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
Africa: Ebola
DR Congo reports over 1,300 cases of Ebola and close to 400 related deaths. Some local governments have now banned large gatherings, but it is estimated that there may be as many as 20,000 untraced contacts of current Ebola patients, meaning there is still huge potential for the disease to continue to spread rapidly. Pray
Lebanon: people in desperate circumstances
More than 1.4 million people in Lebanon have had to leave their homes due to airstrikes. Please pray for every person who has been displaced as they face ongoing instability, fear and lack of safety. In the midst of these incredibly difficult circumstances, pray for people to turn to Jesus and find hope in him.
South Africa: postgraduate diploma students
Caroline and Dick Seed are based at George Whitefield College in Cape Town, and train and resource theological educators across Africa and beyond. Caroline writes, “Please pray for David Turnbull from Local Leaders in Australia who arrives next week to teach our distance and online learning module for the postgraduate diploma.” We give thanks with
Spain/North Africa: on leave in the UK
This week CMS staff in Oxford were blessed to have a visit from a family engaged in mission in Spain and North Africa. The family ask for prayer for protection and encouragement for Muslim-background believers. Pray for protection and good health for the parents and children while they spend the next few weeks in the
Thailand: upcoming travel
Mission partners Elise and Jon Fletcher are immersed in the life of a slum community in Khlong Toei, Bangkok, where they support families to stay together despite living in poverty and other pressures of slum life. Elise and Jon are preparing to travel to the UK in July with one of their Thai colleagues/neighbours, but
Venezuela: earthquake aftermath
Recent earthquakes have caused more than 1,450 deaths and left a further 3,000 people injured, in addition to colossal damage to people’s homes and public infrastructure. Pray for people as they grieve huge losses and look to recover and make a way forward. Ask God to strengthen Christians to be able to support and offer