Ukraine update 9 March
Having travelled to a place of relative safely, our people in mission sent us this update:
We are in a safe place, where we can pray and support those who are still in great danger. Some people just stay here a night or two, while others stay and help. Each day we take it in turns to pray either all night or for a couple of hours during the night and day. We are also taking shifts serve in the kitchen and cleaning. Some are involved in coordinating travel and collecting those who now need to leave. The rest of the time we gather for worship and share what God is revealing to us. We are very grateful for this warm home.
We were still able to mark International Women’s Day – our brothers surprised the women in the group last night with growing tulips as a sign of life and hope, tangerines and a little chocolate. This was especially valued in the midst of so much suffering.
Pray for our people in mission as they seek to bless others. Pray for their ongoing safety and for all those whose lives have been turned upside down through this war.
Latest prayer news
Brazil: community market
Rosie and Stu Bayford have spent seven years in Recife, where they have been supporting girls at risk through local ministry ReVive, and established a community market which repurposes surplus food to benefit local families. Rosie and Stu and their daughter have now returned to the UK and are finishing service as mission partners. Praise
Cambodia, Thailand: border dispute
Please pray for a resolution to the ongoing border dispute between Cambodia and Thailand. This week, Cambodia failed to open the Khlong Luek checkpoint as agreed, leaving 600 Thai nationals stranded on the Cambodian side of the border. Pray for an agreement to be reached so that these Thai nationals and others can return home
Honduras: taking forward new ideas
Lindsey and Steve Poulson, who mentor young people at risk, write that Steve recently travelled to Peru to visit and learn from CMS partners in Lima. Pray for Steve and colleagues as they adapt ideas for their own context and take them forward.
North Africa: creating space to explore faith
H and M support followers of Jesus in minority contexts through discipleship and sharing God’s love through their everyday lives. H is also doing some coaching alongside this and has recently been able to organise some ladies’ events, which have been great fun. As she is hoping to put on a few more events for
South Sudan: training amid instability
Give thanks with local partner Joseph Noel Sati for God’s provision and protection amid the unstable economic and security situation in South Sudan. Pray for Joseph’s work of building the capacity of local churches through CMS-Africa’s courses; for participants to be empowered to fulfil their potential and for new trainers to be equipped to teach
Brazil: forever homes
We give thanks that CMS short-termer Katharine has extended her stay in Recife to continue serving at ReVive’s safe house, supporting at-risk girls with education and to flourish as they grow in understanding their God-given value. Katharine asks for prayer for each of the girls in the safe house to find a forever home, and