Presbyterian Church in Ireland - Mission Overseas - PL2010-28, 14-Jul-10

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PL2010-28, 14-Jul-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.

Days 13 to 15 – KENYA

Last Saturday (10th), three wedding blessings took place in Tuum, officiated by ministers from Nyahururu and the Moderator of the Presbyterian Church of East Africa (PCEA), who preached at the service. These couples had either married traditionally or just stayed together as, until now, there had been no way for them to be married officially under the law. It was a good occasion and carried out with as little expense as possible. Church weddings often incur a lot of expense which can be a major stumbling block to those preparing to commit to a life together.

• Give thanks for a good visit to Tuum by the Moderator of PCEA and presbytery officials. It had been 20 years since the pastor, who allowed Stephen and Angelina Cowan to move to Tuum, last visited the area. It was an encouragement to him (and to the Cowans) that he saw how the gospel is bringing change to peoples’ lives. It was also a challenge to everyone present to be committed to long-term involvement in mission.
  
  
• Continue to pray for the youth camps which will take place in August. Pray for the team from Waringstown Presbyterian Church as they prepare to lead the camps, and remember also the young people who will attend the camps.
  
  
• Next week will be the monthly teaching time in Tuum. Pray that everyone who attends will listen attentively to the teaching from God’s Word, and know that it has the power to make an impact on individuals, changing their lives for the better, as well as the communities in which they live.  Pray too for the outreach around Tuum that will follow the teaching seminars. Some people may also go to Seren (where Julius is preparing to move to) and to encourage some young people from Seren to attend to the youth camps in August.

Through PCEA UK Outreach, Edwin and Anne Kibathi continue to be busy with their work ministering to members of the newly planted PCEA congregation for East African expatriates living in London. On Tuesday (6th), doctors broke the sad news to one of their members, Mrs Lucy Kaburu, that she had only a few days to live. While her relatives and friends wept, it amazed the medical personnel that she just praised God with a smile. “Why are you not afraid?” one doctor asked her. “Because I know where I am going and I am ready,” she replied.  “I wish I had such a faith,” the doctor said. At her request, Edwin was able to give her Communion on Thursday (8th) and on Saturday morning (10th) she went to be with the Lord. Then, last Sunday (11th), during the service, Mr and Mrs Kamaureceived news of the sudden passing away of one of their parents, who had been sick for some time.

The plans for PCI’s YAC Team mission trip to London are at an advanced stage. The hosting team in London are very excited and looking forward to the mission week. 

PCEA’s National Guild coordinator, Mrs Muchiri, had a safe trip to London and the seminars she held for the ladies were well attended. She is now back safely in Kenya.

Prayer Points:

• Give thanks for the life Mrs Kaburu and remember her sorrowing family at this difficult time. Pray for the plans to take her body back to Kenya for burial.
  
  
• Remember also Mr and Mrs Kamau and family as they mourn the death of a beloved parent and pray for them as they reschedule their travel plans and for a safe journey.
  
  
• Remember the Kibathis as they support these families, that God will grant them wisdom and strength.
  
  
• Pray for members of the PCI team as they prepare to travel to London at the end of the month and that their mission will be successful.
  
  
• Thank God for a safe journey back to Kenya for Mrs Muchiri and for the success of the seminars she ran for the women while she was in London.

Days 16 to 19 – MALAWI

Volker and JinHyeog Glissman and their children Lina, Micha and Lukas left yesterday (Tuesday 13th) for Zomba in southern Malawi, JinHyeog’s visa having arrived just in time, last Saturday (10th) morning.

Prayer Points:

• Give thanks that JinHyeog’s visa arrived in time and that the family were able to travel as planned.
  
  
• Pray for a smooth transition for each of them, and as a family; as they settle into their new surroundings; establish a new home; and adjust to a new culture. Remember the children especially; pray that they may quickly settle and make new friends in Malawi.

Day 24 – NEPAL

Another Forgiveness and ReconciliationWorkshop for Church leaders in Kathmanduwill take place over three days, commencing next Tuesday (20th). In the past three years, some 800 leaders from all over Nepal have benefited from this programme of Biblical teaching. This programme, which was originally developed in Rwanda and Burundi after the civil wars in these countries when the church worked to support reconciliation among the people, has been adapted for Nepal as part of a healing process.  Joe Campbell will be taking part in the programme.

Tomorrow, (Thursday 15th), Joe Campbell is meeting with officials from Kathmandu University as they consider starting a part-time Masters programme in Conflict Transformation. This type of three-year programme would be shaped to allow UMN and other INGO staff the opportunity to continue to work, but also study, using the raw material from their work. The hope is that in the coming years, this programme would provide experienced and capable people to support and work for a just and lasting peace in Nepal.

Prayer Points:

• That next week’s Forgiveness and Reconciliation workshop will, by God’s grace, make an impact on all those present. Pray for improving relations within and between churches all over Nepal.
  
  
• That it will soon be possible for the University in Kathmandu to provide a Masters programme in Conflict Transformation. 

Georgie Hopkinson and the children are travelling to Thailand for a holiday. Grenvillewill join them in a couple of weeks, but at present is busy travelling in Nepal to understand the Government’s Local Governance programme.  Grenville will travel to Tansen on 10th July and then on to Doti in the far west of Nepal from 17th July. This is a busy period for UMN staff, as a number of programme evaluations have come at once. Grenville will be supporting these to ensure that the strategic plan addresses any specific issues raised.

Prayer Points:

• For Georgie and the children, that they enjoy some rest and relaxation.
  
  
• For safe travel for Grenville over the coming weeks.

OVERSEAS TEAMS

A number of teams are overseas over the next week and we encourage you to pray for them:

BOLVIA – A team of 12 adults and one infant from High Street, Holywood Presbyterian Church left for Cochabamba, in Bolivia on Monday (12th) and arrived safely yesterday (13th).  High Street congregation supports Marcos and Gwen Quinteros (and their family), whom they got to know and supported when they studied at Belfast Bible College(2001-03). The Quinteros’ have established a community centre through which they are seeking to meet the social and spiritual needs of the barrio of Sumumpaya. Earlier this year, they celebrated the first anniversary of the formation of La Corona (The Crown) church fellowship. The team is working alongside members of La Corona church, giving help and support in any way they can. They flyhome on 28th July [Team Blog].

INDIA – Three teams from Fisherwick Presbyterian Church are coming to the end of their two weeks in India. Derek and Helen McKelvey and Ronnie Wilson from Fisherwick Presbyterian Church are in the Vellore Diocese of the Church of South India (CSI) for the fourth time, and have been working with pastors and leaders. A group of 13 young people have been building a primary school for a rural Dalit village called Melveilamur in memory of Miss Mary Leith, former headmistress of Dungannon Girls’ High School, and an adult team of 14 have been renovating a nursing school at Vandavasi for training Dalit girls in nursing.  These three teams are due home this Sunday, (18th). 

JAMAICA – A team of eight people from The Mall, Armagh Presbyterian Church left today (14th) for Jamaica, where they will be involved in working with children. The team is due home on 28th July. 

KENYA – A team of six people from Hillhall Presbyterian Church leave on Monday (19th) to travel to Compass School, just outside Nairobi, where they will help build a crèche. The team returns on 7th August. 

MALAWI – A team of ten people from Howth and Malahide Presbyterian Church has been working on the Madziabango Project alongside Maurice and Helen Kennedy, doing painting and decorating and helping to run a holiday Bible club. The team is due home this Sunday (18th). 

The Board of Mission Overseas (BMO) ‘Go, See Malawi Team’ is coming to the end of its two-week visit to the Blantyre Synod area of the Church of Central Africa Presbyterian (CCAP), where they have been travelling to a number of places to see and learn about its work and witness in southern Malawi. The team returns home this Saturday (17th).

A team of 15 members of Ballycarry Presbyterian Church is also coming to the end of their visit to Northern Malawi, where they have been running an After-School Bible Club (along with Malawian Sunday School teachers), for children aged 6-11 and working in the village of Kachere, making equipment for pre-school children and working alongside local carpenters. During their time in Malawi, they also visited an orphanage near LakeMalawi, and the ladies who knit a number of items that are sold in N Ireland. A number of the team also spent time with some Malawian ladies and cook for each other. The team is due home this Friday, (16th).

A specialist team, organised jointly by PCI’s Board of Youth and Children’s Ministry (YAC) and Board of Mission Overseas (BMO), leaves tomorrow (15th) for Malawi. The team of eight teachers from various PCI congregations will work alongside Diane Cusick and Fiona Innes, and assist in the running of workshops for those who in turn train other nursery school teachers. These workshops will promote interactive teaching methods – including games, music and movement, effective storytelling and questioning and making resources. The team is due home on 2nd August. 

ROMANIA – A team of six young people, organised by PCI’s Board of Youth and Children’s Ministry (YAC), is coming to the end of their time in Romania, where they have been helping PCI missionaries, Csaba and Ilona Veres, lead an English Language Camp for 10-16 year olds from all over Transylvania. The team is due home tomorrow, Thursday 15th. 

A team of nine people from Clogherney Presbyterian Churchleave for Romania on Friday (16th). They will be helping to lead a Bible Camp for teenagers from the Hungarian Reformed Church and will be working alongside Csaba and Ilona Veres. The team is due home again on 25th July. 

A team of 18 people from Annalong Presbyterian Church leave on Sunday (18th) to work at a Christian Camp. The team will divide in two with 12 men to do some building work and the other six (men and women) will help lead a camp for Romanian children. The team is due home again on 1st August. 

SLOVENIA – A team of five people from Glengormley Presbyterian Church[see blog] is in Slovenia, where they are working with Gloria and Sebastian Forjan in the Lake Bled area, doing English language training at a church camp. The team is due home this Sunday, (18th). 

UGANDA – A team of 19 people from Kilkeel Presbyterian Church is in Uganda, where they are undertaking refurbishment and building work, as well as pastoral work with children and staff. The team is due home tomorrow, (15th). 

A team of 15 people from Bannside Presbyterian Church is in Uganda working with Abaana, helping to build a school and working with street children. The team is due home on 23rd July.

A team of 21 people from Joymount and Cairncastle Presbyterian churches is in Uganda. The churches have provided the money to have a kitchen built to Caring Heart Primary School and to have two wells sunk in needy areas.  The team is teaching in the Primary school and in Grace High School and helping to lead music, sports and Holiday Bible Clubs. They are also working with the women in the villages doing sewing and crafts and general maintenance work. The team is due home next Wednesday, (21st). 

UKRAINE – The BMO's team to Ukraine is due to leave Ireland tomorrow (15th), travelling via Dublin and Budapest (Hungary) to Transcarpathia in western Ukraine. The team of 10 adults will take part in an English Language teaching camp for young people from Transcarpathia. Most of team is due home again on 27th July.

Prayer Points for these teams –

• Good health, safety, strength and energy for all the team members and those they are working with.
  
  
• The work that each of the teams will be involved in.
  
  
• For the Word of God to be explained clearly and for spiritual fruit in the lives of those the teams are going to help or work alongside.

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