these young women come to a totally new and unfamiliar situation, they will enjoy and benefit much from the experience and begin to be equipped for their role as minister's wife in the years to come.
  
  
• For the ministers' wives and college staff conducting the course.
  
  
• For their husbands who will stay at home looking after the children for two weeks.

Last weekend Scripture Union Malawi (SUM) held a youth retreat which was attended by 30 young people from Lilongwe.

• Praise God for an encouraging weekend as many of the young people recommitted to a life of discipleship.
  
  
• Pray for these young people as they go back into their congregations, schools/colleges and places of work, that they will be faithful witnesses of the gospel message.

SUM is due to hold its Annual General Meeting during the first week of September.

• Pray as practical arrangements are put in place to accommodate and transport Scripture Union members to the Kande Campsite.
  
  
• Pray for guidance in the selection of a keynote speaker who will not only inspire, but challenge the movement in its vision for the year ahead.

Peter Rowntree, a member of The Mall (Third Armagh) Presbyterian Church, has been working with SUM since Easter.  Peter is due to leave Malawi on Thursday to return to Northern Ireland.

Prayer Points –

• For Peter as he finishes his work at the office and the youth groups he has been involved with.
  
  
• That Peter will have a safe journey and adjust well to life at home.
  
  
• Give thanks for the people Peter has worked with, and how he has been used in the work in Malawi.

Day 20 – BMO Leadership Development

Prof Gordon Campbell will be in Latvia preaching and teaching from 30th May to 4th June. He will preach in Riga Reformed Church on 30th May (in English, through an interpreter), then deliver a week’s teaching on John’s Gospel to students of the Baltic ReformedTheological Seminary (BRTS) – teaching some face-to-face in Riga and others via a live web feed to Vilnius (Lithuania). This is part one of a module to be completed in September; it is also open to local ministers. Since the teaching is in English, all students will be working in their second or third language.

Gordon’s daughter Aimée will accompany him on this trip. It will be an encouragement to her, following a busy year at University in Cambridge, and a significant learning experience as she prepares for a year’s service on the Grupos Bíblicos Unídos (GBU) staff team being formed to help Derek French in Bilbao, Spain (from September 2010 onwards).

Gordon is excited about this latest trip to Riga and the renewed opportunity to help in training leaders for the emerging Reformed Churches in Latvia and the long-established Evangelical Reformed Church in Lithuania. However, in tangible ways Gordon has been aware of a spiritual battle on each previous visit, linked both to the historical, cultural and religious legacy in the Latvian context and also to the encouragement and help which the Church and College in Riga receive from such visits.  

Prayer Points –

• Safe travel for Gordon and Aimée both outward on 29th May, and inward on 3rd June (Aimée) and 5th June (Gordon).
  
  
• Gordon and Aimée’s health and safety, both physical and spiritual, during their sta.
  
  
• All the students taking the course on John’s Gospel, especially those who will sit an exam and receive credit.
  
  
• The congregations and ministers in Riga’s two Latvian-speaking Reformed Churches and a small Church plant among Russian speakers.
  
  
• Discussions with BRTS about the developing partnership with PCI.

Day 24 – NEPAL

The global 40 days of prayer for Nepal ended on Sunday last when over 600 people gathered for an open air prayer service from 7.00am to 9.00am in Kathmandu. Prayers were led by different church leaders.

These are uncertain days for the country. This Friday (28th), is the end of the two-year time span for the writing of the new constitution. The politicians have been unable to find agreement on a number of key issues. An extension of the Assembly is possible, but only if there is broader agreement than currently exists. There is widespread concern and some are fearful of what may happen if agreement is not reached before Friday. 

UMN has had to make some job cuts of Nepali staff due to the global economic downturn. Some, but not all of the staff, have been able to find alternative jobs. Five staff will be leaving in the coming weeks without secure employment in a country with no functioning social security safety net.

Prayer Points –

• For the Nepali church that it will continue to give people hope and security during these difficult and uncertain days.
  
  
• For the political leaders that they will act wisely and give clear leadership and be able to rebuild trust with one another.
  
  
• For UMN staff who will be leaving during the coming weeks, that they and their families will find ways to earn a living.
  
  
• For UMN, that in the difficult economic climate, wise use of existing finance will be a priority.

Days 27 to 29 –INDONESIA

Tomorrow (27th), Barry McCroskery leaves for the island of Rotewhere he will be leading a couple of sessions in a ‘Training of Trainers’three-day workshop for a number of Presbyteries. The first session will be on Pastoral Care and the second session will present new material on the Spiritual Life of Church Leaders.  These workshops will be repeated in a number of other regions throughout June.

• Please pray for God’s guidance and wisdom and that ministers and elders will find the material helpful and applicable in their ministry and personal life. Pray also for safety in travel, health and stamina as well as for God’s protection upon Elsye and the children at home in Kupang.
  
  
• Barry has to leave Indonesia for Singapore for a few days on the 8th June in order to collect his new visa. Please pray that there will be no complications and that all the preparations will be completed on time.
  
  
• Elsye’s dad celebrated his 80th birthday last Friday and continues to recover really well from his stroke last year. Thank you for your prayers for him and for Elsye.

Rev Anton Piga (Moderator), Rev (Mrs) Jerda Djawa (First Assistant Moderator) and Rev Demianus Ice (Assistant General Secretary) of the Evangelical Christian Church in Halmahera (GMIH) are due to arrive in Belfast on Friday to visit our church and attend the General Assembly in June.  

A special Reception to mark their visit, which is open to all who may be interested, is being held in the Minor Hall, Church House on Thursday 3rd June, in the evening. Tea and coffee will be served from 7.30pm with proceedings commencing at 8.00 pm sharp.

We would encourage as many people as possible to attend this Reception. We would be grateful if those who intend coming could contact the Mission Overseas Office in Church House (Tel: 028 9032 2284), so that we know numbers for seating and catering purposes.

Prayer Points –

• Pray for safe and trouble-free travel for the three Church leaders. 
  
  
• Pray for an encouraging visit that will help the development of PCI’s partnership with GMIH; and for a good attendance at the special reception being held in Church House on Thursday 3rd June.

Further information on the Reception is available from the PCI Website www.pcimissionovereseas.org

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